B.R.E.A.T.H.E.

Petra Kolber
Year Released: 2001

Categories: Floor Aerobics/Hi-Lo/Dance


I finally got around to doing this three times. Each time I did this it got more vigorous for me (probably because I wasn't tripping over the choreography). It's enjoyable enought that you're thinking, "Oh, done already?" but you've still raised your heartrate.

I want to say that if you liked BREATHE 1 you'll like this, but so much more balance is integrated throughout the workout that I think people with hip and/or knee problems might have a hard time with this. Also, like BREATHE, you're moving your arms around quite a bit. My shoulders were talking to me towards the end of the workout.

After a very brief breathing exercise with arms raised over head, we jump to the body of the workout. As with BREATHE, there is a lot of TIFT'ing- I like it, but people who can handle more advanced choreography may chafe. I had originally thought there were something like 15 blocks of choreography, but I counted this morning and there are only 12. They are, however, more complicated than BREATHE.

+ Arms over with Lunge
+ Arms out front with Lunge
+ Figure 8 arms with w/squat
+ Grapevine with leg and arm swings
+ Squats with calf-raises then leg raises, arms circling up and back and then down and front
+ Part the wild horse's mane (the only block I have a name for!)- one leg does a half-moon on the floor as the same arm follows (hard to describe)
+ One-legged chair while lifting the chi (you sit back on one leg, lift the other, and then lift the arms up and down in front of the torso)
+ T-step with Push and Pull. Another hard to describe move, but I've seen it in "real" tai-chi videos and books. You step one foot out, heel first, then shift weight forward on that foot as you push hands forward; then pull back with arms, shifting weight to back leg, keeping front heel on the floor.
+ Progressive Arm Circles to T-Stand. You roll shoulders, then elbows, then arms, swing arms, lift one knee, then swing arms back and extend leg to go into a Yoga T-Stand.
+ One-Legged Walk. I hope someone has a better name for this! You bring one leg up with bent knee, then extend leg forward, hands pushing forward as well. Then you lower leg slightly in front of you.
+ One-Legged Chi Sit. Once again, I'd love an alternate name. From the last move, you step one leg back, swing arms underneath in a circle, then sit on back leg and lift front leg (knee bent). Hands are in a very tai-chi position, but I can't describe.
+ Chair with Twist and then Squats to the side.

After, there is a brief cooldown similar to BREATHE, including Embrace the Moon.

As you can see, the choreography is more complex and interesting than BREATHE 1, but it might not be enough for choreo-hounds.

The music is very cool here, what I'm going to describe as New Age Techno. The set and lighting are more abstract, with columns and a blue-green light in the background.

Overall, it gets an A.

Instructor Comments:
Petra looks very toned and relaxed in this video. As usual, she is encouraging but constantly reminds the viewer to take things at their own pace.

Deb (aka dnk)

03/17/2003