Customer Reviews

Belly Dancing II: Intermediate Instruction with Mara [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I purchased this tape along with its predecessor, and they are both great introductions to the art of belly dance. I would recommend beginning with these tapes and adding on with other video productions. I have several belly dancing tapes, and I wished that I had begun with these. They will save you a lot of time and anxiety, and they will have you dancing to the music of your choice in no time. Mara's strength is how she teaches you to put the moves to the music and how to dance improvisationally. I have had more fun practicing with these 2 tapes than any other.

I found the video a disappointment. If you've had any formal bellydance instruction you will find this video too introductory, and Mara's style may confuse you when compared to what you've been taught in class. If you are looking for high quality production with crisp, professional audio and clean staging, you'll be disappointed. On the plus side, the camera is usually showing you what you want to see.

Mara does a good job of explaining her interpretation of the execution of some basic bellydance moves. Her interpretation -- which seems to use glutes as the foundation for most movements usually executed out of the abs and hips -- differs from the standard canon of Egyptian Cabaret as it has been taught to me. (Not counting workshops and seminars, I've only studied at length with 4 different teachers: 2 Egptian, 1 Syrian, and 1 American. Mara may be teaching in a movement style with which I am unfamiliar.)

Mara is clear in the explanation of her style. However, her own dance is not the best example for learners. Modeling yourself on her arm/hand movements and upper body carriage won't introduce you to the fluid, graceful, and exotic arms and hands usually associated with bellydance. Mara's transitions between movements often look -- well -- silly. (Watch as she switches from left side forward to right side forward.)

Mara gives a short performance in costume after the teaching segment. I did not enjoy watching. There are many, many dancers with better technique and artistic flair.

Better investments for high quality instruction are: any of the teaching videos from Suzanna Del Vecchio or Kathryn Ferguson.

"Belly Dancing II [Intermediate Instruction with Mara]" is a television-quality video with state-of-the-art audio clarity, the second in this new series. Mara is a well-spoken, beautiful and experienced dancer, and the course she presents in this video is well planned and executed. In step-by-step fashion, she demonstrates twelve intermediate moves with precision and an easy-to-follow approach, and she coordinates each move to music. She is careful to show individual moves done from both sides, as well as from the rear where necessary. Her complete dance to an oud/doumbek chiftitelli as the finale of the video incorporates the moves into a beautiful conclusion. The addition of this brand-new video promises the completion of an excellent instructional series for those wishing to learn the art of Belly Dance.

I just got this video to add to my growing collection, and must admit I am impressed. Mara breaks down the moves into easy to follow segments, and she is very specific in explaining how to do the moves bit by bit, which I liked. She adds a little routine after each segment, so you can practice what you were just taught. I have number of other videos on bellydance, and was initially worried that the moves would be exactly the same as I had in other tapes, but Mara offered me a few refreshing changes, maybe it's the Egyptian Cabaret style she dances in. The routines at the end were fun to dance along with, and it does give some ideas for dancing on your own to your own music. She also emphasizes posture and correct stance, and out of the perhaps 10 or so tapes I already own, she was really the first to stress those things directly. I'm happy with the purchase and will more than likely buy the first tape to pump up existing skills and possibly learn new ones.

I own several bellydance tapes by 3 different instructors and have taken one class in person. Mara is my favorite bellydance instructor. She breaks down the moves in an easy to understand way. I also like how she stresses correct posture, which no one else has done for me. She doesn't try to cram too many moves into one session. This tape is fun; even more than the first. Also the look of the production has improved. I have her third tape on order and look forward to any future ones.

This video is a wonderful follow-up to the first in the series. Mara explains moves in a way that anyone can understand. By breaking down the moves first BEFORE setting them to music, you can really understand what you are supposed to do. That makes it easier to do the beautiful free-flowing dances she presents. The production is straight-forward, without distracting camera angles and flash-pots, which make you focus on the point of this video - learning how to belly dance. I look forward to many more in this series!

This is a solid instrucational video -- Mara clearly demonstrates some basic steps, distinguishing how NOT to do certain movements as well, which can be very helpful for the beginner trying to learn how to do the basics properly. She also puts steps together in basic combinations, which will help the beginner learn basic transitions. However, notice my use of the word "beginner" and "basics" -- this is by no means an intermediate tape. This tape is probably equivalent to the second class meeting if you took beginning dance from a live teacher. It's relatively short (but, also relatively less expensive). Overall, I think it would have been a great second half to her "I" video.

The shining star of this video is Mara's excellent presentation of the Three Quarter Shimmy. She breaks it down to an understandable pattern of movement, then demonstrates at full speed so you can see how it flows. Mara is clear and well spoken, with a sense of humor.

When the advanced tape arrives, I would love to see her break down some of the transitions she uses; they are unique and quite lovely.

Mara is a joy. Her command of the dance is evident on sections where she demonstrates a dance routine. Her instructions are clear and easy to follow - I liked that the movements were divided into groups followed by a dance incorporating the moves. Mara radiates when she dances - which is very motivating. Thanks Mara.

After having purchased other very high quality Belly Dance instructional videos, it was with much anticipation that I awaited the receipt of this one. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed with the quality of this product. Not only was the production quality extremely poor (it was worse than a home video - just one big blownout light from the front) but it appeared to me that this tape was thrown together in an hour. It was also a very short tape in which the entire instructional portion was performed WITHOUT MUSIC?! (Perhaps her boom box "play" key was stuck?) I do not understand how you can teach someone to "dance" without music. Especially ME dance as an understanding of the rhythms is key to the movement. I found this video of extremely poor quality, which was immediately evidenced upon glancing at the out-of-focus photographs on the video box. (Not in a "special effect" way, either). Don't waste your money on this one.