Ballet workouts add a new spin to aerobics.
Some poeple would don a tutu if the graceful body and enviable posture of a dancer came along with it. Now, the prevalence of ballet workouts helps make the dancer's physique accesible to everyone-no tutu required. Jessica Sherwood (above), creator of the ballet boot camp workout, such classes have toned the bodies of all her students--from the closet dance enthusiast and mother of two to the student who recently celebrated his 70th birthday. How exactly does this classical dance discipline firm up physiques? "Ballet first builds the around core stabilization," Sherwood explains, "then movements force elongation of the body in every direction. The elongation creates stronger, more defined muscles." The atr form that began as upper-crust entertainment in Renaissance France and Italy is garnering interest not only because it pays off in physical benegfits but also because the repetitive exercises build heightened concentration, and the smooth movements perfomed to classical music can lead to a state of yogalike serenity.
Emily Mitchell
Dancing with yourself
Try you hand, or feet, at the NEW YORK CITY BALLET WORKOUT video ($14.95), an hour-long streching and toning workout led by four members of the NYCB troupe. The DVD version ($24.95)lets you choose the choose the music and costomize the order of the exercises, To order, call 212-870-4232 or visit www.nycballet.com.
