With all of the new dance movies being released recently more and more people are interested in getting one of those long, slender, toned dancer bodies with perfect posture. I was on that track for a while, but somewhere along the line I fell off of the wagon and was left behind, not that I am complaining about anything, but it would be nice. I have thought about signing up for a hip hop or jazz dance class, but I just don't have the time to dedicate. I did however hear about fitness expert Michelle Austin's Fluidity class, a new ballet workout centered around a ballet type bar.

The workout classes uses ballet and yoga inspired movements designed to use your own body weight to develop long, lean muscles and the flexibility of a dancer. For women who can't make it to her classes in New York, she offers a Fluidity kit which includes a bar, instructional DVD and a nutrition guide.

Many have warned that the class is very challenging and to not feel bad if you can't do everything within the workout. Most of the people in the class have been doing it for a long time and from what I've seen, they look like regulars too! At least it gives you something to work for and the reassurance that it does work. Thankfully there is a range of ages and sizes, which can make anyone feel more confident about your first visit or attempt.

The workout is an hour long and consists of a series of stretches and repetitions of fluid movements all centered on the bar. Not a single muscle is left out. After each exercise, Austin has everyone stretch out the muscles to keep them long and lean. You will realize you had musces that you never knew you had as they will be aching like a mother!

Austin has a background in kinesthetic anatomy and physiology of motion as well as a previous stint as a VH1 VJ - just as it sounds, she will keep you informed and entertained all at once. She developed her program to reflect its principles; she gives informed, easy to follow explanations with each exercise. You will be learning about your body as you are working on it. Her theme is muscle balance, which can only be accurately achieved by using your body weight for resistance and not isolating muscles as other fitness routines -- such as weight lifting and Pilates -- often do.

Although I am a Pilates fan, I think I just might have to give this a shot and see where it takes me. It sounds like a fun, different workout regime that fits my style. Hopefully it will lead to a long, lean dancer's body that I have been seeing flashed everywhere these days.

You can learn more about Fluidity and Michelle Austin at http://www.fluidity.com/