Customer Reviews

Hemalayaa: Beautiful Belly

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I recently discovered Hemalayaa Behl's incredibly fun workouts "Bollywood Dance" and "Bollywood Burn" (check them out, they are a blast!) and I think I am going to love her "Beautiful Belly" workout just as much. Like the other two DVDs this one gets you sweating right away with lots of shimmies, hops, and other bhangra-inspired dance moves. In addition to the cardio, Hema also mixes in some more traditional abdominal work (pilates-type leg circles, yoga boat pose) and some non-traditional ab work as well.

The workout starts off with a six minute cardio warm-up. Following the warm-up are three separate twelve minute segments. Each of these segments incorporates both dance and ab work. If pressed for time you could do the warm-up and one of the twelve minute segments, but honestly, this workout is so much fun, once you start you don't want it to end. My only criticism of the workout is that there is no "cool-down" segment, which would be nice here because the final segment ends with some vigorous belly dance moves, and definitely left me sweating.

Like Hemalayaa's other two "dance" workouts, "Bollywood Dance" and "Bollywood Burn," this workout is driven by Hemalayaa's infectious spirit of fun and play. The set and costumes are great, the music keeps you moving, and Hema keeps you smiling and inspired.

Hemalayaa and Bollywood is a new concept for me. I recently purchased "Beautiful Belly" with Hemalayaa and will never use another work out video instructor. She is fun with a great attitude. The video has three different 12 minute workouts and a five minute warm up to keep boredom at bay. I started out doing the warm up, plus one of the three circuits. I am now able to do the full workout and my abs have never felt stronger!

Some of the dance moves require a lot of hopping and twisting so make sure your lower body joints are warmed up! If you are a klutz (like I can be) and the moves get too complicated, try doing jumping jacks or shimmying to keep the heartrate up. The idea is to mix cardio moves intermittenly with more specific ab work. You might want to research some very basic bellydance moves before starting because she may use words you are not familiar with. However, you can always just copy her movements.

IMPORTANT: This woman is obviously highly trained and very flexible. DO NOT attempt to make your moves look like hers unless you're very advanced. Most people will not form the perfect "Cobra" or "Downward Dog" the first time they try. She should talk more about your ability level, but since she doesn't, just keep it in mind!

This video is fun and addictive. The music is great and the set design is pleasing to the eye. I want to go out and buy a coin belt to start bellydancing now!

This dvd is was made with high quality production such as sound, great music w/fast beat, camerawork, set design & lighting as you see on the trailers. The menu also allows you to have both Hemalayaa instruction & music or just music & the choice of warm-up (5 min) or choice of 3 workouts (12 min each) or everything.
Hemalayaa comes off very friendly & fun even with the voice over. The only problem is in all her workouts *I rent a lot*, her energy is very erratic, jumpy, in all directions at once. If you're looking for soothing or fluid movements, you won't find it here, although she does have some body awareness. This is best when you have more energy then you can deal with, like a sugar high or other reason. The other issue is that there is VERY little instruction, which lets you hear the music, but when makes doing any belly dancing, or more importantly, yoga or pilates (which the point is to have the breath go w/the movement) almost dangerous. Since there is no modifications, PLEASE go at your own pace, the bouncing cobra position if you are not careful can hurt anyone's back. (Check google for any described poses/moves I've listed to see an image.)
Warm-up - all dancing, her style is mostly Indian with some minor stretching, standing crunches, twists & some 50s mashed potatoes dancing. The pace is VERY fast, she changes pretty often after she introduces a new move & it was perfect when I was on a sugar high, but may be too erratic otherwise.
Workout 1 - raised knee dancing & with 80s ab elbow twists to knee, lunge stretching bobbing back/forth, yoga cobra pose bouncing & stretch, cat/cow breathing fast, 4 direction back/forth belly thrusts which turn to hip circles, lay on back legs spread ab crunches then pilates hundred then straight leg criss crossing while legs lower & raise, pilates double leg circles, then stand & stretch to finish.
Workout 2 - crossed leg seated torso side, fwd & corner stretching, slight dancing movement same stretching, kundalini yoga torso fwd/back fast w/fire breath (never mentions proper breathing) & torso circular grind. Down dog yoga to one legged hopping dance that turns to bangera hop dancing, grapevine style ocean wave dance. kneeling bowing up/down, kundalini yoga elbow/torso twists, kneeling bowing w/pilates modified mermaid stretches back/forth, yoga cobra, yoga modified plank on elbows, elbow plank w/ alternating quick drop knee, then plank w/drop knee & twist, cat/cow breathing, reclined yoga twist. then up to bangera hop dance again to finish.
Workout 3 - Yoga chair pose w/arm fwd/back movements, both arms swinging back/forth, twisting hips fast (washing machine she calls it), hoping shimmmy w/arms out, undulations (no instruction given), hip bumps/thrusts, walk & alternate the above dance moves. sitting straight leg fwd bend, wide leg bends to the side & fwd, back/forth fast, sitting legs fwd torso w/arms in circular movement (qi gong movement), yoga boat, yoga boat w/legs wide, sitting w/wide legs & leaning back, sitting w/legs wide & off the ground slightly, cobra. Dancing bounce with legs wide & arms swing & repeat all the previous dance movements.
Considering all the issues I raised, the reason I still give it 4 stars not 2-3 is that it IS fun if you can keep up & know the movements, and I did feel a slight soreness in my muscles the next day. I did the whole workout of course.

More videos: 4 on youtube

I agree with the other reviewers that Hemalayaa is very inspiring and fun to watch and work out with. I feel she invites you to share in the fun with her, and believe me - these ARE workouts. You WILL be dripping!! I feel her secret is inviting you to have fun with her, and you are working out without feeling it. Definately a change from the 1-2-3-4-I'm bored weight lifting routines. Be advised though, there are some parts which may be challenging for you if you are not flexible, so maybe watch first so you don't get caught up and hurt yourself. I also have her other workout DVD's and they are just as much fun and work. Try something new!

Hemalayaa: Beautiful Belly is a 42 minute workout DVD that focuses on moves that will help you have the belly you've always wanted: shapely, strong, and sexy! The exercises are broken down into four sections. There is a fast-paced cardio warm up that will help get you into the mood for the three dance workouts that follow. Each dance workout is twelve minutes in length and will help you sculpt and tighten your abs, strengthen your core, have fun and burn calories. The dance workouts can be done by themselves or layered and done one after the other depending on your endurance.

This is a high energy dance workout that seriously focuses on building your core strength. Hemalayaa is a very high energy instructor with a bubbling, positive attitude that will keep you motivated and moving. During the workout you have the option of listening only to the music or to the music and instruction. The routines are both standing and sitting so you will need a yoga mat and cushion to complete them properly.

Not all of the movements are shown to you before hand so this dance workout may be difficult for a beginner to follow. Those with a background in belly dance or other types of dance workouts will probably have an easier time of it. All in all, I found this a fun and motivating workout to do. Hemalayaa's bubbling personality kept me upbeat and interested through the entire routine.

I probably hate working out more than anyone, but i know i have to do it. This dvd is no joke. it workssss your abs. There's a warm up with three 12 min segments. so far, i can only make it through the warm up, and first segment. the warm up is actually the hardest part. i've never really had a problem with dancing, but the steps are kind of difficult, but once you figure them out they're actually pretty fun. It's a pretty fast paced warm up. I had to stop before i went on to get water. but this dvd is great! not only does it work the crap out of your abs, but it makes you feel sexy. And as far as hemalayaa goes, she's a great instructor, easy to listen to and relatively easy to follow. I hate doing regular sit ups or crunches and this is so far from that, but you'll definitely feel it!!

Great way to work abds without getting bored! Hemalayaa jumps right in with a fast paced warmup and than does three separate workouts each 12 minutes long that flow into each other. If you're strapped for time, who can't fit in 12 minutes? I love the way she alternates the cardio dance parts with the "not so traditional" ab workouts. Nice stretching too. I look forward to adding this on a regular rotation to my exercise routine.

This is my favorite Hemalayaa DVD so far! I've been using it for nearly 2 weeks now, and my belly really is getting more beautiful-- by which I mean flatter and more taut. The workouts are fun and energizing, and you just can't help laughing along with Hemalayaa.

I needed something to kick up my ab routine and this is it! I recently moved to LA and saw Hema on the KTLA morning news promoting her video. I ran out right away and bought it! It's really fun and she's very positive and encouraging. It was a great workout, very different moves but felt really effective. I want to get her Bollywood Burn now too. If you're looking for something different than crunches than get this video!

This was the first DVD I bought of Hemalayaa. All I can say is that I am buying ALL of her videos because I enjoyed it so much. Not once did I find myself asking "is this over yet?", which often happens during other DVD's. Her energy is contagious, and she makes working out fun. My abs were sore the next day, so I know it was a good workout. Try this one for sure!!!