Different ballet positions and couple more questions?

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Question:

I was reading about the different feet positions and the different arm positions that are numbered and trying to figure them out!. Is it that first position in the arms goes with first position in the feet, second in the arms with second in the feet etc Or do all the arm positions go indepedent of the feet positions!. Do guys learn all the positions as well as girls or are some for one sex and some for the other!?

OK, I haven't had a lesson yet, but I just tried the first foot position and almost fell over and couldn't stay balanced with my feet like that!. How long does it take to learn something like that!?

Final question I was searching some older questions on starting ballet here and people were asking about different stretching exercises to do at home, like butterfly stretch!. Is this something you usually have to do!.!.!. more stretching at home!. Again, are all these stretches for guys too, or are some just for girls to help them do the splits!? Guys don't do splits right!? Please say noWww@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

You rock!. I love guy dancers!.?

The arm movements are different, but they correlate, if that makes sense!. So first position arms don't necessarily look exactly like first position, but they go well with first position!. I'm going to include a lot of links, so get ready to get clicking!.

First position arms: http://www!.pbt!.org/kids/graphics/positio!.!.!.
First position feet: http://www!.pbt!.org/kids/graphics/positio!.!.!.

Second position arms: http://www!.pbt!.org/kids/graphics/positio!.!.!.
Second position feet: http://www!.pbt!.org/kids/graphics/positio!.!.!.

Third position arms: http://www!.pbt!.org/kids/graphics/positio!.!.!.
Third position feet*: http://www!.pbt!.org/kids/graphics/positio!.!.!.

Fourth position arms: http://www!.pbt!.org/kids/graphics/positio!.!.!.
Fourth position feet: http://www!.pbt!.org/kids/graphics/positio!.!.!.
Note: There are two different kinds of fourth (arms, not feet!. only one kind of feet fourth)!. Pictured is "spanish" fourth, which is a little less conventional and classical but no less used!. For a more classical fourth in the arms: http://www!.dkimages!.com/discover/preview!.!.!.

Fifth position arms: http://www!.pbt!.org/kids/graphics/positio!.!.!.
Fifth position feet: http://www!.pbt!.org/kids/graphics/positio!.!.!.

As you can imagine by studying these pictures together, the positions of the arms and the feet are not exactly alike but are cohesive, and allow for a graceful look for the dancer!.

In most traditional ballet styles (cecchetti, vegoneva, etc!.), the ballet arms are the same!. However, in some Russian and Spanish styles, fourth position differs slightly from male to female!. But these are not common methods and most choreographers and teachers will not use them!. When they do, they will make sure to tell you what to do!.

Don't worry about falling over!. Most likely your problem was forcing your turnout!. You should only go out as far as you feel completely comfortable!. You should feel nothing in your knees!. also, you sit in first, make sure you're standing on all five toes!. Your ankles and feet should NOT be rolling forward as it is very bad for you!.

Stretching, ahhh, my favorite!. Yes yes yes! Stretch at home!. The only way you'll get flexible in the least is if you stretch at home!. Most stretches guys can do to!. Hate to say it but!.!.!. you gotta do those splits! However, most teachers don't expect guys to go all the way down ;-]!. But it'll be an extra whammy if you can do it! Come on, believe in yourself! You'll get a split in no time!!

One more thing -- here's a link to a really good website!. Check it out: http://www!.artofballet!.com/index2!.html

Good luck, hope I helped! Once again, you ROCK!! I LOVE guy dancers!.??

*third position for the feet is not often used!. Most of the time it is used for training of very young dancers and then is dropped as the dancers get more serious and older!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Okay usually the arm positions go with the feet and the guys have to know them aswell is your doing my dancing (chechetti) !.!.!.
For the balancing awnser your turning out too much keep your feet pionting in a suitible , comfortable first position for you ive danced for 8 yrs and still dont have them pointing east & west

Good Luck

Hope i helped

xxXXxxWww@QuestionHome@Com

Yes, the arms and the feet go together!. Check this link out and you can see the different positions:

http://www!.dkimages!.com/discover/Home/Pe!.!.!.

When I did ballet the girls and boys learned the same basic positions!.

Like the first answer said, you're turning out too much!. Start with your heels together and then move the feet more outwards but so that you still keep balance!. As you practice and get better, you'll be able to get closer to 180 degrees!. It takes time and practice and that's why you have classes right!?

I wouldn't worry about stretches until you talk with your instructor!. She will advise you best on that!. It is all too easy to hurt yourself with bad advice!.

Good luck!.

JessWww@QuestionHome@Com

somtimes they do sometimes they dont go together just because your doing 2nd arms dosnt mean your doing 2nd feet if that makes scence
if you cant balence then your turning out to far probablly from the knees!!!
guys do need to be flexabble because they have to do grande jetes so it would help try this website for help
http://www!.artofballet!.com/lessons!.html

good luck at your first lessonWww@QuestionHome@Com

there are books usually at a local library that show you the positions and tips!. and yes stretch at home!. it makes things alot easier and yes guys do splits or atleast at my studio!.!.
well first position is actually a harder one but try with your feet sort of in and then turn them out more and more and eventually it will become like nothing!. and remember dont be intimadated by all the girls!. if your taking a already started class they've had more training than you!.plus your a guy!. dancers think its extremely sexy when guys danceWww@QuestionHome@Com