Pregnancy and Fitness
Body Shape
Stretching/Flexibility
Injuries/Rehab
Sports & Activities
Strengthening and Toning
Cardiovascular
Get a personal diet plan
Toe-tal fitness
Close your eyes and picture the strong, graceful and sculpted form of a ballet dancer. Think of the perfect posture, amazing flexibility and understated poise. Now think of yourself as that ballerina. Thanks to the recent UK launch of the New York City Ballet workout - available in book, video and DVD - developing such a physique is now a feasible target for all of us.
Ballet is no longer something that only young, lithe wannabe dancers do. Over the past few years it has become increasingly popular in the US as a challenging, yet enjoyable workout. This is partly because no exercise equipment is necessary and it doesn't take long to reap the benefits. As Peter Martins, ballet master in chief of New York City Ballet and co-author of the workout book, states 'With only a few minutes a day you can start to realise the trademarks of a dancer's body'.
This workout doesn't promise to turn you into a professional dancer or give you the rock-hard body of a ballerina, but it will help you have lean abs, firm buttocks, a contoured waist, sculpted legs, slim thighs, toned strong arms, perfect posture and improved flexibility. The video version shows a fluid performance of each exercise accompanied by uplifting classic music. Once you learn the initial moves, you can perform the exercises one after another to create a smooth and powerful dance routine.
To put you through the paces, we've selected a few of the moves in the ballet workout to get you started. As with any other exercise, you should do a five to 10-minute total body stretch before the routine. If any of the moves are painful, stop immediately. Check with your GP before beginning this or any other new exercise programme.
- Shoulder and arm circles. This exercise will help to warm up your upper body. Stand with your feet together and arms by your side. Raise your arms forward and up above your head to form a V shape. Then, gently make a circular motion with your arms, extending them backwards to open up your chest. Avoid arching your back and locking your knees as you bring your arms down and around to complete the circle. Do eight repetitions.
1 | 2 | 3 | next
printer friendly
send to a friend
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB
