maryhelenbowers

[maryhelenbowers]

Do you know how many times BB streaming videos can be viewed (without the monthly membership)?

They're unlimited and yours to keep! :)

[maryhelenbowers]

"When our mindset is positive and empowering, we trust ourselves. We learn to believe in our own ability to reach a goal, a dream. If we are open to a positive mindset, life is full of those moments – big and small – that help us create, grow and succeed. Have a beautiful workout today!"

- Quote and picture taken from www.balletbeautiful.com

[maryhelenbowers]

Does doing ballet beautiful regulate diminish your curves? Like I want to keep my butt and boobs

Nope! Not in the slightest. MH guarantees that you won't lose your butt if you already have a great one, etc. in her book. :)

[maryhelenbowers]

Have you joined the BB Custom Workout plan? I'm curious and tempted to join but it's so pricey and I can't see how many workouts or what workouts are available on it. Are you allowed access to all videos automatically or do you have to follow the custom plan they give you?

I just joined it this month, a few weeks ago, as a Christmas present to myself. :) So far, I’m in love with it! I thought $40 was a lot to spend for streaming videos every month, but the thing is, the library is so MASSIVE and you get such a great, unlimited selection on exclusive workouts you can mix and match! 

You are allowed access to all the videos automatically the minute you’re done checking out on the website. :) The first process you go through is a mini questionnaire of your time schedule, your goals, etc. And then a workout regimen is customized based on that, but you’re able to go to your Streaming Library and forgo their weekly schedule for you and just go off one of your own. As you can see below, there are about 64 videos as of right now (December 2014). And two new workouts get added each month! 

My current favorites from the Custom Workout are:

Sugarplum on the Mat (dance-inspired but tough workout based on the Nutcracker!)

The Plie series (both al seconde and first position)

Backstage outer thigh (tough but targeted workout!)

Weightless Arms Workout

Backstage on the Mat (I can easily picture myself doing this while warming up before a performance)

Snowflake Workout on the Mat (Again, super fun and dance inspired!)

Waltz of the Flowers (I feel like I’m back dancing the Nutcracker again!)

The entire Sugarplum series, really (Pique Passe, Pique, etc.)

The Hip and Thigh Workout

There are a few I still haven’t tried yet, like the Battement Cardio Series but I personally think the Custom Workout is an excellent value and a great treat if you feel like indulging and getting it. :) You can cancel at anytime (I canceled mine after I bought it because I just wanted to try it out this month). Just be aware that some of the videos are less than 5 minutes long (but still intense), and others are 10 minutes, while still others are 17 min. so it varies. Happy exercising!

#ballet #ballet beautiful #mary helen bowers #ballet beautiful custom workout #custom workout #dance #dance fitness #health #exercise

[maryhelenbowers]

Simple Side Stretch

"This is a great stretch for opening up your back and your sides," Bowers said.

Bring your feet together into sixth position with your heels and toes touching on both feet. Slightly bend your knees, holding on to a steady surface, stretching your arm over your head. Hold for eight counts and repeat on the other side.

#ballet beautiful #mary helen bowers #stretch #stretching #flexibility #health

[maryhelenbowers]

#ballet beautiful #Mary Helen Bowers

[maryhelenbowers]

#ballet #mary helen bowers #ballerina #ballet beautiful

[maryhelenbowers]

Are you going to post any more reviews or her prenatal exercises?

Hello! I'll certainly be happy to post more reviews, should the demand for them continue! Any requests? :)  

[maryhelenbowers]

Hi, I was wondering if BB really doesn't bulk you up more. Despite all the fitness info I've read about women not building muscle as easily as men, I do tend to bulk up quite easily (having a group of football players ask to compare quads with me and tell me I had "super ripped" arms was a little disheartening). I thought BB would be a workout I could actually do but after just one blast my muscles are aching and I'm a bit apprehensive about the no-bulk promise

Hi there! No need to worry about bulking up with Ballet Beautiful - although everyone builds muscles differently, you shouldn't see any huge, oversized calves. The workouts do build muscle, but they happen to build muscle differently because they target muscles specific to a ballerina's form - hence the reason you don't see many bulky ballerinas! Good luck, and happy exercising!

[maryhelenbowers]

Hi there! I found your blog a last week and I love it! Thank you so much! I started doing the Ballet Beautiful 60 min Total Body Workout but on days I can't finish it, I do the swan arms blast. I don't particularly like doing cardio so I wanted to ask you if you supplemented the program with any cardio workout? If so, what did you do? Thank you so much! -Cheska

Mary Helen recommends supplementing the workout (especially if you're just doing her toning and strengthening matwork videos) with a little bit of cardio on the side, such as jogging or swimming. :)

[maryhelenbowers]

When doing the butt series part one workout should my leg be turned out?

No. You're working specifically from a parallel position to target a certain area of muscles. Part II of the Butt Series workout is when you work from a turned out position.

[maryhelenbowers]

Do I need to warm up somehow before I start exercising with Ballet Beautiful? Thanks!

Nope! Any "warm-up" you'll need to do will already be in the video, as Mary Helen likes to begin by a few stretches from the start of a workout. I usually prefer to open up my hip flexors beforehand with a couple of stretches on the floor, but it's totally up to you and your body's needs for the day.

[maryhelenbowers]

I want to start with BB after doing the Tracy Anderson Method for three years. TAM was great, but I am beginning to feel like I need a more graceful workout with more stretches. I read a review that said that BB also doesn't have enough stretches, but I still feel that BB will probably be better that TAM. How do you think TAM and BB compare? Also when I start with BB should I still look for extra stretches to do with it?

I haven't tried the Tracy Anderson Method, so I'm not exactly qualified to answer this, sorry. :( 

MH has a video of a Stretching Blast to accompany her workouts if you're interested. Unfortunately, ever since she developed her Custom Workout, that video (along with many others) is only available through a monthly subscription to her Custom Workout. I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful. :(

[maryhelenbowers]

On the Reverse Pushups, do the elbows bend in or out?

It depends on the hand positioning. MH does 3 variations of the reverse pushups: one with the hands facing towards your spine, one with your hands facing the side, and one with your hands facing the back wall. 

[maryhelenbowers]

#thank goodness someone made a gif of this #I was too lazy to

[maryhelenbowers]

I have heard a lot of criticism (probably the only criticism) on MHB's work outs is the lack of stretching. Why is it important that the stretching breaks are not quick but longer? Also how long should they be? And isn't the point of them being shorter that you go straight onto the next movement meaning you're working harder (no breaks) and end up burning more?... hope you can help :))))

Yes, the main reason why MH's stretching breaks are so brief is because if they were longer, it wouldn't be just a quick 15 minute workout, it'd probably be more like a 17-19 minute workout. It's important to stretch out for at least anywhere from 10-30 seconds before transitioning into the next set so your muscles are nice and limber and ready. It also helps prevent injury and strain. For example, some people don't like to stretch out before they run, preferring to just go right into it, but I'm the opposite: I can feel just how tight the muscles in my calves are if I don't at least spend a couple of minutes stretching out a bit before running. It's just a personal preference. :) you can always simply follow along with MH during the videos and then once you're done with your workout, dedicate a few minutes (depending on how much flexibility you want to build, really) afterwards to stretch out.

[maryhelenbowers]

hello! I have purchased both ballet beautiful DVDs, i want to purchase the streaming videos online but wanted to make sure they are not repeats of the DVDs?

No, the streaming videos are definitely different from the DVD's. :) you'll see a lot of the same principles repeated somewhat (i.e., in the Classic/Total Body Workout, she does the swan arms sitting down, whereas in the Swan Arms streaming video, she does them standing up). HOWEVER, if you purchased the Blast DVD (the one with the green header), those are 4 of the first streaming videos she has on her website: The Butt Series blast, the total body blast, and the swan arms.