Magic Tricks

I will say that I was happy when I received this dvd, but not that impressed. While Contact does have some strong points, it lacks so much and leaves the viewer hungry for more.

PROS
-Tyas' teaching style is very light hearted and easy going. I'm actually suprised he hasn't released more dvds on penguin magic, for he is a superb instructor.
-There is a watch and learn section that repeats the same move over and over again. I first thought this was a waste of time, but the more I wanted to perfect my juggling, I found myself going back to it to get the moves right.
-The interview with Tyas on the bonus material was very informal. Giving some history and also some sources for contact juggling.
-The music doesn't suck.

CONS
-There are not that many tricks. I really think I could've used more single ball moves.
-Too short. WAY too short. The dvd is finished in about 30 minutes. I would say the price is a just a bit too much if it weren't for the bonus material.
-I would have love to see more footage of Tyas performing on stage. Even just some more clips would have been good motivation for us beginners.

Final Thoughts
If I could, I would give this dvd a 3.5 out of 5. While it's a great starting point, it's just a bit incomplete. All in all, the price is a bit much but worth it, and for learning a beautiful art with a great teacher, you might give it a shot.

ONE LAST THING
Tyas recommends that people don't start with a clear acrylic ball. Most beginners are so paranoid that they'll drop it, and for me, this couldn't be further from the truth. Besides an acrylic ball, I also bought some rubber balls, which are excellent to practice with. You can find out what ball size is right for you, and if you drop them (and believe me, YOU WILL), you'll be able to catch them on the bounce if you're on pavement or a wooden floor.