Ballet instructor and professional ballerina Mary Helen Bowers talked to Lifescript.com, offering her tips for a great ballet workout. Bowers is the instructor who trained actress Natalie Portman to dance ballet in her Oscar-winning role in the film “Black Swan.”

Bowers shares her top ballet secrets — the same ones she uses in her ballet workout program “Ballet Beautiful” — as well as the methods she uses to train actors to play dancers on film.

But you don’t have to be an award-winning actress with a personal trainer or a years-long ballet dancer to achieve the long, lean muscles and toned core of a ballerina. Step-by-step instructions for Bowers’ ballet moves are posted on Lifescript.com, complete with photos. Learn how to blend ballet with other exercises to tone and lengthen your muscles, targeting smaller muscles to build a strong core. You can get results by working out 30-60 minutes in your living room – no ballet bar required!

Find the steps and instructions at “The Black Swan Ballet Workout” at Lifescript.com, including Bowers’ answers to the following questions:

• What changes can women expect to see after doing your workout?

 

• Why is it important for women to focus on their cores?

 

• Natalie Portman took ballet classes as a child, did that help her in her role? Can women who have never danced achieve a dancer’s body?

 

• What was your role during the filming of “Black Swan”?

 

• Can you blend ballet moves with other exercises? What are some of the exercies you can do and how do you incorporate ballet techniques?

 

• Can you get results just working out at home?

 

• How long should a woman practice every day to achieve a dancer’s body?

• Ballet is a demanding practice and often leads to injuries. How can women prevent injuring themselves during ballet workouts?

• Most young women want to become ballerinas. Do you have advice for parents?

Lifescript.com is a leading women’s health web site offering information on a variety of health topics.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

Tags: exercise, fitness, women's health
Filed under: Burn Fat