Dance positions on Fotopedia

Dance position is a position of a dancer or a mutual position of a dance couple assumed during a dance. Describing and mastering proper dance positions is an important part of dance technique.

In ballet, the term pose is used to describe stationary dance positions; the most important are referred to as "First position" through to "Fifth position" - these are described in the glossary of ballet terms.

Dance positions of a single dancer may be further detailed into body, head, arm, hand, leg, and foot positions.

Dance positions in a dance couple additionally take into an account connection, relative orientation of partners, and directions of movement (or of movement intention).

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Contemporary dance

Contemporary dance is the exploration of the total movement potential of the body. It differs from commercial or competitive dance in that it is not bound by set standards, as well as defined styles such as ballet or Jazz dance. Instead, it seeks to express a personalized vision, often through experimentation and collaboration for the development of new, more individualized approaches to the moving body and choreographic possibilities.

It does not refuse classical ballet's leg technique in favor of modern dance's stress on the torso, while it also employs contact-release, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation characteristic of modern dance. Unpredictable changes in rhythm, speed, and direction are often used, as well.

It can use elements of non-western dance cultures, for example, elements from African dance such as bent knees, or elements from the Japanese contemporary dance Butoh.