Quotes from Mary Helen Bowers

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

Could you physically lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks? Maybe. But there's no way you could do that in a healthy way or that you could maintain it.

On weekends, I do brunch at home: whole grain bagels, lox, avocado, eggs, and organic bacon.

With ballet, you're really focused on the inner thigh and butt and just lifting and lengthening everything, including your arms. You're not using weights, but holding up the weight of your own arms is a challenge.

Pregnancy is magical, I've never felt more connected to my body.

My company, Ballet Beautiful, is built around celebrating the strength and femininity of the female body - for me, pregnancy has just been an extension of that.

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

I've been so fortunate to have had such a healthy, easy pregnancy and have been incredibly active the entire way through. My favorite part is feeling the baby move - but the entire process is such a miracle.

I've found the entire process of being pregnant to be such a miraculous, beautiful time.

By continuing to work out and dance while pregnant, I feel a double reward from maintaining my normal routine but all the while knowing that baby is sharing in my day.

The image of a pregnant woman embracing her figure and really putting it out there can be scary to some people, but I don't let that stand in my way, and I don't think other women should either.

I became completely obsessed with body oils while pregnant.

Ballet targets smaller muscles that you don't often use - instead of working your quads, it works the inside and the back of your leg.

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

For ballet dancers, style is about melding personal expression with physical form.

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

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.

A few times a week, I'll put on La Roche-Posay's Active C Facial Moisturizer. That's probably my favorite cream. It clears up my skin a bit and provides more of an anti-wrinkle element.

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

One of the big things, especially if you're eating out frequently, is either splitting an entree with someone or ordering a protein-heavy appetizer for an entree, like a salmon or steak tartar. If I'm dying for a burger, I'll get the burger but have it with salad instead of fries and a glass of red wine instead of a beer.

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

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.

I love berries, greens, and salmon.

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.