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I'm a big fan of Bodyjam classes and I do it at least 4 times per week, but I'm very disappointed with the new release BJ 44, specifically the second cardio block. BJ classes are supposed to be all about dancing (and exercising at the same time of course) but this second block is all about jumping !!!! No real Dance !!!!! I'm so bored !!!! it reminds me the traditional aerobics classes (not funny at all).  Knowing that it will take 3 months to get a new release, I would like to suggest some more latim blocks in the next one to compensate the lack of dance in the BJ44.

I agree. It only took me two lessons to get the moves and timing spot-on perfect with this one. I have had to cut most of my Jam classes out of my schedule. After 3-4 weeks, maybe about 5-6 classes, I found myself wanting to walk out after the recovery. I like the house block and the music but when the challenge of the class is gone it holds no interest for me anymore. It's killing me waiting for July and the new release. That one sounds like it will be a challenge.

I hear you, even though the block has grown on me.

The clap combos are what kill it for me. The house tap is really fun though, and i'm working on getting my classes to get into the drama and build-up into the final ecstatic feeling you get when you're into house music. The music's really terrific. I wish there was more choreography in the block but at the same time, the repetitiveness is also part of building that ecstatic feeling in house dance. Once you get the moves and timing down, it's all about really flying across the floor and digging into the feeling. So that's how I plan on workin it.

You know, I don't really enjoy Bodyjam's attempts at Latin so personally I'm a little relieved to get a break from it. I figure that's what Zumba is for, so let's get back to the club feel of other styles. G, call me... I'll hook you up with the latest bangin' Bollywood beats and moves  

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shimarella:

I hear you, even though the block has grown on me.

The clap combos are what kill it for me. 

I agree entirely with this statement!  I understand, and appreciate the build up, but could do without the claps!

Not sure who the "original author" of this thread is, but this is the advice/suggestion I would give:

TALK TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR about your thougths and feelings about this release!  We, as instructors, have been given the authority to mix and match releases as we feel our participants would appreciate.  Certainly your instructor is sensitive to this release, the repititions, and the "boringness' the participants might be feeling.

Part of the "excitement" of each release is the way it's delivered by the instructor, but the other part is your personal (this might sound cheesy) "relationship" with the choreography and the music.  If it doesn't work for you, chances are, it might not be working for others in your class.  Let your instructor know that you're excited for the "possiblity of him/her mixing in older releases with this release," and I'm sure he/she will get the hint!

PLEASE, no matter what, KEEP JAMMIN'!!!!!! G is amazing, and will continue to deliver wonderful/challenging/true cardio/dance style releases!!!!!! 

cbc

No! No! No! You've got it all wrong! The house block is the FUN part of the class! It's the hip hop I find boring, especially Beyonce's song ( what's up with that Hey! Hey! Hey! Jump! Jump! Jump! crap? ). I usually judge Body Jam by the music, not the moves. I almost always have fun with the moves. Anyway, whenever I do that block, I always give a sigh of relief when it's over. Now, like I said before, I found the house block lots of fun. I actually liked jumping around like that, and the music? Like, whoa! That was good! I knew it was only a matter of time before they used Beyonce's "Green Light" song, and I'm glad they did, because that is now my favorite song by Beyonce ( I don't think I need to tell you my most favorite song ever ). Anyway, let's keep it up with the house theme, and all other similar themes. As for Hip Hop, though, let's kiss it good bye!

shimarella:

The house tap is really fun though, and i'm working on getting my classes to get into the drama and build-up into the final ecstatic feeling you get when you're into house music. The music's really terrific. I wish there was more choreography in the block but at the same time, the repetitiveness is also part of building that ecstatic feeling in house dance. Once you get the moves and timing down, it's all about really flying across the floor and digging into the feeling. So that's how I plan on workin it.

Hey, you said it so well shimarella... I'd say that my instructor does exactly this. She emphasizes the tap moves, and really dances the whole thing, puts a little "drama" in the upper-body moves and... frankly as soon as Let's dance begins the crowd goes insane. Yes, the moves are easy to learn and there is the risk of ending up just "jumping around", but the way she teaches the class it turns into a dancefloor. 

The first block however remains a fave of mine.

smiles.

M.

Hello Jammers. Believe me after you see BJ 45 it will make more sense. The second block of BJ 45 is insane!!

:P

GreekGoddess:

Hello Jammers. Believe me after you see BJ 45 it will make more sense. The second block of BJ 45 is insane!!

:P

 

Oh God! Now I'm scared....

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"With God's Help, ANYTHING is possible."

That is what I heard!!!!  It seems like the releases balance each other so well!  Not only in terms of challenge of the dance moves, but also variety in the genres of styles we present, and the new vs older music.  That is what makes OUR program so AWESOME!!!!

cbc

I too agree.  Boring, boring, boring.  Give us the fantastic feeling of a challenge that pre Body Jam 34 gave us!!!  No more obscene repitiveness.  I am so grieving Body Jam :(

Yeah maybe it's boring to advanced dancers, but,  what about our particapants (the rest of the world)?  Sometimes they need all that repitition....it's not about how well we can dance it's about how you feel when you (they)  do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The Magic is there if you look for it!

 

My instructor just did something with this block last Saturday that made it so much more fun! She used my favorite jazz block in the first half! Man that was an exciting class!

From an instructor's point of view, I find my participants get bored when I'M bored I've gotten feedback that there are certain cardio blocks they hate, but because in my classes we approach all of the tracks with enthusiasm and a real love of getting our bodies moving, the blocks become fun again.

I find I get big smiles on my participants' faces when I set the scene for particular cardio blocks (thru verbal coaching). Let's say, a rock concert for 42's contemporary rock block, or a pumpin' house club for 44's retro house block. As an instructor it's my job to make the classes fun and to enable my participants to "get lost in the feeling of dance", which is the essence of BODYJAM.

Even as a participant, I see my instructor really getting into the moves, and though they're not as dance-y as previous releases, it's hard not to get carried away. 

Magic cannot be forced.  What I am saying is I don't feel it (not anything about how well I dance), and why I don't feel it is because my mind is numbed by repetition.  Excite me   Wouldn't you say that the repetition has purely been put in there because novices wanna dance well.  Again I say "excite me".  Excite the loyal body jam veterans!!

Its about balance in my opinion.

One release seems to be more difficult and challenging and then we get one to give our brains a rest, before we get slammed again with another challenge.

I love it!

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Tim