review

-- This is a guest post by Liz Stark --

Often times, the world of ballet is unfairly depicted in a rather depressing manner – painfully thin bodies, grueling training schedules, strict diet regimens, and cutthroat competition. However, there is one person in particular who wants to put all of these brutal ballet rumors to rest – Mary Helen Bowers. In her 2012 book, Ballet Beautiful, Bowers (who is a professional ballerina and renowned trainer in NYC) sheds light on the art of ballet, and its benefits for the body and soul.

Training everyone from celebrities (including Natalie Portman, to prepare her for her performance in Black Swan) to the everyday individual, Bowers illustrates in her book that anyone can attain a beautiful ballet body without wreaking havoc on one’s health or figure in the process.

Some of the healthiest bodies in the world are ballet dancers, like the Winter Olympics ice dancers. Many of the figure skaters competing at the 2014 Sochi...

- This is a guest post by Pam Wilson -

When you look good, you feel good. And nothing is more true when working-out. Big, baggy clothes do little to nothing for your self-esteem especially when looking in a mirror in a group fitness class. You want to look sleek, fit and pulled together. And that's what high-quality exercise wear does for you in the correct size.

Since beginning work at the Athleta Store in St. Louis’ Frontenac Plaza in May, I’ve had the opportunity to work with hundreds of women. Simply by listening and asking questions, we often can figure out what someone is looking for. Because we see so many women with as many shapes and sizes, we gradually know what fits each shape and size. At Athleta, we have yoga pants for EVERY SIZE and EVERY WOMAN who wants to wear them.

As part of our training, we continually utilize "fit sessions" to help us understand clothing fit and comfort. I admit, part of the fun of working at Athleta are the fit sessions. We...