Customer Reviews

Discover Bellydance Essentials - Basic Dance for Fun & Fitness [VHS]

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Amazon fails to give a description of this item, so let me do it for you. This is a boxed set that includes a video on Basic Bellydance, a CD of Basic Rythums and a hip scarf.
-The video breaks down a simple and sensual dance that most beginners will enjoy. Then it is all put together for you in a simple dance routine. I'm not very coordinated but I was able to follow along with little difficulty. I know that with a little practice, I'll be able to do this dance on my own. By the end of the video, I feel like I did a non-strenuous workout, which is great because I can use some exercise.
-The CD would probably be great if you felt like practicing some of the various moves on your own, or when you're ready to dance without the instructions.
-I am not stick thin (or enormous either) and the hip scarf was a perfect size. It's blue and trimmed with little gold coins that jingle with every movement. It definitly helps you to hear the jingle so that you know you are moving to tempo.
-Like I said, I'm no expert. As a matter of fact, I never had any dance lessons as a kid or anything like that, BUT I found this easy to do and completely enjoyable. Also, I'm a little out of shape and I was able to keep up.

I have to say, I find the music CD and the hip scarf bundled with the instructional video more "useful" than the video, itself.

I follow the Neena and Veena 'Bellydance Fitness for Beginners' tapes as part of my exercise routine, and I find them much more entertaining and "useful" tapes than this instructional dance tape. The lessons left me feeling very flat and disappointed. I thought the dance itself was rather boring. The instruction was quite good, given that. I do have to say, I *love* the hip scarf that came with this set. Even "cheap" hip scarves are more expensive than this whole set, and it's actually fairly sturdy in construction. The coins have a tendency to fall off when I knot the scarf (although that may be my problem more than the scarf's), but, they're quite fixed in place when I dance (even if I move quickly and sharply)

Having the scarf has helped improve the exercise portion of my learning, tremendously. I can pace myself better (by listening to the coins jingle with the beat of the music), I can 'hear' if I'm moving my lower body when I'm only supposed to be moving my upper, and by looking down and watching the pattern of the coin movement, I can differentiate between similar movements (such as hip lifts and hip drops) to be sure I'm doing them the right way.

I've ordered the other gift set (with veil and zills), and I'll use that to judge whether I then want to get the last tape of the Sensual set, or not.

Gwen

I ordered this set accidentally - and I'm so happy I did!!
This set is beautifully packaged and a great deal for the money.
As a beginner, with no background in dance at all, I found the video extremely informative and helpful. The moves are clearly broken down, well explained, and easy to follow. The grace and poise of each movement is accentuated. The program also features a warm-up and a cool-down. Although it's not too strenuous, you definitely feel like you've done a decent workout by the end.
The music, both in the video and on the CD, is absolutely enchanting. The scarf, which is hand-made in Egypt, is exceptional. It is a deep blue color, and has gold coins sewn around the entire edge. The coins (which sound beautiful!) and the scarf material are extremely good quality. It seems like it would fit most sizes. I have pretty full hips and mine fits excellent. It's great that it's included right in the beginner set - as soon as you begin to learn this art, you realize you need something on your hips as an aid.
And I like having the CD, so I can listen to the music and practice even without watching the video.
Don't pass this up!! I am already thinking of how many I want to give as gifts.

Video features a warm-up and great breakdown of basic moves, but does not feature a cooldown, just to correct my last review.

I ordered this set accidentally - and I'm so happy I did!!
What a great deal for the money, and a dynamite way to start a new passion.

First off, it's beautifully packaged. The scarf, which is hand-made in Egypt, is exceptional. It is a deep blue color, and has gold coins sewn around the entire edge. The coins (which sound beautiful!) and the scarf material are good quality.
The scarf seems like it would fit most sizes. I have larger than average hips and mine fits excellent.

As a beginner, I found this video extremely informative and helpful. The moves are clearly broken down and easy to follow. Neena and Veena don't just make it look easy; they teach you in a way that makes it easy for you to learn. Each move is clearly explained. The grace and poise of each movement is also accentuated. It also features a warm-up and a cool-down.
The music, both in the video and on the CD, is absolutely enchanting.
I think this is a terrific way for the beginner to start out.
It's a plus to have the scarf - as soon as you begin to learn this art you realize the need for something on your hips.
And I like having the CD, so I can listen to the music and practice even without watching the video.
Don't pass this up!! I am already thinking of how many I want to give as gifts.

I love this set its really nice well worth the money, and they actually teach you the moves better camera angles than dolphina and believe me I own 2 of her dvds save your money and go with these girls or neon. The hip scarf only one coin fell off my only complaint is the cd should have more drums in it.