Transfering My Reviews to Amazon + Ballet List Creation

Hi everyone! Well, "hi, no one" is what I should be saying since I've decided to copy my reviews and place a shortened version on Amazon. Since I don't expect this blog to be popular, I would like people to at least be able to see the reviews I made. I shamefully tagged this blog in the review, partly in hopes someone will find it interesting and in other hopes that they will be able to see the screenshots I took.

But most importantly, I put together this list of ballet themed exercise videos. Since school is starting and ballet classes are becoming regular again, I really won't need to use them to stay in shape over a long course of time. But, if someone is still interested in them, I compiled a decent sized list of almost all the ballet themed books and DVDs that use ballet as an exercise. Some of these on the list I do have planned to review and those will come shortly after I exercise with them for a couple more times and get the screencaps.

So for those who may be interested, here's the Amazon list I created to help you find the perfect exercise video featuring ballet: Ballet Based Exercises!

Ballet Class - 1/13/11

Today is an extremely busy day. I have ballet, volunteer work (the largest chunk of my day), and visiting friends before they return to college all day today. I'm definitely an introvert and I need time to relax in between, and I especially need rest before the new semester starts up. It's the volunteer work that's getting to me. They keep calling me and emailing me. Plus, I also have to do some work for the school newspaper later this week so I hope they don't start calling me then, too.

Anyway, today in ballet was okay. I'm feeling more confident about the ballet exercises but I'm still entirely confused about this frappé exercise she has us do. Apparently, the directions are front, side, front, side, back, side, back, side, and then it repeats or something? I know there are doubles in there somewhere but I'm just too confused to even attempt them. Then we did a difficult floor combination. I just can't seem to pick up everything in time. Another woman started taking the class after me and she's been doing fabulous, which eliminates the "I'm new" excuse. There's no way I'm going to be able to get en pointe within five years. No way. Sadly, if at all :(

In good news, I ordered some exercise bands to help me with pilates and building strength in my legs for ballet as this video helps demonstrate. I ordered the same ones she uses in the video and with the same strengths (red and blue). Also, I received word from NearSea Naturals that my ballet pattern has been shipped today. I can't wait to receive it! The only thing I have to look for now is some good lycra fabric. Hopefully some that is on sale.

Also, my school newspaper is looking for people with New Year's resolutions. Since mine is to start ballet again, they might feature me since it's slightly different. They want me to take a picture with my shoes or in a ballet pose... I might do with my shoes even though they aren't pointe shoes. I'm just not feeling too confident about myself to do a pose at the moment.

For all other adult beginners out there, keep going strong! Don't give up! I'm not! Ballet is great exercise! :)

Ballet class again!

Ballet classes for me are going to become regular since the holiday is passing. I'm going to finish up my ballet exercise reviews sometime soon. I made a lot of reviews for those since it's the New Year, people make resolutions, I don't have class and need to stay fit, and so on.

Anyway, here is a picture of my studio!!

 Yeah, my camera takes crappy pictures...

Today we worked our usual exercises. I'm still completely floundering when it comes to getting them right. I'm terrible. Maybe I should get off my high horse and drop down to the beginner level. Only problem is I heard today that it was canceled since they couldn't get enough students. I guess that means I'm going to stay in intermediate. Once I get a hold on the exercises, I'm going to do a beginning video to mark where I am as I progress over the years.

WEEE!!!

It's snowing like... I was about to say hell but then I realized it couldn't possibly snow in hell... but it's snowing like a person with dandruff who shook out their hair... yeah. We can make that work. It's snowing a lot outside. It always seems to snow when I'm trying to sneak out of the house to go to these ballet classes. :/

So, based on what I messed up this time, I need to improve on:

• Posture
• Arms
• Balance
• Everything

Wow. How's that for little list of little things to tackle. Wish me luck!

Review-- The New York City Ballet Workout II

This is a review of the second workout DVD created by the New York City Ballet. Immediately, the second DVD proves better than the first. I can run this DVD on my computer without any issues. The intro is also much better, less trippy, and interviews the "ballet master" instead of the actress.

The menu is much more organized; no more exercises out of order. Plus, there's an added glossary for those new to ballet. The glossary is a list of ballet moves, each featuring a thirty-second clip and demonstrating the correct form for the chosen movement. Also added are some special features. These are "Special Exercise Programme" (this is where you create your own order for the workout from selected segments), "Quick Fix Target Practices" (additional exercises to hit target areas of your body), making of the video, and clips with the dancers speaking about dance. Also the music, again, can be changed to with or without narration, and there's a choice between contemporary and classical music. I still prefer the classical music, but the contemporary's not too bad.

 Immediately I noticed that the title cards before each exercise looked much more professionally animated. Before, they sort of looked like they were made on Windows Movie Maker or something. I didn't really mind since it wasn't a significant part of the workout, but it definitely shined up the edges in the second DVD.  I also noticed that most of the dancers from the first one have returned (I think there's one new male dancer), which is awesome since I really liked them before.

The intro also explains to mirror the dancers, but then sometimes, especially during the abdominal workout, it has you mimic the dancers instead of mirroring them again. Why the inconsistency? Oh well, it's really not that big of a deal since they've stated to mirror the dancers, and that's exactly what I do.

The into also explains the proper alignment for a neutral pelvis and bracing before beginning the exercises. Though there are still some errors in regards to narration, the narration no longer sounds like a Discovery channel documentary.

Talented dancers still lead us during the exercise.

The workout has some differences but follows a similar pattern. There's warm ups, then some brief floor work, quick floor stretches, abs, and then some floor ballet moves. I do have to say that I felt a better cardio from this DVD, though I prefer the ab workout form the first DVD. Still, both have a decent workout that has strong ballet roots.


Also, they improved the camera transition between instructors. This comes into play during abdominals. The camera will fade smoothly between male and female instructors.

The shoes are highlighted with light for the most part.

I enjoyed this effect. It was subtle, but nice. Also, they improved the location of the ab workout. The light comes from above, no longer from an angle. This highlights the feet a lot better than the first one. Though they still sometimes blend in, there's always just enough light to tell if they are pointing their foot or not.

 This DVD is much better than the first one. The sets are better, the narration is better, the workout still gets me pumped and keeps to its ballet roots. I really enjoy this DVD. The workout is about fifty minutes long again, just right for starting my day. I loved how they introduced us to bracing our abs and reminded us to do so throughout the exercise.

Workout: 9/10

Instructor: 9/10

Setting: 9/10

Camera: 9/10

Level: Beginner - Advance

Is it actually ballet? Yes!

Overall: 9/10

I love this DVD much better than the first. If you tried this DVD and still didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't recommend buying the first one at all. 


Click here to read my review for the New York City Ballet Workout I

New ballet pattern on its way!

I'm super sick today. I have a sore throat and can't move without getting extremely exhausted. In order to amuse myself, I explored the internet. In my wanderings, I came across a website called Jalie that specializes in sewing patterns for sportswear. This is all types of sports wear, from cycling to ballroom dancing. They also have some everyday patterns on there such as lingerie (another pattern I'm interested in since you rarely see patterns for them) and leggings. They have some pretty unusual patterns, which I absolutely love. Go visit Jalie's site here.

Jalie 2105 - Unitard, Leotard, and Skirt

What's really helpful is that these patterns come in adult and children sizes. That means adult dancers like me can get a leotard pattern that doesn't need much modification. SCORE!

Though there were many patterns I liked, they are also expensive. Granted, they are the same price as Simplicity and McCalls, but for those you just wait until they are on sale. These will probably never be on sale since they are a lesser known company. Only a couple indie sewing stores actually carry these products. Also, since this pattern company is located in Canada, you get higher fees and shipping rates. The shipping to my area is as high as eight bucks. Luckily, I found a better website located in the US that distributed this particular pattern for a much cheaper rate. In the end, I will only spend about fifteen dollars. Much better. You can find that great deal at Nearsea Naturals. 

I'm definitely planning on sewing the leotard and skirt. I've been meaning to buy some leotards for my adult class but have never gotten around to it. By sewing these myself, I will not only be able to customize the clothing for my needs, but will save me some cash. So, reviews and pictures to come once I begin the project!


Update: Leotard is finished! See the results here.