Mary Helen Bowers

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.

Posture has such a big impact on the way people perceive you.

One of the things I found as a dancer is that you're trying to perfect your body but also protect it and keep it injury-free. When you work against your own weight, you're still building lean muscle and bone density, but you're in a safer zone.

The key to building long muscle as you swim is stretching arms far ahead of you in the water, sort of like a swan.

A calming place, where you can go to escape it all and just focus on your body, is so wonderful to have.

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

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.

A simple ballet wrap sweater heats the back muscles but is easy to put on or take off without disturbing a dancer's makeup or hair before a performance or during a workout.

It's empowering to find a workout that builds strength and grace.

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.

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.

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