I've been doing Middle Eastern Dance since 1994 and am always looking for ways to improve my dancing, and I thought ballet would help with some of my posture issues. I just finished up an 8 week "Very Beginning Ballet for Adults" class and while I'm not interested in signing up for another class, I did really enjoy some of the barre work, so when this video started getting such good reviews, I decided I would try it.

While I enjoyed this workout, I have to disagree a little bit with previous reviewers. One said she had no problem following the instruction and one said there was enormous emphasis on torso placement and alignment. I didn't feel this way, in fact I felt there was a huge lack of instruction and form pointers, so much so that someone with no ballet background whatsoever would probably be discouraged. (Previous reviewers had both taken ballet.) My piddly little 8 week course (of which I missed 2 sessions, but which had a *great* instructor) really made a difference. I didn't remember all of the terms, but as soon as the dancers began demonstrating them, I knew what I was doing. But if I hadn't had that course I think I would have been really frustrated. There are very few close-ups of the dancer's feet or legs so it's hard to know *exactly* what they're doing with their feet and ankles unless you already have an understanding of ballet form. Of course, anyone who was really serious about ballet would probably take live classes, but were those not available, I don't think this video would be a good place to start. I think a 10 minute basic instructional part at the beginning of this would have been most helpful, either that, or more instruction and form pointers in the voice-over. (It sounds like the DVD has more instruction--I bought the VHS version)

Also, I wasn't wild about the fact that it was brken up into 17 short segments. It just made it seem longer somehow.

Those comments aside, it was beautifully produced, with very nice music. I agree with a previous reviewer that the intro from Sarah Jessica Parker was useless fluff (and I like her and watch her show!) I didn't finish watching the dancer interviews (really, you could include all of that on the tape and not an instructional section?? Tsk, tsk.) but probably will at some point (I'm just so nosy!)

Renee Drellishak