Beginner Ballet Series - Positions of the Body

Today I am going through the basic ballet positions of the body. These positions or orientations are used all throughout ballet class and it is very helpful to familiarize yourself with the meaning of the terms.
This is the port de bras I initially teach my beginners but of course there are many variations.
I did not include epaulé because I plan to do a separate video on it!
I'd love to hear what you favorite position is? Leave that in the comments below! (Mine is ecarté devant)
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[@emilythompson2125]

Thank you so much for this! The explanations are excellent, and I always find myself coming away from your videos with new ways of looking at familiar steps. Keep up the great work!

[@TheWholePointe]

This made me so happy to read! I am always looking for new ways to approach things so I love that!

[@rebeccamidkiff8409]

Timestamps if you're like me and replay it over and over.. 1:00 à la quatrième devant 1:21 croisé devant 1:44 effacé devant 2:29 à la seconde 2:43 écarté devant 3:27 écarté derrière 4:03 à la quatrième derrière 4:21 croisé derrière 4:43 effacé derrière

[@flightydancer]

You are a beautiful teacher. Thank you for sharing your dance knowledge.

[@TheWholePointe]

That is incredibly kind! Thank you for this comment! Let me know if there is anything specific you'd like to see?

[@sofiapetro7819]

This was so helpful my teacher is doing a test on us on the this and I need some help since when we were learning this on zoom the computer was freezing and I couldn't learn it

[@TheWholePointe]

Awesome! I love that you are being tested on this - I test my students too. Glad to be able to help - let me know how else I can. ♥

[@crsta42r]

Love!!! Just perfect!! Fills in the gaps of my ballet knowledge!!😊

[@TheWholePointe]

Aw yeah! Love learning and sharing all the ballet! Thanks for being here!

[@DarkfoolDave]

Thank you so much for this breakdown! I started three years ago at age 25, but still I find myself frustrated because they don't like to break things down to this degree in the adult recreational classes, as I'm basically the only one who didn't grow up with foundational ballet training! This exercise of flowing through and recognizing the positions will definitely help my classes now, so thanks!!!

[@graciehoskins5249]

Thank you so much miss. I love how this video is set up because at first you explain the positions slowly and then you show them in order together!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ this really helped me i love you!

[@TheWholePointe]

You're so welcome! I love hearing feedback, let me know any other videos you'd like to see!

[@sharongil9724]

I LOVEEED THIS! I was looking for a video like this ! THANK YOUUUUU

[@TheWholePointe]

Perfect! Love hearing things like this - thanks!

[@waynecai6785]

I like every video in beginner ballet series. You explains things so well. Thank you.

[@TheWholePointe]

You're so welcome! It is an honor to be part of your ballet journey!

[@alexismonroe3921]

Thank you! This video was really helpful and you did a great job explaining everything. ❤️

[@TheWholePointe]

I am so glad to help! Thanks for leaving a comment, let me know if there are any other videos you'd like to see in the future!

[@PatriciaDeAnna]

What a wonderful video with detailed explanations for the positions of the body. You look beautiful and great job!

[@TheWholePointe]

That is so kind thank you! I hope it was helpful.

[@normamimosa5991]

Great to show the positions of the body. It would help if you were actually in fifth position.

[@TheWholePointe]

Perhaps time for another video - thanks for the feedback!

[@ciadosramospiracicaba-sp8966]

Hello! Just one doubt: in 4:23 Croisé derrière you put your up arm the same as leg behind; in 6:29 Croisé derrière you put your up arm different of the leg behind. Wich one is the right way? Thanks.

[@TheWholePointe]

ah good eye! This is an older video and I have never caught that before 🙈 They can both be correct the one at 4:23 is more Vaganova and 6:29 is more Cecchetti. Thanks for pointing that out! May be time for a new video 🤔😝

[@sothathappened]

Thank you!!!! I've been so confused about effacé vs ecarté

[@TheWholePointe]

I understand! I am glad this helped - let me know if you have any other questions!

[@laylanahar]

This is just what I needed!

[@TheWholePointe]

Perfect! I am happy to hear that! Let me know if you have any other questions or topics you'd like to see in a future video.

[@lilyrose8353]

Mine is effacé devant .. It is not as easy as expected cause every position is quite similar to one each other. But this video is really helpful. I like it very much. Thank you for all your explanations. And happy new year! All the best

[@TheWholePointe]

I like effacé devant as well especially taking a balance and then pulling out of it into a tombe pas de bourre! I hope you had a very good new year too! ❤

[@donnamarie6840]

This was so incredible helpful. Thank you ! ♥

[@TheWholePointe]

So glad to hear! I remember when I first started how hard it was for me to remember all the names of the positions!

[@donnamarie6840]

@@TheWholePointe I made notes on your video and I will watch it a bunch of times. I wish you were in NYC. You are a terrific teacher.

[@TheWholePointe]

That is the highest compliment! If you ever come to CO let me know and if I find myself back in NYC (which I would love to) I will let you know! ❤

[@anneatanacio987]

Thank you!

[@TheWholePointe]

My absolute pleasure!

[@user-ii9lo5hz2s]

I always thank you for your videos.😄 Can you filming video about improve penche? When doing penche I loose balance and hard to upper body control.

[@TheWholePointe]

That is a great idea - I love penché! Thanks for your comment!

[@karmenmakenzie9115]

Great video! Could you do a sissone tutorial?

[@TheWholePointe]

I would love to! Thanks for suggestion!

[@sunhwachoe4646]

I am still confusing between efface and ecarte. Could you briefly explain the difference? And I am having a hard time positioning hands too.

[@TheWholePointe]

Effacé is to the front and back and ecarté is to the side. I have a small video that I filmed the same day as this one where I speak directly about the arm and leg correlations for these positions I show. I will go ahead and post it in case it could be helpful. Are you having trouble with the arm positioning or specifically the hands? Perhaps I could make a video specifically on ballet hands.

[@larissaswayze]

Not sure if you’ve mentioned it before, but what style of ballet did you train in? I ask because I’m more familiar with the 8 positions of the body as it is in Cecchetti. Great video and beautifully explained and demonstrated ❤️

[@TheWholePointe]

I feel like I am a true mutt! Starting late I took class from everyone! So I took class in Vaganova, Balanchine and Cecchetti but most of it was just american mash up. I teach it this way because I like to divide it into the 3 positions front,side and back but then I teach Epaulé a little later.

[@mackenzieshealee109]

💜💜💜

[@TheWholePointe]

Thanks for the love! Hope it was helpful!

[@logiclanguagelearningFrench]

You’re adorable but we don’t pronounce the t on devant x great info though

[@TheWholePointe]

oops! Definitely not a french speaker, hah, thanks!

[@emolaye5675]

Thank you for this I’ve been struggling with this!! Appreciate it!!

[@TheWholePointe]

Of course, so glad to help!!