Customer Reviews

Bellydance for Romance

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This video is led by bellydancer Jayna. The goal is to teach you more than just bellydance moves per se; the goal is for you to learn how to add sensuality to your bellydance practice. The DVD is well-chaptered, and the main instructional segment is broken down into several shorter segments, including glances and arms (4.5 minutes), upper body (7.5 minutes), lower body (3 minutes), and travelling steps and turns (13 minutes). Not surprisingly, the last section is the most complex, as you begin work on more complicated footwork and to combine this with the arms movements. You then practice all the moves with three very brief (only about 30 seconds) combos with instructors Emily, Donna, and Jayna; each combo is performed once with Jayna giving voiceover direct and then secondly with little instruction. Following the instructional portion, there is a short group combination dance (1.5 minutes) and a slightly longer solo dance by Jayna.

I consider the main part of this video to be more instructional rather than a true workout, especially given that Jayna introduces each new move slowly and there are frequent pauses while she provides additional information. However, the DVD does include a 10-minute bonus workout. Here you do a series of basic bellydance moves--eg, chest and hip isolations, hip circles, figure 8s--in a nice flow. This was at best a gentle workout; Jayna says at one point "your hips should be burning!" but mine really weren't, just nicely stretched and opened. An additional bonus freature on the DVD was trailers from Natural Journey's "For Wimps" series as well as their other titles. Overall, if you are are looking to fine-tune your bellydance practice and become a better dance, these video has plenty of great tips, but if you are hoping for a good bellydance workout, this probablly is not the video for you.

First, Jayna is a beautiful, confident woman that shares encouragement with the viewer. This is what I feel the strong point of learning bellydance is. Women empowering other women. There is nothing else like it that gives you a sense of Feminine beauty, power, and spirituality. There are other great belly dance DVD's out there. The weak point on this one is that if you really want to learn the moves fully and correctly, this one is not in depth. I would recommend Neon's Instant BellyDancer 1 and 2. (I have zillions, so the list goes on...) Having said that, what THIS DVD teaches you, which is often missing in classes or other DVDs is the facial expression, eye contact and eye flirting. She does teach nice arm and hand framing for the different moves. She gives permission to embrace your femininity, grace, sensuality, sexuality. If you want more confidence, sparkle, and radiance when you enter a room or dance, I would recommend this tape. BUT, for really learning to bellydance, there are more solid teaching DVD's out there. Come on women, embrace your power, share your radiance, rock this world!

To start, I have to say that I agree with the other reviewer in that I also was not expecting a lot from this tape, but what a little gem it proved to be! This tape goes over a few basic bd moves in a flirty, sexy manner. The purpose is to get the beginner dancer into that super sexy, hot bd look. I think most beginning bd students are really looking for a way to look sexy and sensuous like more experienced dancers and this tape allows beginners to get some of it instantly!

In terms of content, there is instruction on eye contact, head rolls, posing, hand and arm positioning which all give that sexy, playful look. I found the instruction on the 3/4 shimmy to be most helpful as, for me, this movement always felt a little goofy on my body. I also adored the two background dancers and their combinations. Jayna does a wonderful dance at the end of this tape and if one practices the moves, poses and "teases" she outlines, you can easily identify elements of her dance and begin putting more feeling into your own expression of bd.

To sum up, anyone can learn with some practice how to get that sexy look from this tape. I highly recommend this one and I'd also recommend "The Art of the Drum Solo" along with this dvd!

Jayna is actually very sweet & has good humor on this. She really has great presence & really is great at reminding you to keep eye contact & remind you to stay confident. I immediatly felt a difference. She was great at saying "Here's your chance to flirt with me.... Flip your hair like you're on fire.... this pose is the 'Aren't I adorable' pose... I'm back, did you miss me?....Don't forget to look at me, you know I hate when I'm ignored...." She was perfect at being sensual but also sweet & reminding you how important it is to look at who you are dancing for to include them into your dancing & just ENJOY yourself to relieve daily stress instead of just worrying about accuracy.

The DVD has nice menus, comes in 5.1 dolby sound & widescreen choice. There are a lot of trailers for the Wimp Series, Raina's bellydance series & Shuilula's BellyDance Fusion Series. The trailers were too short for me though. Except to know not to buy the Wimp series.

She teaches with the blue shirt & black pants with a hip scarf you see on the DVD cover to show you don't need an elaborate costume to look great. She has 2 backup female dancers who are danced like office workers as well.

She teaches slowly at first then speeds it up. She does everything on both sides. She doesn't give that much cues or help in explaining, though some like her vertical figure 8's I liked.

There are basic shoulder roles & bending back with them, shoulder shimmies "Why do they call it shoulder shimmies when you know no one is looking at your shoulders....?" Horizontal chest circles, regular horizontal hip circles, & while steping as you do it, wide hip circles with "shaking your tail", verticle figure 8s, hip drops with extra bounces to the back, 3/4 shimmies, which Neena & Veena do in a better way without lifting your foot which they use an "L" visual how to teach, camels which she teaches well, hip drop walking, shaasze? step, Shinee? turn & another turn. Then she & the background dancers put 3 very, very short routines they do once normal speed, then again slow it down a little to follow along. The entire workout is 30 min including her introduction.

The workout was slow, I didn't sweat or feel anything except for doing the camels. It was fun though, the music is at a soft level, sensual, moderate tempo with a good strong beat which felt right for the pace of the DVD & intensity. I wouldn't suggest this to anyone as a first or only bellydance, but as an addition to help you feel more confident & relax & not be afraid to look at your friends, spouse when dancing for them.

The extra 10 min bonus routine is only with her with a half-sweat top & tight shirt & workout pants with hip scarf that is of more belydancing with what you were already taught with more chest slides, back/forth, lifts/drops, chest circles, hips circles, vertical & horizonal figure 8s & camels. Her pace is very relaxed & I felt a nice work on my abs with that.

I took off a star wishing there was more content instead of more repeating of what you already learned & slow pace. Take off another star if you're looking for more then just learning to be relaxed while doing some slow paced bellydance drills.

I am surprised to say that I really like this dvd! I have been bd-ing only a few years, and have about 100 bellydance videos.

Remember, this is not a normal belly dance instructional video. Even though she does teach basic moves (and does an okay job of it), she also gives tips on flirting and such. So if that sort of thing bothers you, you may want to pass.

This is a cute tape for the money. Not very deep with the moves and thought it was a little quirky in the beginning of the tape when she waltzed in with hat and glasses. But it redeemed itself by getting you to at least think of your facial expressions. So often we are consumed with hips, arms and torso during the dance when its the eyes that make all the difference. The main thing I learned that it adds such a dramatic effect to look for example at your arm as you move it over your head and then to glance back to your audience.It shows a sense of confidence in your dance which adds interest. You can be the best dancer but if your eyes dont show it then it is boring. I enjoyed the tape very much, its a nice light hearted tape to do when you want to practice but not want to overdo it.

This girl does get you in shape for romance... both physically and mentally. A boost in your femininity, confidence, and sense of humor is guaranteed, as well as a pleasant workout.

If you've never bellydanced before, this is a fun way to start. Not a lot of material, but very entertaining. If you already know the moves, you may still benefit from this DVD by picking up the disposition with which to perform, teach, or... go on a date.


I noticed that one reviewer timed each section of the video, and a few numbers didn't sound right to me. I timed the sections myself and got: Glances & arms - 4.5 min, Upper body - 6.5, Lower body - 11 (including whole body "camel" - 2 min), Steps & turns - 3.5, Mini-combos - total of 4 min, bonus workout - 10.5, performance in costume - 4. The discrepancy could be a result of the defective menu (the chapters don't correspond to the sections precisely), so be careful not to overlook some misplaced material.

I own over 80 dance videos, and my husband makes fun of all my video teachers, as well as performers. Interestingly, Jayna was the only one who he liked... very much. While sometimes I feel upset that he doesn't share my passion for dance, overall I'm glad I have somebody who helps me avoid taking myself and my teachers too seriously. Let's face it: we dance not only for experts and professional awards, we also do it simply for MEN - simply to start or spice up a romance. What is great about Jayna is that she does not forget the romance part.

And romance is not always the easy part. Dance instructors who try to act sexy and cheerful are perhaps at the same risk of ending up looking silly as those who are preachy and arrogant. It's tricky to find a balance. I feel that Jayna has found it, and based on my husband's reaction, I guess he feels that too (though he still couldn't resist making fun of a rose in her hair, and I agree that the rose is a bit cheesy, but it's probably the only tiny imperfection in Jayna's image).

I completely agree with those reviewers who cautioned that Jayna is not a thorough teacher at all. But even they couldn't help but noted that she is fun, and I just wanted to emphasize that fun counts. It seems like Jayna has helped some people in terms of motivation to bellydance or to flirt tastefully. Or... maybe to just MOVE a little more! For those who are stuck in sedentary jobs, and tend to get discouraged by demanding workouts, Jayna's lighthearted approach may actually prove optimal.

If I could sum up what I think is wrong with this DVD, I would say this: If you want substance-look elsewhere.

If the pretty and saucy Jayna teaches you anything on this video, it's an attitude. If you want to add a bit of flirtation to your dancing, the mischievous glances, slow sensual movements and sinuous arm movements will work.

In a sense, this DVD is for beginners because it takes up a handful of the basic isolations like hip circles, shoulder rolls, undulations, chest circle etc and sets them to a bit of arm styling. Nothing more complicated than that.

On the other hand, it couldn't be for absolute beginners because the basic isolations aren't taught in enough detail. They could have been-a few minutes on each of the few taken up here could have done the job. But without going into further depth for these isolations, the movements will not be clean and precise.

Perhaps it's okay as first slow gentle choreography after learning the basic isolations elsewhere.

I agree with the other reviewers when they say it's a thoroughly enjoyable DVD-specially with Jayna being amusingly flirty through the whole thing. But hey, you've got to balance all that with some solid content. And that... is sadly missing.

A particularly rotten trick the makers of this DVD play on you is that they fill the whole thing with repeated stuff. If it weren't enough that the handful of moves are repeated in the instruction itself, there's a whole repat with the narration switched off-lips moving, nothing hearing. Just the music's on for you to apparently dance. What do you do when she spends long moments moving her lips at you? It was most unnecessary to dump this repeat on the DVD to make it look nice and filled up. One can turn off the volume and put on some other music, after all, and get much the same effect.

Then there's a "bonus" workout (the arrogance!) that repeats the same isolations in another sequence! It really doesn't give you anything additional. If the USP of this video is supposed to be the use of glances and arm styling, let me tell you there's about 3 glances and 5 or 6 arm positions. You could have seen them in photographs. Oh, there's another section of photographs which again, are taken out of the video footage. And finally, you're the lucky recipient of a whole stack of trailers of other DVDs for what's probably more of the same trick.

I can't help comparing this video with Neon's Instant Belly Dancer series where she gives you at least 30 isolations on each video, with dozens and dozens of combinations, turning each of the isolations into some usable step. It's packed with content. If you were to stop and actually count the hand and arm positions, there'll be dozens of them.
Jayna's DVD is a flirtation with belly dancing that isn't worth the money or the wait that some of us overseas have to go through. If it weren't so cumbersome, I'd return it in a flash.

Watch out for DVDs from this manufacturer. I had the misfortune of buying another one-10-minute dance workouts-and surprise surprise, Jayna's "bonus" workout was there as well. Along with all the trailers AGAIN.

What Jayna does teach you is how simple it is to make just an isolation look like a dance move, and how you could have a go at using glances in dances. Her two friends, I'm afraid, don't quite manage it and end up looking a bit tense throughout. Jayna's own technique seems kind of amateurish-that's to a beginner belly dancer!

This is definitely NOT the best introduction to bellydance from the technical point of view, but... it might be the best from the emotional point of view. I got INFECTED with Jayna's confidence, elegance and playfulness from the very first trial... I was surprised how captivating and self-sufficient even a repetition of a simplest bellydance element could prove... even if one is dressed casually... or almost formally!

The instructions felt incomplete; there certainly weren't enough repetitions of the moves, and the camera would sometimes move away from what I really wanted to see... but somehow the video kept me extremely engaged. I found myself enjoying the challenge of deciphering Jayna's magic by myself (I mean, I didn't really want more instructions, and for some reason didn't mind replaying short segments over and over, trying to figure out what's going on).

The ladies in the background were somewhat clumsy... but it was actually helpful to watch what to avoid.

Despite Jayna's happy-go-lucky style of teaching, her performance at the end is very professional and classy, and radiates irresistible personality.

If you are looking for sweaty, draining exercises, this disk won't be a good choice for you... On the other hand... if you like to flirt... but tend to forget about it -

- Don't miss your chance to learn from the most dangerous seducer!