Yesenia AdameSalsa...Solo! - with Yesenia Adame: Beginner salsa dancing instruction, Salsa how-to, Salsa dance combinations, Footwork

I just received this DVD. Gave it a try today and, for the most part, really enjoyed it. It certainly helps to get your heart rate and a little bit of sweat going, all while managing to have fun without it feeling like an actual workout. I'm sure my legs and the rest will be feeling it later, but it was certainly more fun than the treadmill or aerobic workouts.They've broken the DVD up into 3 different combinations (basic, intermediate and more advanced), with each combination being divided into 3 parts as well: instruction on steps, the review (shown with them facing away), and the third set with music and moves that are faster paced. Combination 1 follows the warm-up, basically giving you the basic steps, which you then add certain techniques in combination 2 and 3 as you progress. At the end of the DVD they do the whole thing with music, followed by a cool down.My only complaints are the odd scene cuts and her methods for 8-counts, as well as lack of cues during some sections. I've taken different types of dance classes in the long-ago past, and find her counting to be a little misleading for someone who's used to vocal cues. Sometimes the way she counts down, you think you're done with that particular set when there's still more to do. This is due to how the production/directing was done with camera angles, while other times it's simply her.Her cues are also weak at times, especially during turns when you're facing away from the TV. I also would have preferred that she left more advanced bits (certain turns) for another section. During section reviews, where they face away from you (which I actually find really helpful), she fails to cue you on what moves are coming up, and you're forced to think back, trying to remember what order things were done and making it a bit difficult to focus on what you're doing.In the end, once you get the hang of it (even if you have to rewind some), it's quite fun to learn. I'm sure with a few attempts at the entire set, pretty much anyone can get the hang of it, even enough to fine-tune technical movements with the arms and Cuban hips. It's also a lot better than some of the other Salsa discs that I have. Recommend.

This DVD is probably not for absolute beginners unless you're really quick at picking things up. It incorporates quite a few things that you would get step-by-step instruction on in other areas -- such as body undulations, rib isolations, hip circles, and figure 8s (which are done in belly dance) -- as if it assumes you already are familiar with them. So I wouldn't say that all beginners will catch on immediately. I think, however, it is a fun DVD, and if someone sticks with it, the moves will not be too difficult to learn.The stage was uncluttered and worked well for the face-to-face instruction. I thought, however, that when the instructor taught the moves showing them from behind that it would have been better for a mirror to be in front of her. This might not bother some people. I guess it's a matter of preference. For the most part, the editing is acceptable on this DVD. But at one point, the DVD suddenly switches to a slide transition that really doesn't work at all and detracts from what's going on. It's the kind of transition only an amateur would use. Why on earth this was put in is a mystery to me, but thankfully the rest of the DVD has simple fades that don't disrupt the instruction.In the DVD, Yesenia teaches basic salsa moves and incorporates them into three combinations. The DVD includes a warm-up and cool-down. So the workout value is high. If you're looking for a fun workout that's different, this might be just what you need.However, if you're expecting performances on the DVD, you'll be disappointed. All that is included are three short demonstrations by the performers. None of them could be considered an actual performance. I do wish that at least one full performance in costume would have been included.The real bonus of this workout is it teaches dance steps, so you get more for your money than you would with the typical workout.

Hello, I am Herman Munster. I am awkward. I have big feet, and I could never dance.Working through the first instruction I almost gave up after 5 minutes. Luckily I didn't have anything else to do so I kept at it. After much hard work and practice, I started getting it. First I got the steps down. Then I got the steps down along with the ritmo. Then I started using the Cuban hips. Now I am actually dancing.The first lesson starts out with very, very, very basic dance steps. The following lessons build on those. These lessons don't just teach a bunch of moves. The student learns how to dance by learning the basic steps and then learning to embellish them.One thing that I especially appreciate is the practice time included in the Dvd. There is probably more time devoted to practice than actual instruction. The practice involves the dancers dancing while the instructor calls out the steps.The only negative is that these lessons are intended for chicks, not dudes, so I ended up dancing like a chick. Oh well.

I am absolutely in love with this DVD!It is most definitely NOT a beginner's instructional, unless you danced as a child and/or have done maybe some ballet or belly dance lessons. You have to be very coordinated and know how to make very fast turns and body rolls. The music, while I love it, is a very bad choice for a beginner as well - it is too fast and the beat is not very clear. I've taken private salsa lessons in the past, and I can't make turns so fast as presented in this DVD - it will take me weeks and weeks of practice. Thus the name DVD "Beginner salsa dancing instruction" is very misleading...Saying all that, I still insist that this is an excellent quality DVD, with fantastic moves and beautiful music. Yesenia is an absolutely delight to watch. I would have given more starts if I could. I really hope Yesenia will create more DVDs, at this point they are on "auto buy" for me.

I love Salsa and dance workouts - and got this more for the exercise than to learn salsa. It is great for a beginner up to the second half of the DVD then it gets just too quick and complicated for me to follow (even with the reverse view to help) - maybe I should have sat and watched it two or three times without trying it but I was dying to get going.It is fine for learning basics of salsa and does give you a work out as a side effect - but too fast and too complicated for me towards the end and I have given up.

Very good product and for me, a total begginner, looks a lot to learn but it is just practise (well, I hope), I only started. For me Yesenia shows a lot of steps and combinations, it just takes time to learn it :) The steps and combinaions a explained very well so you can practise on your own.

This is good but moves very quickly - too quickly. Some people need a little more time to catch on. I learnt what seemed like 20 moves in half an hour. Slow it down a little!

Great for beginners but "practice sessions" are quite fast and difficult to follow. Still great enjoyment

I liked the dances on this very much and it is great exercise it brings together well the things I hate with the things I love ie. hate exercise love dancing.