Ballet Beautiful

~Mary Helen Bowers~

Creator of Ballet Beautiful ~ a very smart concept in exercise, specifically using ballet forms within an exercise format. Recently in the news for having perfected Natalie Portman's technique for her character in  Black Swan, she has come up with the idea of portable exercise. You become a member and for a very low price and that allows you access to her workouts on your computer, iphone, ipad, etc.  What a great idea!

Just look at her! The balance of strength and artistry as one publication wrote.

Some pretty amazing barre work here! Remember your terms? Pull up, back straight, shoulders down, pelvis under..remember the episode where Lucille Ball tries her hand at this...all the while her instructor tapping at her with a baton. Now first position, demi plie, releve...turn out...turn out...turn out...remember those instructors?? Rozanne Zimmerman anyone??

She danced with the New York City ballet for 10 years beginning at the age of 16. Then Mary Helen went on to get a degree in English Lit from Columbia University before striking out on this endeavour.

Speechless....

You can check out Ballet Beautiful out on the web. Sign up and take some classes to stay in tip top shape. We are always drawn to this graceful form, it has been a lifelong passion and cherished memories of seeing the last season of Dame Margo Fontayn and Rudolf Nureyev dance for the Royal Ballet or the American Ballet Theatre, last summer The Kirov from St. Petersburg...then the Turning Point and Baryshnikov...remember that movie?? If you haven't ~ rent it. The dance is beyond....in it. We're going to shake out our old leotards and get ready to brush up on some techniques...our bodies won't know what hit them!!! Please join us.

all photos from Ballet Beautiful