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For me this release more than any other demonstrate the way that the music obviously inspires the programme directors. I don't know how they go about it - whether they sit in a brainstorming groups and toss ideas around - or whether things just happen - but with this release I can just see Jackie listening to the music and immediately seeing the moves. "Crack the Shutters open wide I want to bathe you in the light of day" - just cries out for Sun Warrior. "Turn around and see me cry" - obviously inspired the tricky turn from Star Pose in the Balance track and even one word, "Surrender" just fits perfectly with the release after the PNF stretch in the Frog Pose in hips. A great selection of music here - there perhaps isn't one I don't like - though I do prefer the Phil Collins version of "Against All Odds".

Tai Chi: I few years ago I stayed in a health spa where they held Tai Chi classes first thing in the morning in a little yoga pavillion on a hillside above the beach. The teacher was most concerned about the position of the feet in the Tai Chi walk and spent much time with us getting the walk rigght before even thinking of allowing us to introduce the arm movements. This Tai Chi reminds me of those morning sessions on that hillside. The movements are lovely and it is a great change. But there is something missing. I'm not sure whether there should be another sequence because the track is very short but the one set of main moves just seems to go on and on. Sadly this will probably be the first track to be mixed out - I have a yearning for the more sweepy arms Tai Chi tracks of the BB20s.

Sun Sals: This music is so catchy it's amazing. Sorry. I have found some recent Sun Sals to be very clunky with the music - but here Jackie has managed to merge the moves perfectly to the music. When you step through to lunge from the down dog it always happens on the start of the chorus which gives the track a lovely structure an inevitability that was missing from some tracks like "Manic Star". This reminds me of "Tears from the Moon" where you always went into Intense Pose at the same point in each chorus. The only down side to this track is the horrible gap before the track restarts that seems to last for ever to keep the record companies happy.

Standing Strength: Perhaps the stand out track for me. Powerful music - though it is a very lovely love song and powerful moves to go with it. There is no break from the relentless sequence of moves and I find my muscles screaming even as early as the set up for Warrior 1. Just about perfection.

Balance: Simple and to the point. Unfolding from Eagle to Star and then that cunning little turn around to the side is as challenging as it is beautiful.

Hips: I always cringe when Cow Face pose comes back - as Doctor Dave once said - "Gentlemen - rearrangement necessary!" There is plenty of time to get the most out of these poses and boy do they hurt. The long long frog is painful in a good way. One lady remarked that this part of the track was like having a baby. I'll have to take her word for that.

Abs: Nothing could be as hard as the last one but this comes close. Actually out of all the abs tracks I have done this is the trickiest to keep the focus on the tight abs and strong back. Many times I find the effort being transferred to my legs so a constant set of cues is required here to keep people right. Funhouse - fun abs!

Back: Great song and great progression of moves. People groan when you introduce  them to side plank - but the biggest revelation here is in the see-saw move. The simple act of turning the thumbs upwards - wow what a difference that makes. Lots of people like the see-saw because I think they appreciate how bad their posture is as a result of being hunched over PC screens all day.

Twists 1: Pyramid is tough to do properly - straight legs and straight back seems to be a problem for most people. And balancing appears difficult as well. Overall a challenging track. I do a few 45 minute classes and in this release the longest two tracks are the ones you are supposed to leave out. It also reduces the running time to well below 45 minutes so you can actually fit this first twist track in and still come in to time.

Twists 2: Much more traditional twist moves here and less intense than the last one. In fact the last part where you lie down really sets you up for the last track and for relaxation. Some people have moaned about the music but I don't mind it.

Hamstrings: Very short and dreamy song from Dido and simple moves to tease us down into relaxation. And it does go on for a few moments longer than you think.

Meditation/Relaxation: Nice couple of pieces of music - though I know it isn't actually the same tune - I can't help thinking of the "mild cigar from Hamlet" adverts here.

So another great release. I am totally loving Balance at the moment and it is constantly popular and classes are always full - even the 9am one on a Saturday when you would think people would like a lie in. Nie out of ten (would have been a 10 but I am unsure  of the longevity of  the Tai Chi - but that is a minor quibble.

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Nice work, Roger.

Roll on #46!

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Nice reveiw Roger.

I'm about to teach this release solo for the first time tonight so it's still quite new to me. Overall I like the moves but find some of the music a bit "bland", as in no dynamics. The sort of thing that if I think of say the first twist track I can't remember the music to it, where I can usually do that staright away when learning! I'll leave my thoughts though untill I have taught it more.

Awesome review :)

Could not have said it better myself :)

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Cheers :)

I TOTALLY AGREE about the standing strength, probably one of the most intense standing strengths in quite a while, LOVE IT!!

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