BodyJam 57 DVD Presenters

This is a dream come true - meeting the role models I follow on my Les Mills BodyJam DVDs. They're currently rehearsing for BodyJam 57 and their guest presenter is Nicole Sanchez, a Taiwanese who's now residing in Texas.

Lying in front of me is Gandalf 'G' Archer, the genius Program Director who made BodyJam the unique fitness class that it is today. To my right is Carla Fitzsimmons, a LM veteran who's been seen on DVDs for the longest time!

Favourite BodyJam Tracks

I've been replacing Les Mills BodyJam classes for the past few weekends, specifically: 30 Oct (FF), 6 Nov (FF), 12 Nov (FF), 13 Nov (FF & FS), and 20 Nov (FF).

Every instructor will invariably have their favourites - these are the songs that are usually crowd pleasers and stuff instructors will pull out when they haven't had time to properly plan a tracklist. Rehearsing for my replacement classes have really made me think of what my members will like vs. what I would enjoy teaching. Hitting the sweet spot between those two requirements is a constant struggle, especially when I don't meet those members every week.

That's a discussion for another day though. Ever wondered if we shared the same favourite tracks? Take a look:

• BodyJam 33 - Hey Mama: The Black Eyed Peas have that magic touch when it comes to creating beats that make people move! This classic is great when there's 5 minutes in the first half to fill up.
• BodyJam 34 - Rich Girl: Still one of the sexiest recovery tracks ever. Here's a little bit of BodyJam trivia for you - Since BodyJam 33 (May 2005), only THREE recovery tracks were exclusively sung by white artistes. Gandalf Archer has predominantly favoured urban R&B songs by black singers for recovery tracks. Therefore, doing Rich Girl once in a while provides a nice change of style.
• BodyJam 37 - Jazz Rock block: One of my all-time favourite blocks that showcase the genius that is Gandalf. I know I'll never get another BodyJam block that is as technical and challenging as this. Although at a long 22 minutes, you never feel it because there's so much to absorb and so many little details to execute. And if you look at it from a choreographer's viewpoint, it's just amazing how G structures the learning process.
• BodyJam 38 - Ran Kan Kan block: Again, there's so much texture in this Latin block that I can do it for 15 more times and still find something to improve on. Featuring one of the fastest turns in BodyJam, I always find myself coming back to this when I'm bored by the diluted choreography in today's Latin tracks.
• BodyJam 41 - Trash Jam: I'm a sucker for Jazz tracks and this one is just a cardio killer!
• BodyJam 44 - Warmup: New Day and Conga make an unlikely alliance to start a class right. Although New Day has some foot work that might confuse new members, Conga is a great way to introduce the Latin feel before more complicated routines later.
• BodyJam 45 - Warmup: The transition between the intro and the Bollywood hip-hop is pure magic, and so are the moves. It gets pretty dragged out towards the end though.
• BodyJam 45 - Global Electro block: Super fun and super cardio, again with lots of technical details in the House footwork to master.
• BodyJam 46: The whole release rocks!
• BodyJam 47 except Beat Goes On: The majority of this release is also pure BodyJam magic!
• BodyJam 49: Sandcastle Disco is my favourite warmup ever and the class also finishes with the best Womanizer remix on the planet. WIN.
• BodyJam 50: Another faultless release, except maybe the fact that it is a cardio killer and I'm always left breathless within 30 minutes!
• BodyJam 52 - Tektonic Bouncy Madness: The music in this second half really takes the cake - each song makes me want to dance harder and better. The first song sets the party, but the moment Right Hand Hi kicks in, my heart rate lifts just anticipating what's to come.
• BodyJam 53 - Disco Twenty Ten: Show me one person who doesn't like this. Anyone? The members go absolutely gaga over it!
• BodyJam 54 - Warmup: Warmups for the past few releases have always started out being chill and groovy. This one was such a nice change - it was like a bolt straight to your heart. And Toni Braxton totally surprised me with Make My Heart.

Other blocks that I really like but do not know how to teach include the Dance4Life block (39), Krump Klub (40), Jam de Podium (42), and Disco (43).

Whether you agree or disagree with my choices, sound out in the comments :)

BodyJam 55 Tracklist

It's been some time that I blogged about BodyJam, which is still my favourite group fitness workout after all these years. Here's the basics about the upcoming new release:

BodyJam 55 Poster

Warmup
1. Favorite DJ (Clinton Sparks)

Isolations
2. Shawty Get Loose (Lil Mama feat Chris Brown & T-Pain)

Hip Hop
3. Baddest Gangsta Ballet Dancer (Big Poppin G)
4. DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love (Usher feat. Pitbull)

Salsa 2010
5. Andale (Nicola Fasano & Steve Forest South Beach Mix) (Stereo Palma)
6. Livin’ La Vida Loca (Pablo Flores English Radio Edit) (Ricky Martin)
7. Samba All Night (Extended Version) (Bellini)
8. Samba De Janeiro 2010 (Manuel De La Mare Smash) (Bellini)

Recovery
9. Carry Out (de la Roche)

Show Me Jam
10. Gettin’ Over You (Computer Love)
11. Hotel Room Service (03 Remix) (Pitbull)
12. Not Myself Tonight (Laidback Luke Mixshow Edit) (Christina Aguilera)
13. Show Me Love (Danni Oak)

Groove Down
14. Rapture (Alicia Keys)

I'm very excited about Salsa 2010 - a little bit of singalong Ricky Martin always gets the party started! I'm a huge sucker for club latin tracks so will be keeping a keen eye on this one. I'm still waiting for one that will surpass the latin from release 38 and 47...

What's not so great is the number of cover songs here, no thanks to PPCA of Australia. Les Mills classes, especially BodyJam, have always used mainly original songs, a rarity in other popular classes. But new licensing rules in one country spoiled the party for the rest of us. Gah!

Next round I'll recap my favourite tracks from old BodyJam releases!

Replacing BodyJam Classes

I'll be replacing BodyJam classes at Fitness First Island Plaza on 26 June (3.20pm) and 27 June (11.05am).

Update (10 Aug): I'll be replacing at FFIP 13 Aug (9.30pm), and 15 Aug (11.05am). Also FS 14 Aug (11.30am) where I'll be team teaching with Pauline.

Update: I replaced FFIP Jam class on 29 Aug, so that makes it 3 classes for August 2010. I know - it's pathetic I'm using Blogger to keep track of this.

Update: Replacing Alan's Sunday class again for 5th and 12th Sept at FF

I'm writing this down more for my own future reminder because Fitness First Malaysia has a pretty backwards system for paying their instructors. They're my employer so I'll refrain from commenting publicly, but if they would just spend a few cents printing payslips, it'll save so much trouble for everyone.

As a side gripe: In Penang, there are too many instructors with too few timetable slots. But on the bright side, we have slightly less drama and politics and backstabbing compared to Kay Elle.

BodyJam 52 Tracklist

(Are you looking for BodyJam 55's Tracklist? You can also check out all my BodyJam-related posts!)

Warmup
Tonight (Above & Beyond Remix) (Dirty Vegas)
She Wolf (featuring T-Pain) (Shakira)

Merengue
Gualando (Bilingual Mix) (Fulanito)

The Dark Block
Remedy (Rusko's Big Trainers Remix) (Little Boots)
Pop, Lock & Drop It (Huey)
So Fine (Sean Paul)
Everytime Tha Beat Drop (Clean) (Monica featuring Dem Franchize Boyz)
Pro Nails (Rusko Remix) (Kid Sister)

Recovery
Take Your Shirt Off (T-Pain)

Techtonic Bouncy Madness
Pon de Floor (feat. VYBZ Kartel) (Major Lazer)
Right Hand Hi (Kid Sister)
Now You See It (Honorebel feat Pitbull & Jump Smokers)
She's Got It (Vandalism & Angger Dimas)

Groove Down
Video Phone (Beyoncé)

Bonus Pop Block
Lovestoned / I Think She Knows Interlude (Justin Timberlake)
Lovestoned / I Think She Knows (Justice Remix) (Justin Timberlake)
If U Seek Amy (Britney Spears)
Heavy Cross (Gossip)
Million Dollar Bill (Freemasons Club Mix) (Whitney Houston)


All in all, the tracklist looks FANTASTIC! I hope the choreography can live up to the expectation!

Personally, I'll be using Million Dollar Bill as warmup in a future Cardio Fit release. I've also pegged Now You See It for future choreography but because I haven't choreographed any moves for it, I might just put this aside.

BodyJam 52 Sizzler

With the disappointment that was BodyJam 51 (maybe it was over-hyped), I'm really looking forward to 52. And with the bonus Pop Block, I can't wait!!

BODYJAM® 52 is a smorgasbord of style, an assortment of sensations and a cacophony of choreography. This release is so super-awesome that we’ve given you a whole extra bonus block to teach!

That’s right, teach the Dark Block or teach the Bonus Pop Block – it’s your choice! Dubstep or Whitney?

The Warmup is a euphoric journey of movement exploration, before Shakira makes you howl with the Backward Hip Roll in Track 2. Then it’s time to bring your butt to the party in our all-new Merengue track, Gualando by Fulanito.

The Dark Block is unlike anything you’ve ever heard before – it’s phat, huge and driving. The contrasting sounds of Gangsta rap and Dancehall crazy come together in a trailblazing fusion of Dubstep madness.

In the recovery, T-Pain will have you tugging and pulling at your clothes, but no matter what you do, DO NOT TAKEYOUR SHIRT OFF!

Then lose your mind (again) to the hottest music on the planet – Major Lazer is blowing up worldwide with New Age Jamaican Electro Dancehall craziness. Right Hand Hi from Kid Sister comes from the sickest House producers in the world. Then the sounds from Jump Smokers and Vandalism will blow your head off, BODYJAM® style.

Beyoncé brings the party to a close, but don’t forget about the Bonus Pop Block! JT, Britney, Whitney – what more needs to be said? IT’S BODYJAM® TIME!

2009 in Review

I missed doing my annual review last year. I think annual reviews are important to help one reflect on his achievements, and notable events. We'll then be able to move on and be better the next year. Since no one at the office is really doing anything worthwhile anyway, here's what I remember most from 2009:

• Beijing: This working trip really opened my eyes to the idea of living outside Malaysia. Before this I've only had overseas vacations, but never to live or work. Though it was only 3 months, it did spark some nomadic tendencies of me moving to some faraway land to start anew...
  
• Work promotion: I remember when I first joined this company, my boss at that time told me that on average, it takes 2 years to move to the next level. It took me 2.9 years and I wasn't really happy with that. But hey, it did arrive and I got a pay raise from that so I'm still thankful nonetheless.
  
• Broke up: We had a strong 2+ years together, but I decided I had to be the bad guy before I really became the bad guy. (Heh, it's only something both of us would understand.) The biggest lesson I learned from this is to never be complacent. I'm now enjoying singledom and meeting people again.
  
• BodyJam: What should have taken 2 months took almost 2 years instead. But it was good - questions of unfairness aside, it did help me become harder, better, faster, stronger. Beforehand, getting an International BodyJam Certificate seemed an enviable goal. Now, it's just another step in the Everest scheme of things. Came so far, got much more to go.
  
• Cardio Fit: As always, I keep improving. I now have the confidence to say that my latest release could actually qualify as one of the weaker BodyJam releases. Call me out for a demo! Unfortunately, my stage charisma is nowhere near Gandalf 'G' Archer's.
  
• Family: Relations with Dad has improved this year. I believe he has softened with age, which does help smooth disagreements over. At the back of my heart though, I've begun wondering how life would be when he's gone? Relations with Mom has stayed positive throughout 2009. And she reads my blog so I'll refrain from commenting any further. Hi Mom!
  
• Ballroom: Took up basic ballroom latin classes to expose myself to partner dancing. I enjoyed it! There's a different feel to it compared to freestyle hip-hop. More importantly, it showed me how important it is to work closely with your dance partner. The lead cannot look impressive without his follower, and the follower can never do impressive tricks without the lead's support.
  
• Bangkok: My 2nd trip to Bangkok this year in November was really enjoyable. Besides the free entrance to the Asia Fitness Convention, I really felt comfortable moving about in a foreign country alone. My nomadic tendencies were honed from a lonesome childhood, and now they've made me strong enough to really survive elsewhere by my self.
  
• Lecturing: I've had an ambition to be a lecturer since college. And I finally got that opportunity this year! I'm just about to complete my first semester there and I can say that I really enjoyed myself. Unfortunately, I'll be turning down any lecturing offers next semester. Notes preparation and assignment marking does take its toll on my weekends. Actually, it usually eclipses my entire weekend! So while I've identified lecturing as a possible retirement career, it is not possible to fit it in my life right now without sacrificing my social life.
  
• Friends: While I'm surrounded by many sincere, good friends, I realized that I'm not really close to any of them. Once again, I'm like a nomad ready to move on.

I believe 2010 will be another exciting year for me! For better or for worse. I hope 2009 has been good to you too. Happy New Year!

Achy Breaky Legs

Phew!

So glad I completed the 5 replacement classes for BodyJam! Thankfully I had Pauline's help for most of them, so it's less of a burden. Still, it felt exhilarating to be able to dance for 6 days straight especially after the back injury episode 2 months ago.

The teaching experience culminated in me recording my BodyJam international certification video on Tuesday morning. A rite of passage for every Les Mills instructor, I think I did good enough to clear even with the following mishaps:

• I forgot to ask some of their names, so I could not call out names during class for CRC. I did give general feedback like, "You gals look hot!" though. (I did consider calling out a fake name, but decided against the dishonesty)
• The microphone went kaput doing the 2nd half! I bought a new battery just to prevent this from happening. As I found out after the class, the battery was working but I had disrupted the wire connections. Therefore, I had to reduce music volume and shout louder so that the video assessor will be able to hear me.
• I was supposed to wear a jacket for the warmup to look "cool", but forgot all about it as I was running late after setting up the videocam myself.
• Small little mistake in the final breakout but managed to correct myself quickly.

And now... the wait for results!

It's A Good Start

Sure, it's just a replacement class, but hey, it's a good start.

I'm replacing BodyJam classes while resident Jamsters Chris, Alan, and Terence are on a vacation.

Join me and Pauline at Fitness First Island Plaza for the following classes:

• Thursday, 22 Oct 2009, 6.25pm
• Friday, 23 Oct 2009, 9.30pm
• Sunday, 25 Oct 2009, 10.55am
• Tuesday, 27 Oct 2009, 10.30am

And also Fitness Studio Gurney Tower for BodyJam on Saturday 11.30am!

BodyJam 51 Sizzler

BODYJAM® 51 is here to drop a funk bomb on the floor in your club! We’ve got hits from T-Pain and The Ting Tings, the best Gloria Estefan track ever and the hottest House anthems of the year! Track 1, Scared Of Me from Fedde le Grand, is so funky it should be illegal. The first combo comes back strong in the second half of the class, so feel the correct flava from beat one. T-Pain’s track, Freeze, will take you through the Isolation block. This is about feeling your hips from the beginning. Sing along while you get your class to “dance like me”.

Get your Swag Swag on to The Ting Tings’ Shut Up And Let Me Go – one of the hottest tracks from 2008. So what is Swag? Swag is your flava. The style is purely you, and you know you are all over it! Make it oversized and Swagalicious, baby! The new Tribal Salsa routine is a cosmic concoction of Latin styles. It’s going to fire up your floor and push your heart rate through the roof. Are you ready for the hottest, nastiest Recovery Track ever? Missy Elliott’s anthem One Minute Man is Hip Hop 101. Get yo’ Bounce Bounce on with the Kick Back Step. Surrender yourself to the rhythm and Leave The World Behind! This standout anthem of 2009 is so phenomenal that we’ve included two versions for a full 11½ minutes!

Want more jammers on the floor? Use the two complexity levels to grow your BODYJAM® class. Teach the low-complexity version for at least three weeks before adding in the advanced options. Get your class comfortable with the release as a whole, then start throwing in the advanced options over the next couple of weeks. Save some of the trickier options for later to keep your advanced class participants on their toes.

---

Well I don't have the full track list yet, but I've checked out some of the songs referenced there and I'm expecting great things! First of all, Scared of Me is truly funky - I hope it reverses the trend of overly-laidback warmups (think Saturday (50) and Closer (48)). And obviously I'm a big fan of any long Latin block - especially since Cha Cha Heels (34) was the last release to mix Tribal and Latin together (correct me if I'm wrong). Leave the World Behind is a stomping, trance-like track. I can definitely imagine breaking out to this! But I'm witholding judgment as to whether it's wise to put 11.5 minutes of it! I hated 43's second half because there's only so much "Please don't stop the music..." that a sane man can take. I'm ready to be proven wrong though.

Perhaps the best part of this release is that I'll get to see Rachael Cohen herself presenting it. First in Bangkok's Asia Fitness Convention, and again the following week (if I decide to go LM Quarterly in KL).

Sciatica

I have sciatica. Ouch.

In the latest in my long list of health problems, I did a particular nasty pull when teaching BodyJam one day. Normally sprains or muscle pulls resolve itself within 3-4 days, but when the pain intensified on Day 5, I knew this wasn't normal.

Modern medicine is surprisingly useless in resolving pain, so I decided to consult the Almighty, All-Knowing, All-Encompassing Google. Self-diagnosis has led me to conclude I have a mild form of sciatica. There is no modern cure but I found some effective deep stretches that will really relax the muscle causing the pain.

It has worked well so far, but I'm still left with a dull pain - that last stubborn 10% that won't go away! I'm now considering whether to visit a Chinese traditional sinseh, those specializing in sprains, dislocations, etc. I've heard many good things about them, but I'm reluctant to go because I have a persistent trust issue. How would I know if they cracked my back and I'd end up paralyzed from the waist down the next day?

Deep stretches for now.

BodyJam 50 Track List

Looking forward to a great DVD release, featuring one of my Jam trainers - Fetty Fatimah! I think she's gonna be hot up there!



Warmup/Isolations
1 Saturday (Fedde le Grand vocal mix main) - Cunnie Williams feat. Monie Love
2 Love, Sex, Magic - Ciara feat. Justin Timberlake

Mambo Extravaganza
3 75, Brazil Street (original club vocal mix) - Nicola Fasano vs Pat-Rich
4 I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) - Pitbull
5 75, Brazil Street (Steve Forest & Paul Simon mix) - Nicola Fasano vs Pat-Rich

Cardio Funk
6 I Wanna Rock - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
7 Voice of Freedom - Freedom Williams
8 Set it Off - J. Williams

Recovery
9 Blame It - Jamie Foxx feat. T-Pain

Tribal House
10 Pictures (tonite only remix) - Sneaky Sound System
11 Suburban Knights (Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso mix) - Hard-Fi
12 Finally 2008 (Kam Denny & Paul Zala remix) - Denzal Park

Groovedown
13 Spotlight - Jennifer Hudson

Changing Tides

Well! After my previous outpouring of negativity, things have certainly looked up! I think writing all those thoughts down really flushed it out and prepare me for the awesomeness about to happen.

I finally attended a BodyJam class in Beijing last night and it rocked! They went through BJ48 one last time, and it was interesting to see how they taught in a smattering of English and Mandarin. Basic cues alternate between languages (one, two, three is usually followed by yi, er, san), while motivational cues are usually in Chinese.

One thing to note is that their DVDs are not localized. So all the cueing and booklet is in English. I think this slightly hampers their repertoire of Flava cues as some cues in English just don't sound right in Chinese! So it's up to the individual instructor's ability to formulate new Flava and Breakout cues. Luckily the instructor I met (Johnson) knows how to bring out the fun out in Jam.

Anyway the good news is that they're launching BJ49 next week and I was invited to join them on stage! I kept warning them that my banana-ness might cause learning problems with the members, but they insisted on me teaching a track or two. Since they've been such gracious hosts, I'd be rude to turn them down. So I agreed to teach the Latin and Recovery tracks.

Only three things to do now: practice, practice, practice! I won't let Malaysia down, I promise! :)

You got me burnin' up!

Womanizer (Benassi Radio Edit) - Britney Spears

Tired

(This post reads like a cluttered mess because that's what my mind is at the moment)

Last night I had one of my rare emo moments.

I was practicing BodyJam in front of the mirror and as usual I video-ed myself. My thoughts during the session:

• Why can't I feel the bounce in my feet?
• Dammit, where's the twist in the body?
• Argh, I keep forgetting to lock my arms!
• Where are the hips? Twist it, twist it, twist it! Bigger! More hips!
• Remember to walk on your toes in Latin!
• I'm starting to cue like a droning robot again
• Oh, I will cringe when I see these armlines in the video later
• Point your toes dammit! Point them!
• I need to drop down lower, bend my knees more, get my butt close to the floor...
• Sigh... my weak center of gravity is killing my turns
• Ah... I'm already panting so much when I'm only halfway through!
• I'm supposed to jump - why do I feel I'm just hopping?

After my session ended, a wave of disappointment washed over. Was that all I could do? After more than 1 year of BodyJam, and 1 year before that of general aerobics, I'm left wanting more. I don't expect perfection, but everytime I review myself I'm so upset. And the feedback I get reflects that.

I usually get two types of feedback. Members of my class usually praise me. They'll say I'm good, I move well, etc. One even proclaimed loyalty, saying she'll never miss my class no matter what. They're good to hear, and I appreciate them, but they're just members, y'know?

On the other hand, I have rarely received true compliments from colleagues or other instructors. We have higher expectations of each other, and we can spot many more things than ordinary members can. And so, I know, whether they say it out loud or keep it in their hearts, I know their opinion of me is, "Meh... he's just ok nia."

At the heart of the matter is the issue of instructor clearance. In certain health clubs, every new instructor has to be mentored by a head teacher, who will 'clear' that trainee instructor upon satisfying certain criteria.

And 1 year on, I still haven't been cleared. Is that a failure on my part or my mentor's? No joke, I'm tempted to blame my mentor for holding out the clearance, but I know in my heart that it's mostly my own failings. Looking at my own video, I feel such a discontentment that it borders on disgust. No wonder I can't get cleared - even such a simple acknowledgement by peers is out of my grasp.

And I'm tired. I'm really, really exhausted. I've been travelling so far on an empty tank I'm amazed at my own perseverance sometimes. Or is it actually foolishness?

I want to be great. I want to be a good role model for *other* instructors, not just to the members. But I'm thinking maybe I'll never be good enough. I only started enjoying dance less than 3 years ago, and I have no basic dance training to fuel my technique. So I feel like I'm a paralympic runner sometimes. No one expects a paralympic runner to outrun an Olympic runner. Maybe I shouldn't expect a weak instructor like myself to outdo my peers?

Adding to my current frustrations, I had hoped that coming to Beijing will give me much needed time to improve my dancing. This is my opportunity to come here and then go back as a better instructor. But from last night, it's clear I haven't moved an inch from my spot.

I'm sick. And I'm tired.

There's a difference between being too hard on myself, and just being frank. I'm not going to delude myself into thinking I'm already good enough. And 'good' will be far too much of a compliment to give!

So, after all this ranting, now what? Now I keep going on. Am I giving up? No. Am I dispirited? Yes. But I know, though I'm moving at a snail's pace, I will get there. I must! This is my passion. Though it may not manifest on stage, and others can't see it, I know the flame is in my heart, and it burns brighter everytime someone tries to throw water on it.

My theme song for the moment is Hairspray's "Come So Far (Got So Far To Go)":

Come So Far (Got So Far To Go) - Queen Latifah, Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron And Elijah Kelly

Choreography Epiphany

I just had an epiphany about choreographing routines. Throughout 2 years+ of choreographing classes, I had no fixed method of creating a track. It felt more like an alchemy experiment, throwing things into a pot and hoping something good comes out. More often than not (especially in the early years), things turned out mundane and unpalatable. I can easily count up to 10, the number of tracks that I dare not teach again!

But over a quiet lunch today I concluded that most tracks (I'm referring to my own cardio/dance classes here) consist of:

1. Movement
2. Direction

Movement is of course, the basis of the track itself. Within it, there are many parameters to tweak, most notably:

1. Body positioning (where are your arms, feet, body)
2. Weight transference (how does the weight move from feet to feet?)
3. Speed (the speed in which the movement is executed)

From these 3 simple parameters it is already easy to create tracks of varying difficulty. Easier tracks have simpler body positioning (e.g. march on the spot), while difficult tracks might have higher speed (double-time).

But I find that movement itself is pretty easy to catch, until we add Direction into the mix. This is where I see a lot of beginners trip up. Their brain can only keep track of one or the other. Either you do something on the spot, or you change direction without any complex movement. Once we add any reasonable amount of the two together, the complexity rises significantly. This can easily cause a mental overload in new members and by the time they catch up we're on to the next move. Fun for experienced members, but frustrating for the newbies.

BodyJam instructors who have witnessed the evolution of BodyJam and BodyJam+ can attest to this. More often than not, Gandalf just added a direction change (usually a turn) to the exact same movement in the Base option. A good example is the jump in the Street Jazz block (BJ49). Sometimes, one of the Movement parameters is changed instead. E.g. the double-time samba in Smooze Salsa (BJ49).

Following this relevation, I think I can apply a more scientific process to choreographing future classes. Instead of throwing random moves on the wall and praying it sticks, I should break it down into its Movement and Direction components. Then I can decide what parameters will be tweaked to make a fun, but doable track.

This also applies to how a move is introduced. I should start with the basics of Movement, preferably in a slower count. Then I can start to add Direction to that Movement. Depending on how complex I wish the track to be, the type of Direction can vary (walk instead of turn). Though, I have to be careful of breaking things down too much. It's no fun learning everything from its atomic structure - sometimes the fun is in doing the move just as it is and let the members go, "What?!? I *gotta* learn that."

I hope this blog post proves useful to budding choreographers out there! If you are a choreographer and you have something to add to this, drop a comment.

Leaving

In a few more hours I'll have to wake up and get ready for my business trip to Beijing. So many things to worry about that I haven't had time to reflect. But here are my general goals during my trip:

1. Improve my spoken Mandarin
2. Thanks to the paid meals, I can afford to eat heartily everyday. So gotta take this chance to bulk up. Operation:Eat ain't over! It's just going international.
3. Visit some tourist sites, though I don't know how much free time I actually have.
4. Learn up some old BodyJam releases. Free from the pressures of clearance and 2 classes/week, I should spend time becoming a better dancer.

Stay safe till I'm home!

BodyJam 49 Tracklist

Can't wait for it!

Warmup/Isolations:
Sandcastle Disco (Freemasons Club Mix) (Solange)
Smooze Salsa:
Shake Up The Party (Joy Enriquez)

Ricky Revival:
Loaded (Ricky Martin)

Street Jazz:
RoboCop (Kanye West)
Party Like A Rock Star (Shop Boyz)
One Night Only (Disco Version) (Anika Noni Rose, Beyoncé Knowles, Sharon Leal)
Turnin' Me On (Keri Hilson feat. Lil Wayne)

Recovery:
Return The Favor (Keri Hilson feat. Timbaland)

Burnin' Up Ze 'Ouse:
You Got Me Burning Up! 2008 (Cevin Fisher's DNA Mix) (Cevin Fisher Feat. Loleatta Holloway)
3 Minutes To Explain (Fedde le Grand & Funkerman)
Womanizer (Benny Benassi Mix) (Britney Spears)

Groove Down:
See You In My Nightmares feat. Lil Wayne (Kanye West)

BodyJam 49 Sizzler

[Note: Oh I've been waiting for the return of jazz for the longest time! Trash Jam (Good Luck) from 41 is still a playlist favourite!]

BODYJAM® 49 blurs the lines between dance class and studio workout. The authentic Latin styles in the Smooze Salsa, the long floating lines of Street Jazz, and the uplifting basic steps of House Dance are gonna have your class sashaying, swivelling and screaming like never before! Of course, now you get two options of funk you can drop on your class and when they start wanting more, you can deliver with the advanced options. Is there a better way to start a workout than with a seven minute Freemasons’ remix? Swing your hips, add some flava with a hand clap, then Rock it out in the chorus. The Smooze Salsa to Joy Enriquez’s classic Latin anthem will get the room sizzling before the high-speed Samba to Loaded introduces the Ricky Martin Revival you’ve been waiting for! Combining classic dance studio style with the hotness of Hip Hop is where our Street Jazz takes over. Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Lil Wayne and Beyoncé push us through one incredible fly-though-the-air, ‘please can we do it one more time?’ routine. Then we’re Burnin’ Up Ze ‘Ouse with authentic house steps which will take your class on a musical journey they won’t want to leave. The key is to keep it small – the steps are simple but the speed will create a little chaos in your class! New moves Freeze & Go and the Swivel Turn are added before you rip off the roof to the hugest Britney remix you’ve ever heard. You’ll feel like you’re sashaying across a BODYJAM® cloud of funk, like your feet aren’t even touching the ground!

BodyJam 48 First Impressions

I've been listening to the music and watching BJ48's video whenever I can and I'm gonna blog my first impressions of this release. I haven't fully learned the class, and I don't know how the member's response is gonna be, so this is a totally personal review.

I like the warmup music. The "Closer" remix is a little trance-style and it really pulls the participant's mind into the class to come. The isolations track is super fun with heaps of attitude, and it really doesn't feel like an isolation track at all!

Unfortunately I think it took a nosedive from there. The Reggaeton track fell flat for me. I can understand that certain members love simple tracks where there are only a few moves, but I couldn't even enjoy the music very much. Musically, the first minute of the track sounds like the last minute of the track. There is no build up to a satisfying climax, and it's 5 minutes long!

Thankfully the Krazy Salsa track rescued the class. I can foresee myself skipping Reggaeton and coming straight to this track in the future. The absolutely KRAZY music and simple moves ensure an easy pick-me-up track for any class. Plus I love the option of pairing members up for the salsa.

Ahhh... Jive, jive, jive. When I heard Jive was coming back to Jam I had such lofty dreams. Now, not to say it sucked but maybe it's because I had expected too much. Still, there's plenty of space for drama queens to shine and enough cardio to please those who couldn't care about the theatrics.

The class is brought to its peak with the totally inventive UF'Oh' House block. In terms of complexity I would rate it around release 45. The add-on process is a little convulated but regulars will not have much trouble. The music is pretty good, something unique within the confines of House, but nothing too memorable for me. Nothing can top Toca's Miracle from 46 as the final track, IMHO.

The groove down is another cheesy track that is short and simple. I'm very glad each release has brought so many diverse musical styles that would never have worked as a cardio track, thus keeping BodyJam right on top of its game.

On a related note, I noticed that this release has an overwhelming majority of tracks with male singers. As I know, each release needs to be balanced - equal number of female and male artists (this applies to all Les Mills programs). What tilted BJ48 to the male side? Was it because the entire Jive routine was classified as 'feminine' even though they are mainly sung by men? Hmm, interesting to ponder.

On an unrelated note, I am inspired by new presenter Phil Harrison from the UK. I'm making him a role model presenter for those of us who are tall and lean. I do hope to see him in future Jam releases!

BodyJam 48 Tracklist

BodyJam 48 Track list:

Warmup:
1. Ne-Yo - Closer (Stonebridge Club Remix)
2. Dizzee Rascal feat. Calvin Harris & Chrome - Dance Wiv Me

Reggaeton:
3. Daddy Yankee - Pa-Kumpa!!

Krazy Salsa:
4. Pitbull feat. Lil Jon - Krazy

Jive 2009:
5. PCD - In Person
6. Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl
7. The Blues Brothers - Minnie The Moocher
8. Gary Wilmot - Dancin' Fool

Recovery:
9. Nobody (Ne-Yo)

The UF 'Oh!' Block:
10. Deadmau5 feat. MC Flipside - Hi Friend
11. Freemasons feat. Katherine Ellis - When You Touch Me (Bart B More Mix)
12. Jean Elan - Where's Your Head At (Klass Remix)

Groove Down:
13. Robert Palmer & UB40 - I'll Be Your Baby Tonight