Question: Why AreThere Five Basic Positions in Ballet?
Answer: The five basic positions of the feet in ballet are the foundation of every other step in classical ballet. The basic positions relate to the proper placement of the feet on the floor. Every movement and pose in ballet begins and ends with one of the five basic positions.
Pierre Beauchamp, French dancer, choreographer and ballet master, is credited with inventing the five positions of classical ballet. He believed by mastering the foot positions, dancers would be better able to perfect more advanced steps with ideal form and technique.
As with most steps and movements in ballet, the basic positions are much harder to master than they appear to be. It may take a ballet dancer years to gain the proper turnout necessary to properly execute the positions.
