Easy Ballet Fourth Position Open Quatrieme Ouverte

🩰 Easy Ballet Video: Fourth Position Open (Quatrième Ouverte)

Welcome to this Easy Ballet Video Tutorial with Jacklyn Dougherty, French and Cecchetti-trained ballet instructor. Today, we explore Fourth Position Open, or Quatrième Ouverte in French—a beautiful and foundational ballet position that builds strength, balance, and classical elegance.

In ballet, the fourth position serves as a bridge between third and fifth positions, allowing dancers to transition smoothly into movements such as pliés, relevés, and pirouettes. The “open” version—quatrième ouverte—places the working leg to the front (devant), keeping the body square and graceful. This position refines posture, turnout, and spatial awareness, which are vital to a dancer’s overall line and control.

🌷 Understanding Fourth Position Open (Quatrième Ouverte)

Quatrième Ouverte translates to “fourth open.” The term refers to the stance where one foot is placed directly forward (to the front) of the other, with both legs turned out from the hips. Unlike the closed version (quatrième croisée), the open position allows the audience to see the dancer’s front leg and body alignment clearly.

In Cecchetti ballet training, this position emphasizes symmetry, balance, and clarity of line. It’s practiced both at the barre and in center work, often used as preparation for port de bras, adage, and pirouettes en dehors. Maintaining proper alignment in this position teaches dancers how to move forward (en avant) or backward (en arrière) without losing turnout or grace.

🌟 How to Do Fourth Position Open

Begin in first position, standing tall with the spine straight and shoulders relaxed.
Gently slide one foot forward (devant), ensuring both feet remain turned out from the hips.
The heels should align so that the front heel is in line with the back toe, creating about one foot’s length of space between them.
Keep both legs straight, the knees pulled up, and the weight evenly distributed on both feet.
Engage your core muscles to support posture and avoid leaning forward or back.
Open your arms to second position or extend one arm forward in a soft rounded shape for balance.
Practice small pliés and relevés in fourth position to build strength and control.
Breathe smoothly and hold your turnout, feeling energy flow through your legs and toes.

As you practice, focus on symmetry—your hips should remain square, and the front leg should not twist inward. Precision and calm control make this position beautiful.

💫 Why Fourth Position Open Matters

Mastering Fourth Position Open improves alignment, strength, and grace—key qualities for every ballet dancer. It trains stability for pirouettes, prepares the body for arabesque lines, and reinforces elegant turnout. In performance, this position adds refinement and poise, allowing dancers to project confidence and balance.

✨ Explore this tutorial and more on JacklynDougherty.com or YouTube. Follow along with Jacklyn Dougherty for detailed technique guidance and Cecchetti-style artistry.

❤️ Much love,
Jacklyn Dougherty & Dr. Joni Dougherty, Ed.D.

#ballet #ballettutorial #fourthposition #quatriemeouverte #jacklyndougherty #cecchettiballet #ballettraining #balletinseconds #howtoballet