Ballet Fitness Nominated at 2009 Tony Award

"Rock of Ages," "Next to Normal," "Shrek The Musical" and "Billy Elliot, The Musical" scored Tony nominations this year in the category of best musical. "Billy Elliot" scored with 15 more nominations than any other show. The producers for this musical were Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Old Vic Productions Working Title Films, and Weinstein Live Entertainment. Lee Hall was also nominated for Best Book of a Musical. It seems the favorite is "Billy Elliot, The Musical".

Isaac James is the pirouetting star of “Billy Elliot, The Musical”. He used to perform in serious ballets, but now he’s thrilled for his role, being able to sing, act and dance in the same time.

Ballet is becoming more and more popular for boys. “For male dancers there’s lots of lifting, turning and jumping. It’s good for boosting your upper and lower body strength and remembering all the dance routine gives you a fantastic mind workout” said Isaac.

So what exactly are the benefits of ballet fitness?

Fitness Ballet aims to increase flexibility, improve and maintain fitness for all ages, improve posture, lengthen muscles, increase overall strength, and improve core stability.

When you challenge your body with ballet moves, you also keep your mind sharp as you multitask. The brain power is used to remember combinations and to synchronize the movements so they could match to the music.

Those 50 stretches and exercises used at ballet are simplified. Still, the programme is more intense than yoga. If you want a firm bottom, stomach and lean legs this is perfect for you. Even the basic warm-up plie – which is a rotation of the legs with hips, followed by bending the knees - puts your muscles at work.