"Performer and dance instructor Vanessa Isaac’s Samba Party Workout 1 should be distributed to all those folks who produce and distribute dance/fitness videos. It’s that good.

There’s much to recommend: A step-by-step how-to on samba steps; tips on modifying the workout to decrease joint stress and other problems; a brief history of the Brazilian dance; a fun, easy-to-follow cardio routine; plus a charming and inspirational instructor.

Dance workouts often suffer from a lack of danceability. The pace may be too fast and the steps too difficult. The instructions may be so unclear, they’re opaque. You try to do the workout a few times, find yourself flailing and stumbling and wondering why your hips swivel left when you want them to go right. And just where the heck were you the day the coordination-and-rhythm genie came calling?

By contrast, Isaac’s method of instruction and her infectious love of the dance leave you feeling refreshed, exhilarated, ready to hit the dance clubs. You’re a gazelle, a samba cat, a graceful and sultry creature. (Please, take a moment ... breathe, bask in the delight of your newfound dancitude.)

...Tie a scarf around your hips. Samba party on!"

BY RHONDA OWEN - ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Note: This is a dance workout and not a master class!

Dance instead of exercise!, P. Murphy (Maple Grove, MN United States)
"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!!"

Samba Party Workout 1: An AWESOME find! By Marie "Getting sexy 1 video at a time"
" You are moving and dancing and sweating the whole time! Ive never taken dance, and i got all of the movements pretty easily. Also, there is an instructional section that breaks down all the moves for you. I recommend you do this part one or two times before doing the video if youve never done any dancing before. The music is fun and the instructor is enjoyable. My roomate did the video with me and he loved it as well. He liked it so much, he suggested we do it every morning to wake up before classes. I havent worked out much before this, i just do a little pilates, so i was not surprised that i was sweating, but my roomate runs 3-5 miles daily and he was sweating too! Absolutely wonderful video!"

Samba Party Workout vol. 1 by Janel (California)
I had been looking for a way to exersize with a small toddler underfoot, something that would be fun, not too time-consuming and could be done indoors. This was a perfect solution! I love Vanessa Isaac's style and personality. She's really easy to follow and learn from. I started by going through the "learn the moves" section of the DVD and then did the workout and I caught on really fast, but I also improved over the weeks too. This will get you sweating, give you a good 30-40 min workout and it's fun to do! If you get tired of just listening to drums, it's all done in a simple rhythm that you can dance to with your own music. I would recommend doing your own stretches for a few minutes before starting up (or start the complete workout and stretch while Vanessa is doing the introduction). I noticed a difference in my body within a couple of days! My stomach started firming up, my legs got in great shape, and I started getting compliments within a month that I was looking thin! You can't beat that. This is definitely the way to go if you're starting out learning Samba style fitness too, it's a good workout but not as taxing as her second album. I would recommend buying this, do it for at least a month, and then add vol. 2 a couple of days a week after that for some variety and to improve your stamina even more. I love this workout and you will too! My daughter loves watching the workout too... she even waves her arms around and "talks" at the TV while I'm working out, so it's fun for both of us.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!- By catmusicgirl "catmusicgirl" (St. Louis, Missouri)
I would even give this video 10 stars if I could. It was very easy to learn all the steps since she isolates each one in a separate viewing option, then practices each step in slow, or half time, then at full speed. If you review these basic steps before viewing the actual work out, you are ready to go! With a solid foundation with all the steps, which are repeated in each rerun of the entire dance, you can just loose yourself in the rhythm, add your own arm movement variations, swing, sway, sweat and forget your cares. The rhythm is infectious, the directions are very clear, the dance leader has a pleasant demeanor, and hey, I worked up the best sweat I have in a while to a dance video. I know this will be one of my favorites. The workout itself, once you learn the moves, is about a half hour long. That's enough for me to work up a sweat and have fun with dancing!!!!

Great workout, By loveflamenco (milwaukee, WI, USA)
I LOVE this DVD. I purchased this DVD to add more variety in my workout routie. I am not a good dancer, but this DVD was very easy to follow. Steps presented here were simple, and the instructor goes over and over. I am hooked, because I feel like I am dancing at a club or something rather than working out at a gym-- yet I sweat and got a great workout.