Hello, dear readers!
Today I
want to write about something that I absolutely love!
If you happen to be a naturally athletic person or perhaps you play a sport or you do something for exercise that you're good at and maybe even found it since you were a child, great for you! I'm jelous! But, that's not the case for most of us.
We all know
that exercise is necessary to not only stay fit, but also stay healthy. It's no
secret that regular exercise does amazing things for your health like
reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (nobody wants a heart attack or high cholesterol), diabetes, it strengthens our muscles
and bones and improves our mental health overall, etc. That is the short version of the wellness exercise actually brings into our lives. So, it really is crazy if we're not taking at least a few walks every week. I consider exercise as one of the most important things in my priority list and so should all of us.
Yet, we have to be honest, it's
not always easy to follow through with this priority. Most of us are extremely busy people, working full time, maybe raising children, owning a business or just plainly living our lives. Sometimes exercise feels like a chore. And it shouldn't feel this way! I insist! It's something that it's so important that we must make it pleasurable in order to stick with it, to get some joyment out of it.
So, it's no surprise that when we find something that yes, it's challenging, because a good workout has to be, but it's also enjoyable and we actually look forward to doing, well, we basically hit the jockpot!
And that is my situation with Ballet Beautiful.
I discovered BB four years ago when I read an article on a magazine about taking on ballet after your thirties. (Um, I wasn't thirty at the time yet, not that it matters but, just FYI).
Before I go on, I'll share something about me: I have always loved
ballet. Since I was a little girl, everything ballerina, I adored. I had a
ballerina doll, an Angelina Ballerina (the mouse) doll, my "What Would
You Like to Do When You Grow Up" project book in Kindergarden was: ballerina. Unfortunately, I was never able to be enrolled in ballet.
So, I had never
considered that ballet would be a part of my life as more than being part of the audience in a ballet at my local theater, specially not at my age.
You're supposed to start when you're young! But then came this revolutionary program created by a former New York City Ballet
soloist, Mary Helen Bowers, providing a method in which to make the artistry and athleticism of ballet a part of your life without being a dancer.
I clearly
remember reading the article and my eyes literally opened up in utter excitement and hope. I
went online and purchase two of her DVD's and let me say, I was not
disappointed, far from it! I have never stopped using her program ever since.
Below I share an Insta post back in the days when I started BB. :)
So, you're curious about what the program actually is.
Well, it's actually much more than a program!
They're not actually ballet classes. You can find those at your nearest dance studio.
Rather, Ballet Beautiful focuses on using ballet inspired fitness, principles, moves, etc. in your workouts that build strength and perfect posture, manage your weight, and tone your body while maintaining your muscles and figure graceful and elongated.
You can choose from an amazing variety of work-outs: targeted, whole body, cardio, etc. The cardio, let me tell you, gets you sweating! And in the targeted, you feel the burn! Yet all in an unbeliavable graceful way! Who would have thought! Mary Helen brings a ballet artistic approach to her workouts that you won't find in a barre class at a local gym.
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| A recent picture of me right before a Ballet Beautiful workout (before I started sweating it, of course!) |
There is also a wide range of time frames. You can get an amazing workout with 45 to 60 minutes but you also have the option to do quick, comprehensive 15 minute sets, making the program so practical, something we all need these days.
There are
DVDs available for purchase online and, of course, in the Ballet Beautiful
website, where you can find and purchase a wide-range of streaming workouts, depending on your needs, to have available whenever
you wish in any device with an internet connection.
I also love
that there are event-focused programs like Bridal, Pre and Post
Natal.
I worked out through her Bridal series before my wedding and I can't
wait to get my hands on the Pre and Post Natal when the time comes. ;) Yeah!
You may not
be that much into ballet and dance, yet I know we can agree on something:
it is legit athleticism and art combined together. If we can have the doors to
the beauty of this art open for us while staying fit and healthy, why not? And
if you do love ballet but are not a dancer yet would like to finally start
incorporating it into your life as more than just a spectator, this is
something you must try and I am sure will love!
But if all the ballet craze and practicality wasn't good enough for you to maybe give it a try, let me say that BB is one of the exercise programs of choice for celebrities, including many Victoria's Secret's models and we know they know how to get fit. ;)
I do have other forms of exercise activities too. But Ballet Beautiful I know it's something that I kno will stick like many former exercise hasn't. I mean, who wouldn't like to cultivate the grace of a ballerina? Well, I know I do!
I hope you found this post interesting and try BB for yourself. If you do, let me know how it goes! I'd love to hear about it.
Until next time,
Love & Light
Until next time,
Love & Light
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| Sometimes my kitties make it extra challenging to workout, they love to get on the mat! |
I will start out by saying the cats are adorable. I have a cat who likes to sit on the breakfast counter as I use it for a barre. I am 64 and for years went to a gym and then due to a knee injury had to stop and tried palates which went for quite a while. When that was became painful, I stopped. Needless to say, I gained weight, it added to my depression and was in pain and had no energy. I had taken ballet as a little girl and loved it and all things ballet. When I saw Ballet Beautiful on line, I thought, I'll try it. It's inexpensive and I can stretch for 8 minutes. After that I wanted to try the posture video. I fell in love with both and starting feeling much better. I've added many more and I am starting to feel great! Of course, at 64 I sometimes have to modify as I can't bend my leg as much as before my injury. I love the blog with Mary Helen's tips on positions, diet, and and all around lifestyle. Thank you, thank you to all! Ballet Beautiful brings out the beauty in all of us!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love cats, I have three, only two are shown in the picture lol Well, I'm so happy that you decided to get healthy again, it shows your great character because it's not easy. It's great that Ballet Beautiful is working for you and yes! I think a lot of us have to modify something about the workouts every now and then. I am grateful to Mary Helen for making ballet attainable and available for us all!
DeleteI LOVE Ballet Beautiful! I had an Amazon media credit that was about to expire and bought the Full Body Workout on an impulse -- I'm so glad I did! At home I'll go to group fitness classes, but this DVD is perfect to take with me when I travel. Packing it for an upcoming trip as I type! =) I was also fortunate to find that my local park district offers ballet classes for adults, and I've even been involved in their productions.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is great you found a nice studio to practice ballet and even more so to participate in their productions. And definitely, the DVDs are very practical. So are the streaming workouts as you can play them anywhere when you have an internet connection.
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