Product Details

• Directors: Mitch Merback
• Producers: Christina Elliott
• Format: Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Magic Motion
• VHS Release Date: November 16, 1999
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304945221
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,062 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Bellydance! Magical Motion is a well-balanced introduction to this ancient and alluring art form. What makes this video different is that it adds a new dimension by emphasizing the exercise potential of the dance every bit as much as the artistry. And they're right: the motions taught here are definitely an excellent way to keep the body in shape. This is not, however, simply a workout tape; it is an instructional dance video that provides a solid foundation in all of the basic motions and steps. You could take what you learned from this production and put together either a workout or a dance routine, and it has the nice bonus of guiding you to the right music, costuming, and finger-cymbal work. All in all, Bellydance! Magical Motion is an excellent resource for the budding enthusiast. --Brendan J. LaSalle

From the Back Cover

Easy-To-Follow Program Features:
1. Beginner through advanced moves
2. Effective, low-impact exercises
3. Toning for stomach, legs, arms and back
4. Dance demonstrations
5. Veil techniques
6. Finger cymbal basics
7. 50 beautiful costumes
...and much more!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for the Beginner, February 9, 2000

By 

"dragonchild" (Northwestern USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bellydance: Magical Motion [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I'm a beginner at bellydancing, and I found this video quite helpful. I wasn't sure about how well it would teach me at first, until I started performing the moves along with the tape- the camera angles are very clear, and each move is demonstrated succinctly. I suggest anyone using this video also stand in front of a mirror while performing the moves to get a clearer understanding of the instructions, or else it can be difficult to know if you are doing the moves correctly. Enough moves are taught to make a very decent dance, although some help with choreography would have been more helpful than just suggesting that the dancer "improvise". Even the performace sequences are somewhat helpful, if just to see the variety of costumes. The historical information at the beginning is also a great touch.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars very simple interpretation of bellydance, November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellydance: Magical Motion [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I take group bellydance classes and have been to seminars and workshops. This is bellydance but only the very simplest form. Atea is ok and this is a good tape to start with if you are not sure how serious you are about learning. It introduces you to things like veil and zills but it does not instruct you on them. If you are sure you want to dance you should shop around spend just a little more money getting a tape from someone/troup that dances a style you are interested in and has a well known face and name. For example Fat Chance Bellydance for American Tribal style or Aisha Ali for African dance or someone well known for Egyptian or Turkish Caberet. If this is a serious investment for you-get a good tape, beginner or otherwise if you search around you will find several.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect introductory video, January 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellydance: Magical Motion [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a great video for learning basic belly dance technique.

I am a professional dancer, and I recommend this video to women who are interested in learning how to belly dance.

Atea has a very gentle demeanor, so the tape is not too intimidating for a beginner; she covers the basics well however, so that students who choose to continue with real-life classes have a good foundation to build upon.

Atea covers finger cymbal (zil) patterns, slow (taqsim) movements, isolations and shimmies.

There is a whole section (5 min. or so) at the end where women dance in different costumes, so that you can see how the moves can be put together.