Customer Reviews

Bellydance: Slow Moves [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are some pros and cons to this instructional video. Overall, it is a good place to start if you want to learn some basic belly dance moves. Here are some of my comments to give you a better sense of what "Slow Moves" has to offer you.

THE GOOD -- Atea demonstrates and explains some belly dance moves including hip movements, belly rolls, and head slides. You can see her entire body, which helps when you are learning these moves yourself. Also there are four individual dance performances and a group dance, which is interesting and good for ideas. These performances may give you some ideas for costuming (though I hope not), choreography, or just inspire you to be the DIVA that you already are!! =)

THE BAD -- Some of the dance performances lack grace and fluidity. You can almost hear them counting the beats to the music in their head. This kind of purposeful dancing is not natural---the choreography should flow better from each move. Be careful who you chose to model your style of dance after. A good way to learn anything is to copy, simulate or model after an experienced instructor. Be forewarned that some of the performances in this video leave a lot to be desired. A good performer is Dahlia, I believe she is the first person to dance on this video.

THE UGLY -- This may seem superficial but nonetheless it effects the overall quality and enjoyment of the video.....The aestethics are not pleasing at all. The setting, costuming, and 80's hair from the instructors are quite unattractive and distracting. If you suffer from ADD or are easily distracted, then you may find it difficult to focus on the belly dance moves. If this is the case, I would recommend that you get Neena & Veena's, Basic Moves Bellydance video.

Slow Moves is a good video for beginners, and those interested in learning how to belly dance. I would also recommend this video to those who want to refresh their technique.

This Belly Dance video is higher quality than most. A lot of effort was put into it. The different dancers show what the moves look like on different people. However, Atea does not look comfortable with herself on camera. (I have never seen her live.) Her movements are stiff. Good for a begginer.

If you've taken any bellydance classes at all, pass on this video. If you're interested in learning the minimum basics, then you may enjoy it. I found this video boring and after only six months of classes, I was far advanced for it. If you're a dancer with a desire to supplement your class time with videos, this is not a good choice. I think this video is for individuals with no opportunity to take classes locally and are brand spanking new to the world of belldance. And even then, there are better choices out there.

Yes, this is for beginners and if you are allready a dancer it will bore you. I liked how comprehensive it was. It included hip moves, arm work, head slides, ribcage and bell rolls, zils, and a good review of costumes. There are not routines but several different dancers individually display their moves and costumes to one musical selection. I will not have to try to remember the rhythm of the zils now. I liked the slowness of the instruction and how they explained the moves, especially the belly rolls. I liked this, I will refer to it often.

This tape (even with the other two) won't teach you to bellydance, but it can be useful as a supplement to your class.

What I didn't like: - the moves weren't explained especially well, and you can't ask for clarification in a video. - the performances really broke up the video. I'd rather dance all in one shot and see performances before and/or after only. - IT WAS SO 80's! It's a character flaw of mine, but it was so dated that I just couldn't take some of the dancers seriously. - I was not overly-impressed with the technique of one or two of the dancers in the performance sections, although some were excellent. (I don't recall names.) - Atea's on-screen character is pretty flat, but that's not too much of a problem.

What I did like: - EXCELLENT advice for combining movements. I've developed a much nicer flow in my dancing. - Even though they weren't explained well enough to TEACH you the moves, Atea's descriptions could help CLARIFY moves that you learned in class. Sometimes it just helps to hear it another way. - Since there's no real standard in bdance in the US, it can be tough to find a reputable teacher. Watching several videos can help you get an idea of what is proper technique. This one is especially useful, since you get to see so many different dancers.

When I started dancing 2 years ago, i was clueless. This video was one of the first ones i purchased and i basically learned how to dance from Atea. My regular classes became much more fun after a few months of practicing with her video and i found it easy to pick up the next level of techniques. Regardless of whether you like her personal style of dancing, this video will get you through the first few months of stuggling with the basic moves if you use it several times a week as a supplement to regular classes.Those looking for an easy dance tape to help ease back pain and stiffness will also find it valuable.

This video is very motivating. It's great if you are like me- a student who needs detailed explanation of the patterns and how your body follows those patterns. ( I could never follow any videos such as aerobics where the pattern was not done in slow motion or broken down in segments). I think that SLOW PRACTICE helps you attain the technique so that you can fully express your emotion through the dance. It's a great supplement to taking class.

I enjoy working with the movements on this tape, and I find it very helpful, but it is not without flaws. Atea is fairly stiff when she isn't dancing; she doesn't appear comfortable in front of the camera. The instructional sequences move far too quickly for me. Do your warmups beforehand because you're not given sufficient time in the tape. I often felt like I had just gotten comfortable with a sequence when we moved on to another dance move (but I *am* a slow learner). The performance parts of the tape are good; they give me something to aspire to! Great music and gorgeous (and numerous) costumes.

the instruction was clear and unrushed, having solo dances gave great examples of different styles and techniques. I would recommend this video to anyone who wants an instructional video and entertainment video. Awesome costumes, set and dancing. A must have!

The instruction part of this tape is pretty basic, and broken up by the performances. But the costumes, choreography and dance styles of the performers are so different and inspiring, I have to recommend the tape. It's hard to find good examples of floorwork or belly rolls and flutters, and they're definitely on this tape (in the performances, at least.) Atea does explain how to do a belly roll, and her explanation was very different from any other I've heard. It helped me a lot. She also breaks down transitions in a way I hadn't heard before.