Customer Reviews

Love Potion - The Bellydance Workout

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Love Potion from World Dance New York is the unofficial sequel to Luscious, a previous entry into the bellydance fitness market with the same instructors: Neon, Blanca and Sarah Skinner. Using American bellydance technique, they put together a drill session and workout. In addition to drilling the movements, the instructors make note of head angles, posture, and grace - the little details that make the dancer. As always, beautiful and flattering costumes are worn by the three instructors, varying by each section, and each of them trade off leading. The DVD is split into 7 different sections, each with a different inspiring name such as "Creative Flame" or "Goddess". There is a feel-good element to the DVD as well, little mantras uttered at the beginning of each section about loving yourself, talking about how shimmies give us joy. So, if you need a bit of a psychological boost, this DVD may just give you one. If not, these sentiments easily fade into the background.

It is more advanced than Luscious, as few movements are drilled consecutively and everything is mapped quickly into a combination. The viewer is expected to pick up on the combinations quickly and follow them, which is the reason why this is more of an intermediate/advanced DVD. There is, however, a beginner's practice flow, which goes through each of the sequences slower. I actually consider this to be a good thing, as the DVD will keep me entertained even if I repeat it over and over, which as a fitness DVD, I intend to do.

The movements themselves are not advanced - ranging from smooth moves like pelvic circles and infinity loops to hip accents and shimmies. You will get a core workout if you are utilizing proper posture, maintaining your core, and - as my teacher says - squeezing your princess. After the 40 minutes, I'm actually feeling it! For the cardio aspect, it's hard to gauge, since I'm 8 months pregnant and we don't seem to have the air conditioning on. I was sweating, but I don't know if the average person would. You might even see it as a "interval" workout, since the sections varied from undulating and circling movements to the more intense hip drops, accents, and shimmies, and back again.

The DVD is set to new-agey music. Most of it was OK. As a huge fan of Arabic music, the music on this DVD didn't really get going. It did make for nice backdrop music, but I wouldn't run out and buy the CD. The last section, where many of the combinations are joined into a dance, is set to a composition "Goddess". I found myself a little embarrassed - I just don't go in for this sort of thing, sung in English. It's very goddess-power type stuff. I don't object to the message, but it's not really my thing either. Luckily I was alone in the dance studio because otherwise I would feel pretty silly dancing around to "I'm a Goddess, Set me Free" if anyone could see me. That said, it's really nice to see the combinations and movements displayed in a dance, that was obviously connected to the music (as dance should be), and the dancers/instructors on this DVD display grace and, well, a goddess-quality when they demonstrate this section.
I should also mention that either of the two workouts on this DVD, Love Potion and Beginner Flow, can be done without voice cues, with the music only.

Overall, I got exactly what I ordered, a fitness dvd that works my core, drills my bellydance vocabulary, and keeps me entertained as I do it.

This is a wonderful DVD! I love the beautiful and creative combos and the quality of the DVD is very very good! These women are very skilled and talented dancers. The instructional section is very informative and clear. I like how she really explains and drills the movements and adding modififation options. This is my new fav DVD. I hope to take a class with these ladies someday!
ps
whatever you do...purchase this DVD. You don't have to think twice about it. You will be satisfied!

World Dance New York returns with this enchanting "Love Potion" dance instructional/workout program. If you are a fan of "Luscious" you will absolutely love this program! Beautiful 100% belly dance moves layered on triple steps on releve, grapevines and beautiful turns, rocking steps, all a bit more challenging!
This program options has voice cues or music only and is about two hours and a twenty minutes total.

The selections are:
The Love Potion Workout-40 minutes, practice flow for beginners-50 minutes, and tutorial-50 minutes.

You will definetly feel the work out as you shift from grapevines to releves, and hip movement. Best of all you will increase in dance vocabulary and learn posture, isolation, arms frames, a huge variety of hip movement, and traveling steps. From beginner to intermediate student, the tutorial and practice section allows most to follow along very well.

Neon instructs the key elements in the dance structure section; the purpose of slower dance movement allowing the muscles to get a longer work out, the technqiue of isolation, body posture, stylized movement in contrast to everyday life movement. Dancing can help alleviate the symptoms of sedentary lifestyle by elongating muscles and fixing improper posture.
Each segment below focuses on upper and lower body basics focusing on circles, undulations, shimmies, hip movement and traveling steps, working every muscle group. Once past the welcome section, prepare to be taken in by beautiful music, choreography and dancers of course!
Neon, Sarah, and Blanca lead you into the following trajectories of
The Love Potion workout: (The combos are broken down quite simply with footwork, arms patterns, hipwork added gradually and repeated.

Eternal Feminine- a rotations workout, grapevine, hip accents.
Mystery-pelvic circles, hip pushes, chest lifts and circles,hip infinity loops.
Desire-horizontal infinity loops, undulations, triplet steps, and yet more hip accents.
Creative Flame- emphasis on hip work, lifts drops
Free Spirit-emphasis on shimmies, shoulder and vertical hips and 3/4 up and down shimmies.
Priestess- a beautiful dance flow empahsing grace, body alignment, coordination, and fluidity
Goddess-beautiful sways, turns, hip work, all combined in a "dancer's prayer" flow.

Each segment offers much variety using organic belly dance moves. When combined differently, these work different muscle groups as a fantastic workout. The tutorial section and practice flow are suberbly defined with extensive vocablulary for dancers of all levels making this one of the best dance instructional videos I have reviewed. Neon is a thorough and precise instructor as you will see in the tutorial and practice flow segment. I especially commend the footwork section so well broken down, beautifully narrated, carefully guding into proper posture and framing! Arms patterns added are beautiful decorations to the hip movement and traveling steps.

The music is spell-binding with several selections from DJZen, Hossam Ramzy and others.The stage backdrop is soft and soothing to the eye. If you are new to belly dance or have loved it for a spell, the "Love Potion" program will simply mesmerize you!

I've been a dancer three years now, and have amasses a few videos over the years. This one is ok. Nothing spectacular, just ok. The I am a Goddess song at the end of the work out I think I can do without a little cheesy for me.

Only few problems with this video. There is no warm up or cool down, both vitally important when dancing/working out. Also some of the explanations really aren't the best, if you've never danced before go through the tutorial, some of the names used for the moves threw me a little too, referring to a Maya as an upward infinity loop, and all figure 8's as a type of infinity loop was a little strange. The reliance in knees for some of the sharper movement was a little concerning too, technique and muscles should be used instead on knees this prevents injury. Not the best for beginners.

I do like the combination and the workout portion and will use it for those reasons.

I have quite a few belly dance workouts and so far this is my favourite. I love luscious as well but much prefer Love Potion, probably as I am a gymnastics coach and have done many different dance styles, and Love Potion is a stronger workout, I actually feel it in my waist when I do it, the dance is more fun and the music in it is sensational.
I am going to purchase Hard Candy next as I really like the way these dvds are formulated. I am always happy to do this dance workout, it makes me sweat and feel good.
Marianne

Love Potion provides great non-stop drills for intermediate dancers. There are also tutorials and "practice flow" for beginners. I don't think a pure beginner could learn to dance only from this DVD, but it would make a great practice for "between" classes.

The style is "classic" bellydance. Nothing specialized - just graceful universal moves suitable to all styles.

This DVD gets 5 stars for a menu that is easy to navigate. The camera angles and voice-overs are well-done and you even have the option to skip the voice-over once you learn the routine/s.

The costumes are lovely, but not "overdone" so you can see the dancers' movements. All 3 dancers are in synch and all have a pleasant style. The choreography is excellent for a beginner-intermediate DVD. Simple & elegant - not dumbed-down. This DVD is one of the few that actually delivers exactly what it says on the box.

Happy Dancing!

I was spoiled by the Luscious DVD and wans't sure that Love Potion could possibly be as good; but Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy, Love Potion is just that joyful and uplifting! I love it.

This is my second DVD I have purchased from this group. It is excellent and I have enjoyed the workout.

Covers all aspects and is perfect for the beginner to advanced dancer.

Overall this is well worth the money and more. You will not go wrong with this DVD

I love this! The moves are broken down in an excellent, clear manner for beginners in the turorial section, done slowly for those somewhat familiar, and work-out pace for those that are familiar. This makes it great for everyone because you can choose your pace and advance your skill level. You can even choose to have voice cues or just music for your workout. If you are an absolute beginner, I would recommend Instant Belly Dancer 1 & 2 along with this DVD. If you want an all dance workout with continuous movement, I recommend this DVD. No yoga, no pilates, no jazzercise..... just belly dance! Not only that, these ladies are lovely to watch and their costumes are delicious!

When you first see the 3 goddesses who star in this DVD, dancing with beauty, grace and skill, you know you've come to the right place, to learn as well as be inspired. The DVD starts with a "Welcome" from Neon, who talks about how absolute beginners can benefit from this instruction, but so can dancers at all levels, and how belly dance strengthens your muscles and helps you to become more flexible, something our bodies need desperately in our "sit in the car...the office...on the sofa" lifestyle. This really applies to those of us in our "golden years," and belly dance can be the most enjoyable and satisfying form of exercise we can do.

There are 2 tutorials on this DVD that are wonderful, and break down each movement and its technique. These sections are excellent for beginners, and also for more advanced students who want to refine their style and skill. The Love Potion Workout section is the one that makes this one of my most favorite instruction DVDs that I own. It is non-stop dancing, with each instructor taking turns with a segment that has a theme: "Eternal Feminine," with Neon, "Mystery," with Blanca, "Seductress," with Sarah Skinner, etc., for 40 marvelous minutes. It's a superb way to practice the movements and as exercise it is fun as well as efficient. There is also the option to play it with voice-over instruction, or just music.

Extremely well produced, planned, and executed, this DVD is a 5 star winner. The music also adds to what makes it so good, and includes selections by DJ Zen, Phil Thornton and Hossan Ramzy, Giacomo Biondi, and Raul Ferrando. Neon, Blanca and Sarah are an exquisite trio to watch and learn from, and appreciate the art of belly dance.