22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Give it a try, February 5, 2005
This review is from: Rakset Assaya an Introduction to Egyptian Saidi Technique (DVD)
First things first, dancing with a cane is just fun. It is one of the more affordable props, ranging from $4.00-$25.00 a piece, and it is as much fun to do as it is to watch. You learn to layer the cane over bellydance moves. You will learn to use the cane to frame your body and accent hip work, shimmies, chest moves, figure eights, etc. You are shown stretches for your wrists, to warm them up and prevent injury, and the movements are broken down, so they are easy to follow. I recommend this video for any bellydancer interested in learning cane, or any prop for that matter. It is important to remember that like most moves in bellydance, most of the time it looks easier than it is. If it is a little challenging at first, don't worry. Stick with it and practice, and you can learn it.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Assaya dance, July 10, 2005
This review is from: Rakset Assaya an Introduction to Egyptian Saidi Technique (DVD)
On last December I performed with cane (Assaya), but with Nourhan's DVD I have learn many movements that I have never seen in Panama before.
Nourhan Sharif presents a very important tool for students and also for teachers, and with this DVD you can practice also basic steps of belly dance.If you practice you can prepare your own choreography....
I hope that the Assaya Choreography DVD, can be in the market soon....ASAP???
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Resource, July 8, 2007
This review is from: Rakset Assaya an Introduction to Egyptian Saidi Technique (DVD)
This dvd is excellent for teaching foundations of cane dancing or Raqs Assaya. Any Bellydancer interested in learning cane technique will find this useful.
The dvd contains stretches for the wrist, exercises for developing an awareness of your cane, a variety of steps, cane twirling technique, using the cane to frame the body and movements, several combinations, traveling steps, finales and a demonstration/performance by the instructor. The combinations are shown from a variety of angles so you can see what it looks like from the back as well as front.
The instructor, Nourhan Sharif, provides good instruction for an intermediate level dancer. She teaches in a practice outfit that allows the viewer to clearly see what her legs, hips, midriff and arms are doing. She also demonstrates the moves in a way the communicates the joy, energy and playfulness that originally attracted me to Raqs Assaya. Those who learn well by visual example will appreciate this dvd.
I already knew some saidi cane dancing technique and had performed with a cane before viewing this dvd. However I still learned new moves and more importantly better technique for dancing with and manipulating a cane. I can now twirl the cane with either the right or left hand thanks to the technique in this dvd. (I didn't have the coordination in my left hand previously.) I also found the framing techniques useful for incorporating the can into a dance rather than just using it for a few cute tricks.
Here are a few things I would have liked to have seen in this or a future dvd: A tutorial on appropriate music and the rhythms, a choreogrpahy, a little on the history/cultural background of this style, more presentation/performance suggestions (though some are peppered throughout the dvd), some advice on selecting a cane.
Those are just little wishes, overall the information is useful and well explained. For those who enjoy learning solid technique from their dvds this is excellent. Those who want to learn choreography might be disapointed, however you can use the information to create your own choreography. Also, this dvd refers to the instructors dance technique and uses terminology from her technique without explaining. I am not familiar with her other instruction, but I still found the dvd useful.
Saidi and Assaya dancing can be very aerobic, though this is not a workout dvd. I would encourage dancers to warm up before following the dvd. The dvd does not include a detailed warm up, but it does have excellent streches for the wrist and forearms.
This dvd is probably most appropriate for intermediate to advanced dancers since it references a variety of moves such as 3/4 shimmies without explaining the moves. The cane technique such as holding the cane, cane twirls, etc. could be useful to less experienced dancers who have mastered basic movements and these dancers can grow into some of the more complicated moves and combinations as they learn more dance steps.
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