This is complex, complex, complex. If you feel like putting your foot through the televison the first five or ten times you try this, you are not alone. I was quite vocal on the VF forum concerning my frustration with Christi's 9801 tape, especially how hopelessly complex I thought the steps and cuing were (although I did take it all back publicly). I wanted to chuck 9801 the first couple of times I tried it. I consider myself quite coordinated (no problem learning Cathe routines the first time through), but I thought this tape was impossible. I don't have the room for the hi/low, and I could barely get through the step warm-up without being near tears in frustration. I even listed this tape under a thread about "popular tapes that you hate." The only reason I wouldn't trade the tape is because I spent $30 on it, which also aggravated me to no end. I put it away, and did not touch it in months.

And then, one day I did it. I have been doing 9701, and the 9702 and 9704 step sections pretty regularly over the past couple of months. I recently received 7002, and after one time through, could see how Christi added turns to everything and how she used the rhythm of the music. When I was doing 7004 for the first time, I said to myself, "this is pretty boring choreography."

Then I said, "okay, smarty-pants, let's see if your choreography-demanding behind can do 9801 yet." I was only hoping to make it through one combo, but it kept working! My feet were doing the same thing as Christi's! And I became more and more excited! And then I was through with the step section (I still do not have the room for the hi/low)! WOOO-HOOOO! What a wonderful routine! I love it! I think learning the "vocabulary" of CIA tapes was the key to my success.

I remarked rather snidely once that Christi could have been cuing in Greek for all the sense it made to me, but I guess I learned Greek through my other tapes! :) I am posting this for three reasons: to take back all the sour-grapes remarks I've made about this tape, and to let anyone else who is similarly frustrated know that doing other CIA tapes and learning the lingo may be the key to success. This tape is worth the trouble. It is excellent.

Instructor Comments:
She is darling. Very real, very personable, very joyous to watch. She obviously loves her job, and it is contagious.

Pilar