[Mel]

Does anyone know about the very early releases of balance? I heard that prior to around BB14 (not sure exactly when) they never used to have the tai chi track. But I spoke to a fellow instructor on msn and she thought it was still the same format, although the first track was a bit different from the tai chi as we know it now.

So does anyone know what the official format was called? Was it still called a tai chi track?
Was the rest of the format the same as it is now?

I'm looking for this info to input into my tracklist database for totallylesmills.com

[grandnat]

Mel

I have videos for Balance 7 and 12.

In 7 it is definitely not a Tai Chi warm up - the moves are all yoga based and seem to be a dry run for some of the moves later in the release. Unfortunately there are no title captions at the transitions of the songs so I do not know what the first track was called. All the others seem to be the same, Sun Sal, Standing Strength, Balance etc.

In 12 there are captions and track one is definitely called "Tai Chi Warm Up" so the change happened somewhere between release 7 and 12.

[nowhere]

The track types from Release 5 read:

1. Warm Up
2. Sun Salutations
3. Standing Poses
4. Balance
5. Hip Opening
6. Core
7. Back
8. Twists
9. Forward Bend / Hamstring Stretch
10. Deep Relax
11. Meditation

Essentially the same format, but the warm-up is not based on tai chi moves. Notes say to set up mountain pose, do forward folds, sun prayer, as well as warrior 2 and tree!

Had a look at the Release 6 vid and again it doesn't refer to "tai chi warm up", just "warm up". I've got the vid for Release 10, but haven't had a look at it yet. (I don't have notes for either of these to see how they're described).

The notes for release 11 describe the tracks as we're currently familiar with them. The "Sizzler" (not that it was called that back then) says: "Welcome to BODYBALANCE 11. You requested more technical tips and more information on Tai Chi so here it is - a Quarterly Workshop Session, helpful diagrams and an 'Instructors Tape' rather than a live class." So I guess the tai chi based warm-up began somewhere a couple of releases earlier and instructors started wanting more info.

If I find anyone with notes between 8 and 10 I'll post them up.

[Mel]

thanks a bunch guys! this is perfect.

I have a hunch that the change happened around BB10, I seem to remember something about that.........but hopefully someone can verify this.

[Mel]

thanks insight...........so that only leaves the elusive release 9...

[-dee-]

Hey Mel!

I have releases 5 and 12 but must admit it was hard learning purely from notes (with no video or dvd). I only have from 18 onwards.

I'm searching for the chore notes for Body Balance / Flow release 23. I have the music, but seem to have misplaced the chore. If anyone can photocopy or jot some of it down for me - or have any idea where I can buy it from - I'd be very appreciative? You can email me on dee@funkyfitkids.com.au .

Thanks so much!

[-dee-]

Okay disaster averted - just found my BB23 notes! In the bottom of my....ahem....kids toy box?????? What the??????? Oh well - at least I found them!

[Nikilove]

Hi I am new to this site and still trying to work it all out. My biggest reason for wanting to register is to track down some older releases of Body Balance. I have been a Body Balance instructor on and off for 10 years but have always worked for clubs in Australia that lent us club copies of everything. I have now moved to New Zealand and am wanting to purchase or have access to any BB releases from 18 onwards. Is there somewhere I can purchase/ backorder these releases? Any help would be much appreciated!!
Thanks, Niki

[Special]

Talk to your agent.

[Mel]

yeah the only legal way to purchase them is through the NZ Les Mills agent. To be honest your previous gym should never have "leant" them to you. There's always been a requirement that each instructor has to purchase their own materials.

Getting the old music will entirely depend on whether there's any copies left. Once they're gone, they're no longer produced I'm afraid!