And one day she discovered she was fierce, and strong, and full of fire, and that not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears.
-Mark Anthony
ABOUT
Be Balletfit is a unique blend of ballet, barre, pilates, abdominal core work and strength training.
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The fitness program is designed to meet personal wellness goals to stay in shape and develop healthy habits through targeted workouts, motivation and customized nutritional advice.
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Each class will focus on strength, balance and connecting mind-body for well-being, and can be taken one at a time or in combination depending on your goals.
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See our classes below and learn more about how Balletfit will help you get fit and live a healthier life.
Dance is the only art of which we ourselves are the stuff of which it is made.
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- Ted Shawn
Train your body for strength, balance and flexibility with fitness based on ballet technique.
Ballet, barre, pilates, core and toning classes are offered for private or group sessions, as well as wellness coaching and nutrition information.
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Most classes and sessions are virtual, however, if you are in the Philadelphia area, in person ballet and barre classes are held on Monday and Thursday evenings at 8 PM, as well as by appointment.
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CURRENT CLASS SCHEDULE:
Mondays 8 PM Ballet
Thursday 8PM Barre
Contact balletfit12@gmail.com to book classes, coaching sessions or inquire about program costs.
Payment through venmo or paypal.
Intro session: $15.00
Single class: $30.00
5 or more classes: $125.00
10 or more classes: $250.00
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Basic classical ballet barre that is 30 min. long. For this class you will need a barre, chair or countertop to hold onto and ballet shoes.
Classical Ballet Barre
Basic classical ballet center that is 30 min. long. Combine with Ballet Barre for greater intensity and to employ what is learned at the barre in centerwork.
Classical Ballet Center
A hybrid workout that blends elements of ballet, pilates and strength training to tone and lengthen your body.
This class will work the legs, glutes and core.
Balletfit Barre
Use hand weights (3-8 lbs.) to lengthen and tone your arm muscles for a long, lean ballet dancer look.
Balletfit Strong
Workout your core to get that sizzling six pack!
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A mat is recommended for this class.
Balletfit Abs
Balletfit Pilates
Pilates based exercises to strengthen your core and lengthen your body. A mat is also needed for this class.
Balletfit Coaching
Individualized wellness coaching.
Aging gracefully means being flexible, being open, allowing change, enjoying change and loving yourself
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– Wendy Whelan
Instructors
I’m Mary Jo and I am the founder of Be Balletfit, a unique blend of ballet, strength and balance based fitness workouts, and nutritional coaching for the body, mind and spiritual wellness. I combine my passion for fitness and dance with my background in psychology and over 26 years of instructional experience to help people achieve their fitness goals and feel good about themselves.
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Certified as a fitness instructor since 1995, I hold certifications as a primary aerobic, personal trainer, pilates instructor and a special certification as an Anti-Aging and Immune Supplement Consultant through American Aerobics Association International. I am also a certified Barre Above Instructor through the Leslee Bender Barre Above Method.
My lifelong study of ballet has inspired me to design the Balletfit workout program.
I began my dance studies in Scranton, Pennsylvania with Civic Dance Centre, the Ballet Theatre of Scranton and Scranton Ballet Guild where I studied with Helen Gaus, Constance Reynolds, Henry Danton, Alexi Ramov and tap with Jimmy Sutton.
I attended the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, studying with Francesca Corkle and Meredith Baylis as well as master teachers Wilhelm Burmann, Gerard Sibritt and David Howard.
During my career I had an injury and discovered Zena Rommett Floor Barre and Pilates in New York City. These classes helped me to build muscular strength for correct posture and body alignment and eventually inspired me to develop the Balletfit program. Lengthening and strengthening the muscles, as well as good posture are key attributes in not only overcoming injury but learning correct technique for ballet. Feeling good about your body supports both physical and mental fitness.
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I’m motivated by seeing my students realize their goals and believe that working out is an integral part of life. Join me for a virtual class to see how the Balletfit method can work for you to get and stay in shape.
Marissa. Mary Jo's daughter, is also available for training sessions.
Marissa is a highschool senior with a keen interest in exercise, dance and staying fit.
She has danced since age 3, studying ballet, modern and gymnastics. She enjoys cooking, eating healthy and working out with a focus on core abdominal workouts.
Marissa hopes to study exercise physiology, dance and nutrition in college.
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