Ballet Beautiful

Much like the rest of the world, I have resolved to exercise and/ or eat well in the new year. Making the resolution to hit the gym was easy, but actually going is quite another thing. I, like 99% of the population, rather abhor working out and exercising. In order to keep my resolution (for whatever it's worth), I am going to turn to that most sophisticated and chic sport that was recently made popular again by Natalie Portman's stand-out performance in "Black Swan." Yes, I am referring to ballet.

I took ballet lessons briefly during middle school and again in high school when I was taking gymnastics classes at a private academy. I was always terrible- the worst person in the entire class. I am not flexible and I lack rhythm. Yet, I'm willing to give it another try.

The inspiration for my second turn at ballet will be the Ballet Beautiful method by Mary Helen Bowers. After dancing with the New York City Ballet, Bowers studied English literature at Columbia and later went on to develop her own fitness regime which focuses on "the exquisite grace, beauty and strength that are the essence of a ballerina's form." Oh, and she also helped Natalie Portman train for her role in "Black Swan." Vogue's Molly Creeden was recently sent to Bowers's studio to try out her method and to learn how Portman prepared for her role. I think the visit was a success.

Although I won't be able to register for a class with Bowers, I am going to try to incorporate elements of ballet into my soon-to-be fitness plan. Bowers explained that ballet can help one look like a ballerina: "long, lean, sculpted, and strong, but still very elegant" (vogue.com). That's exactly how I would like to look! In order to achieve this, I want to try the "New York City Ballet Work Out" DVD, something that I have checked out from the library multiple times and returned unopened many times. I'll keep you posted as to how this project develops!

(** photo of Mary Helen Bowers is from her website, www.balletbeautiful.com**)