10 Hot Chocolate Recipes For You This Winter

Winter we like to call as our hot chocolate season. So here are 10 exciting hot chocolate recipes for you to enjoy and warm up this season. You'll find quite the range of different and exciting new cocoa flavours: everything from lavender to matcha green tea hot chocolate:)

1. Vegan Almond Joy Hot Chocolate

It’s like your favorite candy was melted into drinkable goodness. Bonus: It's vegan (perfect for your dairy-free friends). 

Get the recipe here.

2. Super Decadent Barcelona-Style Hot Chocolate

Rich in flavor but simple to make—the recipe only has four ingredients (plus water). 

Get the recipe here.

3. Coconut Kahlua Hot Chocolate 

One perk of adulting: upgrading your cocoa with Kailua. 

Get the recipe here.

4. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

Throw a few ingredients into a slow cooker for an easy DIY of the Starbucks favourite. 

Get the recipe here.

5. Strawberry Sweethearts Cocoa

Beautify your hot chocolate with this rose-hued strawberry treat. 

Get the recipe here.

6. Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Pumpkin spice goes really well with hot coffee and hot chocolate. 

Get the recipe here.

7. Lavender White Hot Chocolate

This version keeps it light and sweet. 

Get the recipe here.

8. Dairy-Free Mocha Hot Chocolate 

This drink takes the standard mocha to the next level. 

Get the recipe here.

9. Matcha White Hot Chocolate

With just three ingredients you can whip together a super impressive green hot chocolate. 

Get the recipe here.

10. Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

The holidays can last all winter, as long as you’re sipping this sweet and minty treat. 

Get the recipe here.

Remember, hot chocolate is a great as well as fast energy source. So you can quickly recharge and have fun exercising!

See you in class!

www.balletbodysculpture.com

Stretching: what that you should know

What is stretching?

I know you that some of you think that stretching means doing splits, bridges and stuff like that but in reality it is a specific technique that should relax your muscles and release the tensions.

In every sport activity there should be a section dedicated to stretching exercises and doctors reccomend it for everyone, especially who does a sedentary work.

In fact, this technique is helpful to stretch the connective tissue that needs to be worked to stay active and healthy.

1. Static stretching

It is the most popular technique and it consists in holding each position for 30 seconds. It can be active if you use your strength or passive if you add an external force.

This is also one of the oldest methods, however static stretching is not always enough if you want to achieve long terms results.

2. Dynamic stretching

It is the opposite of static stretching. In this method you are always in movement to keep your muscles working during stretching. It doesn’t always require to be extremely warm.

3. Contraction-relax

It requires a partner that helps you to add force for about 10- 20 seconds in a position and then relax. This method can significantly improve your flexibility! We use this technique a lot in our personal training sessions.

4. Active Isolated Stretching

In this method you hold the stretch for just 2-3 seconds and then relax, but it has several repetitions and in each one you have to increase the level.

5. Myofascial release

It consist in using a foam roller that helps you to massage, activate your muscles and release every tension in your body using your own body weight. There are harder and softer ones but both works very well, you can choose it basing on your sensibility and preferences

General tips

-A simple but important reccomendation is to breathe correctly in every single exercise. It may seem silly but believe me, you will have greater results!

-Another one it’s to stay hydrated and drink water often. You muscles need oxygen as well as liquids.

-Improve your stretching by doing it on a soft yoga mat. You should feel comfortable and your bones shouldn’t be pressed on the floor.

-Put on some relaxing music for your brain. It will help you to stretch your muscles more.

-Never stretch if you’re cold. I prefer doing some dynamic stretching after waking up and maybe something harder before going to bed, after an hot shower.

A little resume:

-stretching is a technique that lengthen and relax your muscles;

-there are different styles of stretching: today we saw dinamic, static, contraction-relax, active isolated and myofascial release;

-being warmed up is important!

-you have to stay hydrated and drin water to optimize the result.

See you in our classes! www.balletbodysculpture.com


We also have a number of online stretching classes that you can enjoy at your own space :


http://www.balletbodysculpture.com/online-classes.html

How Does Ballet Help Develop your Fitness Level?

If you're excited by the prospect of longer, leaner muscles and a more graceful appearance, Ballet Body Sculpture class might have more appeal than the local gym. It takes time to learn ballet's unique vocabulary, master even basic steps and movement combinations, but as you exercise in class, keep your eye on the prize. Over time, ballet would help to develop an elegant posture, flexibility as well as considerably improve your fitness profile, working a deep tissue muscles and bringing a longer term results than regular sport activities.

Understanding Fitness

Ballet training involves, to a greater or lesser degree, all the components of physical fitness - healthy body composition, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and of motor fitness: power, speed, agility, balance and coordination. Improving your motor fitness with ballet training will enhance your performance on the soccer field, running track, hockey rink and racquetball court.

The Strength Story

Ballet exercises boost strength throughout your body, from the small intrinsic muscles of your feet to the larger muscles of your back, glutes and calves. Classical ballet technique involves rising onto the balls of the feet or toes, turning out the leg at the hip socket and sustaining high leg extensions to the front, side and back. Constant repetition of these exercises builds considerable strength in all areas of your body: abdominal muscles, lower & upper back, arms, hips, upper tights, calfs & feet. Pilates & stretching techniques that we use in Ballet Body Sculpture classes will help to balance the body tone, improving flexibility and developing an effective protection from any injuries.  NLP - neurolinguistic programming will engage your mind, helping to secure long term results.

Getting More Bang

Taking one 60-minute class a week might be great for de-stressing after work, but once-a-week dabbling with degages probably won't bring the hardcore fitness results you want. Improvements in alignment, strength, flexibility and speed take time and consistency. For measurable fitness gains, you'll need to take two or three classes a week over a period of a few months to notice considerable gains. When you're in class, maximize your time there by staying focused and paying close attention to the corrections. Try combining some of our online exercises, practise at home to help boosting your fitness level and speed up your progress. Or, if you are interested in your best progress and want to focus on your personal desires as well as gaining the results considerably faster, enquire to try our the bespoke training developed specially for you - Ballet Body Sculpture private training classes.

To find out about our classes, go to our website!

www.balletbodysculpture.com

3 Reasons Why Everyone Should Try A Ballet Workout

Ballet is a fitness trend you won’t want to miss! Yet many people feel intimidated about trying real ballet. Here are some myths and what you need to know to let your inner ballerina shine.

1. You don’t have to be thin, leggy, flexible, or coordinated to do ballet.

We’ve all seen images of petite dancers performing athletic feats of startling beauty and skill. And who can forget the perfectionism and cutthroat competitiveness that tormented Natalie Portman in Black Swan? It’s no wonder many people feel intimidated about trying a plié!

Whether you’re 20 or 70, ballet is just good fitness.

The simple truth, however, is that ballet is an AMAZING workout that will put you in the best shape of your life. Ballet develops strength, tone, flexibility, balance, and grace — even if you don’t start out with any!

That unmistakably elegant ballet physique — shapely legs, trim waist, toned back and arms — comes from a formula of barre, stretching, and freestanding exercises that make up a typical ballet class. Whether you’re 20 or 70, ballet is just good fitness.

Read the rest of the article here...

"No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change." - Great start this week, well done ! See you for some more classes!www.balletbodysculpture.com
Posted by Ballet Body Sculpture on Tuesday, January 12, 2016

10 Effective Tips to Keep Weight Off For Good

There's no fad diet or miracle pill that will change your body overnight, but losing weight is within your reach—it just might take a little longer than you'd like. Consider this: when you lose weight at a slow and healthy pace, you'll be more likely to keep it off for good. If you're done with the days of yo-yo dieting, these 10 tips are the emotional stepping stones to a healthier lifestyle.

1. Start small: Chances are, if in the past, you’ve tried to change everything all at once, few of your intentions have stuck for good. The answer to staying committed for the long haul is to start small. Make one positive shift every week, instead of overwhelming yourself with a bunch of changes at once.

2. Find healthy foods you love: It’s true! Healthy food that supports weight loss can also be delicious! If you’ve been on a solid sugar- and salt-laden diet for years, it will take a little getting used to. But sooner than you think, those cravings start to dissipate, and clean, natural foods sound much more palatable.

3. Don’t focus on deprivation: According to celebrity trainer Heidi Powell, anytime you deprive yourself of food, or of anything, “all you want is what you can’t have!” Take your mind-set away from sacrifice and start celebrating the fact that you’re cultivating a healthier, happier, more energized life.

4. Find out what fuels you: Whatever your true motivation is, tap into it, and use it. Is it about fitting into a ton of clothes tucked away in the back of your closet? Is it about being lighter and more active, so you can run around outside with your kids? Getting serious about your long-term goals will keep you committed to your lifestyle change.

5. Learn to love consistency: When you have a regular mealtime schedule and fridge full of fresh produce and healthy staples, making choices that support your goals won’t feel like a constant battle. Remember, this isn’t a quick fix — this is a lifestyle change. After a few weeks, these things will feel like second nature.

6. Seek out exercise you enjoy: Heading to the gym shouldn’t feel like pulling teeth. Keep on trying #new group fitness classes, cardio machines, and different styles of #exercise. When you find that one activity that flies by and feels like fun, you’ll know you’ve met your match.

7. Plan ahead for indulgences whenever possible: Occasionally enjoying a sweet treat or special meal out are essential parts of sustainable weight-loss plan. When you know you’re going to want a burger at your BBQ or an ice cream cone when you’re at the beach next weekend, keep your diet extra clean leading up to your special indulgence. It will make the whole experience that much sweeter.

8. Have compassion for yourself: Sometimes, we’re triggered by foods around us, we haven’t planned ahead, and slipups happen. Instead of being hard on yourself after eating a food that’s “off-limits,” forgive yourself, and move on. When you treat yourself with kindness, you’ll be able to bounce back and stay on track. Let’s skip the downward spiral of a whole day (or week) filled with junk food, shall we?

9. Keep setting new goals: As you’re evolving and progressing on your weight-loss journey, your goals have got to keep up! There’s so much to celebrate beyond that number on the scale, and setting specific and personal minigoals like training for a race (or slipping into that pair of old jeans) will help you stay connected.

10. Picture the new you: If you’ve struggled with your weight for a long time, it can be hard to visualize a new, healthier life. You might not be able to find the words right now, but creating a tangible reminder, like a healthy vision board covered in inspirational images, will help you start to recognize what your dreams look like.

And lastly, always choose #true professionals to help you achieving your goals fast and precise:

www.balletbodysculpture.com

Enjoy the weekend! And more great, challenging & fun classes!:www.balletbodysculpture.com
Posted by Ballet Body Sculpture 

7 Great Ways To Improve Your Self Control

While not unattainable, self-control can sometimes be difficult to achieve, since, just like a #muscle, our willpower can become too strained or too “flimsy” when not trained properly. With that in mind, let's take a close look at some of the most efficient methods to improve self-control.



1. RESPECT THE EGO

We have a limited amount of willpower, and when it's close to depletion, it becomes easier to slip into temptation, forgetting about the things we need to do or achieve. Respecting the ego and realizing when willpower levels are low will help prevent loss of control by maintaining inner balance through rest, entertainment and other activities geared to help you disconnect and feel more empowered.



2. TAKE CARE OF YOUR SLEEP HOURS

Sleep deprivation is a significant problem that needs to be avoided at all costs. While you might believe sleep isn't productive, it actually has a strong impact on the brain, allowing it to reduce stress and operate more efficiently. Moreover, sleep deprivation has been found to reduce glucose levels from the pre-frontal cortex, making it difficult to enact self-control. As a result, any decision can be made more easily after a good night's rest, without the danger of losing your self-control.



3. PRE-COMMITTING TO YOUR GOALS

Pre-committing is one of your most effective tools for improved self-control. By enforcing your decision prior to engaging in an activity that could lead to temptation, you will feel more empowered and focused. As long as you commit to relevant goals that your future self can handle, while keeping a balanced schedule, you will be able to maintain and improve your self-control.



4. MEDITATION & RELAXATION

When self-control levels are low, relaxation is important for replenishing your energy and restoring willpower. Aside from improving attention, memory, sensory response and stress-management abilities, meditation is also known for helping to increase willpower reserves. If you don't like the idea of meditating, a few simple mental and physical relaxation exercises should help you achieve similar results.



5. HAVE POSITIVE REWARDS

Encouragement and positive rewards will often help you stick to your activities and fend off temptation. Instinctively, we always try to achieve what we believe is best for ourselves, so that the perception of a significant future gain – even if self-imposed – can lead to positive results.



6. STICK TO YOUR PLAN THROUGH GRADUAL STEPS

This is one of the most important techniques for improving self-control. While you might have a plan in place, it is crucial to avoid focusing too intensely on the difficulties and challenges of the bigger picture – which could make you end up discouraging yourself due to fear of failure. Breaking down your activities into small, easy to follow steps can help you focus less on the difficulty of achieving the ultimate goal.



7. SEEK ACTIVITIES THAT ENCOURAGE

Choose things that you enjoy but also the ones help you to improve yourself. So you will consistently replenish your willpower reserves and challenge yourself through positive reinforcement.


Although self-control can be difficult to achieve, it's not impossible, see how Ballet Body Sculpture classes can help you to achieve more self-control:




www.balletbodysculpture.com

"Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement." - Lets aim for more great achievements this week!www.balletbodysculpture.com
Posted by Ballet Body Sculpture on Wednesday, April 15, 2015

How To Shape Your Body With Ballet

We've been chatting to Cylex, see our latest interview here:
http://www.cylex-uk.co.uk/company-interviews/ballet-body-sculpture_23658025.html

Step By Step - 7 Unique Ballet Based Workouts To Get A Celebrity-Like Body This Spring

Stop staring at the celeb on the cover of the magazine as you check out at grocery store! If you use high quality professionally developed workouts and eat clean you can see amazing results, just like a celebrity. Celebrities do not just follow strict eating plans to sculpt their body, they choose top fitness professionals to push themselves to the limits & more!:). These workouts are not your average stroll in the park but at your own level can be completed by all. So are you ready to start the great workouts that can help you rock your outfits like a celebrity!

Use a unique Ballet Body Sculpture exercise combination to help you lose weight, develop a celebrity-like body outline, posture, toned muscles and confidence.


7 Steps To Get Ready For The Spring Ballet Body Sculpture Exercise Set:


Step 1 - Ballet Body Blast Express!
Full ballet body workout class to tighten, lengthen, tone your full body! Intense, fun and very effective classical ballet sequences including a warm up, ballet barre, relaxing stretchers for you to enjoy & love your body!
Level -Beginner /Intermediate
Approx.23min

Step 2 - BBS Perfect Ballerina Glutes & Abs!
Slim, tone and firm your entire core whilst creating beautiful length
and definition in your waistline.
Realign your posture, shape your bottom and firm the muscles in your legs, ballerina style! Followed by some uplifting music for your to enjoy & benefit.
Level -Beginner/Intermediate
Approx.30min

Step 3 - BBS Strong & Lean – Flex Band Workout & Stretch!
Achieve your best body & posture fast! Focused on stretching, strengthening & lengthening your muscles. Targeting your tights, glutes, defining your legs, hips and forming graceful back & arms. Fire up your metabolism, slim, burn and see the difference with this challenging sequences that work every muscle group in your body!
Level -Beginner/Intermediate
Approx.35min

Step 4 - BBS Workout Class-Barre I
Create Your Dream Body Line & Posture! An elegant Ballet Barre Workout class based on some muscle firing exercises from the classical ballet to tone up your muscles, lengthen, strengthen your legs, stretch & sculpt your thighs, calves and glutes for a stunning body silhouette.
Level -Beginner /Approx.30min

Step 5 - BBS Elegant Posture, Arms & Back
Create perfect posture & feminine ballerina arms. A graceful ballet workout designed to give you toned, lengthened, elegant, arms and a beautiful back. Low impact, artistic exercises with high impact results.
Level -Beginner /Approx.20min

Step 6 - BBS Centre Class I
Perfect Your Posture, Body Balance & Coordination. An elegant ballet lesson designed to lengthen and sculpt the lower body whilst strengthening your core stability. Improving your coordination, artistry and expression, low impact ballet steps are perfect for mastering the basics whilst you refine and tone.
Level -Beginner/Intermediate
Approx.25min

Step 7 - BBS Full Body Blast II
Challenging & highly effective total body workout class.Beautifully designed series of mat, ballet barre, centre and stretching exercises that will fire up all your muscles, burn the calories, slim, tone up, stretch & lengthen your full body, creating elegant posture as well as sculpt a ballet dancer-like body line.
Level - Beginner/Intermediate
Approx. 50 min

Combining the major movements from classical ballet, Pilates and fitness firming exercises, Ballet Body Sculpture exercise classes will keep you healthy and slim, creating elegant posture, ballerina figure as well giving you a great feeling of confidence. Have fun!

www.balletbodysculpture.com

Post by Ballet Body Sculpture.

7 Fast Ways To Lose Weight

1. BECOME A HEALTHY CHEF

One fast way to lose weight is to start creating your own from-scratch meals, like salads, shakes and soups. You can drop pounds and save money by becoming your own healthy chef! This might sound small, but it's one of the best ways to lose that 7 pounds in just 7 days. Let the week begin!


2. TRY ONLINE EXERCISES


If the gym just isn't your thing or if you're having trouble finding time to get to the exercise studio, try #online classes that you can exercise at home at any time! #Professionally developed exercise classes will help you stay motivated to lose weight fast and have fun in the process!



3. REVIEW SERVING SIZE BASICS

Did you know a serving of meat or fish should be about the size of a deck of cards? A serving of almost everything else should be small enough to easily fit in the palm of your hand.



4. TAKE "BEFORE" AND "AFTER" PICTURES

One of the best ways to chart your progress is by taking before and after pictures, especially if you want to lose more than just those 7 pounds. In just a few weeks when you reach your goal, you can look back at your "before" pictures and be amazed by the transformation you've made!



5. LEARN THE HEALTHY FOOD BASICS

Learn the essential foods you should and should not eat. I know it may seem simple, but you will be amazed knowing all the foods labeled natural that are not really natural!



6.DON'T SKIMP ON PROTEIN

Eggs, white meat and fish are all great sources of lean protein. If you're vegetarian, you can get lean protein from quinoa, tofu and beans. Lean protein will help you to lose weight!



7. ENVISION WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESS

Picture the way you will look and feel when you've gotten to your ideal weight. Now do this every day until you reach your weight loss goal. May sound simple but this step can help you to achieve weight loos success! You imagination can be as powerful as reality!

www.balletbodysculpture.com

Post by Ballet Body Sculpture.

Pear Shape Body Type - All You Need To Know

What is a pear body shape?

The curvaceous pear usually has a small upper body with lean arms and a narrow waist. All the body fat is distributed around the lower stomach, hips, thighs and bottom, and the hip measurement will be bigger than the waist and chest. However, this isn’t always a bad thing: wide hips are a traditional sign of fertility, and are considered extremely desirable in many cultures around the world.

What happens when pear shapes gain weight?

Pears are more prone to cellulite than other shapes due to the concentration of fat around their hips. They have, however, less chance of developing medical problems like heart disease. Pear shapes are fortunate in that they have the potential to make a big difference to their bodies if they follow the correct training programme


What type of exercise should pear shapes do?

The classic pear-shaped woman has a well-defined waistline and an enviably flat tummy, so most of their training programme should be focused on their bottom and legs. Cardio exercise will help get rid of excess body fat, but it’s the toning exercises that will help pear shapes fit comfortably into skinny jeans. The best exercises are the ones that lengthen as well as tighten the leg and hip muscles, like ballet. Try some exercises from Ballet Body Sculpture. You can start with a few exercises online or join live group classes in you are in the area. Or sign up for some private tuition to get real gains and significant positive changes. A few combinations for your choice:

BBS - Workout Class II

Sculpt Slim Ballerina Legs & Strong Core. The exercises are designed to get you super lean and slender, boost your metabolism, firm and burn!

Level -Beginner
Approx.25min

BBS - Workout Class III

Perfect For Those That Are Looking To Tone Glutes, Develop Great Ballet Legs & Defined Hips. A low impact body sculpting workout designed to strengthen, shape and tone the muscles in your legs and bottom.

Level -Beginner 
Approx.25min

BBS Workout Class-Barre II

Tone, Strengthen & Refine. Based on classical ballet dancer's barre, this Ballet Body Sculpture Workout class is created to help refining elegant posture, work the thighs, glutes, core, tone up all your muscles, lengthen, strengthen and sculpt a ballerina-like body from top to toe.

Level -Beginner /Intermediate

Approx.25min

Which celebrities have pear shapes?

Jennifer Lopez, Kate Winslet and Coleen Rooney are great examples of celebrities who have made the most of their shape without having to resort to extreme crash diets.

What else should pears know about their shape?

Research shows that women with a hip measurement of 40 inches (size 14) or more appear to have some level of protection against heart disease that is absent in slimmer people. That’s because hip fat contains a natural anti-inflammatory called adiponectin, which prevents arteries swelling up and becoming blocked. Storing fat around the hips also has far fewer health risks than storing fat around the waist, although, as with all body shapes, it’s important to maintain a weight that’s healthy for your height.

For more information how to shape and enhance your natural body type join our classes:

www.balletbodysculpture.com

Post by Ballet Body Sculpture.

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How can I lose weight quickly - few days before an event!

As it's a party season, we all want to look and feel at our best, the big question is how to get slimmer quickly to look better in that lovely dress? Is it really possible to slim down in a day or two?.

No worries, here are some great tips. First of all - do a workout that makes you sweat a lot the day before, alternate cardio with total-body strength moves. No time to get to the gym or exercise studio? No worries, join online classes and gain the benefit from your personal trainer at home! And don't skimp on H2O, start drinking eight cups of water per day two days before and up until your event, cutting back to six the day of, it dilutes sodium in your blood, preventing water retention.

So let's get going and to get you ready for the great party time!

www.balletbodysculputure.com

http://www.balletbodysculpture.com/online-classes.html

Post by Ballet Body Sculpture.

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Healthy Pumpkin Pancakes - In Time For The Season!

Autumn Pumpkin Choice
Everyone's favorite autumn gourd is ultra high in nutrients: Each serving in this breakfast contains about 85 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, which supports supersharp vision and may lower your risk for certain types of cancer.

Dairy Double 
Don't fear full-fat milk in small doses. A new study comparing it with skim shows it has higher levels of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Pure Sweet
Pure maple syrup comes straight from the tree, which means it has zero artificial ingredients or added sugar. Check the label: The stuff you're drizzling could be loaded with high-fructose corn syrup. (And regardless, take it easy with your pour—a tablespoon of the real deal still has about 50 calories.)

Go Healthy Nuts
Talk about a top topper: Pecans are rich in compounds called flavonoids that can lower your risk for heart disease and decrease LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Plus, they have belly-friendly monounsaturated fats and more antioxidants than most tree nuts.

Slim Down Time
A stack of flapjacks from a chain restaurant can set you back 600 to 800 cals, with many choices soaring over 1,000 (and packing up to 60 grams of sugar—this version has almost two-thirds less).

The Recipe 

1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin
2 cups chickpea flour
2 eggs
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup whole milk
1 tsp coconut oil
4 Tbsp organic maple syrup
1 Tbsp chopped pecans

Beat pumpkin with flour, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and milk. Warm oil in a skillet over medium heat. Scoop 1/4 cup of batter at a time onto skillet. Flip pancake when edges look cooked and bubbles form. Cook the reverse side for 1 to 2 minutes. Continue with remaining batter, making 12 to 16 pancakes. Top with syrup and pecans. Enjoy!

Serves 4
Per serving: 370 cal, 10 g fat, (3.5 g sat), 54 g carbs, 500 mg sodium, 8 g fiber, 16 g protein

Ballet Body Sculpture

Post by Ballet Body Sculpture.