-*- Ballet -*-

Ballet

		Ballet has been around for many hundreds of years. Ballet began in Italy in the fifteenth century. It grew as a separate form of dancing. Many famous ballerinas came from Russia, and other parts of Europe and Asia.

Ballet has been around for many hundreds of years. Ballet began in Italy in the fifteenth century. It grew as a separate form of dancing. Many famous ballerinas came from Russia, and other parts of Europe and Asia.

		Basic Positions First Position With your heels together turn each leg out from the hip, moving your toes to the side. At first, you might not be able to turn your toes all the way out, but with practice, it will improve. Your arms should be held in an oval shape in the front. Curve your fingers and relax your thumbs toward your palms.

Basic Positions

First Position

With your heels together turn each leg out from the hip, moving your toes to the side. At first, you might not be able to turn your toes all the way out, but with practice, it will improve. Your arms should be held in an oval shape in the front. Curve your fingers and relax your thumbs toward your palms.

	Second Position Keep your toes in the same line as first position, but separate your feet. The space between your heels should be about the length of one foot. Your weight should be spread evenly throughout your feet. Have your arms open wide in front of your shoulders and slightly rounded. Make sure you do not drop your elbows at any time. The second position is one of the most frequently used positions.

Second Position

Keep your toes in the same line as first position, but separate your feet. The space between your heels should be about the length of one foot. Your weight should be spread evenly throughout your feet. Have your arms open wide in front of your shoulders and slightly rounded. Make sure you do not drop your elbows at any time. The second position is one of the most frequently used positions.

			Third Position Cross one foot halfway in front of the other foot. Keep your legs turned out and your body lifted. Hold one of your arms curved in front of you and the other one out to the side.

Third Position

Cross one foot halfway in front of the other foot. Keep your legs turned out and your body lifted. Hold one of your arms curved in front of you and the other one out to the side.

	Forth Position This position can either be crossed or open. For crossed, place one foot in front of the other with space between them. To perform the open position, uncross your legs, putting your heels in line but keeping the space. Hold one arm up in a graceful curve, slightly in front of your head. Your other arm should be gently rounded out to the side. Forth position is another frequently used position.

Forth Position

This position can either be crossed or open. For crossed, place one foot in front of the other with space between them. To perform the open position, uncross your legs, putting your heels in line but keeping the space. Hold one arm up in a graceful curve, slightly in front of your head. Your other arm should be gently rounded out to the side. Forth position is another frequently used position.

		Fifth Position After you can do the first four positions and your feet and legs have become strong enough you will study this position. Stand with your feet crossed and touching each other firmly. Take both arms and hold them in an oval shape above your head.

Fifth Position

After you can do the first four positions and your feet and legs have become strong enough you will study this position. Stand with your feet crossed and touching each other firmly. Take both arms and hold them in an oval shape above your head.

	Ballet takes a lot of training. To be good at ballet, you need to be in good physical shape. You must have time to practice. Dancers are dedicated and determined. You need strength, delicacy, grace, and skill to be a great dancer.