Ballet Positions and Movements

Ballet is a dedicated concert dance form. The term 'ballet' is a derivative of the Latin word 'ballare', which means 'to dance'. Ballet performances had an audience even prior to the development of the proscenium stage. Earlier, ballet dancing was displayed in large chambers, with the audience seated around the dance floor. Ballet has come a long way since. It has evolved to incorporate highly skilled movements and positions that are all performed on the toes. Today, ballet performances have a loyal audience who enjoy the technicality behind the movement, as well as its own exclusive vocabulary.

This dance form displays certain unique features such as:

• Classical music accompaniment.
• Exclusive culture propounded by different ballet schools.
• Choreography that includes acting, miming and vocal accompaniment.
• Focused pointe work, along precise and very acrobatic movements.

Ballet Positions:

Most ballet positions are performed on-the-toes. However, there are certain movements that require the dancer to relax and go flat-footed too. The conventional white French tutu that is worn by the ballet dancers are in line with the exquisite leg and foot movements that are unique to the dance form that is essentially modern, expressionist as well as neoclassical. Classical ballet adheres to the traditional ballet positioning technique. The positions are derived either from the Blasis, Vaganova, Agrippina Vaganova, Cecchetti, Enrico Cecchetti or the Bournonville methods or dance forms. Some of the popular ballet positions include:

À la seconde: This is the side or 'second' position. The steps are choreographed to move sideways. There are sub-forms such as 'pirouette à la seconde', 'à la hauteur' and 'fouettés en tournant'.

Adagio: Adagio of 'slowly' involves unfolding movements that are deliberately slowed down. This position challenges the dancer's ability to concentrate on slow movements and leg control.

Arabesque: It literally translates to 'in Arabic fashion'. In this ballet position, the weight of the body is supported on one leg and the other leg is extended behind, with straight knee.

Balancé: This means 'swing' in the French language. This ballet position is also referred to as 'pas balancé'. It is executed in the waltz rhythm.

Effacé, effacée: Literally, the 'call' stands for 'obscured'. The dancer is positioned at an oblique angle, in contrast to the audience, with his or her body practically hidden from view. The legs are not crossed.

Some of the other ballet positions include Brisé, Bras Croisé, Chaînés, Coda, Croisé, croisée, Demi Detourne, Dessus, Échappé, Entrée, Fouetté, Grand Pas and Grand Pas d'action.

Ballet Movements:

Ballet movements are precise and delicately choreographed. Dancers use a horizontal bar of waist height to warm up prior to executing the movements. The use of wooden mounts and mirrors are very essential to developing the desired finesse to the individual and group movements. Movements such as the kicking of the working leg, the battement développé, battement frappé and petit battement are all movements to develop the art form that is known for extreme tempos and exclusive technical feat. Spacing and structure are the focal points in ballet movements. The costumes are also designed to highlight these aspects of the dance form. Contemporary ballet is characteristic of elaborate floor work and in-turned legs.The dancers sport leotards to accentuate the body and facial expressions during the drama and mime performances. Among the popular ballet choreographers are Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Martha Graham, George Balanchine and Serge Diaghilev.