War Wounds and Tutus

This is really beautiful...  

Members of Royal Danish Ballet Use Pilates to Give Veterans Wounded in Afghanistan a Therapeutic Lift

Royal Danish Ballet Pilates instructor Jessie Lee and veteran Mark Peters watch a dancer using the fitness method developed by German Joseph Pilates in the 1920s to help injured World War I soldiers.  Stine Larsen/Press Association

At first glance, ballerinas and soldiers may not seem to have much in common. But an experimental program bringing together dancers and injured veterans of the war in Afghanistan is showing that, when it comes to determination and physical endurance, there are distinct similarities.

Josee Bowman, a dancer with the Royal Danish Ballet, and Jessie Lee, a retired Royal Danish Ballet dancer who has been the company's Pilates instructor for 15 years, are helping to rehabilitate severely wounded soldiers using Pilates—the fitness method developed by German Joseph Pilates in the 1920s to help recondition injured World War I veterans. Known for its ability to build long and lean musculature, Pilates has since become a favorite of dancers and Hollywood starlets alike. Now, Ms. Bowman and Ms. Lee are returning the practice to its roots.

Read more:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304760604576427471519502358.html