Body Motion is a full body workout that uses Modern Dance techniques to sculpt, shape and tone your entire body.
LEVEL 1 - introduces you to basic foundational movements that focus on contracting the abs and developing strength and control.
LEVEL 2 - is for experienced dancers who are looking to fine tune their technique, enhance their balance and to continue their training.
You will notice a change in your legs, arms, shoulders, buns and abs right away because each DVD is structured like a real dance class. Each class consists of:
*a warm up
*flat backs exercises
*squats
*plies
*tendues
*lateral strengthening
*deep floor stretches
*a balance study
*traveling steps
*a combination
*a cool down
Taught by professional dancer and experienced teacher, Katharina Worthington, each class is designed to challenge you with Lester Horton dance technique. As your body becomes stronger you will notice a change in your muscle tone, your sense of balance, your physical endurance, your energy level, your coordination and your everyday posture.
Level 2 is a similar structure to Level 1 but the exercises are modified to be harder and the combinations are different.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Class!
By Sandi M. Troutman "S Troutman" (San Francisco, Ca USA)
I love that there are 2 DVDs in this set: level 1 and level 2. The level 1 class is challenging but with great breakdowns and the level 2 DVD is perfect for experienced dancers who just don't have the time to make it to class.
It is chaptered so you can skip the breakdowns and get straight to the workout if you want to. There is also a section that runs each drill back to back with no break, so you don't have to fuss with the remote during your practice.
Anyone who wants to know how to construct effective dance instruction videos should watch Body Motion Disks I and II. This isn't just a documentary which can be used as a do-along. On both disks the classes are well constructed AS a class. The instructor and demonstrators are skilled, thorough and upbeat. When there is a potential pitfall, the instructor has the demonstrator show the wrong way to do the move to help you avoid it. The delightful combination at the end uses the skills you have been practicing with the exercises. The cinematography is well planned, occasionally using closeups for detail but NOT cutting away from the clear, overall view just at the moment you need to follow (as so many videos do). Taking full advantage of DVD menu capabilities, the program has been planned in such a way that you can structure a class that is just right for YOU at whatever level you are dancing this week.
If you are not used to modern dance, you should definitely do Disk I before Disk II. For example, I am not used to doing a side layout with the standing leg turned out and the working leg parallel. Boy, did I get stiff!
This does not mean that Disk I is easy. It is a good workout. However, I consider myself an "advanced beginner" and was able to do the program without having to modify any of the moves. Well, OK, I wasn't able to do the push ups on my toes all the way down and up like the professional dancers in the video. And when doing half-turns while maintaining a side layout I did end up hopping rather a lot and looking ridiculous. Although the combination at the end involves going to the floor, swiveling around and coming up on the other side, this is not as hard as it sounds. It's a move I generally avoid these days but did it a couple of times with this program just to prove I still could. It has been put at the very end of the combination where there are a few moments of pause before the dance repeats on the other side. This means that you can take your time to do the move slowly and carefully if need be.
All in all, this is the kind of video program which you can get a lot out of for a long time.
