Samba Party Workout: Brazilian Rhythms

Vanessa had a previous dvd called "Brazilian Dance Workout" that had great ideas, but she didn't teach enough & used many stage-style complicated steps. This time she's fixed those mistakes.
The menu options are: Guidelines, Complete workout, Workout chapters, Learning the moves, About Samba, About Brazil & Credits
It's set on the street with 5 girls dancing backup & live band on the sidewalk.
She teaches the steps not only in it's own menu option: basic step (more open step back & forth), samba roll (hip circle), samba box (more open regular box step), samba (simplified samba easy step & raises heart rate), samba twist (twisted grapevine, really works the obliques & abs) & samba groove (easy step w/letting go of abs & chest back & forth) but also when she first introduces the dvd. She teaches in half times a few times with some basic cues which is enough to get it for almost anyone.
The pace is great, she doesn't let you take a break, only drop to basic step in between. She builds up the 6 different steps into a routine.
The only minor complaints I have is I wish there were more steps & the band is just percussion, so to me it can get boring/tedious after a while.
This is great for those who don't know how latin dance & moderately workout. Those who are in great shape & already know latin dancing might find this too easy.
There's a trailer of this & her other dvds at: collegevideo com

I love this video! It's easy to learn the steps during the video but there is a separate section with the different steps if you need it. You can put more into the movements (raise your arms higher, sway your hips more, twist more, use more upper body motion)or you can take it easier by moving your body less. I find that each time I do it, I'm upping the intensity just by getting more into it and moving more. I feel like I'm really dancing not just repeating exercie movements. The drumming was appropriate--it didn't overwhelm the dancing. I suppose one could get more or less out of the drumming depending on your focus. I am very happy I spent my money on this video!!

This workout is deceptively simple. There is an excellent "Learn the Steps" section so that you are not entirely clumsy when you start to dance. The steps themselves are not at all difficult to master with a little practice. However, as the instructor increases the speed you really get a terrific workout. Because the steps are not terribly complicated you can really get into the rhythm and let your body feel the music instead of intellectually concentrating to do the moves correctly. You can have a good time with this whether you are just beginning to exercise again or are in great shape and just want to have fun. Be patient. Chances are you are doing this in the privacy of your own home. Nobody is watching you. Just go with it til you are a Samba Diva.