The New Ballet Workout Wellness Renewal and Vitality DVD with Melissa Lowe (NR) +Movie Reviews

They have got to be kidding!

F. Singer | Chatsworth, CA United States | 02/16/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I have never bothered to rate a video before so here goes..
Who are they kidding when they say previous ballet experience is helpful but not necessary? It is essential! Not having any ballet experience, I enjoy the New York City Ballet Workout because it is doable and makes me feel like I can obtain gracefulness. I assumed by all descriptions, this video would be comparable in skill level. It is NOT! The moves are very complex, and without knowing the ballet terms, you will be lost. In addition, the video rarely shows the footwork, leaving one to stare at a bunch of dancers faces and armwork. The moves are shown very quickly and narrated only once. You are then left to your memory while the dancers change sides and repeat the routine, with no narration, once again not showing the moves in their entirety. The dancers are not endearing, and personally don't appear too fit. The instructor makes no connection to the home viewer and is more concerned with her small group of dancers than the home user.
Speaking of equipment, I think it is also ridiculous of them to assume that someone with no ballet experience will happen to have a barre in their living room, or wherever one chooses to do the video. Don't be fooled, you can not use anything in it's place.
This video is a sham and should be labeled for experienced dancers only!"

A good video if you have had ballet experience

03/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with the other viewer that you must have had ballet experience to do this video. The exercises here are more comlpicated then her other videos. The only thing I did not like about the video is that it does not have a ton of center exercises. Unlike the other viewer, I like the fact she does not spend hours demonstrating things and explaining exercises. If you have had a couple years of ballet experience the video is easy to follow, and you do not have to wade through hours of explanation on how to do a plie."

The New Ballet Workout VHS Melissa Lowe

02/13/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This ballet video is almost impossible to follow. The feet and legs of the dancers are shown fleetingly if at all, the combinations are hard to follow and narrated only one time through (extremely frustrating given that most of the time the viewer is watching the necks and faces of the dancers), if you do not have a background in ballet you will not understand the terminology used nor will you be able to do these exercises in such a way as to get a meaningful workout. I took adult ballet, at professional schools and with excellent teachers, and found this tape aggravating to say the least. The New York City Ballet Workout is a much better tape (even though it can become a little monotonous with repetition) for an "at home" workout. Don't waste your money on this one unless you want to spend 45 minutes looking at the hairdos of dancers."

Ballet Dancers will love it - anyone else will NOT

Gail K. Spitzer | 01/29/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, I agree with all other reviewers in saying that you MUST have ballet experience to do this "workout" - at least 5 years or so of ballet training. It really annoys me when former ballet dancers and ballet teachers think they can sell a video to the general public by calling it a "workout" instead of a ballet class...make no mistake, this IS an advanced ballet class. I've been dancing and teaching for almost 20 years and I, personally, like the video, but it should NOT be sold to the public as a workout that anyone can do. If you do not have ballet experience you could risk serious injury trying to follow along with this fast paced class. On the other hand...dancers will love it."

A beautiful, stretchy, manageable ballet class for home

Maryjane Osa | 12/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This video has been criticized for being too dance-y and not aerobic enough. I have found the product to be an absolute joy... and very helpful to keep in shape during the holidays. If you don't have a lot of dance experience, the best thing to do is to learn the exercises and combinations slowly. Don't try and power your way through the entire hour class on the first day. The first section of stretches are sumptuous and highly enjoyable. They are easy to pick up. The second section, barrework, needs to be viewed and studied, then tried and perfected. If you learn one exercise a week and practice it, you will eventually know the entire routine. Same thing with the center combinations, which are a lovely adagio.

This is not a classical ballet class, but Ms. Lowe does "speak ballet." Don't let her language deter you if you are unfamiliar. Just watch the demo and then try it, one step at a time. You don't need a huge space or a barre, you can use part of the living room or dining room and hold on to a straight-backed chair for barre support.

Ms. Lowe's combinations are contemporary and fluid. Once you learn the routine in its entirety, you will experience the joy of movement and keep in shape while doing it!

I found this video to be perfect for my situation. I am a 40+ female who stopped taking ballet class (at the intermediate/advanced level) about five years ago after two knee surgeries. I don't have the strength anymore to keep up with even a moderately-paced class because I have to be careful with my movements due to various injuries. So this video is perfect, b/c I can pace my exercise and make modifications (demi-plies instead of grande, for example)to work around whatever body part happens to hurt at the moment.

The original musical compositions (piano) that accompany the class are excellent.

Anyway, this video is just fun--and cheaper than a 10-class card, that's for sure!"

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