“These aren’t so bad,” I thought, as I started the Ballet Beautiful Swan Arms series. Â “I can handle this”
Three minutes later…”Ohmygodthe15minuteshastobeoverI’mdying.”Â
I’m a fan of quick, highly effective workouts when I’m traveling. Â Ones that don’t require equipment or sneakers get bonus points. Â And if they promise the elegant physique of a dancer, I’m all in.
Ballet Beautiful is all that. Â Ask Natalie Portman – the method creator, Mary Helen Bowers, was her ballet trainer for her Oscar-winning role in Black Swan.
Here’s how I’m incorporating Ballet Beautiful into my workouts:
1. Â Once a week, when I’m particularly short for time (and I’m working from home), I’ll do the Swan Arms, Ballet Beautiful Abs, and Cardio Tendu workouts throughout the day. Â I’m able to get in a full workout by the end of the day, and each blast workout gives me a burst of energy. Â (Note – these videos are only available via streaming, and not downloaded onto your computer).
2.  When I have an hour for a workout and don’t feel like going to the gym (truly lazy, as it’s in my building), I do the 60-minute Classic workout from the Ballet Beautiful Book (you can also get the DVD).  It’s both calming (for the mind) and intense (for the body).
3. Â When I’m stuck on a layover, I look for a empty area in the lounge and do the Swan Arms workout – it gives a great stretch for my stiff muscles, and helps get the circulation flowing. Â And I don’t feel so shameful for indulging in the candy and champagne. Â (In a pinch, you can also do it in the handicapped stall in the bathroom).
4. Â I haven’t mustered the courage to take one of the “live” classes via videoconferencing, but I will once I get through a workout without stopping gain more confidence in my practice. Â A little pricy at $35, but great occasionally when you want to ensure your technique is correct.
5. Â As diet is a major part of overall fitness, I prepare at least one of her recipes weekly. Â The diet plan is worth the cost of the book alone.
Ballet not your thing? Â Here are some other fitness on the go posts – Amanda Russell, How To Exercise Anywhere. Â I plan to repost an updated version of my Tracy Anderson Method post soon, but you can find a number of her workouts on YouTube (I swear by her treadmill routine – part A and part B)
How do you keep in shape on the go? Â SHARE in the comments below.
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