I would describe the video as aerobic, dancy tai chi. I know the same- or similar- has been said of Urban Tai Chi, but I've never seen that video so I can't compare the two. I really enjoy this tape. On preview, the moves don't look very challenging, and they aren't. However, put them together fast, and you've got a very nice workout.

Kolber's routine consists of a Tai Chi "form" that has 12 movements (some of which I don't have names for). The total workout, including warmup and cool down, takes about 40 mintes. Below is a breakdown of the cardio portion- please forgive some of the less than eloquent descriptions.

*Gathering the Chi* (Pulling your hands up from the tops of your legs to your chest)
*Opening the Door* (Pulsing while you push your arms straight ahead and pull them back)
*Windmill (?)* (Circling your arms around your body while your feet pivot; one hand lands on the spine behind the navel, the other on the opposite shoulder)
*Circling the Orbit* (4 semi-circle steps forward, then 4 straight steps back, while your arms circle ahead of you then back to your chest)
*Push and Pull* (Squats to the sides; hands push down when you squat and come up when you return)
*Circling the Belt* (A grapevine with your hands meeting in the back when you "land")
*Cloud Hands* (Hands pull across your upper dantian (forehead), middle dantian (heart) and lower dantian (below the navel))
*Gathering Stars* (Reaching up to the ceiling with one hand, then sitting in a squat as you pull that hand down; meanwhile, your other hand lands on the spine behind the navel. Alternate hands as you stand and move feet to the sides.)
*Sunrise* (2 times- squat into chair from Yoga, reaching hands over head, then standing; third time, lift one leg behind you after the squat, moving hands behind you; switch legs)
*Bow and Arrow* (Stand with feet wide apart, and semi-squat as you circle your arms to the sides; pull one arm back, then semi-circle the arm to meet the opposite arm; same movement with the foot. Repeat 3 times, then switch sides)
*Throwing the Pearl* (Keep one hand on the spine behind the navel, move legs into a semi lunge, and move other hand to the opposite shoulder. Pivot on your feet as you move your hand as if throwing something into the sky)
*Soaring Eagle* (While circling your arms out to the sides, step three feet to the front, then kick out right leg; step three feet back, then kick out left leg (reverse movement of arms). Repeat three times, then switch sides)

She preteaches one or two elements, then puts them together with the preceding elements. She repeats the mini-routine 1 to 3 times, then preteaches another element. About 25 minutes into the tape (this is just a guess as I didn't time it), you establish the complete routine and perform it twice.

After the form is complete, she takes you through about five or six yoga-inspired stretches and balance work, including Tree (balancing on one leg while your arms are above your head) and Balancing T/Stick (hip hinge with arms ahead). Finally, she finishes with some more Tai Chi moves, Embracing the Moon and one I don't have the name for but which has you imagine that your holding the sun, moon and a rainbow between your hands, then gathering the energy into your lower dantian (your lower belly).

You're not going to get a lot out of this workout if you don't use your imagination. In some cases, as in Gathering Stars and Throwing Pearls, it will help visualize what you have to do. In others, such as Cloud Hands and Bow and Arrow, it really does help you to follow her visualization clues and you do, I think, feel the energy going through to the parts of the body you direct them to. (That may be a little too far out there for some, and perhaps that's why there is a distinct love it or hate it split.)

Again, this is a good workout. It looks like they break filming several times to dry off her sweat- I kid you not- and it is much more taxing than it appears to be, especially since it is done in bare feet.

This is absolutely one of my favorite all time workouts. There are days when I'd love to see a mini Pilates routine incorporated, or other days when I wish there was some more resistance training including, but mostly I love it. Definitely an A+.

Instructor Comments:
Petra is one of my favorite instructors. She breaks down (what I consider) complicated moves in an easy to understand format, and her combinations are a lot of fun. Her attitude and smile both seem real, not forced. She has a believable "low pressure" attitude that isn't condescending.

Deb