This workout consisted of classical ballet moves taught by a former member of the Royal Ballet. Prima Ballerina Marguerite Porter is everything you imagine a trained classical dancer looks like - willowy, poised, and ever so graceful. If she were an animal, she would be a gazelle (I would be a buffalo). I am restricted to low impact workouts, and although this is not billed as such, there is only one move towards the end of the workout that requires jumping.

First and foremost, this is not a fast-paced workout. I don't believe this workout would get your heart in its training zone, it's more of a study in movement, requiring precise leg motions and body alignment. It is labeled as a beginners workout and I thought all the moves were do-able the first time. I do think you'll have to do them about hundred times before you even approach looking like her. Although the legs and arms are doing the primary motions, her neck and hands are also lilting in a coordinated fashion with the music. She gives lots of form pointers throughout, which slows the workout even more. You do definitely feel a nice burn in the legs by the time the workout is finished. So, I think there is some leg toning going on.

All the exercises are demonstrated once slowly in front of a barre and then done at an accelerated tempo using a chair for support. There is no "soundtrack" per se, but a piano plays classic "ballet tunes" during the exercises - you do get the feeling that you're in a "real" ballet class. The first couple of exercises were only done on one side of the body, but after the second or third one, the remaining exercises were done on both sides. She also messed up by describing things on the right, when it's your left. But the exercises are demonstrated slowly enough that you can mentally correct for the right-left switch.

I enjoyed doing this workout and really felt it in my legs by the end. It's definitely a change of pace for me, and while I'm in low impact mode, it will be in my rotation. I'd give it an B+.

Instructor Comments:
She was incredibly graceful. She gave lots of form pointers and was encouraging.

Jackie