Find some stability. Rest your right hand on a ballet barre or any kind of sturdy support at about waist height, such as a chair or countertop. When first learning the five positions, use this barre for support and balance. Be careful, however, not to lean heavily or place all of your weight on the barre, since your goal should be to rely on this support less and less as you perfect the first steps in your ballet education.
Assume the position. Prepare for first position by standing with your feet together so that they are touching. Then slowly rotate your toes outward so that they are facing away from one another, but your heels remain touching. The shape your feet are now forming should remind you of a fan.
Spread out. Second position is simply a widening of first position. Slide your feet apart from one another so that they remain in the same basic position--heels facing each other toes pointing away from each other--but so they are also approximately shoulder width apart.
Pull it together. From second position, slide your right foot in toward your left. Keep your toes facing outward, but place your right heel in the middle area of your left foot, where your arch is at its highest. Be sure your weight is evenly distributed on both feet. Repeat this position placing your left hand on the bar and your left foot in front of your right. Unlike first or second position, third through fifth positions must be completed on the right and left sides, as one foot is placed in front of the other.
Widen your stance once again. From third position on the right side, slide your right foot out so that it is directly in front of your left with toes still facing outward. Your feet should appear to be reflections of one another. Once again, keep your weight evenly distributed between both feet, and repeat this position on the left.
Enjoy the last but not least. To form fifth position, slide your right foot in fourth position inward to meet your left foot. The toes of your left foot should now be hidden behind the heel of your right foot. Do not sink your body weight lazily into your hips so you will have room to fit both of your feet together and directly underneath you with your body weight evenly placed on both feet.
Find that perfect balance. Once you have practiced these steps and become comfortable with the way they feel, try to stand in each position without the aid of a support. This is when the even distribution of your weight is key. If you are placing your weight on one foot more than the other in any of these positions, you will most likely tumble and fall. Standing straight and elongating your body toward the ceiling will also help keep you from an embarrassing stumble.