Insight: Ballet glossary - arm positions
Romany Pajdak, Royal Ballet First Artist, demonstrates arm positions.
Ballet uses strictly defined positions through which most arm movements travel. There are five basic positions: first, second, third, fourth, fifth.
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First position: Both arms are held out in front of the body at approximately
80 degrees, maintaining rounded elbows and an oval shape, sloping down a little from the shoulders.
Second position: Both arms are held out to the sides to form a strong horizontal,
but with a slight slope downwards from shoulders to wrist.
Third position: One arm is held forward in first position, the other is held to the
side in second position.
Fourth position: One arm is held to the side in second position, the other is raised
up, slightly in front of the head.
Fifth position: Both arms are raised up high almost vertically, but held slightly
forward of the head.