Kung Fu Step is listed as a "Staff Favorite" in the Collage catalog. I've been curious about it for a while and recently bought it for $7 at Media Play. I'm just getting over a cold so I decided a "Beginner/Intermediate" step workout might be at the right level for me. I think it was more Intermediate, but maybe that's because I'm a little weaker than normal from the cold.

The video begins with a demonstration of hand positions (fist, open hand, tiger claw and finger strike). The floor warm-up is 10 minutes and uses a lot of the hand and foot movements that are later used on the step. Then there are four sections of step that total 22 minutes. The first three incorporate different kung fu movements and the fourth uses them all in one continuous routine. The steps are pretty simple and easy to follow, but I never got bored because she mixes so many different movements together. Then there is a four minute cool-down which is very similar to the warm-up and then a five minute "Tai Chi meditation" which is basically calming breathing techniques. At the end is a quick demonstration that shows how all the movements could be used in real attack situations. I didn't realize it was there and it was neat to watch it. I definitely want to do this workout again. I'd like to see if it seems as hard the next time and I'd like to keep doing the self-defense moves and get comfortable with them. I'd give this workout an A.

Instructor Comments:
Dorri Li is an AFAA certified aerobics instructor and "accomplished martial artist" according to the cover of the video. Her cuing is very good so she's easy to follow. She's somewhat serious, but not in an unpleasant way. She seems a little nervous, so maybe that's why she appears to be serious.

Karen Walsh