When I first challenged myself to do 100 classes in 2012, I knew there would be holidays to interrupt my flow. I hoped to be done by the first week of December, but that wouldn't be very exciting. I looked at my tally last week and looked at the calendar. I knew I'd have to do some DVDs and Netflix instant in addition to in-person classes to reach my goal with those pesky holidays looming. I went on Amazon last week and ordered two ballet DVDs to help me through the holidays.
I have mixed feelings about this DVD. I loved the demonstration of basic ballet positions and moves. While the DVD is about 40 minutes, you have to give yourself extra time to do the barre exercises on both sides of your body. It is pretty awesome to get a ballet barre class at your fingertips for less than $15. When they got to the center work, it moved too fast. At that point it wasn't as instructive for beginners as I had hoped. I've had some years of beginner/intermediate beginner ballet and I had trouble keeping up with the moves and remembering the names for the things they were doing as they were doing them. It's definitely not a video to just do once and expect to know ballet. The pirouttes were impossible on my carpeted living room floor, especially with two wrestling dogs working their way past me. (We know how much they like to participate. I managed to kick Buster when I was doing my grand battements to the rear, not seeing him wandering through.)
It's a great deal for some ballet instruction. If you're brand new to ballet, I recommend you watch each chapter a couple times before trying the moves so you have a better idea of the body mechanics involved. Try for the ideal and you'll eventually get to your body's ideal with the technique.
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