This is the first of the Great Moves series I've tried, and I loved it! Although the series was designed for instructors, it's also perfect for those who don't need or want a lot of choreography repetition.

Kari is true to her tradition of complex combos, though surprisingly none of the steps would be considered as "dancy" as those in Kari's earlier tapes. A set of heel jacks comes closest, but she gives a hamstring curl variation for those who can't quite get the heel jack. Even her version of the "running man" is made more athletic and less funky. Most of the complexity comes from the gradual addition of turns, pivots, and rotations. Those with two left feet will have trouble, but the moves are not really as difficult as they look, and Kari teaches them well.

Kari is also more no-nonsense in this video than usual, which is appropriate considering the target audience. Although the lack of a class, slightly softer music, and a less bubbly Kari detract a bit from the "performance" element of this tape, the structure was perfect for me. There are 5 combos in all (plus a warm up). The cool down is basically just marching in place while she gives some teaching pointers. You are reminded to stretch out on your own after completing the video.

Kari teaches each combo quickly, but builds each one systematically. You learn combo #1, do it a few times, learn combo #2, do it a couple times, then #1+#2, learn #3, and so on until by the end you get several repetitions of the whole series of 5 combos. This structure makes it easy to rewind a bit and be able to do a few more "from the tops" to make the workout longer, if you want. The length of the five strung-together combinations makes it feel more like a performance--a feeling I like very much.

I think the production team could have done a better job on the lighting, however. There is a large backlit window behind Kari, so her front is more shadowed than it should be. I just would have liked to be able to see her face more clearly, though I didn't have any trouble seeing her movements.

Anyway, I really liked this side of Kari's choreography. Complex enough to keep me really motivated, but not so dancy that I get frustrated at not being able to move like her! Next time I buy videos I plan to get at least one more from the Great Moves series.

WWWendy

11/30/-0001