Spagetti Pababa, Spagetti Pataas! - Fundamental Positions of Arms and Feet

By Francis Fresnillo

Have you ever wondered how dancers have a defined, flexible body? Their hands moving like a snake, and their bodies like an elegant swan. Well! These complex yet beautiful frolic movements come from the basics of dance! The Fundamental Positions of Arms and Feet aims to teach anyone regardless of age the very bare back bones of dance. This blog is here to teach you just that!

But first we must know why these Fundamental Positions are ever-so-important. An article written, stresses that “The mastery of these positions is essential to a child's further development into dance. These positions comprise of the most basic and most important strong hold in dancing ” to add to this in learning the Fundamentals of Dancing “Students learn teamwork, focus, and improvisational skills. Dance unlocks a new perception in anyone, which helps them learn and think in new ways.” Dancing should not be complicated, and confusing, with the help of its Fundamentals a beginner dancer can keep up its pace, and pick up new movements and skills quickly!

Let us divide the steps into two (2) categories, the Arms, and the Feet! Tackling the Fundamental Positions of the Arms first.

Fundamental Position of the Arms:

POSITION 1: Slowly raise both of your arms, stopping at chest level. Make sure you have a circular formation with an adequately spaced gap in between the tips of your fingers.

POSITION 2: Open up both arms sideward, should be level below the shoulder. With an observable curve. Do not straighten the arms.

POSITION 3 : Raise one arm over head, while the other arm remains in the second position. Keep both arms curved.

POSITION 4 : Move one arm in front of the chest forming a half-circle, while the other arm stays in the third position. Keep both arms curved.

POSITION 5 : Raise both arms overhead, in a graceful curve.

Now let’s tackle the Fundamental Positions of the Feet!

Fundamental Position of the Feet:

POSITION 1 : Make sure to slowly bring both heels close together. Toes should be apart from each other.

POSITION 2 : Spread the feet apart sideward.

POSITION 3 : Bring the heel of one foot making sure it touches the instep of the opposite foot.

POSITION 4 : Bring one foot in front of the other foot, making sure it is aligned with the sole of the other foot to walk strike.

POSITION 5: Bring the heel of one foot, to touch the toe of the opposite foot.

Now that we have learned both positions, we can try combining both the Fundamental Positions of the Arms and Feet!

POSITION 1 :

[ARMS] Slowly raise both of your arms, stopping at chest level. Make sure you have a circular formation with an adequately spaced gap in between the tips of your fingers.

[FOOT] Make sure to slowly bring both heels close together. Toes should be apart from each other.

POSITION 2 :

[ARMS] Open up both arms sideward, should be level below the shoulder. With an observable curve. Do not straighten the arms.

[FOOT] Spread the feet apart sideward.

POSITION 3 :

[ARMS] Raise one arm over head, while the other arm remains in the second position. Keep both arms curved.

[FOOT] Bring the heel of one foot making sure it touches the instep of the opposite foot.

POSITION 4 :

[ARMS] Move one arm in front of the chest forming a half-circle, while the other arm stays in the third position. Keep both arms curved.

[FOOT] Bring one foot in front of the other foot, making sure it is aligned with the solof the other foot to walk strike.

POSITION 5:

[ARMS] Raise both arms overhead, in a graceful curve.

[FOOT] Bring the heel of one foot, to touch the toe of the opposite foot.

In mastering the Fundamental Positions of both Arms and Feet, we can gauge and acquire more skills, as well as get better in dancing. See? Dancing is not so difficult! It’s easy, enjoyable, and above all good for you!

So the next time your friends, family, or acquaintance invite you to that Jazz Dance Class, show off what you learned and have fun!

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Sources

Ian Joseph Velasco. “Fundamental Positions of Arms and Feet.” SLIDESHARE, 5 Feb. 2017, www.slideshare.net/IAnJoSephVeLasco1/fundamental-positions-of-arms-and-feet. Accessed 19 Jan. 2022.

IMGBIN.com. “Positions of the Feet in Ballet Ballet Dancer PNG - Free Download.” IMGBIN.com, 22 Feb. 2019, imgbin.com/png/MauGL7dF/positions-of-the-feet-in-ballet-ballet-dancer-png. Accessed 19 Jan. 2022.

Philosophy-Question. “What Is the Importance of Fundamental Position of Arm and Feet in Human Life?” Philosophy-Question.com, 2019, philosophy-question.com/library/lecture/read/79652-what-is-the-importance-of-fundamental-position-of-arm-and-feet-in-human-life#menu.

Pinterest. “Pin by Danielle Weiss on Zoey’s Room | Ballet Feet, Ballet Positions, Ballet Basics.” Www.pinterest.com, 2015, www.pinterest.com/amp/pin/1688918586408429/. Accessed 19 Jan. 2022.

Unsplash. “Photo by David Hofmann on Unsplash.” Unsplash.com, 2 Mar. 2018, unsplash.com/photos/XmD4gx8jsXE.