Points for the six basic positions of the arms used in classical ballet: Bras bas, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th.
Bras bas — Both arms low slightly away from the body in a curved oval.
1st position — Both arms in the oval curve in front of the body slightly above waist height.
2nd position — 'A position in which the arms are held to the side and are just in front of the body. They are slightly curved and slope gently downward from the shoulders to the tips of the fingers.' (The foundations of classical ballet technique, RAD 2015)
3rd position — One arm in 1st position in front of the body just above waist height and one arm in 2nd position at the side of the body—a good way to remember 3rd position is 1+2=3.
4th position — One arm in 5th position above the head and one arm in 2nd position at the side of the body.
5th position — Both arms curved overhead, the hands just within vision, slightly in front of the body.
As demonstrated in the video below.
The arms are used from the centre of the back with the shoulders down, shoulder blades flat and the ribcage closed. Lengthen through the arms to fill the most space—like touching an imaginary bubble around the body, think Da Vincis’ Vitruvian man. These six positions are shown with a slight curve and are always held slightly in front of the body.