Suzanne: I simply love the joy and energy of African dance and drum. It is quite a life altering experience when you move your body completely connected to rhythm – live rhythm. Students become really attached to the natural high energy and positive feelings as a result of my class. I tried to convey that with a DVD to share a little of the awesome feeling that you get live.

Belles: We both really enjoyed your Tribal Energy Cardio dvd- are there any more dvd projects in your future you can tell us about?

Suzanne: I would love to do more – in particular an abdominal workout with my drummers. I would love Tribal Energy Cardio to be all over the world. Everyone enjoying the movement.
Belles: You teach live Tribal Energy classes- what does your normal weekly fitness routine look like?

Suzanne: I teach a 90 minute live class and I do this once or twice a week. My youtube channel shows a live class. I did an a.m. promo on Fox I think and you will see how we travel across the floor for additional cardio! New concept for the fitness world!

Belles: Keeping our fitness routines fun is a necessity in our opinions- do you have recommendation for us on keeping fitness fun?

Suzanne: I think people should try different things – take an African dance class, an Afro-Cuban class, Capoeira – movement that has satisfied people around the world for hundreds of years. every culture has a drum that has kept the “heartbeat” of the community together so why not try things out – even if it’s difficult. Do activities with friends! Put together a “triathalon” – three activities that can be done in about an hour and then go to lunch at a place that is health conscious and delicious. So…. everyone meets at one person’s house – power walk through the neighborhood, come back to the house and power out some abs and push ups in the backyard and workout to a DVD in the house for 15 minutes- preferable my Tribal Energy Cardio DVD – then carpool to a really cool place for lunch – no fried foods and stay away from ranch dressing. Condiments take up too many calories really.

Belles: One of the reasons people don’t stick to an exercise routine is because they get bored, Tribal Energy Cardio takes care of that. What other obstacle do you or your students face when it comes to sticking with an exercise program? How have you helped them overcome it?

Suzanne: My studentsare hooked to the rhythms of the drums so they tell me that they never get bored. Class is like an event. but when it comes to following an overall exercise program and not getting bored – we always talk about changing instructors and finding instructors with a vibe – if you are doing a class involving weights – find someone that is jovial enough to get you through it.

Excerpted from Two Belles Fitness, read the full article online at http://www.twobellesfitness.com.

Who can do this: Anyone
The breakdown: The structure of this DVD is unusual. Workouts one and two teach choreography. Workout three combines the choreography of the first two, without the slow breakdown, but with cuing. The Grand Finale runs through the dance a few more times, with no cuing.

The choreography, adapted from western African dance movement, is simple — lots more elbows than hips, arms doing a lot to add the pizazz to basic footwork. Instructor and choreographer Suzanne Forbes-Vierling (who has a doctorate in psychology) breaks the moves down sloooowly, then she and the dancers run through them half-speed, and finally they pick up the pace.

Getting a solid grasp on the steps might take you a time or two through the whole DVD, but once you’ve got a grip you probably won’t want to bother with the first two segments. Just do the last two and work on getting style into the dance.

All this is done to live drumming, though that’s not as exciting as you might think. Class participants are various ages and sizes, which is nice. The sweat factor: This is high-energy, and you will sweat buckets. But is it fun? Lots of fun, yes. When it’s over: You’ll need a shower.

Excerpted from "Fitness DVD review: ‘Tribal Energy Cardio’".  Read the full article online at the Dallas News.
Sophia Dembling writes about fitness at www.suitupandshowup.blogspot.com.

February 5th 2011 - This Saturday! Special Guest Artist- Lamine Thiam Lamine will teach a Master class - Senegalese Dance!

February 12th, 19th, 26th - I am back on my regular teaching schedule - let's get our groove back!

Greetings Everyone. Let's pump up the soul this Saturday! This Fall, I'm focusing onthe SOUL & PEACEand the concept of ABUNDANCE. We have what we need and that is important. Let's stay present andlook around see all of our collective strengths as human beings. Fall in San Diego is just beautiful. We have so much to be thankful for. We continue to enjoy the beautiful rhythms onSaturday evening. For our SOULclass on Saturday - don't forget to do the following:

1. bring your hearts, the ability to smile and to put one foot in front of another.
2. Breath and inhale Abundance
3. Smile and exhale Peace
4. Start with your feet first
5. Feel the rhythms in your soul
6. Stay present

We have several great drummers that come to our class! Let's let them know tomorrow! We have some fabulous , world class drummers coming.

I have been getting a lot of inquiries about the class schedule for 2010 so I wanted to let you all know that we'll be staying at our space in North Park on Saturday evenings for the forseable future. Check the Calendar for the next class and registration info!

We are super excited to announce that we've been invited to demonstrate Tribal Energy Cardio on the Monday morning Fox News show. Watch for our spot on Monday, December 28th at 8:15 or 8:30 am when we'll be featured as a hip new way to get in shape!

Your order has been processed and we will be shipping the DVD to you as soon as possible. Thank you and have a great day!

~ Suzanne Forbes~Vierling

It looks like there's been an error in the ordering process. I'll be happy to help you complete your order by phone, feel free to give me a call at (619) 402-8392. Thank you! ~ Suzanne Forbes-Vierling