Lester Horton Technique: Intermediate Level

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Starring: Ana Marie Forsythe
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Studio: Kultur Video
Release Date: 2005-03-29
Dance Spotlight presents the Intermediate tape of the innovative dance training technique of Lester Horton for modern dancers, teachers and choreographers. Lester Horton developed a training method which expanded the body's traditional range of motion. These codified technique studies preserve this important achievement in modern dance training for future generations. Marjorie B. Perces, former Horton dancer and teacher, and Ana Marie Forsythe, chair person of the Horton Department at the Ailey School since 1979, lead a group of professional dancers through Preludes, Fortifications, Hinges, Balances and other studies which continue the documentation begun in "Lester Horton Technique - The Warm-Up". The material presented on this tape helps to build strength, agility, and lexibility. This is also an excellent way to do a non-aerobic workout and beautiful movements that help develop grace, free artistic expression and reduce muscle stress. Features Prelude Studies #1,2 and 3, Fortification Studies #7-12, Hinge Studies #1,2 and 3, Falls, Balance Studies, Figure 4 Study, and Percussive Stroke Study.

Basic stiff voiceover instruction, no workout or fun
If you have the flexibility to do splits easily, have good endurance & strength, not afraid to fake fall a lot & want to do movements that stretch out & strengthen your body in ways other fitness dvds don't, this might be for you.
The menu has a 5 min intro, prelude studies, fortification studies, hinge studies, balance studies, figure 4 study, percussive stroke study, the legacy (talking about past & future), talking to the dancers & credits.
Cons:
The piano music is boring, the stage is all in black, the dancers are in spandex. The dancers look very stiff, you can see their muscles shaking sometimes & they always have a serious, concentration look on their face. You can hear a woman shouting the count sometimes to the dancers. As the dancers do the moves a couple of times in full speed at all times, there is a female voice over telling you what muscles the moves work on & how it benefits the body. After is a slow motion of what they did with a few more hints.
Pros: The technique itself. Some of the prelude bored me, but in the fortifications I could see how the movements would open up the movements like nothing else I've seen so far.
The technique is good, but they way it's executed & shown can cause those who are fluid in their movements to become stiff. The emphasis on control is good for safety & precision, but gives a feel of boredom & work & take away from the pleasure of moving your body in new ways.

Not a class, no instruction, terrible!!!
I bought this dvd from the Amazon market place and I didn't pay much for it, but still I feel like I wasted my money. I have the advanced beginner dvd which is designed as a real dance class from beginning to end. This dvd, however, is just a series of vignettes with very little explanation.

The dvd is chaptered with lessons. The dancers do the lesson with no instruction on how to do the moves. After the lesson, there is a very brief focus on some aspect of the movement.

The production is dark. The piano music is boring. I bought it for the floor work, but there is no explanation of the moves. You will have to memorize the routine and modify it on your own.

This dvd is best suited for people who are studying the horton technique in class, and want a reference manual. This is not taught like a class. Total waste of money. I'll keep it, if I ever have the occasion to take an intermediate horton dance class, but I doubt it.

A better dvd is the Michele Assaf complete warm-up dvd. Fabulous!! Hard! but well worth it. Get it at Broadway Dance web site. Wish I'd gotten that first before this terrible dvd.