Mary Helen Bowers

“A lot of fitness has that very masculine energy and drive, and that never worked for me. I want to be challenged. I don't want to be told that I'm terrible and that I suck and that I'm not good enough - that's not motivating.”

“Ballet is an incredible art, but it can be a bit elitist, which is a really big turn off to me.”

“Working out should be empowering! It should make you look and feel strong, elegant, healthy - the best possible version of you.”

“Because I dieted so much in the past, I just can't diet again. It's something I don't want to do and I don't even know if I am capable of. I think it's a much healthier and happier way to live.”

“Nail polish is like the icing on the beauty cake.”

“When you work out a lot, it's so important to eat the right foods.”

“In yoga, you hold the positions, whereas in dance, you're constantly moving, extending, reaching through the legs and arms, which helps build long, lean muscles as opposed to shorter, tighter ones.”

“One of the things I found as a dancer is that you're trying to perfect your body but also protect it and keep it injury-free. When you work against your own weight, you're still building lean muscle and bone density, but you're in a safer zone.”

“I don't let my wardrobe dictate my diet.”

“You won't find me in a sports bra and low-slung leggings.”

“My style is a little '70s and classic old Hollywood. I incorporate a lot of vintage, bohemian blouses paired with a good wedge.”

“I try and get as much sleep as I possibly can, although it's harder with a baby.”

“Any exercise is better than nothing, even if it's only five minutes.”

“The idea for 'Ballet Baby' started when I was going through my own pregnancy.”

“Rather than thinking about what not to eat, I like to focus on what I can eat to look and feel my best.”

“A simple scoop-neck leotard highlights a ballerina's swanlike neck and elegant posture, both rooted in a powerful core.”

“Generally speaking, I love a workout that includes stretching and toning exercises for legs and core on the mat paired with ballet-inspired cardio and Barre exercises to get the heart rate up and take the results to the next level.”

“All of the vintage photos of Ballets Russes are so inspiring.”

“A lot of fitness is about contractions - you're doing squats, or you're on a bike and your knees are bending but never stretching all the way, so your muscles get strengthened but look short and thick.”

“Ballet Beautiful is about finding balance and making fitness a part of your life in a happy, healthy, rewarding way where you get to feel pretty and look beautiful. It's not about beating yourself up in the gym and locking yourself in a dark room with blasting music.”