I know that this video is a favorite here but I'm going to have to pan it, at least for beginners who are starting at the sedentary level because of the way the designated beginner, Valerie is used.

The other reviewers summarize this video's positives well. Briefly these are:
- Kari's clear cueing and excellent instruction
- the gorgeous setting in a forest
- the music (and I'm not a Yanni fan but it works here)
- the video is segemented into 3- 10 minute workouts
- the interplay between Kari and Linda who look like they are enjoying themselves.

The biggest problem I have with this video is the way Valerie (who's doing the most basic moves) is used. Frankly, what she is doing is so boring that no beginner is going to want to do it. (My mom who's over 70, said "there's no way, I was going to do what she was doing".) The moves the other exercisers are doing are much more interesting. (Some previous reviewers have commented on Valerie's fixed smile...frankly I think she wasn't enjoying herself when everyone else got the fun stuff.) I've seen other videos with a basic level exerciser (Kathy Smith's videos often use one) but I've never seen it look so unappealing compared to the higher level exercisers. In my case, I began following Linda and ended up following Kari. For me, this was exercising at too high a level and had to stop near the end with knee pain.

It turned out I have iliotibial band syndrome (which I was probably developing anyway from not stretching enough and because I have tight muscles naturally) but all the lateral moves and overtraining in this video did not help. I don't know how unique my experience is but I would urge beginners who've been sedentary to use caution and not go too high a level when using this video.

Instructor Comments:
Kari has excellent cuing and explains the moves well. She's quite likeable.

Anne MacL