Welcome to my Visual reviews page.
There will be more added in time but for now here are the ones I have watched most recently. Of course the opinions are all my own – everyone gets different things from teaching or performance material whether its workshop or video based – my ratings are based on what I personally gained from them. Sources include www.aladdinscave.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.ebay.co.uk, www.bellydance.org/ ( IAMED) and also Bhuz (www.bhuz.com)
Short cuts to each review
Performance DVDs and Videos
Lavish Layers – Ansuya
IAMED
Review:
In this video, Ansuya teaches you how to layer shimmies, with plenty of detailed break down of technique and easy-to-follow demonstrations. ISOLATIONS: Ansuya teaches isolations for the upper and lower body, including drills to practice your isolations, so you'll be ready to begin layering. SHIMMIES: Ansuya teaches several kinds of shimmies that you'll use. LAYERS: Ansuya shows you how to layer the shimmies onto the upper and lower body isolations to achieve the layers. The video ends with a full, costumed performance by Ansuya.
In my opinion!
Ansuya starts with demonstrating and explaining her dance posture - although I find her posture hard to maintain as it is so unlike the one I am used to. The title is slightly misleading as I don’t think that you just need to add a shimmy to make a layer – there are lots of combinations that I class as layering. However this is a fine workshop on a DVD and you will learn a lot about Ansuya's individual style and moves. The drill section at the end is certainly useful.
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Hot Combinations – Ansuya
IAMED
Review:
The fun belly dance combinations Ansuya teaches in this video include:
Funky Temple
Freezing Cobra
Grapevine Snake
Infinity Sway
Tick-Tock-Ripple-Lock
Ansuya describes and demonstrates each combination, then teaches a complete breakdown of the technique, with plenty of repetition Then Ansuya leads you through a dance drill using the combinations to practice transitions from combination to another. The video ends with a full, costumed performance by Ansuya.
In my opinion:
This is a good video to watch if you feel you would like to add a little more pizzazz to your dancing – but you do have to be careful that you don’t overdo it as her posture once again can be hard work to maintain. I liked watching this for the different moves she puts together in the combinations and how she links them together for the final performance.
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Exciting Entrances and Exits – Dondi
IAMED
Review:
Everyone knows, you only have one chance to make a first impression so you better get it right! In this video, Dondi teaches you how to make exciting and beautiful entrances to grab your audience's attention. And because you always want to leave a good impression behind, Dondi shows how to gracefully end your performance and exit the stage. Dondi demonstrates and completely breaks down the movements and combinations used in each entrance and exit, including a demonstration of each entrance and exit in full costume so you can see it in action. She also discusses how to match the appropriate entrance to your venue and music.
Dondi's Exciting Entrances and Exits include:
The Classic Egyptian
The Oriental Delight
American Style
The Mystery Dancer
The video ends with a spectacular full performance by Dondi!
In My Opinion:
I was full of hopes for some new insight and especially as I like Dondi's teaching style having taken a workshop with her. I was disappointed with the dance content – there was nothing there to challenge or inspire BUT I was very pleased with Dondi's breakdown of the moves and technical explanations. I especially liked her points about your hair (it should also be part of your costume – don’t just let it hang – do something with it!) and also the point about not picking your veil up with your back to the audience (You may as well ask “Does my bum look big in this?”)
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Raqs Sharqi Lubnani - Meissoun
Review and In my opinion:
This is an excellent DVD for an introduction to the Lebanese style of belly dancing. It has a superb teaching structure and covers posture, has different levels of combinations as well as a costumed performance at the end. The extra plus is that there is a PDF with all the combinations on it which makes it even more user friendly! I can’t recommend this one enough!!
Available from www.meissoun.ch
21 shimmies and 1001 variations - Leyla Jouvana
IAMED
Review:
Leyla completely breaks down the technique used for each shimmy, including the muscles involved and weight changes. She explains the differences between the shimmies and how to match each shimmy to the music. There are 21 kinds of shimmies taught – something new for everyone!
In my opinion:
Yet another to rush out to buy. Her teaching format is very clear and concise and there is enough material on this DVD to keep even the most ardent shimmy lover entertained and finding something new to add to their repertoire.
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BellyDance Fitness Fusion – Buns – Suhaila Salimpour
Natural Journeys
Review and In my opinion:
Belly dance your way to tighter buns – aka a nice firm bottom! I bought this DVD to see if I could include any moves in my Belly Robics classes and although a lot of it feels “Jane Fonda” I think with continued usage you definitely would get a better behind. I will admit to have only done it a few times so far – but its one I will go back to – I mean who wouldn’t want a bottom like Suhaila!
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Tribal Fusion Belly Dance – Yoga Isolations and Drills – Rachel Brice
Bellydance Superstars
Review and In my opinion:
Yet another I bought on the strength of her excellent workshop. It is exactly what it says on the cover – a practise companion which if done correctly will definitely increase your movement definition and your muscle tone.
Note – first time through – don’t choose play all – its best to actually opt for the 15, 30 or 45 min otherwise you get a strange feeling of doing it for hours and hours!
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Visual Melodies by Serena and Hossam Ramzy
Available from www.hossamramzy.com
Review and in my opinion:
This is a very good DVD for any student to understand how movements match the music and how to link combinations together. It contains three choreographies (Sanatein, We Maly Bass, Bel-Olouly Tooby) and is full of information on the different instruments, rhythm identification as well as the added advantage of multiple camera angles.
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