Customer Reviews

Bellydance for Beginners with Suhaila: Fitness Fusion Pilates

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

 

 

This dvd and the whole series are great for working on isolations. She works on stomach isolations and glutes in this particular workout. You'll learn how to do stomach rolls properly as well as hips lifts and thrusts. I'm an intermediate bellydance student and it was challenging yet do-able. It's a great workout and my stomach was sore for 3 days after the first time I did the dvd.
The dvd comes with special features which includes a bonus mini workout, a trio performance, a performance by her entire troupe and circle dance. Her students in the video are very talented and the workout motivates you to get to their level. Oh, and strangely there is a random part where she talks about her pregnancy.

..this isn't the video for you! However if you want a peek at the kind of training Suhaila puts her dancers through then you'll feel like you're in a workshop with her. she puts you through the paces of her infamous glute isolations and then her tummy isolations that lead to forward and reverse undulations whilst propped up on your elbows will be quite a challenge! Be careful doing her muscle-burning series of endless tiny squats: she does these bent over, back parallel with legs in a "straddle position": I wasn't sure how safe that was for my knees. She also teaches rib slides and circles in the straddle position, which I find rather odd. The odd segue to an interview with her about post-partum body blues is a little weird but touching and the performances are typical of her work. No solos though, except in the dance circle at the end, which I liked. Mostly a good, challenging addition to a serious dancer's toolbox of drills.

The main workout on this DVD is divided into 5 chapters: warm-up, core toning, dance workout, cool-down, and group dance. During the 7-minute warm-up, instuctor Suhaila leads a large class of women through mostly static stretches without warming up the muscles first; she includes a few yoga moves such as plank and child's pose. The core segment begins with a series of standing pulses in a plie position; this part challenged my legs as well as my shoulders, as the arms were held in the air the entire time. Suhaila then moves to a seated straddle position for glute isolations, which I absolutely could not do--anyone who has not learned this move through prior bellydance experience will struggle here. Suhaila finally starts doing some actual core work with traditional abs crunches done to a pulse count. She also does a series of seated abs isolations; again, my lack of bellydance experience made these moves virtually impossible to execute. Returning to a standing position, Suhaila continues the isolation moves, this time with somewhat easier rib and chest isolations, eventually blending them into a circle. This ends the core segment at about 22 minutes total.

The 7-minute dance section doesn't feel much like dancing, as you are standing in place the entire time doing a range of abs and glutes isolations. Suhaila does a few quick stretches to finish, bringing the entire time for the workout in at about 38 minutes. Following the workout, there is also a short (2 1/2 minutes) group dance. The DVD includes a bonus 9 minute workout; this was very similar to the dance section of the main workout except that the isolation exercises are performed while moving from front to back and side to side, which did little to make the workout more interesting. Other DVD extras include trio and circle performances (the latter has one performer dancing in the center of a circle with the others sitting around and clapping; I found this to be a little odd, although the little girl who danced at the end was cute), a workout without narration option, trailers of the other three videos in the "Fitness Fusion" series, and a photo gallery (I can't understand why Natural Journeys always includes these--why would I want to see still photos of Suhaila?).

You may have noticed that I did not mention Pilates--that's because there is absolutely NONE in this video! Yes, there is some minimal core work, but I wouldn't even go so far to call it Pilates-inspired. It's things like this that make you understand why there were those who wanted the Pilates name to remain trademarked; use of the name here is really an outrage. Overall, I felt that my inability to perform many of the movements--based on my lack of previous bellydancing experience--made me unable to enjoy this workout. If you already know how to do basic bellydance isolations and are looking for an opportunity to strengthen your skills, you might like this video, but those who are new to bellydance should definitely look elsewhere.

I love this dvd. I have done many of these moves as part of our warm up, with my instructor Farida. The dvd also features dances from Suhaila & her troop. It also has a segment with her daughter dancing. The exercises are great for isolating & working the muscles we need for bellydance. As always, Natural Journeys provides quality bellydance videos.

This workout is not quite Pilates--there is very little Pilates influence in this DVD. Having said that, it is still a great workout.

The goods: Planks are included in the warmup which are always body-quake inducing. And I have never been able to do a belly roll, and still can't, but at least with her breakdown I do feel I'm making progress. Also, with the arm positions, I have noticed a strengthening of my upper back and shoulders, esp. when held during the abdominal work. The group dance at the end (the performance with the dancers in gold, she in brown) has to be one of my favorites of hers. This is also great to get you ready for her workshops or for certification.

The bad: There really are no pilates save a few pulses. If you're looking for a serious dance pilates DVD, this is not it. This is also geared towards dancers, not towards a novice or someone who wants to learn some dance moves. For them, it could be very frustrating.

I bought the entire series. This one is #3 for me.
It starts with 6 & 1/2 min of stretching: straddle/horse stance, widelegged forward bends, runner's stretch, side angle poses, plank position on elbows & child's pose.
For 10 min you have a lot more horse stance with flat back & arms out to sides (very hard), then spread eagle sitting leg stretching, forward & sides. Then butt flexing (Suhaila always has butt workouts on each of the series) while sitting with spread eagle, then butterfly stretch.
For another 10 min is ab exercises. Mini crunches then reg crunches with legs bent or in air crossed & uncrossed. Then a min of undulations while on your back resting on elbows. Cobra stretch & child's pose then uludations while sitting corss-legged with arm's raised for isolating the abs.
For 4 min you have standing rib slides, chest lifts & chest circles. for another 7 min you have pelvic lifts, side bumps by contracting gluts then they are put together for internal square. A min of stretching ends it. There is a quick minute of her talking about hormones & pregnancy.
Always after is her & many of her students all dancing together very well, this one is the one you see on the trailers with all of them in gold using finger cymbals.
The bonus workout is pelvic lifts, then side bumps & then putting them together in an internal square again while walking the whole time.
The bonus dance performance is a trio of students doing a lovely dance all in diff shades of blue.

You can see previews on youtube com

An excellent strength building workout for glutes and abs, and isolations of those muscle groups in drills which will improve belly dance technique. There is no aerobic portion.

Note: as other reviews mention, there is no Pilates, and there is no dancing. The misleading name accounts for the missing star.

That said, in my ongoing quest for a waist and a butt, this is my main strength workout. The gluteal exercises are unlike any I've seen elsewhere. (If you get fed up or just want to have a laugh, watch the seated gluteal isolations speeded up to 2x or 4x!) The abdominal undulations are also a different way to work those muscles (regular crunches also included). I find it quite challenging even after several months, 2-3 times a week, BUT it's an effective workout, and is making a noticeable difference!

There are good stretching segments throughout, a real plus.

If you are looking for belly dance workouts or instruction,there are lots available, with choreographed dances broken down in to steps (try Jillina, Neon, Rania, Nadia). And there are plenty of Pilates workouts, but I haven't found one which truly combines the two.

I do find Suhaila delightful, and easy to follow.

Lately when I see the word Pilates, I think ballet. Many routines incorporate a dancer's routine into the workout when the workout indicates a Pilates routine. If you have been doing Ballet, Bellydance and Pilates, this will be a exciting flowing routine filled with comfort and a few surprises.

Ruby curtains flow from archways in an expansive room filled with pillows tossed and arranged over the floor. The velvety outfits of the dancers reminds me of a pajama party that is very comforting and nurturing. Working out with Suhaila has become a peaceful journey for me and each workout is a relaxing escape into sensual world of comfort and feminine energy.

The glut isolations in this workout become easier over time. After the fifth time they are almost natural to do and require much less effort. There is an intense abdominal routine on the floor and isolations of the upper and lower abs is useful when dancing. Many of the exercises prepare you for dance. This DVD also includes a bonus workout and lots of fun dance features.

The exercises flow well and there is a good amount of stretching before you even reach the floor. You then move from plank to the floor and back up again. The increase in intensity with each exercise allows you to achieve perfection before increasing the speed. This allows for a true sense of satisfaction and the "I'm really doing this" feeling.

You have to love how Suhaila has her little heart-to-heart talk at the end about girly things that are sure to make you smile or even laugh. I adore Suhaila's beautiful feminine energy and her sensual goddess style. I feel filled with love and light after each workout and the pleasure of dancing increases my enjoyment of the rest of the day. Suddenly an exotic dance like bellydance becomes the most natural thing in your day. Once you start bellydancing you may find this is what has been missing from your life. The dancing is freeing and the positive energy is especially nurturing.

~The Rebecca Review

I am supprised to see this video gets such good reviews. After I read through the review, I know the reason, because all of the reviewers are experienced belly dancers. I took belly dance for 10 classes and have been doing rania's belly dance vedio for about 1 month. The following opinions is from the point of view of an beginning belly dance workout hobbiest.

First, the vedio contains a series workout mixing pilate moves and belly dance moves. So if you are looking for traditional pilate or tradional belly dance. This is not it. Second, this is not a aerobic workout. You will not make your heart rate up or sweat if you do this workout. Third, the moves of glute isolations and tummy isolations are actually very difficult to master for people not familar with belly dance.

With that being said, there are something positive about this vedio. Suhaila is a very nice person and greate instructor. She is encouraging and not annoying at all. If you want to learn how to perform some belly dance moves properly, this vedio can be of great help.

What a waste of time. This is not a workout, not quite sure what it is. It is definitely not a Pilates. There is a lot of basic stretches, then few min of one basic abs and legs exercises that repeated over and over until your mussel start to burn. Then there is supposedly bellydance moves (for belly and butt), which is not very well explained how to do and I did not feel that it is working my mussels at all or teaching me belly dance, all it does contracting upper then lower abs mussels. This dvd definitely not a workout and not a bellydance either. I did not sweat at all and actually got bored, there is a lot of repeats over and over and over. Then at the end, all the girls, including instructor, dance, not sure if we supposed to dance along (which does not make sense for beginners) or just watch them to dance. Also it includes 10 min of another bellydance performance of the instructor alone and another 10 min of her talking about hormonal change after giving birth, not sure which one considered to be a bonus, but totally worthless for people who want to get 10 min of bonus workout. Bottom line, it does not give you any workout and does not teach you bellydance either. Don't waste your time and money.