How To Dance Like A Ballerina : The Five Ballet Positions

[azugirl111]

"don't ball your feet under"

NAWH REALLY?

and dat first positon...

i have a little bit of hyperextension so my ankles dont really completely touch but that is just abominable :/

i'm sure all the people that liked this have never taken even one real ballet class...

[dqtanjaa]

Why are you teaching this to people if you can't get it right?

THAT IS NOT FIRST!

And your hands don't need to touch each other!

SO FRUSTRATING! Your not helping the world!!!!!

[jasmine6678]

ur 1st position which is ur most basic position is wrong! put ur feet together!!!! =/

[27grunden]

Heels together!

[alltds21]

your heels need to be together i am a dancer

[Kalunais]

i disliked it..

[TheJossie8]

in 1st postion you put your heels together.

[MultiPanda1001]

the place i do ballet, we learned a different 4th position of the arms. he hand infront of your body was to the sides

[CGawesomeness917]

u forgot 6th position!!!

[missdancergirl19]

Knee injuries AND ripped ligiments and that nasty stuff, she is accurate but dont copy her exactly, or else you will have issues with your feet!

[missdancergirl19]

fYI irishmusicalgurl1216, thats hyperextention, i have it too, and this vidio isnt technically correct because the ppl with hyperextention have to place their feet diffrent and the feelings that she is explaining arent what they should feel like. not to sound scholorly or anything........

[missdancergirl19]

Go for you dreams, reach for the stars! Much luck to prospective dancers.

Ps this was all out of order,stupid charictor limit!

the order of these is_5 4 3 2 1 enjoy and don't rip on my comment

peace;Missdancergirl19<3

[missdancergirl19]

then you will be able to wear them.These youtube movies and such make this look easy, but unfortunately, this is most definitely not.A reason I urge you to speak with your doctor is because you might have a condition that doesnt alow you to dance ballet, anything from poor foot bone structure to heart problems. As for the fact that people say a old dog may not preform new tricks, or whatever the saying is, never let cliches get you! You are NEVER too old to do new things, you just must try.

[missdancergirl19]

you will see dancers must practice, pull up and tenacity. A quick mention,to girls and women, about pointe shoes. Do NOT get them as soon as you have been ok-ed by your doctor and signed up for classes, you cannot and will not be able to use them at the first class. You must grow strong and wait for your instructor to okay the usage. Also the pointe shoes are a unnecessary hundred to two hundred dollars wasted for the very first class. Work hard and progress,

[missdancergirl19]

If in doubt ask both the same questions and go with the advice that addresses the health of your body. Be very careful, and as I am a dancer, check with your instructor first.

When you are considering ballet, ask yourself if you will take dance seriously and if you can stick with it. I advise this question, because my friend may have been kicked out of my ballet school, because she was not taking this art form seriously. And yes, it is a sport. Once you are checked up and set to dance,

[missdancergirl19]

Hi! I am a dancer in Connecticut. Since I am a ballet dancer, I advise you strongly to speak with your doctor before pursuing ballet dancing. This is not a art you can practice for, as that may injure you and tear ligaments. When stretching, you must be accustomed to the feeling and what is a healthy stretch ache, and a pain ache. Do not stretch without discussing every facet of the stretch with your instructor for dance or doctor.

[pinkygirl1999]

Can ballet help improve self confidence? Can someone of 20 start ballet as a recreational activity?

[Ladylivs1998]

no offence but my dance teacher would teach this a whole lot better.

[zaby1972]

BADDDDD BALLET

I do ballet. This lady needs to learn before she teaches!!!

[dlayne10499]

i'm only eleven and i trying to perfect my ballet i thought when your in first position your heels touch???

I am confused

[irishmusicalgurl1216]

@dlayne10499 they are supposed to touch, but this lady has a common condition that does not allow them to touch.

[dlayne10499]

@irishmusicalgurl1216 thank you

[dlayne10499]

@irishmusicalgurl1216 thank you so much

[helly7766]

I'm really sorry but if your trying to learn ballet look at another video. A nice try an good teaching but 1st position was all wrong.

[BallroomBallerina99]

Horrible!!!!!! Your arms are all messy and some of your arm positions are wrong....it looks like you got it off answers.com or somthin....

[iiKuhhTriiNuhh]

@BallroomBallerina99 it's not like ur frikin perfect in ballet u shudnt jugde people especially if u cant do any better

[BallroomBallerina99]

@iiKuhhTriiNuhh Actually, I am a ballet dancer and should correct it because if you dont know corrections are good so you can apply them. She sould look more like she knows what she is doing smart one. I am also a ballroom dancer and obviously someone doesnt know what their talking about. also you dont even know me so i dont know what you are even talking about and YOU shouldnt judge me because i know what i am talking about. "You can't walk let alone dance!"

[iiKuhhTriiNuhh]

@BallroomBallerina99 how old r u, like 10? just shut up and leave me alone.

[iiKuhhTriiNuhh]

@BallroomBallerina99 how old r u, like 10? just shut up and leave me alone. also if u think she should apply herself u should give her friendly tips instead of throwing all ur stupid negative comments at her.

[BallroomBallerina99]

@iiKuhhTriiNuhh R U INSANE!? I'm not 10... and it's not your buisness how old i am but i am CERTAINLY over 10....Okay I was a little mean but some people have to know the truth in order to get better!!! ;)

[unknowngal8]

being fit is part of being a ballerina so I'm not really sure she's a ballerina.....

[amadezxxye]

umm this isnt effective... i was waiting for a hard position ..like a split or someting like that lol

[beautifullybroken012]

Why does it seem that most people who watch and comment on the ballet instruction videos on youtube are dancers who think they already know how to do it anyway? Why are you all watching these videos if you know what you're doing?

[CelloAndPiano4Life]

that point? it's called a tendu. just sayin.

[xneonxgreennx]

LOL it looks like shes sticking the wire up her ass

[pompom189]

Boring

[jackgibbs1994]

5th is overcrossed. 1st the heels should be closer, even with hyper-extension. They were like 15cm away from eachother.

[livlafluvandans]

in first position your hands should not be touching eachother, in fourth position, your feet should be turned out and only a foot length apart

[Lynn290597]

Thank you so much for putting this video up! :)

[klabbergirl]

I think you did a wonderful job of explaining this. Thank you.

[selenasuperfan11]

in first you have to put you heels together in fith you r supposed to be trying to put your heel to toes on both sides of the feet and dont think im rude im just corecting you i have been dance for of 7 years

[WebsterRules101]

thank you so much! i wanted to learn these so bad! it really helps!

[WebsterRules101]

but it would really help if you removed the word so we could actually see your feet! thx! :)

[sophie01623]

That First Positions Is Completly Wrong If I Did It Like That I Would Get Hung From Rafters Upside Down

[selnabeanacheese]

@sophie01623 her legs are hyper extended her feet cant touch you moron

[femmaly]

The positions are not correct for an advanced dancer, but for someone who just wants to learn the basics before starting ballet it is a great demonstration.

[tekkenten]

:) they're smiling at you! :)

[chelynMarie]

if you are gonna complain then get off a public site or dont watch the video :) ok thanks bye!

[mysterymachinist]

this is not first position and she looks like she is rolling in third. 

[princessmusa1]

i think this five positions is very easy to learn!i want to learn ballet now :D

[Izziebiz]

i wish i could have taken ballet at a young age

[ilovecunshumneums]

Ya. She was a professional. Suuuuuurrre

[Hardmetal1993]

all of those positions are horrible. 1st position you should have your heels together.

4th position is an extended 5th position (You don't cross the feet nearly egnough.

[loveapple27]

@Hardmetal1993 the reason why she can't put her heels together is because she's hyper extended.

[Hardmetal1993]

@loveapple27 thats not my problem, it's still not a 1st.

[courtneysara]

@loveapple27 All of my limbs are hypermobile (Ehlers-Danlos) but when I stand in first my heels touch. Proper technique means you won't feel the need to hyper-extend at all in first position... This is halfway between first and second.

[x3StephaneLambielx3]

the first position is wrong.. you have to put your heels together !!!!!!!!!!!!

[LiveLaughDance98]

she says 'gonna' way too much :P

[chocolatsweets]

i hav a question. must u hav the right feet to do ballet? like, having a small or big feet? any feet can do ballet right?

[BalletTapJazz]

@chocolatsweets Any feet can do ballet, but certain types of reet will have many problems.

[bearpathgal]

This is Great! @NephGUNN you couldn't do better than her i presume. (:

[peacelovedance777]

FYI: There are 6 positins in ballet

[fgj900]

@peacelovedance777 it depends on the method being taught...

[peacelovedance777]

FYI: theres 6 positions in ballet!

[NephGUNN]

What an horrible second position for arms..

[catluva463]

actually it s ok if your heels do not touch as long as your legs touch. she is actually mostly correct.

[TheRhythmicFan]

your third position is WAY to far... 

[stefanvv]

I'm not claiming to be a ballet expert but hyper extended legs are not aesthetically pleasing so this shoulb be worked throuhg by at aiding with a little plié...

[WhisperHorseRay]

This sucks

I hate EXPERT VILLAGE They`re all Fake and none of them are Expeerts as they call themselves

[TheBigAiden]

you cant even soo you

[liesl20012]

You really need to remove the subtitles. They completely cover your feet. Without a clear view of your feet, it's impossible to learn the foot placement.

[fizzysweete]

How is this EXPERT village?

[MAJELLONS]

I cant see your feet because of the letters! would have prefered to see your feet. you speak very good English don't need caption

[MrJashion122]

am i the only straight boy here?

[xa1xa1]

Sim Amei*--*

[fizzysweete]

Thats not first position, your heels arent even touching. Grade 1 Ballet Dancers can do it better than you! AHHHH, she's doing it all wrong, when she did 3rd position, it looked like 5th position. Did you teach yourself or get a PROPER Ballet teacher?

[MuziekFan1995]

@fizzysweete Yeah, agree...

[vvanessa00]

bad knees urgh horrible

[motleyfoolmania]

her legs are hyper extended... that is why her heels don't touch!!! give her a break people!!!

[aebbinge]

@motleyfoolmania have got the same!

[Stammyify]

@motleyfoolmania in ballet, if you have the tendency to hyperextend then you must use your muscles to keep then STRAIGHT not overextended, no excuses allowed in ballet... i know because my knees overextend to the point that i can do the first position like her too, but wrong is wrong so i use my muscles to make it right. so cut the crap about hyperextensions and the shape of the foot that is just plain lazy..

[NDBCdancer]

@Stammyify actually, the issue of whether to lock your legs or not is highly debatable. I'm hyperextended and pronated, so I've got some teachers telling me to lock my legs and some telling me not to. Personally, I think that it depends on the persons body type. For me, I can lock my legs as long as my weight is forward, but I know others can't. A large percentage of professionals are hyperextened, and I know many lock their legs. As for this woman, her main problem is not using her turnout.

[Stammyify]

@NDBCdancer lol i love the way people start their comments saying "actually, ..." :)

no debates heard on that over here, all i have been told is "when you have any weight on your foot, DO NOT HYPEREXTEND or it will damage your knee!" so yes you can hyperextend your workingfoot when its in the air and stuff but not when you're standing on it... well yes you can do that if you want to be like a i-dance-one-hour-in-a-week-dan­cer, but not when doing it whole heartedly..

[NDBCdancer]

@Stammyify and i love when people try to argue something with "all i have been told...".Knee injuries can be caused by a variety of things, so its hard to detect what exactly causes it. but when you say "weight on your foot", thats not specific at all. as long as your weight is over the ball of the foot and NOT in the heels, there shouldn't be injuries unless you have other physical "extras", like bow legs or an uneven rib cage, which may cause some difficulties in your technique.

[Stammyify]

@NDBCdancer well actually i can see that but i'd still rather not lock my knees when dancing

[NDBCdancer]

@Stammyify and thats fine, just so long as your knees don't look bent when their actually supposed to be straight. if thats better for your body than locking, then don't lock them.

[Stammyify]

@NDBCdancer i also want to complain about youtube having too litlle space on the comment boxes so you can't actually prove your point in any way :(

[bable4u]

@motleyfoolmania NOTHING should be hyper extended in ANY type of dance.

[bable4u]

@motleyfoolmania NOTHING should be hyper extended in ANY type of dance. my teacher would smack me upside the head if i did that! (not that it would hurt)

[cbachick17]

@motleyfoolmania It doesn't matter that she's hyperextended. You are never supposed to sink into your hyperextension but pull up through your quadriceps and make your heels touch. Otherwise you're setting yourself up for knee problems.

[MrKLT1945]

@cbachick17 Thank goodness for someone with knowledge about hyperextension! Ballet training is hugely different for those legs than others. Hope the other dancers in Manila were better than this! She even tendus devant with no turnout & twisted hips. Expert my butt!

[chavadude]

@motleyfoolmania Hyperextension can be corrected and should be. I have known a great deal of dancers whose legs hyper extend even further than hers, and correct it. It can be difficult but it is correct.

[hollyp275]

@motleyfoolmania if your hyper extended, you can still touch your heels together. you just need to "bend" your legs, it might feel wrong to the person but it is the correct way. When standing on the leg, it cant be hyper extended, its a matter of control and that is te correct way. When the leg is in the air or on pointe, you can hyper extend all you want

[ajajane77]

@motleyfoolmania but if you always stand with your legs hyperextended like that you get major knee problems... I used to hyperextend my supporting leg and I got really bad knee pains, so I had to learn to stand with my knees actually straight. She shouldn't be teaching people to stand like this, it's dangerous.

[ajajane77]

@motleyfoolmania but if you always stand with your legs hyperextended like that you get major knee problems... I used to hyperextend my supporting leg and I got really bad knee pains, so I had to learn to stand with my knees actually straight. She shouldn't be teaching people to stand like this, it's dangerous.

[mistifeyed]

Balled up like what??? I can't see because of the STUPID captions!!!

[Eldvingar]

you can remove the captions... click the little up arrow in the bottom far right corner and then click the icon with the lines.

[cornelianut21]

@Eldvingar thankyou the captions were getting annoying and making it difficult for her to me to see what her positioning is like

[stacylivetodance1]

uhmmm i recently started a adult ballet class , i have been dancing modern jazz for competition,,anyways i think this video is about the feet BUT you cant even see her feet because of the stupid writing at the bottom...lol geez how can we even see them? my ballet is RAD so she seems to be doin it wrong or maybe another way? but from everyone elses comments who have danced longer i tend to agree with you all...

[BlueJeanBaby012]

If your turn out isn't perfect, fake it.. Just make sure your heels are touching.

[Spotlightdancer36]

in first position...arent urr feet supposed to bee touching?.and keeep urr armmms upp.

[TheDanceJunkie]

@Spotlightdancer36 Yes. But with hyper extended knees u cant bring them togethereven if u try ur hardest. If u have big calf muscles and hyper extended knees like me its kinda impossible to bring ur heels together. But all we gotta do it bring it as close as we can and work with it :D but she isnt bringing it as close as possible that wont strengthen her legs and feet. Hope this helped :D

[wishingforluv41]

why does she look like a man?

[MUGEX]

she should tidy the coach

[cozypiggy]

this is the worst. i can dance better. first position in ankle to ankle.

[vanderpony12345]

omg hahahaha!!! how much spare time does this chick have!!!!

this is hillarious ' like so' hahaha!!!!!!!! the funny thing is that she said for fifth you use your bottom muscles and inner thights and what she did was bent her knee and riggled around... and your not even supposed to use your bum muscles... that gives u a fat ass... like so... hahah its the muscles underneath your ass

my grandma could do better

[jerryjax1230]

uhmm,honneey this is my first year dancing,and i look better than that,whattss losssserr.!

[wakeboardbabe014]

her ankles should be touching in first position

[xiheartzacefron94x]

arms are awful....

and why is she in a house with a wire on the floor not a dance studio?

:/

[fairyfloss29]

that poistion right there, is NOT first poistion

[kaygirl222]

ahah! im 11 and ive been in ballet for 9 years now, and i drew smiley faces on my hands today for practice, lol

[tutuloverrr]

wow what a BAD video tape to teach people ballet!! very bad im sorry

[AlanaJS94]

How is this first position? your heels must be touching!

[DancingSwan94]

Lol.. Look at her knees, they're kinda hyper-extended.. She would never be able to get her heels to touch :P

[ladymelmel]

ok i think that some of the comments r mean but u r so right

[isvanvil]

My heels dont touch eather. It has to do with the shape of your legs....  I agree with motleyfoolmania! :)

[KikiKiwi32]

@AlanaJS94 i'm pretty sure first position is hip width apart

[Lisa13245]

@AlanaJS94 She's got hyper extended knees, you can tell from the beginning of the video where her knees are touching but her feet aren't.

[sarahgirl511]

@AlanaJS94 hyper extended!! legs



[grace10193]

@AlanaJS94 Our ballet teacher told us that your heels don't have to touch in first position only your calves and knees when using pointe shoes. You get used to not putting your heels together after working in pointe but she says that doesnt matter and she was a dancer at the royal ballet

[justininabieber]

@AlanaJS94 yeah exactly!

[lmckibben8211]

Your knees are hyper-extending! ouch. I do that and i have terrible knee injury. Nice how to video tho.

[tamemeifyoucan]

hey what does that mean??? cos i hear that in comments a lot and im not sure what it means!

[shaylamarie23]

hyper-extended? it means your knee joint has a range of motion that isnt normal. Doesnt mean your a freak, its just it can go "backwards" more than others.