Elite Body Pilates Promo Video

Very excited about the new promo video for Elite Body Pilates. Think it really captchures the essense of what they do, especially the non-competitive learning environment that a lot of beginners want. Check it out on Youtube. It's also on the EBP website.

Let me know what you think and please share!

Back on Track After Sports Injury Recovery

I was really happy to receive this wonderful testimonial from Carole in New York who I have been helping recover from sports injury:

"I had a massive ski accident in March 2010: multi fracture of the tibia and of the tibial plateau. I have a rod along my tibia and one in my knee with eleven pins. I lost all my quadriceps muscles in two weeks. After that, I had to learn again how to walk. I started in the water, then on land. I worked with physical therapists and highly qualified professionals. After exercising every single day for a year, my legs were still not the same size, I was panicked in crowd, my quadriceps stopped growing and my spirits were very low. I met Anna and after seeing me walk for 30 seconds she discovered what nobody had seen before: I was not putting any weight at all on my injured leg. I saw Anna on a weekly basis in private classes and exercised at home strictly following the personal routine of exercises she had set up for me. My quads grew bigger before our very eyes and in four months I was back on track and able to join the collective Body Ballet® class at CDAB.

I feel greater than ever, physically and mentally. Anna knows particularly well how the human body moves and was able to tell me which movements were appropriate for me without putting any weight on the knee, which was strictly forbidden in my case. She also suggested which food to favor in order to grow muscle. Her endless energy helped me never to give up. Thank you so much Anna, you provide the best sports injury recovery service in New York City!"

It makes it all so worthwhile when I get feedback like this! There's a version also in French on my website!

Daily News NY!

Daily News NY have written a wonderful article about Body Ballet. Enjoy reading, it’s so exciting that more people will be able to learn about the benefits of the Body Ballet workout! See you in class!
Love,
Anna

New!! Reviewed by FitEngine.com

Hi Dancers,

Check out the wonderful review of Body Ballet by Nicole Touzien on FitEngine.com. Please feel free to pass on the review to your friends!

Love,
Anna

Hi Dancers,

I hope that you are getting ready to start the Dance year with energy and a new found enthusiasm! I certainly have.

I had a wonderful experience this summer, teaching a 4 week Ballet Intensive to young dancers ages 12 to16 and I wanted to share how much you, Body Ballet Dancers, have inspired me to be the best I can be.

Week 1: We started every morning with Body Ballet and continued throughout the day with Ballet, Pointe Work, Partnering, Modern and Repertoire. I don’t need to say that the girls and boys were intensely tired at the end of the day and during the first week, could not imagine that they would survive.

• Anna’s saying of the week 1: YOU ARE STRONG!

Week 2: They started to feel better and were amazed that the 100 degree weather did not affect them. We had Michael’s running song “I’m so excited” going in the morning and at the end of the day! They asked for it!!!! We learned about mental conditioning.

• Anna’s saying of the week 2: NEVER GIVE UP!

Week 3: The most difficult time in an Intensive. All that is learned is taken to the next level. All the work in conditioning that seems achieved is taken to the next progression. We then put it all together: Strong Mind/ Strong Body. Wow!

• Anna’s saying of the week 3: NO EXCUSES!

Week 4: The culmination of all the work and then some. They performed 3 shows on the same day and one show in a hospital for rehabilitation. The repertoire that was danced was a piece from Napoli and a piece from Coppélia. They all did very well and none of the young dancers were either out of breath or suffered a lack of mental toughness. Although they were nervous, they shined through with confidence and beauty. I am so proud of them.

• Anna’s saying of the week 4: BE PROUD OF YOUR HARD WORK AND ENJOY THE RESULTS! DANCE-DANCE-DANCE

On the last day, they took home the BB music that was our companion for the whole month. I watched them walk away with their parents, hugging their new friends, CD in hand, a real bounce in their step and a huge smile on their face; I saw bodies lean and flexible, posture long and proud but most of all standing tall on two feet… a real sense of self.

I look forward to starting our training again and guiding you to the best and happiest YOU!

See you in class, keep dancing

Love,
Anna

What do you want to acheive?

Hi Dancers,
What do you want to accomplish this year? Do you want that perfect ballerina body? Maybe more stamina and energy?

My personal goal is for you to find the pleasure in being yourselves at your very best. At Body Ballet NYC and in our ballet barre workout I am here for each and everyone to coach you in the direction that you want to go. Each person is different, needs different corrections and attention, yet we can all strive to feel good in our own bodies. It is a focus that can be used in any moment of life.

Here at Body Ballet NYC, it is our responsibility to guide you and to hold your ‘hand’ on the journey. Our Ballet Barre Workouts aren’t exactly a walkover, so a special atmosphere of support and encouragement among us is the engine to reach for that goal.

Come into the studio and tell us. Frances, Michael and I are ready to listen. Maybe many of you want the same thing or maybe it’s just your ‘little thing.’ At Body Ballet NYC  you are unique and we work with each of you because we care about your individuality. We’ll help you find your very own balance. We all have a tendency to isolate ourselves when we need to be tough during periods of difficulty but we are here for you. You are not alone.

Come to ballet barre class with your beautiful smile and your courage and you will find a renewed energy and a strong sense of well-being.

Keep dancing!

Love,
Anna

Nutrition: Back to Basics

Hi Dancers – in Body Ballet we don’t use a lot of fancy equipment – just simple belts and weights, nothing that is digital or even needs to be plugged in (except the music).
We use the most basic of all equipment – our own bodies. And of course I want you to all take care of your bodies – not only are they beautiful but they are your equipment for your physical, mental and emotional life.

Back to basics is how I feel about food, nutrition, dieting, and dining.  Many of you who grew up outside the US know what I am talking about.  I want to share this article from the Wall Street Journal with you because it speaks to my philosophy on exercise and on food. The last sentence of this article is the most important. “Try to buy foods as close to their natural state as possible,” says Ms. Taub-Dix.  [Bonnie Taub-Dix is a nutritionist and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, a nonprofit professional organization].

 

Now that it is spring, it’s easier to buy and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables.  Asparagus is now in season  and is delicious, with vitamins A, C, E, K (for healthy bones) and several B vitamins (for energy to dance!)  One of my favorite Belgian recipes is Asperges à la Flamande.  Cook some asparagus.  Crumble hard-boiled eggs over them.  When you are ready to serve, pour a little melted butter and chopped parsley over them.  Voilà – delicious, healthy and very simple.  Please send me some of your favorite recipes and I will post them for everyone to share.

Merci
love Anna