Rating: 
Summary: Great Buy
Review: I bought this DVD on a whim. The only excercise I have ever enjoyed is Yoga and I have no ballet training whatsoever. I am primarily interested in toning and good posture. This DVD is simply beautiful and quite unlike any other excercise vid/dvd I have ever seen. The production is stunning and the classical music (you have an option for contemporary music if you wish) is such a refreshing change. You have the ability (on the DVD) to pick and choose from one of seventeen excercise segments which are each based on different ballet moves and by extension, work different areas of the body. I ususally warm up by myself (10 sun salutions or something) rather than doing the ballet warm ups- because I am too uncoordinated- but then I move to the floor bar and plie excercises which really target troublesome areas and make you feel great and dream of being a ballet dancer. The music and beautiful commentary manages to relax you whilst working your body really hard. The cues are not great- you have to keep your eye on the screen but really, it doesnt matter becuase who doesnt want to look at those beautiful ballet dancer bodies anyway? Totally inspiring and original- I would reccomend it to the least fit and flexible person in the world.
Rating: 
Summary: Rewarding, provided you can keep up...
Review: I bought this video after buying the workout book. I would definitely recommend that over the video if you are planning to use this as a guide to strengthen and tone your body. While helpful, the exercises are done by professional ballet dancers and are not easy to follow. Dance terms are used to tell you what to do and are not explained. The shots are not designed for people to follow, unless you have a background of ballet. However, I gave this a 4 star rating because it does have wonderful qualities to it, as well. If you have the workout book and are familiar with the stretches and movements, the video takes it up to another level. It helped me to take what I had gotten from the book and continued to improve upon it. The music used makes it easier to flow with the movements. One last caution, this is a fairly difficult workout. It may not leave you huffing and puffing, but it definitely gives you a good run for your money. One final thought-has a beautifully done dance segment at the end. Well worth the cost just to see it.
Rating:
Summary: Great workout - bad commentary
Review: The ballet workout is fabulous. The dancers in the video are inspiring with their amazing bodies but the background narrative doesn't always match with what the dancers are doing. Turn off the narration and follow the dancers and you'll be in for a great workout.
Rating:
Summary: this is my favorite exercise video
Review: i am an avid ecercise video purchaser and iam also interested in ballet. when i first saw this video i knew i had to have. when i got it and popped it in the vcr i was just as happy about it. it is quite challenging which is good for me because i find that usually after doing and exercise video for a while it gets boring and dull. but in this i just keep on noticing little things and each time i can work on perfecting my line, and technique. other reviews explained that they were upset about the few instructions and not enough motivation but ifind that with most videos they are too informative and the instructers get really annoying saying,"you can do it", and "great job". and this just makes me want to turn it off but with this the voice is never over excited or unenthusiastic. it's perfect. i love. especially since i really like the beaultiful costumes that ballerinas wear. and its great because you can see those at the beginning and the end of the tape. also they are just wearing normal workout clothes just like anybody else would have so you don't have to buy anything. it's great
Rating:
Summary: Unique
Review: This is a great workout video for anyone who is studying ballet. The focus is stretch and toning, so don't plan on breaking a sweat. The focus on ballet means that most people will be exercising different muscles than what they would normally exercise in other programs. The instructions are easy to follow and the background music is high quality classical. That said, the narrator sounds like a hypnotist and the dark black background is drab and depressing. Skip the documentary at the end, unless you like watching ballet dancers eating hamburgers at McDonalds. In short, I don't know of any other video that accomplishes the same goals, and the exercises are the best for ballet warm-up. For the average person - At best it provides a change of routine. At worst, it is depressing and not worth the bother. So whether or not you will like this program with depend on your goals and interests.
Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Workout
Review: Finally I have found the Perfect Workout! I first read about this in a magazine (an interview with Sex and the Citys Kim Cattrall who had taken Ballet) which recommended this video. I was always interested in Ballet and thought this would be a good way to get started. Well it was well worth the money, yes of course at first it was challenging, but even after the first few exercises you can feel your muscles lengthened! The video itself is accompanied by Beautiful and Relaxing music,each section is different and provides great variety-I will never get bored of this video! I have been using it for about six weeks and I have gained an amazing amount of flexibility and my posture has dramatically improved (I stand perfectly straight without knowing it) and have noticed a flatter stomach and slimmer thighs! I love this video!
Rating: 
Summary: New York City Ballet Workout-- Nice to watch, HARD to do.
Review: I bought this video because I enjoying many forms of dancing and thought that this would be a video I would look forward to popping in everyday. I have some background knowledge in ballet. I found this video very difficult to keep up with because their is absolutely no instruction as to how to do the steps that they are doing. I would probably have to watch the tape over and over in order to pick up these moves. It's a great informational video on the New York City Ballet dancers but I wouldn't waste your money if you're looking for a good workout (unless you're very experienced in ballet...and I mean VERY EXPERIENCED.)
Rating:
Summary: beautiful
Review: a big plus for me is the exercises are in short segments, so that i don't get bored or fatigued for a certain area. however, for people who like to target a specific muscle group, ea segment may not be long enough. another big plus is the beautiful music, which is rare for workout videos. an hour just flies. the only flaw is the cuing is a bit off & there's no instructions. this is no problem for me since since i've taken ballet. but it may be a problem for a novice. i also enjoy the interviews at the end.
Rating:
Summary: Atypical
Review: I have thoroughly enjoyed this video. It doesn't leave you gasping for air, but it makes you feel like you have accomplished something. If nothing else, it is a natural way to tone muscles and become more flexible without the use of machines or weights. It takes about an hour to do it, but there are 17 different "lessons" and a small "breathing" time between each. After you've been through it a few times, you get the hang of it. Just don't look in the mirror while doing the video. I felt like a complete clutz!HA
Rating: 
Summary: If you expect this to be a ballet class, it's not quite
Review: This video is a good workout for those people who've had some ballet exposure or training and are not able to take an actual class. I would say it's not for experienced dancers, it may be too simplified and slow paced. I have had several years of ballet class and have been out of practice for at least a year. This tape is good for me to get back into the shape and stamina required for ballet, and in general. I think it has a good variety of coverage from stretching to floor exercises. However, sometimes the commentator is slightly ahead of the movement, which can be confusing. If you are not a dancer and are interested in ballet, this may be a good way to find out if you'd like to go further. Although for a beginner, the movement is not well explained and may be frustrating. Overall, the video is pretty good, is a full hour, and has helped me feel in shape and in tune with my body.
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