The 5 basic positions of ballet

1. First Position
The heels are together, and the toes are pointing out like bunny ears. The goal is to make a straight line with your feet. DO NOT force this, it takes work and stretching for most people to achieve perfect turnout (see my other posts on feet and turnout http://brennaballetblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/bad-feet.html). To find your natural turnout, stand at the barre or a barre like place with your feet together, both heels and toes touching (this is 6th position used in modern). Rock back on your heels and let your toes fall to the sides. Drop your toes and balls of the feet to the ground where the land, is your natural turn out.

2. Second Position
Similar to first position, except there is space between the heels. Usually about the size of one foot, or your shoulder width apart.

3. Third Position
One foot is in front of the other, toes stil pointing out, but your front foot's heel touches the middle of your back foot. I like to remember to line it up with my arch or the elastic on my shoe.

4. Fourth Position
Similar to third position, except there is space between the feet. There are two versions of Fourth Position, one is open where the heels line up and there is a foot of space between the feet. The other Fourth is more common which is when your front heel is lined up with your back toes.

5. Fifth Position
Both feet are touching in 5th, this is the most difficult position of the 5. The front heel is touching the back toes. Perfect turnout would have the front toes also touching the back heel.