Customer Reviews

Joneeba!: The Exciting Workout and Fitness Program with the Dances and Drums of Africa

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My adolescent daughter has been feeling awkward lately because of her changing body. I wanted to portray the right message about exercise; that it is about emotional as well as physical wellness and having fun, rather than shedding pounds and keeping trim. After looking for less destructive ways of helping my daughter feel good about her body, we found Joneeba! Joneeba is the most fun I have had in a long time, and I can do it with my daughter. We really get into it. The exercises and dances are easy to follow, because of the anatomic illustrations. As time went by, my daughter and I no longer needed to have the book right in front of us, we let the rhythm guide us to a wonderful and spiritual workout!

I have always been attracted to unconventional ways of doing things, including staying fit. JONEEBA is an eccentric and unique fitness workout that provides me with the mental and physical wellness I look for in an exercise regiment. The Joneeba workout has replaced my Yoga and Aerobic routines. If anyone is tired of the same old exercises, and are looking for a mind/body experience, I absolutely recommend this book. I've never had this much fun exercising!

This book is written in a witty and eloquent way filled with many funny anecdotes. I have been dancing with Djoniba for two and a half years and I wholeheartedly believe in his program. The "Joneeba" work-out has changed my way of life in so many positive ways. It's therapeutic because it unifies and balances all five chakras...when you really listen to the drums your spirit soars on a higher level. There have been times when I actually feel like I'm flying not just dancing! There is a real sense of community among his students and everyone is extremely supportive, especially when it's time to dance solo in the circle. Sometimes, it can feel a bit intimidating to do your own thing in front of everyone, but Djoniba and his Djimbefolas(master drummers)are encouraging. The book is interesting because it provides a new way of approaching the work-out and the illustrations are quite attractive. I love the way I feel in class, I'm not a classically trained dancer but in Djoniba's class I feel like a beautiful dancer. My body just looks and feels great and my husband can't keep his hands off me! Combined with a healthy diet this work-out will shed inches off your body instantly, as well as boost your self-confidence. I highly recommend this book and work-out routine to anyone who is tired of battling the ten pound bulge. If you dance atleast three times a week...you'll be ready for a sexy thong by August. West African Dance is not just about losing weight...it's ceremonial, each movement has spiritual meaning. When a community get's together to celebrate life through dance and music many magical things occur.

This book has really changed how I think about exercise, dance, my body and how it works. It's even changed how I walk down the street! I've always worked out, on and off. Popped in this or that exercise video led by this or that supermodel, gone for a jog, lifted weights. All that's fine, but A. Djoniba Mouflet's book and school is dancing for a larger, more joyous reason than...the panic of bathing suit season! (Even though I must say bathing suits are NOT an intimidating prospect after this regime!) And why should all workouts be about minimizing ourselves, paring ourselves down to the current acceptable shape? This extraordinary book just leaps over all that anxiety - literally! And what's really special about Mr. Mouflet, his school and his new book is that it's about so many things at once. It's a story of a life dedicated to dance & music, it's the chronicle of an amazing African art and its world journey, it's a great step-by-step strength and flexibility workout, and, of course, a guide to the dances (with explanations of what they mean, where they're from and when they're danced). A great way to find the dancer in yourself that you may have been ignoring (I know I certainly was!) I will even go so far as to predict that African dance might become America's next yoga - an intense, revivifying and spiritual workout welcoming all fitness levels. I recommend this book heartily. Have fun!

I've been a West African Dancer for 20 years and I've performed professionally as well as researched the history, culture and spiritual meaning of each ceremonial dance. This book lacks true substance as well as literary content, because it doesn't give you enough information on the history of each tribal dance. Sure, there are bits and pieces of information scattered through-out the pages but it's incohesive. West African Dance is not difficult, but it's an intricate art form that can not be learned through a 1-2-3 technique. The book is more about the "Joneeba" warm-up routine which I find to be rather self-indulgent. Being the avid reader that I am, I was disappointed with all the grammatical errors. Four people wrote this book, couldn't they edit it properly? I would suggest that Mr. Mouflet release a work-out video instead and save the literature for the experts.

This is an excellent workout. I love the dancing and the African drums, I also bought his book and the cd. I plan to teach it to the youth this summer. Energetic and Fun. I can't wait...I hope there is another one to follow.