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Ballet Beautiful: Transform Your Body and Gain the Strength, Grace, and Focus of a Ballet Dancer
Ballet-inspired fitness for every woman! You don't have to be a professional ballerina to look like one! With Mary Helen Bowers' Ballet Beautiful, forget beating yourself up in the gym and suffering through starvation diets for some unattainable goal. You can achieve your ideal body and develop the strength, grace, and elegance of a dancer by following Mary Helen's proven program-one that's got everyone from celebrities to busy moms to executives raving! Ballet Beautiful is a fitness method that blends the artistry and athleticism of ballet with an easy, accessible eating plan that works for every body - and absolutely no dance experience is required. Created by professional ballerina Mary Helen Bowers, this transformative approach to fitness and health will reshape your body and your mind! Ballet Beautiful 's three-fold approach is not an extreme workout nor is it a radical diet for an overnight fix; it's a roadmap to achieving and maintaining your ideal health, shape and size-all with the elegance and strength of a ballerina. Part One of the book introduces the program's empowering mindset, the key to supporting and guiding you through lasting change. Part Two, the Ballet Beautiful Method, consists of challenging, effective, and fun workouts that sculpt and tone sleek ballet muscles and build beautiful posture. Whether you have a full hour or only 15 minutes, you can tailor the program to your own schedule and needs. Part Three shares the Ballet Beautiful Lifestyle, a healthy, balanced approach to nutrition. With meal plans, shopping tips and quick but delicious daily recipes that will satisfy and nourish your entire body, it's a stress-free, diet-free plan that will help keep you feeling as strong and healthy as you look.
272 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2012
About the author
Mary Helen Bowers
2 books13 followersMary Helen Bowers author, fitness coach and professional ballerina. As Natalie Portman’s personal trainer for her Academy Award winning role in Black Swan, Mary Helen’s transformative Ballet Beautiful method gained worldwide fame, bringing ballet-inspired fitness into the spotlight as never before.Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Mary Helen trained at Manhattan’s prestigious School of American Ballet before being invited to join with the New York City Ballet at age 16. Mary Helen danced for a decade with NYCB at Lincoln Center and on stages around the world before completing her bachelor’s degree at Columbia University and founding Ballet Beautiful.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 27, 2020
Many years ago, when I was in my late teens, I would read pretty much any magazine that I could get my hands on. I crammed all the beauty, diet, and exercise tips. Those were the days of supermodels. Now, celebrities have taken over, and the supermodel culture seems to be a thing of the past. I remember an interview with Paulina where she shared her beauty tips. Her number one beauty tip was the ubiquitous one that’s always shared: drink lots of water. She went on and on about water. I remember someone wrote back to the magazine and said that even if she were to drink all the water in Niagara Falls, she still would never look as good as Paulina. You see, genetics plays a huge role. Water is essential. We all know that, but let’s not rule out genetics!
The same goes for the ballet approach to exercise. I love this book and I also love all the workouts that I’ve tried by Mary Helen Bowers. Those workouts make me cry. Trust me. They’re that painful. However, I also know that even if I were to do her workouts as often as recommended, my body will never look as good as hers or anywhere close to a ballerina’s. Again, genetics.
Although I am highly skeptical that my endomorph body will transform into the “long, toned physique of a dancer,” I feel motivated to give it a try. As with any workout plan, I’m sure that there will be some benefit if I am consistent. I think that the key point to remember with any form of exercise is to do something you love and to stick with it. I may mark my calendar and give an update on this review after three months, six months, or even a year. I read that Natalie Portman transformed her body for her role in “Black Swan” (which I haven’t seen) by training under Mary Helen Bowers six days a week, as well as by swimming.
Diet, of course, plays the main part, the usual 80/20 rule, although as I get older, I realize that it’s more like 90/10. The author addresses diet and has helpful suggestions and recipes.
Her overall approach is a balanced one, reminding us to focus on the positive and to tune out negative thoughts. Another reason why I love this book.
I’m not much of a book/paper workout type. I prefer DVDs. She has a streaming service, which I dream of if our post-covid finances ever get straightened out. That service is not cheap! She also has also a YouTube channel, but those clips are too short and not the real deal.
Here are some of my favorite quotes/tips:
Emotional Eating
“The next time you find yourself thinking about or reaching for comfort foods, take these two steps:
1. Take a deep breath and let it out.
2. Then ask yourself if you are feeling physical hunger or if you are just tired, thirsty, or upset.
If you take the time to become aware of whether what you are feeling is actual hunger or another feeling that is emotional in nature, then you give yourself the opportunity to break the unconscious habit of eating emotionally. These two steps may seem oversimplistic, but I assure you that they work. They can also help you make better choices about the food you eat when you are feeling emotionally overwhelmed and help you regain your inner balance. Why? Because all of us have the power to become aware of how we are feeling and to choose not to let that have an impact on what we eat.”
Extremes
“To achieve even the loftiest of goals, you must employ a simple approach that comes down to steady, consistent work, every day. This is an important part of Ballet Beautiful. I’m not asking you to starve yourself, to consume only lemon juice and maple syrup for 10 days straight, or even to give up all dairy, sweets, coffee, and wine. But I am asking you to focus on yourself every day. That might be a 15-minute workout, or a 60-minute workout, or swapping out your nightly dessert for fresh fruit.
All you need to do is think about how you can take care of yourself, choose at least one thing from the program each day, and then focus on that.”
Fasting
“My clients ask me all the time for my thoughts on fasting. The answer? I’m not a fan. I worked hard to achieve a balanced, healthy lifestyle and would be very wary of anything that might disrupt it. I also think that cleansing encourages bingeing because of its built-in deprivation. While I enjoy the occasional green juice, now that I know the beauty of balance in a healthy lifestyle, I’m just not interested. You do not need to fast with Ballet Beautiful; you only need to focus on filling your body with whole, nourishing, delicious foods and giving your body a challenging workout. Satisfaction, not deprivation, is the word here.”
Going for too long without food
“One good rule of thumb is to eat something healthy every four hours and try to avoid getting ravenous.”
“Sometimes life gets in the way and you go too long without food by accident. When this happens, I try to help my body by reaching first for proteins and healthy fats before I move into fiber and carbs to keep myself from (1) overeating and (2) feeling sick. This helps to satisfy me without going overboard.”
Results
“One of the most motivating features of the Ballet Beautiful program is its results! I have seen again and again how empowered and encouraged women feel when their bodies begin to lengthen and transform. I encourage my clients to commit at least three days a week to my program because that commitment allows enough time for the body to show real results in just a matter of weeks.”
“When you eat well and work out at least 15 minutes six days a week, your body will thank you. And you will realize that you can indeed maintain balance.”
Stay Active
“Just as I don’t skip meals, I always find at least 15 minutes each day to work out. Even when my day lasts 16 hours, rushing from meetings and training sessions, writing for my blog, and managing my growing Ballet Beautiful business, I find a little time to move, just for me.”
The same goes for the ballet approach to exercise. I love this book and I also love all the workouts that I’ve tried by Mary Helen Bowers. Those workouts make me cry. Trust me. They’re that painful. However, I also know that even if I were to do her workouts as often as recommended, my body will never look as good as hers or anywhere close to a ballerina’s. Again, genetics.
Although I am highly skeptical that my endomorph body will transform into the “long, toned physique of a dancer,” I feel motivated to give it a try. As with any workout plan, I’m sure that there will be some benefit if I am consistent. I think that the key point to remember with any form of exercise is to do something you love and to stick with it. I may mark my calendar and give an update on this review after three months, six months, or even a year. I read that Natalie Portman transformed her body for her role in “Black Swan” (which I haven’t seen) by training under Mary Helen Bowers six days a week, as well as by swimming.
Diet, of course, plays the main part, the usual 80/20 rule, although as I get older, I realize that it’s more like 90/10. The author addresses diet and has helpful suggestions and recipes.
Her overall approach is a balanced one, reminding us to focus on the positive and to tune out negative thoughts. Another reason why I love this book.
I’m not much of a book/paper workout type. I prefer DVDs. She has a streaming service, which I dream of if our post-covid finances ever get straightened out. That service is not cheap! She also has also a YouTube channel, but those clips are too short and not the real deal.
Here are some of my favorite quotes/tips:
Emotional Eating
“The next time you find yourself thinking about or reaching for comfort foods, take these two steps:
1. Take a deep breath and let it out.
2. Then ask yourself if you are feeling physical hunger or if you are just tired, thirsty, or upset.
If you take the time to become aware of whether what you are feeling is actual hunger or another feeling that is emotional in nature, then you give yourself the opportunity to break the unconscious habit of eating emotionally. These two steps may seem oversimplistic, but I assure you that they work. They can also help you make better choices about the food you eat when you are feeling emotionally overwhelmed and help you regain your inner balance. Why? Because all of us have the power to become aware of how we are feeling and to choose not to let that have an impact on what we eat.”
Extremes
“To achieve even the loftiest of goals, you must employ a simple approach that comes down to steady, consistent work, every day. This is an important part of Ballet Beautiful. I’m not asking you to starve yourself, to consume only lemon juice and maple syrup for 10 days straight, or even to give up all dairy, sweets, coffee, and wine. But I am asking you to focus on yourself every day. That might be a 15-minute workout, or a 60-minute workout, or swapping out your nightly dessert for fresh fruit.
All you need to do is think about how you can take care of yourself, choose at least one thing from the program each day, and then focus on that.”
Fasting
“My clients ask me all the time for my thoughts on fasting. The answer? I’m not a fan. I worked hard to achieve a balanced, healthy lifestyle and would be very wary of anything that might disrupt it. I also think that cleansing encourages bingeing because of its built-in deprivation. While I enjoy the occasional green juice, now that I know the beauty of balance in a healthy lifestyle, I’m just not interested. You do not need to fast with Ballet Beautiful; you only need to focus on filling your body with whole, nourishing, delicious foods and giving your body a challenging workout. Satisfaction, not deprivation, is the word here.”
Going for too long without food
“One good rule of thumb is to eat something healthy every four hours and try to avoid getting ravenous.”
“Sometimes life gets in the way and you go too long without food by accident. When this happens, I try to help my body by reaching first for proteins and healthy fats before I move into fiber and carbs to keep myself from (1) overeating and (2) feeling sick. This helps to satisfy me without going overboard.”
Results
“One of the most motivating features of the Ballet Beautiful program is its results! I have seen again and again how empowered and encouraged women feel when their bodies begin to lengthen and transform. I encourage my clients to commit at least three days a week to my program because that commitment allows enough time for the body to show real results in just a matter of weeks.”
“When you eat well and work out at least 15 minutes six days a week, your body will thank you. And you will realize that you can indeed maintain balance.”
Stay Active
“Just as I don’t skip meals, I always find at least 15 minutes each day to work out. Even when my day lasts 16 hours, rushing from meetings and training sessions, writing for my blog, and managing my growing Ballet Beautiful business, I find a little time to move, just for me.”
February 6, 2017
I'm very inconsistent about exercise. I love the way it makes me feel, but I hate actually doing it. Sometimes I skip working out and this in turn makes me eat poorly. I picked this up the hopes that it would motivate me to be more consistent.
Bowers, whom I've been a fan of for years, is a former New York City Ballet dancer. She founded Ballet Beautiful, which is essentially barre (ballet-inspired workouts) and rigorously trained Natalie Portman for her role in Black Swan.
She has a very balanced approach that I love. I try and do her workouts as often as I can. They're very intense, but so graceful and effective that I'm actually excited about working out.
A bunch of moves are demonstrated in pictures throughout the book. I barely glanced at these mainly because I prefer videos (some of hers are on YouTube for those interested). The pictures are in black and white and some of the steps are vague. I'll probably go back and read them though just because I love her method so much.
Bowers, whom I've been a fan of for years, is a former New York City Ballet dancer. She founded Ballet Beautiful, which is essentially barre (ballet-inspired workouts) and rigorously trained Natalie Portman for her role in Black Swan.
She has a very balanced approach that I love. I try and do her workouts as often as I can. They're very intense, but so graceful and effective that I'm actually excited about working out.
A bunch of moves are demonstrated in pictures throughout the book. I barely glanced at these mainly because I prefer videos (some of hers are on YouTube for those interested). The pictures are in black and white and some of the steps are vague. I'll probably go back and read them though just because I love her method so much.
![Profile Image for Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1746468325i/66224803._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
February 18, 2024
I’m a big fan of ballet.
In the beginning I liked to watch ballet, but then I started it at the end of last year and doing ballet yourself is even better.
While researching good ballet books, I found this one and devoured it in one sitting.
Will try it out and report back.
In the beginning I liked to watch ballet, but then I started it at the end of last year and doing ballet yourself is even better.
While researching good ballet books, I found this one and devoured it in one sitting.
Will try it out and report back.
November 13, 2012
Fantastic insight into the Ballet Beautiful concept - great introduction to ballet inspired exercise as a fitness & exercise program.
Works well in the Kindle format & includes a free video demo for eBook readers - this is great, both in quality and content, and encourages you to try out the other exercise videos available for streaming on the website.
Others have commented (perhaps on Amazon reviews) about the quality of the photography - I would say that the images when viewed along with the description are perfectly adequate and perhaps are styled in quite a traditional ballet format - certainly didn't dampen my reading (or learning) experience!
Definitely works as a starting point for the BB lifestyle, there is more than enough information to get started. However, Mary Helen is rather bewitching so I don't doubt I will be following this up with the DVD and/ or the streamed videos!
As the book states, you need nothing but a yoga mat and some space to try out these exercises, but somehow you'll feel that you want to wear ballet slippers while you read it!
Works well in the Kindle format & includes a free video demo for eBook readers - this is great, both in quality and content, and encourages you to try out the other exercise videos available for streaming on the website.
Others have commented (perhaps on Amazon reviews) about the quality of the photography - I would say that the images when viewed along with the description are perfectly adequate and perhaps are styled in quite a traditional ballet format - certainly didn't dampen my reading (or learning) experience!
Definitely works as a starting point for the BB lifestyle, there is more than enough information to get started. However, Mary Helen is rather bewitching so I don't doubt I will be following this up with the DVD and/ or the streamed videos!
As the book states, you need nothing but a yoga mat and some space to try out these exercises, but somehow you'll feel that you want to wear ballet slippers while you read it!
June 30, 2012
Awesome book! Mary Helen Bowers is a genius! I've been doing her Ballet Beautiful workout videos (streaming and DVD) for a few months now and have loved loved loved the results! When the book came out, I was so excited. She gives great advice on how to achieve balance in your life, eating habits and exercise routine so that you can be Ballet Beautiful! I recommend this for anyone looking to get into great shape, tone like never before, achieve a balanced daily life and eating habits without using deprivation or extreme dieting! This book is great, written by an intelligent, innovative and wonderful woman! Read it now! :)
May 21, 2017
The benefit of this book (over the DVDs) is that it includes dietary guidelines (rather typical of calorie-restriction diets: high in vegetables, high in whole grains, some fruit, some fats, low in dairy, low in meat); it also includes Mary Helen Bowers' story of how she came up with "Ballet Beautiful" and why. Lastly she sets out her "mindset" which consists primarily of loving yourself as you are now and setting realistic goals for what you'd like to accomplish. Though a number of the exercises are in the book - with pictures and instructions - the DVDs are really a better help there.
It should be noted that although "Ballet Beautiful" (BB) was part of Natalie Portman's training for "Black Swan" (and Natalie wrote the forward to the book) it is unrealistic to expect to get a "ballerina body" in a year as Natalie did from doing the BB alone. Mary Helen explains on her blog (and in other interviews) that Natalie's training was as follows:
- Five hours of working out a day. Six days a week. Combination of cardio, mat, & ballet. (Worked up to over six months & then maintained for six months)
- Mat work that is from the Ballet Beautiful series. The videos are about 2 1/2 hours in total length.
- Swam about a mile each day, doing the front crawl and breast stroke—doing these really long, ballet-type movements, reaching ahead in the water as far as you can. This gave joints a break from the Ballet work.
- Ballet/pointe work for 1-2 hours - with a professional there to guide.
- Strictly following a diet regimen.
It should be noted that although "Ballet Beautiful" (BB) was part of Natalie Portman's training for "Black Swan" (and Natalie wrote the forward to the book) it is unrealistic to expect to get a "ballerina body" in a year as Natalie did from doing the BB alone. Mary Helen explains on her blog (and in other interviews) that Natalie's training was as follows:
- Five hours of working out a day. Six days a week. Combination of cardio, mat, & ballet. (Worked up to over six months & then maintained for six months)
- Mat work that is from the Ballet Beautiful series. The videos are about 2 1/2 hours in total length.
- Swam about a mile each day, doing the front crawl and breast stroke—doing these really long, ballet-type movements, reaching ahead in the water as far as you can. This gave joints a break from the Ballet work.
- Ballet/pointe work for 1-2 hours - with a professional there to guide.
- Strictly following a diet regimen.
December 25, 2014
The five stars here aren't just for the book but for the whole Ballet Beautiful lifestyle. I started doing Ballet Beautiful last January, and in a year my whole concept of working out has changed. I have been working out in various ways for 30 years. This workout is the only one I have done that has actually changed my body shape. Additonal benefits are that I am more gracefull and less stressed (probably due to the MHB's use of classical music and her gemtle and encouraging personality). I also started doing kundalini yoga this year and the combination of the two has truly been life changing. This book contains MHB's philosophy, descriptions of the workouts, and healthing suggestions and recipes. It is a great companion to her dvds and streaming workouts.
December 16, 2014
As a classically trained dancer, it's very necessary to keep it up. Ballet is one of my greatest passions, and I can't get enough just from class. These workouts can be easily adapted to your fitness level, and it's like being in an intense conditioning class; in the comfort of your home.
March 30, 2023
Graceful and motivating.
February 5, 2020
Great exercises. Hard to follow with just illustrations. I plan to watch her videos.
July 1, 2016
Most little girls dream of growing up and becoming a ballerina, and I was no exception. So I jumped on Mary Helen Bower’s Ballet Beautiful program, which supposedly used ballet technique to give the everyday gal the toned and graceful physique of a dancer. Not only does Bower boast a workout regimen, but also psychological and dietary strategies to create a well-rounded, balanced lifestyle. It worked for Natalie Portman, why couldn’t it work for moi?
Two weeks ago, I was very excited to give this a go. The glowing reviews of Bower’s DVDs on Amazon left no doubt that this program works for some women. And to an extent it did work for me. I saw change in my body, the tightening and shaping of my legs, as well as the strengthening of my core, after one week. I lost 4 lbs. (not that I really needed to). I was even happy to see that I have been practicing Bower’s basic healthy eating choices long before I picked up this book.
I soon realized that this was not the type of exercise routine that fit my needs. As a former gymnast, I am strong but have an aversion to ‘bulk.’ My goal is always to sculpt the muscle I already have into a lean, lithe physique. That’s why I do pilates and a low-stress cardio routine. I thought Bower’s program would do that, too. Maybe I needed to keep at it longer. Maybe I was muddled by the unclear pics. (It took me an insane amount of time to figure out the moves. The pictures in the book are not very decipherable. I have taken ballet class; my mother was a dancer, and she couldn’t figure out what was being asked in some cases. Perhaps the videos are easier to follow?)
In addition, with everything going on in my life right now, I can’t commit to a full lifestyle overhaul just to tone up my arms and legs. I think that aspect appeals to women who are looking to lose serious weight and change their ways of looking at health and fitness.
In the end, this was an experiment that gave me a few worthwhile exercises for my repertoire and a lesson that if it ain’t broke, don’t go trying a new exercise program!
Two weeks ago, I was very excited to give this a go. The glowing reviews of Bower’s DVDs on Amazon left no doubt that this program works for some women. And to an extent it did work for me. I saw change in my body, the tightening and shaping of my legs, as well as the strengthening of my core, after one week. I lost 4 lbs. (not that I really needed to). I was even happy to see that I have been practicing Bower’s basic healthy eating choices long before I picked up this book.
I soon realized that this was not the type of exercise routine that fit my needs. As a former gymnast, I am strong but have an aversion to ‘bulk.’ My goal is always to sculpt the muscle I already have into a lean, lithe physique. That’s why I do pilates and a low-stress cardio routine. I thought Bower’s program would do that, too. Maybe I needed to keep at it longer. Maybe I was muddled by the unclear pics. (It took me an insane amount of time to figure out the moves. The pictures in the book are not very decipherable. I have taken ballet class; my mother was a dancer, and she couldn’t figure out what was being asked in some cases. Perhaps the videos are easier to follow?)
In addition, with everything going on in my life right now, I can’t commit to a full lifestyle overhaul just to tone up my arms and legs. I think that aspect appeals to women who are looking to lose serious weight and change their ways of looking at health and fitness.
In the end, this was an experiment that gave me a few worthwhile exercises for my repertoire and a lesson that if it ain’t broke, don’t go trying a new exercise program!
November 13, 2017
I enjoyed this book. The exercises described are easily modifiable for those (like me) who cannot do them in the same way that the author can and I love all of the stretching she recommends. It has really helped alleviate some of my knee and lower back pain.
I also appreciate the mindset of forgiveness and flexibility that she emphasizes throughout the book. Her approach is realistic rather than strict. It’s the do what you can when you can attitude that makes her program feel approachable.
One downside is I found some of the exercises difficult to follow along to in the book. I ended up buying two DVDs of hers to do because I liked the exercises so much that I wanted to be able to be able to do the rest.
Another downside is that I found her recipe and eating section to be a little lean. I know that this isn’t a cookbook but most of her recommendations were for salads, which I have trouble eating because of my dietary issues, so this entire section had very few options for me. She also did not include many vegetarian or vegan options, which also limits its applicability to her audience.
Overall, though, I have been happy with the exercises and would recommend them to others.
I also appreciate the mindset of forgiveness and flexibility that she emphasizes throughout the book. Her approach is realistic rather than strict. It’s the do what you can when you can attitude that makes her program feel approachable.
One downside is I found some of the exercises difficult to follow along to in the book. I ended up buying two DVDs of hers to do because I liked the exercises so much that I wanted to be able to be able to do the rest.
Another downside is that I found her recipe and eating section to be a little lean. I know that this isn’t a cookbook but most of her recommendations were for salads, which I have trouble eating because of my dietary issues, so this entire section had very few options for me. She also did not include many vegetarian or vegan options, which also limits its applicability to her audience.
Overall, though, I have been happy with the exercises and would recommend them to others.
October 28, 2012
Great book, very inspirational and some excellent tips. I'm going to work with her dvds and her online classes.
December 4, 2017
Unbelievably useful. Very well written, not boring at all. The first part is very interesting as it shows you how the life of a prima ballerina in the New York City Ballet is like. And then there is the second part which shows you the main exercises which I believe are perfect for building the ballerina body. he third part gives you some recipes, many of them sound pretty good; I'll probably try some of them.
So, in general, the book is really good, it shows you some exercises, meals and ideas that are from a very healthy perspective, not a just-do-what-I-say perspective.
I recommend reading this book if you are trying to get into the ballet world.
So, in general, the book is really good, it shows you some exercises, meals and ideas that are from a very healthy perspective, not a just-do-what-I-say perspective.
I recommend reading this book if you are trying to get into the ballet world.
January 31, 2026
Unlike other fitness books, Mary graciously teaches a healthy lifestyle in a way that feels realistic and encouraging. She shares simple exercises and easy-to-follow meal plans. I found that this book instills hope and encouragement, gently guiding readers to embrace their feminine attributes in the process. Her workouts have strengthened my dance-specific muscles and improved my performance as a dancer.
November 17, 2020
Two stars - rating the book, not the programme. Repetitive, not really inspiring, some good tips, but nothing new once you've been around the block and know how your body functions and what to eat. The exercises are very hard to decipher based on the photos and he description.
December 21, 2017
Notes:
photo workouts are not easily understood
movements are all similar enough to my PiYo workouts
her food advice randomly excludes "cream sauces" but not sugar
photo workouts are not easily understood
movements are all similar enough to my PiYo workouts
her food advice randomly excludes "cream sauces" but not sugar
January 6, 2019
Practicing. Persistence is very important.
March 2, 2019
Great for getting in touch with your inner ballerina :)
January 2, 2020
Love the first part of this and the workout. I wasn't too into the recipes but I have that under control on my own.
Read
January 19, 2020It reminded me of "Get in Shape Girl" from the 90s. Good motivator?
Read
July 21, 2021開頭有些動作讓人聯想到瑜珈，但後面愈來愈多動作不同，也算新奇。
作者的食譜用料在臺灣不太容易找到，不過我們常吃的菜色比起老外慣吃的紅肉與乳酪，應該比較容易符合她的飲食標準。
作者的食譜用料在臺灣不太容易找到，不過我們常吃的菜色比起老外慣吃的紅肉與乳酪，應該比較容易符合她的飲食標準。
November 26, 2022
I enjoy the online workouts, although I’m not a monthly subscriber. The book is helpful for posture and explaining the exercises but I prefer to follow the online content.
January 1, 2023
I miss barre class and ballet class. Minimal set up to get going doing the ballet exercises. Too bad the book didn't come with a chapter on motivation LOL!
June 13, 2024
Breezed through the text quickly; interested to try the workouts
February 8, 2025
Excellent book with detailed information on ballet exercises.
Definitely enjoyed reading this.
Definitely enjoyed reading this.
January 11, 2020
Mary Helen Bowers is an inspirational book is a must read for the new year.
January 6, 2017
I bought this book because I've been doing some of the free online Ballet Beautiful workout videos and enjoying them but wasn't quite ready to make the full commitment to a paid subscription. When I found a fairly cheap copy of the book online it seemed worth checking out, and it was.
I've been doing Pilates casually for awhile now but always wished I could find something that worked more along the same lines as the way I was used to working and stretching my body when I used to dance. I danced from age 5-18 and went to classes 3-4 times a week. I've only danced very sporadically in the 5 years since but I found when I was trying to exercise that was still the way I wanted to move. In answering this need Ballet Beautiful is excellent and exactly what I was looking for. I found the diagrams and instructions easy to follow. However I imagine it would take longer to get your head around if you didn't have any dance experience.
As for the mindset section of the book, I found the details about Bowers' own ballet/fitness journey interesting. I also really like the book's repeated insistence on forgiving yourself, then getting back on track if you find yourself skipping workouts/having unhealthy eating days etc. rather than beating yourself up about it and feeling despondent. On the other hand there's quite a bit of believe in yourself, how to set goals kind of affirmation stuff which seems unnecessary, maybe it works for some people though.
The nutrition chapters again aren't particularly revolutionary. The basis is eat lots of greens, lots of fruit and veggies, whole grains, proteins pretty standard stuff. In saying that however, the flexibility and the "common sense" approach is going to be a much easier approach to follow. Honestly there's no way I'd be prepared to cut carbs out of my diet, but eating wholemeal bread is something I already do, switching to wholemeal pasta would be an achievable goal, for example. I also like the look of the recipes and will definitely be trying some of them.
I've been doing Pilates casually for awhile now but always wished I could find something that worked more along the same lines as the way I was used to working and stretching my body when I used to dance. I danced from age 5-18 and went to classes 3-4 times a week. I've only danced very sporadically in the 5 years since but I found when I was trying to exercise that was still the way I wanted to move. In answering this need Ballet Beautiful is excellent and exactly what I was looking for. I found the diagrams and instructions easy to follow. However I imagine it would take longer to get your head around if you didn't have any dance experience.
As for the mindset section of the book, I found the details about Bowers' own ballet/fitness journey interesting. I also really like the book's repeated insistence on forgiving yourself, then getting back on track if you find yourself skipping workouts/having unhealthy eating days etc. rather than beating yourself up about it and feeling despondent. On the other hand there's quite a bit of believe in yourself, how to set goals kind of affirmation stuff which seems unnecessary, maybe it works for some people though.
The nutrition chapters again aren't particularly revolutionary. The basis is eat lots of greens, lots of fruit and veggies, whole grains, proteins pretty standard stuff. In saying that however, the flexibility and the "common sense" approach is going to be a much easier approach to follow. Honestly there's no way I'd be prepared to cut carbs out of my diet, but eating wholemeal bread is something I already do, switching to wholemeal pasta would be an achievable goal, for example. I also like the look of the recipes and will definitely be trying some of them.
March 8, 2015
I bought this book and a dvd for the traditional 60 minute workout, and my review (ands 4 stars) covers both items. The book was well organized, thought-out and gave a thorough overview of Mary Helen's impressive background, attitude / mindset for accomplishing goals, ballet moves that go along with her dvd and her recommendations on a healthy diet. It has good points, and at the same time, some points were pretty redundant. The book could have been streamlined and still would have covered the same information.(Her diet is still a bit strict for people like me :) -- yet it has some good ideas and recipes).
The dvd is awesome!! I have heard about her for a long time as well as the positive results from her work-outs. The work-out is tough, and some days it burns more than others. She is awesome at giving instructions on performing the moves, and I really connect to her style of working out which is positive, calming and you can see results! Highly recommend trying our her dvd if you are interested in a "ballet" type work-out (toning up arms / legs and core strengthening) and ordering the book to supplement the dvd to get insight into her overall Ballet Beautiful philosophy.
The dvd is awesome!! I have heard about her for a long time as well as the positive results from her work-outs. The work-out is tough, and some days it burns more than others. She is awesome at giving instructions on performing the moves, and I really connect to her style of working out which is positive, calming and you can see results! Highly recommend trying our her dvd if you are interested in a "ballet" type work-out (toning up arms / legs and core strengthening) and ordering the book to supplement the dvd to get insight into her overall Ballet Beautiful philosophy.
July 8, 2013
Mary Helen Bowers breaks down the inspiration, moves, and Ballet Beautiful lifestyle including: recipes, shopping lists and samples of weekly schedules of her Ballet Beautiful program.
The book itself is a quick read, and is very positive and encouraging. Readers will have a better understanding of Bowers' inspiration of the program and its conception/development. Readers will also have a better understanding of Bowers, who is a genuine modern woman who doesn't guilt readers with what they cannot have and should not do. There is no shame, guilt or over-explanation about caloric concerns, which is a stark contrast to other diet/health programs out there.
The program itself is flexible to individual needs, and Bowers stresses that flexibility as a selling point for the woman on the go. The program is realistic, and Ballet Beautiful in combination with the DVDs is a great combination. The workouts will have you feeling the burn in minutes, and fitting into your skinny jeans before you know it.
The book itself is a quick read, and is very positive and encouraging. Readers will have a better understanding of Bowers' inspiration of the program and its conception/development. Readers will also have a better understanding of Bowers, who is a genuine modern woman who doesn't guilt readers with what they cannot have and should not do. There is no shame, guilt or over-explanation about caloric concerns, which is a stark contrast to other diet/health programs out there.
The program itself is flexible to individual needs, and Bowers stresses that flexibility as a selling point for the woman on the go. The program is realistic, and Ballet Beautiful in combination with the DVDs is a great combination. The workouts will have you feeling the burn in minutes, and fitting into your skinny jeans before you know it.
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