Karen Andes
This workout has three movement
segments that illustrate arm
movements for dance derived from 3
different traditions- Middle Eastern,
Flamenco and Hindu Temple dance.
Each section has lots of different arm
movements, often shown with a specific
body movement or posture that Karen
thinks matches the arm movement.
This isn't really a workout, per se, but if
you do all 3 sessions, you'll feel it in
your arms and shoulders. Each segment
is short so they make nice warmups for
a dance practice, or for an upper body
workout. After these 3 segments, there
is an "adagio arms" segment. Karen
basically puts the moves you just
learned into an arms dance. her ceuing
here is non-existant so you just follow
along as best you can. Or you can
improvise with the music. Karen has
also included a weights workout with
many usual moves, or unique twists on
classics (like how she performs a French
press). Its a fairly short, light weights
workout which is a change of pace from
the typical light weight workouts out
there. Karen also has a performance on
the dvd. I always appreciate dance
instructions/workouts that include a
performance session so I can see what
the style is of the instructor. Karen is a
reasonable dancer and really seems to
be enjoying herself. Her style, though,
doesn't have a lot of flow and she
constantly strikes poses, kinda like
vogue dancing meets fusion bellydance.
This isn't really my style, but I do have
some uses for the DVD. First, the first
segments make nice warm ups for
dance. I try to remember the various
moves I liked and then try to add them
into my dance practice. And the
weighted workout is a nice alternative
on days I want a light weight workout.
It isn't the best dance dvd I have, but it
has its place. I don't think her dance
and movement style is for everyone, so
even though I've found some uses for
this even though her style is not mine,
I'm not convinced everyone will. It is
well produced and easy to watch or to
see to do the sessions.
Instructor comments:
Karen is the instructor of the solid,
overlooked bands segment in Cher's
Body Confidence, and of most of the
workout in the bellydance inspired
Woman Power workout. I've always
liked her live instruction, she has such a
nice sense of humor and is very
encouraging. She uses voice over here,
which I find very disappointing. At
times, I felt like she was narrating a
performance and not leading a workout.
linda
