Bellydance [Paperback]

Dolphina (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 27, 2004

For women who are eager to exercise their mind, body, and spirit, bellydancing is a no-impact exercise that burns fat, increases flexibility, and complements the natural movements of the body. Providing a structured approach to learning the basics, with step-by-step instructions and helpful photographs, Bellydance is the perfect reference for getting fit and having fun.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Uplifting, confidence-boosting and exhilarating, bellydancing is an exercise that is reported to not only tone and sculpt the body, but also to improve coordination and stimulate circulation. The no-impact exercise can be practiced barefoot in one's own home to the sounds of traditional Moroccan drums, heavy metal or the Beatles. Although this beginner's guide may work best when used in conjunction with a video or DVD, it's nonetheless a helpful and inspiring primer. Dolphina, a professional bellydancer with a studio in Los Angeles, lays out a brief history of bellydancing-she says it's "perhaps the oldest form of dance" with roots that go back to ancient Indian and Middle Eastern cultures-and then gets into the details. She covers three levels of bellydancing, and for each level she explains basic movements (snake arms, chest lift and drop, hip sway, etc.) and then instructs readers on how to incorporate these moves into a dance routine. Happily, most of the models in the book don't have abs of steel, and Dolphina's tone throughout is empowering and easygoing.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

A bellydancer since the age of four and trained at the prestigious American Academy of Dance and Drama, Dolphina is a certified fitness and yoga instructor with her own line of workout videos and products.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (December 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756605555
• ISBN-13: 978-0756605551
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #970,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Dance > Reference

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Bellydance Book!, March 28, 2005

By 

Roses (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bellydance (Paperback)

This is the best bellydance book out there! It has EVERYTHING: instruction, motivation, resources, history, costumes, music, tips and even how to perform publicly or privately. You can actually learn to bellydance from a book with this book because of the large step-by step photos with arrows and clear instruction. There are a few other books I have purchased recently and this is one area that all other books lack: the ability to learn how to bellydance. Tamalyn's book is in Black and white and the photos are grainy and too small to see what they are doing. Rania's book is very confusing, the way the photos are layed out. The bellydance moves begin with basics and it is very thorough with preparing to learn to dance and the bellydance movement principles. Each chapter builds on what you just learned and three routines are taught. Each page is packed with so much information, so that you can learn from this book from years to come: such as what style of bellydance each move is from, what muscles you are working out, where you should feel it, how not to do it, motivation, etc. The history of bellydance was fascinating and extemely well researched and more info than other books. This book also gives you many different ways to use the book: as a workout, as a way to learn to bellydance, to get confidence and self-esteem and more. This book is extremely attractive and the graphics is first-rate - like a spa book. There are photos of Dolhina (author and bellydancer) and 3 other dancers of different shapes that are all beautiful in their own way, but not intimidating. Dolphina;s story is amazing and she is inspiring and she really shares her secrets with you. I recommend this book!!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful & informative book, December 23, 2004

By 

Jennifer L. Jones (LA GRANGE, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bellydance (Paperback)

I've been a Dolphina fan for years and have been bellydancing for seven years. This book is fabulous. It provides basic history, stretches, dance moves, choreography, costuming, music, EVERYTHING! There is a great list of additional resources at the back of the book for everything under the sun regarding bellydancing. Dolphina is beautiful in body, mind, and spirit. She is an inspiration and a gorgeous dancer. The book is wonderfully organized and laid out. The photos are informative and stunningly beautiful. You can't go wrong purchasing this book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great supplement to Bellydance Introduction, January 23, 2007

By 

Alexandra O'Neal "Find me at www.alexfiles.com" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bellydance (Paperback)

This book can stand on its own as training for belly dance, but I haven't used it that way because I do Dolphina's Goddess DVDs as workouts. The photography is excellent and the descriptions of the moves make sense. If you want to refine your moves in bellydance DVDs, this book provides good tips. It also includes routines, so you can perform belly dance to your own music if you want to expand beyond the traditional DVD soundtrack.

Visually pleasing. The models and settings are lovely, but I didn't feel as if their level of fitness was out of reach, which is nice. There are several models, including Dolphina.

There is a brief history of belly dance in the beginning, but the emphasis is on how to perform moves and the routines.