Everyday Ballet
Feb 2nd, 2011
You may have noticed that I have been a tad obsessed with ballet lately. Between seeing Black Swan and enrolling both kiddos in class I can’t stop thinking about how beautiful the art of ballet truly is. So much so that I have actually decided to start taking an adult beginners class. Honestly, I’m a little freaked but really excited to try something new. To prep myself for class next month I am focusing on 4 key exercises from Mary Helen Bowers. Each of which she incorporated into Natalie Portman’s workout routine in preparation for her movie role. These are perfect exercises to do when the house is quiet with sleeping babies. Make it a little more fun by buying yourself a leotard at your local dance store. There is something about twirling around the house in dance clothes that makes me feel very young again. Give it a try.
Lengthening the Body
Begin the exercise by lying on your back and bringing your leg above you, pulling the ankle gently toward your head. Work toward stretching your knee all the way straight over time. Change legs.
Abdominal Work
Core strength is essential to maintain balance. For a ballerina, balance is everything. To begin this exercise, lie on your back with your knees slightly bent and the arms open wide in second position. Lift the body up, contracting the abs as you close the arms to first position—a wide yet graceful circle with the hands—just above the abdomen. Pull the stomach in, closing and opening the arms as you lift up and lower. Repeat 30 times.
Tight & Toned Tush
Begin on your hands and knees and make sure you have plenty of cushion underneath. Bring one knee into your chest and then extend the leg straight back, into arabesque. Stretch the knee all the way and be sure to pull in through your stomach. Repeat 30 times, then change legs.
Upper-body
Sitting down on the mat, extend your legs out straight and place your hands just behind your hips, with the fingers facing the outer edge of the mat. Lift your hips off the mat as you stretch the elbows, keeping your chest open and your neck long. Pull your stomach in tight and then bend the elbows slightly. Repeat this 30 times.
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Written by Lea Barlow • 3 Comments
Ballerinas are strong! I’m checking out Ballet Beautiful now..thanks for sharing!
Lua Wed, Feb 2, 11:47pm