Mini-Review: Ballerina Body: Dancing, & Eating Your Way to a Leaner, Stronger, and More Graceful You

By: Misty Copeland
Published Year: 2017
Publisher: Grand Central Life & Style
Pages: 240

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Summary (Provided by Goodreads): Misty Copeland believes "There has been a shift in recent years in which women no longer desire the bare bones of a runway model. Standards have changed: what women do want is a long, toned, powerful body with excellent posture." In other words, the body of a ballerina. In her first health and fitness book, Misty will show women how to find the motivation to get healthier and stronger, and how to reshape their bodies to be lean and flexible, with step-by-step advice, meal plans, workout routines, and words of inspiration. Celebrating the importance of healthy fats and a fitness regimen based on ballet exercises, Misty shares her own time-tested exercises and an eating plan focusing on healthy fats, both of which keep her in top shape. Tips for motivation and words of encouragement as well as tips on how to keep going even when you may want to give up. An inspiring section on the importance of finding mentors, and eventually being one, plus excerpts from Misty's personal journal, round out this important book on grace and strength

This review is going to be a little bit different from my typical reviews. This book isn’t exactly a sit down and read from cover to cover, but I still wanted to do a little review.

Misty Copeland is American Ballet Theater’s first African American Principle dancer. She is truly a gifted ballerina and is an inspiration to little girls everywhere not just because of her race but because of her body type. She previously had written an autobiography which I read and enjoyed. This book on the other hand is more of a lifestyle/recipe book.

In addition to recipes, this book includes stretches and exercises to help work your way to a healthy/ballet body. I skimmed through most of them and while the directions are decent, I do wish there were more pictures. Following written exercise directions is a bit difficult.

This book also includes a 21-day eating plan. The recipes in this book coordinate with the meals that she recommends reading. I’m not sure whether this eating plan is one that was created for her by a nutritionist, or if it came from something else, but it seems pretty doable.

Overall, this book is unique and if you’re a dancer or are health conscious and interested in dancer techniques, I would highly recommend checking this out. Like I said before, I didn’t read it from cover to cover, but after a quick skim it seems solid. I’m planning on passing it on to a few of my friends who I know enjoy these type of lifestyle books.