Mary Helen Bowers

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

— Mary Helen Bowers

I don't let my wardrobe dictate my diet.

— Mary Helen Bowers

For a ballerina, the worst thing imaginable is big thighs.

— Mary Helen Bowers

Ballet was just something that I always wanted to do.

— Mary Helen Bowers

Nail polish is like the icing on the beauty cake.

— Mary Helen Bowers

I love white linens and walls mixed with antique Victorian furniture.

— Mary Helen Bowers

I'm from North Carolina, so I am really picky about my fried chicken.

— Mary Helen Bowers

I love berries, greens, and salmon.

— Mary Helen Bowers

A lot of people think the body is just about genetics, but the right approach can change its shape.

— Mary Helen Bowers

Even if you're having a snack, enjoying it in a beautiful teacup or on a lovely plate makes it feel like more…

— Mary Helen Bowers

Stretching before and after every workout keeps muscles supple and helps elongate the lines of a ballerina's limbs.

— Mary Helen Bowers

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

— Mary Helen Bowers

Before founding Ballet Beautiful, I was a ballerina with the New York City Ballet.

— Mary Helen Bowers

I think being in the right mindset is a huge challenge for women, who often take an all-or-nothing approach to working out…

— Mary Helen Bowers

There's no feeling like performing. It's magical, it's so rewarding, and it just feeds this special little part of your soul.

— Mary Helen Bowers

I like to customize my tights by cutting them myself to create a stirrup or convert the look into a capri.

— Mary Helen Bowers

Have something that you enjoy, that satisfies you. For me, that is dark chocolate, red wine, and cheese. But make room in…

— Mary Helen Bowers

The muscles that are used in Ballet Beautiful are similar to those used in classic ballet. They're also muscles that don't get…

— Mary Helen Bowers

It's not realistic to say never eat sugar, but I try to limit my sugar as much as I can to buckwheat…

— Mary Helen Bowers

A lot of fitness is about contractions - you're doing squats, or you're on a bike and your knees are bending but…

— Mary Helen Bowers

My company, Ballet Beautiful, is built around celebrating the strength and femininity of the female body - for me, pregnancy has just…

— Mary Helen Bowers

One of the things I found as a dancer is that you're trying to perfect your body but also protect it and…

— Mary Helen Bowers

With ballet, you're really focused on the inner thigh and butt and just lifting and lengthening everything, including your arms. You're not…

— Mary Helen Bowers

To look and feel your best, it's essential to work out, eat well, and make sure that you are also drinking plenty…

— Mary Helen Bowers

I've learned that there are many people out there who want to feel powerful and strong on their own terms, who want…

— Mary Helen Bowers

One of the big things, especially if you're eating out frequently, is either splitting an entree with someone or ordering a protein-heavy…

— Mary Helen Bowers

I launched Ballet Beautiful not long after finishing at Columbia and met Natalie Portman shortly after. We began training and preparing her…

— Mary Helen Bowers

A leotard is more versatile than you might think!

— Mary Helen Bowers

An all-white space has a purity that is refreshing and serene.

— Mary Helen Bowers

Audrey Hepburn was always so chic, simple, and beautiful.

— Mary Helen Bowers

I became completely obsessed with body oils while pregnant.

— Mary Helen Bowers

When you dance, you engage your abs in every step.

— Mary Helen Bowers

I love nuts and popcorn with olive oil and sea salt.

— Mary Helen Bowers

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

— Mary Helen Bowers

I don't believe in depriving myself; it's an unhealthy state of mind.

— Mary Helen Bowers

It's important to remember that life is hectic and unpredictable.

— Mary Helen Bowers

I love how chic yet simple ballet style is for everyday dressing.

— Mary Helen Bowers

I live in my Ballet Beautiful street shoes.

— Mary Helen Bowers

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

— Mary Helen Bowers

I think most people don't need as much cardio as they think they do.

— Mary Helen Bowers