BELLYDANCE DVD REVIEWS

Ever wanted an opinion from a bellydancing sister before splurging money on a DVD? This page shall be about my reviews on certain books, dvds and music. It will be updated over time. Please keep tuning in.

Title -CARDIO SHIMMY.

INSTRCUTOR-Rania

Rating- ****

RUN TIME – 31 MINUTES

This video brings me memories. My 1st ever video. This video is more for fitness or than dance. If you are looking for something that solely teaches you techniques, cardio shimmy is not a good idea. But this video taught me alot of things. First of all, Rania is one of the best teachers i have ever come across. Not only is she fast, you manage to learn the tecniques real good. Rania is pretty good as she uses creative ideas to make u understand steps. There are quick demonstrations. And before you know it, you find you are able to master the steps. She also makes bellydancing extremely fun. The highlight of the video is her performances. The workout is also a good way to lose weight and practise your shimmying. For an exercise video, this is perfect. It is quite tiring but extremly fun too. She has also warm up and cool down sessions. It also helps you build stamina during dance. Many of the steps she teach during workouts are extremly useful and great to mix with your dances. The picture and sound quality is great. Camera work is good, focuses on leg work which makes certain dance movements crucial.

What i liked about this video - This is my favorite bellydance workout video. It makes you sweat alot and enjoy bellydance at the same time. It does build your stamina. If you a dancer, you will enjoy this as it helps you practise your shimmying which is quite important in bellydance

What i didnt like about this video – If you are a person who is not so used to vigourous exercise, you might have to take this video really slow.

Overall, its best for workout. But also a great way to learn techniques

TITLE - BELLYDANCE BOOGIE (BELLYDANCE FITNESS FOR WEIGHT LOSS)

INSTRUCTOR – RANIA

RATING -****

RUN TIME – 34 MINUTES

Bellydance boogie is another set from the series of Rania’s Bellydance to fitness series. Again, this video is onto workout than dance. Rania does break down the techniques in a fast and simple way. Her method of teaching is fast and very effective as she is really visual when it comes to explaining the movements. This video is more onto the toning of the muscles. It is much less vigourous than cardio shimmy. 

In this video she teaches ;

-Snake arms, horizontal fig 8, Vertical fig 8, the camel, Some bellydance combinations. This video also includes a performance by her.

What i liked about this video – I loved the way she broke down the steps of the figure 8. She was really visual and told us to imagine “pens” sticking down to the floor. This really helps if you are a beginner.

What i didnt like about this video- Rania might be a bit too fast at times and you might need to keep your remote by your side.

Overall, this video is more onto fitness and muscle toning.

Title- Beyond basic dance

Instructor- Neena and Veena

Rating – ***

This video is more onto techniques. I think many would be surprised why i would rate this video lower than Rania’s workout videos. If you are talking about tecniques videos, honestly i have seen better ones. But for starters, this is just perfect. This vcd teaches hip drop kicks, rib circles, shimmies, travelling steps, and turns. In fact, it even teaches the barrel turn. This video basically brushes past the beginner’s course. I love the way the twins teach the rib circles, it iss easy to follow. Unfortunately, they are very slow. This is one of the reasons why i rate them 3 stars. There are far more richer technique videos. A choreography would be taught during this video.But for a low price, this is really worth your money. The twins are pleasant to look at, video quality is excellent, sound is good and camera work is not bad.

What i liked about this video

They do teach many of the basic steps in bellydance. They have a really slow way of teaching it. They cover some steps in the intermediate levels as well.

What i didnt like about this video

Hmm i guess just like many users say, its their fake smile. I also find them extremely slow at times when they explain.

Overall, this video is more onto techniques. Excellent for starters

TITLE- Mystic dance

Instructors – Neena and Veena

Rating -***

This video is more onto slow bellydance. The twins brushes across veil techniques. The figure 8′s and Maayas. The veil techniques are cute and interesting. I clearly remember the “love letter” step being taught in this video. The twins are real good in explaining the slow seductive movements in bellydance. They would teach steps for a choreography. Personally, i do watch this video once in a while to get some ideas for slower dances. But i am not really a fan of slow bellydance. But if you are solely looking for veil work, you should try other videos. This video is for beginners. The camera work is excellent, great lighting, pretty twins and clear instructions. But i have often heard complains that the voiceover moves faster than the twins. Personally, i find its alright. I didnt see any problems at all.

What i liked about this video

I liked the way the twins did each movement in a slow and sensual way. The way they do the veil techniques its pretty nice to watch as well. It is a great reference to look back into

What i didnt like about this video

If you are not a fan of slow bellydance, you would not enjoy this video.

Overall, this video is onto slower techniqes, veil work and mystic movements

TITLE- 21 shimmies and 1001 variations

Instructors – Leyla Jouvena

Rating -***** (Would haf given more if i could)

Description:

This video teaches us the various shimmies. Its basically for those who wants to improve on their drum solos and want to add more accents and impact to their dancing. This dancer is accompanied by her husband Ronald. She teaches various shimmies like rotational shimmies, ghawazee shimmies, afro shimmies and even samba shimmies. She teaches so many variety of the shimmies that you can never run out of ideas for your drum solos. The dvd is correct in stating that your drum solos will never be the same again.

What i liked about this video

Each shimmy is chaptered really neatly. And we can go and watch the chapter we wish rather than having to rewind and foward. Leyla has a very nice stage prescence. She seems very humble in the way she speaks and adds “Please” to every of her instruction. Personally, i find that very cute. She is very good in breaking down the moves. You can see everything clearly. This DVD is an encyclopedia of shimmies. You can learn more and more, you will never run out of material. Plus, all the shimmies are a great workout!

What i didnt like about this video

I cant think of anything honestly. This is one of the best DVD’s i own. I think Leyla has done a good job in making this DVD. It is a little pricey compared to others in the market. But it is really worth your time and money.

Overall, this video is people who want to really improve their drum solos. It is a great workout and makes you more fluid and creative in your drum solos. I will definitely recommend this to dancers. Even basic dancers can learn about layering from this video. I will give it an excellent rating .

TITLE- Heartbeat of Bellydance

Instructors – Jenna and Raquy

Rating -*****

Description:

This video teaches 3 choreographies for drum solos. One for basic, intermediate and advanced choreography. The video later teaches us different rhythms of the doumdek like Baladi, saidi, maksoum, masmoudi, ciftetelli, malfouf, ayub (zar) and semai. Raquy plays the rhythms and Jenna shows us how to dance to each rhythm. There is also a section for shimmy drills.

What i liked about this video

The video is chaptered neatly so you can go to the specific chapter as you please. Jenna has a good stage presence. This video teaches us the rhythms which i feel is very important for any dancer who wishes to learn to do drum solos. When Jenna teaches the choreography there is a mirror. We are ble to see the movements back and front very clearly. Jenna also places importance of the feel placement, she shows us closeups of the feet movement. The shimmy drills is a great way to practise your shimmying. I find that really useful.

What i didnt like about this video

I think Jenna could have done more in explaianing the different ways to move to a beat. She seemed like she was randomly dancing to the different beats.  She could have showed us the various ways to dance to one beat.

Overall, this video is like a complete textbook to drum solos. It teaches you choreography, rhythms and drills for you to practise. It has alot of material and is worth your money.