Positions of the arms.
Although the positions of the feet are standard in all methods, the positions of
the arms are not, each method having its own set of arm positions. The Cecchetti
method has five standard positions with a derivative of the fourth position and
two derivatives of the fifth position. The French School has a preparatory
position and five standard positions. These positions are used in some Russian
schools. The Russian School (Vaganova) has a preparatory position and three
standard positions of the arms.
These are numbered, as are the positions of the feet, but the numbering
varies from one school to the next. The four basic positions are: (a) arms down
and a little in front of the legs (called bras bas ["low arms"],) (b) arms to
the side, (c) arms forward (at about the height of the bottom of the
breastbone), (d) arms overhead. In all positions, the arms are gently curved.
When the arms are forward, they are held as if embracing a large barrel
(one large enough that the hands can't meet). The forward position is
sometimes known as the "gateway," because in many port de bras, the arms pass
through the gateway on the way to a higher position. The position with the
arms to the side is universally known as second position. In this position,
they are curved forward of the body, as if embracing a large cylinder perhaps
8 feet (2.5 m) in diameter. Arms overhead are sometimes called en couronne
("like a crown"). In this position, they should be far enough forward that you
can just make out the little fingers (by peripheral vision) when looking
straight ahead.
Numbering: (a) (arms down) is bras au repos according to the French school,
"preparatory position" according to the Russian school, and first position
according to Cecchetti. (b) (arms to the side) is universally known as second
position. (c) (arms in front) is first position according to the French and
Russians and fifth position en avant ["in front"] according to Cecchetti. (d)
(arms overhead) is fifth position for the French, third position for the
Russians, and fifth position en haut ["up high"] for Cecchetti.
