Product Details

• Actors: Atea
• Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Studio: Magical Motion Enterprises
• DVD Release Date: October 19, 2004
• Run Time: 55 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0006A5NS8
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,214 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great video, December 12, 2004

By 

Katelin "barbiegrl" (OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bellydance! Magical Motion (DVD)

I know some people give this video/DVD a hard time because it's a little lacking in production. But a small budget does not always make a bad result. I have lots of BD videos and DVDs but this is probably my favorite. I thought the instructions were clear and demonstrated well. Even if you've never belly danced before, it never feels like they're moving too fast. I think this is one of my favorites because they teach a move and then let you do your own thing. You don't have to follow choreography. They basically teach you some moves and then show different ways to BD freestyle with them. You never feel overwhelmed by new moves. The instructions progress naturally. I also like that this one has not only moves/variations but also veil work and how to use finger symbols. And at the end all the dancers, one by one, show what they can do.
So don't be fooled by the not-so-professional looks. It's content more than makes up for lack of fancy lighting and sets. If other videos/DVDs start to make you feel like you can't walk, let alone dance, this will make dance fun again.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn to dance with Atea!, July 11, 2006

By 

'amerye' (AT THE FOOT OF THE FOOTHILLS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bellydance! Magical Motion (DVD)

Yes, A Bellydance instructional video for the rest of us who are not trained dancers or athletes, or under age 20! Pop the first of this classic series in your video player,stand back & actually start dancing right away by following these patient, detailed, & logical lessons.Pretty, feminine ATEA explains it all to you & her friends get up to join her & have a blast dancing. I follow these videos one lesson at a time until I really understand & can do them myself. I hope that you benefit as much as I do.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captures The True Spirit of Bellydance, April 12, 2006

By 

Parthena Black (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bellydance! Magical Motion (DVD)

A friend recommended this to me as the best instructional video to really learn bellydance and she was right. Atea's Magical Motion is unique compared to other bellydance DVD's and videos I own and have tried. Atea starts with a brief, informative history of bellydance, which reveals a few facts that I know I wasn't aware of, including its health benefits.

This DVD appeals to the type of learner that I am. Even my instructor has commented that I take my time to learn something before moving on. Atea teaches in small segments, showing us 3 or 4 related movements at a time. Her analogies work very well for me; for instance, imagining that I'm tracing a figure eight on the floor or a clock on the wall. She takes time with each movement and encourages us not to focus too hard or get frustrated, pointing out that bellydance should be relaxed and fun, and that perfection will come in its own time.

Some other reviewers felt that Atea is a bit "stiff." I think that this is because she spends a lot of time explaining the movements verbally and sometimes the visual has to wait catch up. If you watch the beginning segment closely, you'll see that Atea and the other two dancers are trying not to burst out laughing because they're standing in stance for such a long time waiting for the narrative to finish.

While Atea reminds us of the health and fitness benefits of bellydance, she is also teaching real, genuine bellydance with all of its joy and freedom. While it will work you out because bellydance is great exercise, this is not a "workout" video. Personally, I'm experiencing positive changes in the shape of my body while having tons of fun and without really trying, a great bonus.

After each segment, Atea basically says, "Okay, now let's dance," showing us how to put the moves together with other dancers, who rotate with each section. This is one of the greatest strengths of this DVD. Rather than teaching choreography, Atea immediately teaches you how to improvise, a skill that every dancer needs to develop. In addition to learning and practicing the basic moves, watching other dancers is another important part of learning. Atea shows us a variety of dancers with many different styles to inspire us.

Following segments on staccato hip movements, taxim, arms and a little taste of veil work and zills, we are treated to an incredible costume fashion show with dancers of all shapes, ages, sizes and ethnicity. Both the veil segment and the costume piece will give you lots of ideas for putting your own moves and look together. And the music is fantastic!

The end is my favorite part. Atea points out that the heart of bellydance is really about friends getting together to share fun, joy and creativity and we are given a glimpse of a hafla. All of the dancers in the video show us their stuff. This is how my instructor teaches, encouraging freestyle dancing during breaks, after class and at weekly hafla. We learn from and encourage each other.

I am not a "member of Atea's group" - I live on the other side of the country and have never met her. I do "actually use" the practice and find it especially helpful for isolations. I was drawn to my own instructor due to her passion and and love for bellydance, a passion that Atea seems to share. Dance historian and instructor Morocco says that the dance is about expressing joy. The first time I saw my teacher dance, she was smiling like she was having the time of her life. I've met other instructors over the years and none got me motivated enough to actually show up at their studios. I called her at The Hippie Shack in Tulsa, OK less than two weeks later to enroll and have been taking at least two classes per week for about seven months. Bellydance has literally saved my life after the loss of my husband almost a year ago, bringing enough joy and passion back into my life to keep me from drowning in depression.

If you attend classes as a beginner, Magical Motion will help you supplement what's being taught. If you're not interested in classes or can't attend, this DVD is one of the best for learning bellydance in the absence of professional instruction.

I've also found that I got so much more out of all of the videos and DVD's I own after I started taking professional classes. If you prefer to learn on your own, at least try to take a few classes to get the most out of your home library.