Fundamental Positions of the Hands and Feet (Fig. [69]).—First Position of the Hands and Feet.—Stand erect, resting on the balls of the feet, with the chin up and the chest high; arms straight down almost touching the body; hands about 6 inches apart, slightly curved, palm toward palm; the thumb opposite the middle finger, elbows held slightly away from the body as in the figure. Stand with the heels together and the feet turned out so as to form a right angle.
Second Position of the Hands and Feet (Fig. [70]).—Move the hands and arms away from each other until the hands are about 3 feet apart as in the figure. Move the right foot directly to right in line with left foot and about 12 inches away from it; toe touching floor, instep well arched, heel raised and kept turned toward left heel as in Fig. [70]. Counterpart for left.
Third Position (Fig. [71]).—Bring the elbows up until they and the hands are in line with the shoulders, fingertips almost touching across chest, palms toward the body as in the figure. Move the right foot forward until the right heel is in the hollow of the left foot and at right angle to it as shown in the figure. Then move the right foot back of the left until the hollow of the right foot is back of the left heel. Notice that the feet should touch closely and the legs be very straight. Counterpart for left foot.
Third Position of Hands Amplified (Fig. [72]).—Extend the hands to the sides in a straight line with the shoulders; if this position is to be maintained turn the palms toward the floor, with the thumb under the middle finger.
Fourth Position of the Right Foot in Front (Fig. [72]).—Move the right foot directly forward about 12 inches in front of the left foot, as in the figure, toe touching the floor, heel raised; instep arched. Counterpart for left foot.
Fourth Position of Hands (Fig. [73]).—Move hands and arms up until the hands are about 3 feet apart above the head; palms toward each other, arms nearly straight as in the figure.
Fourth Position of Right Foot in Back (Fig. [73]).—Move right foot about 12 inches back until in line with left foot, toe touching floor, heel raised as in the figure. Counterpart for left foot.
Fifth Position of Hands and Feet (Fig. [74]).—Move hands more closely together until about 6 inches apart; palms toward each other and the arms very slightly bent as in the figure.
The right toe touches the left heel in back, or right heel touches left toe in front as in the figure. The feet are at right angles. Counterpart for left foot.
Elevated Position of the Feet.—The second and fourth positions may be elevated by extending the leg and foot at right angles to the body. See Figs. [70], [72], [78], [82], [83], and [84]. The third and fifth positions become elevated by raising the foot, toe pointed to the floor, as in combination of steps, Figs. [78] and [82].