Customer Reviews

The Sensual Art of Bellydance: Basic Dance [VHS]

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have absolutely NO dance training or previous exposure to bellydance, and I don't exercise like I should. (At least, I didn't before!) Even so, in less than a month, this video has taught me basic moves, as well as a short dance routine!

The twins leave the elaborate costumes until the end and wear biker pants & tops so you can see exactly what they're doing, and how they're moving. Learning isn't the time for chiffon-veiled mystery!

They smile and look pleasant throughout, and it encourages you to copy their facial expressions without saying a word. Good! What good is it to learn a sensual dance if you perform it with your tongue hung out and your brow furrowed in concentration?

I also found it very helpful that they explained the movements step by step instead of just showing them and expecting viewers to be able to copy. They clearly explain where in the body each movement originates, and it's not always obvious to newbies like me. For instance, though a hip shimmy may look like the dancer's hips/belly are what's shaking, the movement actually starts in the knees.

I'm very pleased with this video, and am giving another copy as a gift to a family member. Now I'm using the second tape in the series, and will hopefully be reviewing that one by January '02.

When I looked up this video, it was so new there wasn't even one review. I bought it based on the reviews for their exercise videos. It is excellent. Veena and Neena's movements are lovely and graceful and light. They seem nice and their instruction is encouraging and professional, yet they never slip into that chirpy cheeriness so common in other instructional videos. I am not very coordinated, but I was able to learn the choreographed dance well after watching it about 12-15 times. Their instruction is clear and they break down the movements well. Plus, the camera is always placed exactly where you need it when you need it. They show you all the different moves separately, then they show you the choreographed dance step by step. Then they do the dance to tempo while they give instruction, then they just do the dance to great music. And viola'! You're bellydancing! The background on the video is Middle Eastern and pleasant. The only thing I would recommend is that if your knees aren't great, skip the knee bend in the dance and just do the arms. As for exercise, this video will definately help you tone your arms--you'll feel it! And the dance, while low-impact, will get your heart rate aerobic and, if you just rewind and dance and rewind and dance for thirty minutes, you'll have had an aerobic work-out without suffering and you'll have had a great time! Also, I found that my posture improved. Beginners with no experience will find this video valuable.

I have never done bellydancing, and a week ago I started off with the "basic moves" tape. I am quite pleased. The moves are shown very clearly, and the great bonus is at the end you have a little routine putting all the moves together. For me, this is very satisfying -- to learn some moves and actually be able to USE them right away. It is definitely not my "dream routine" but even so it is a good beginning. I also bought Shamira's tape, and compared to that veena and neena's tape has proven to be much more useful for me as a beginner. The set is attractive enough, the production very professional, it is great seeing TWO people perform the moves rather than one, and somehow veena and neena introduce the concepts in a user-friendly way. I've been trying to get the graceful arm movements down for a while on the dance floor, and they described how to do them in such an easy way I got it in a minute. I definitely did not get everything down in a week, but I feel fairly confident I will in time. Also, this tape is quite economical and I really appreciate that. I bought it as part of the box set, and I feel it was a good value. As mentioned in other reviews, they smile a lot in the video, but if you've ever seen bellydancers live that is part of the performance. I see nothing wrong with that. Veena and Neena are not the best bellydancers in the world, but they might have the best instructional video around. I have not tried any other videos apart from Shamira's, but with veena and neena's video I think I won't need anything else at the beginner stage.

I am a fit, reasonably coordinated person with ZERO dance training. I was quite interested in trying bellydance, and bought this video based on the good reviews it got. All I can say is it is great! Neena & Veena are excellent instructors and the format is very easy to follow. The moves are explained time and again (believe me...it takes a few times to get it.) After completing the tape for the 5th time I felt reasonably confident that I had mastered the basics. I showed off my new moves to my husband (who is from Lebanon and has seen many a belly dancer) and he was quite impressed. I highly recommend this video to anyone just starting out. it's fun and really makes you feel more graceful!

Since this got such good reviews, and advertised "flexibility", I ordered it. I am so glad I did and wish I had known about it sooner! I have done the tape for the last week a ahalf. After the first 15 minutes, which is arms, I had to stop to go to work, and the next morning, I woke up SORE! But it felt good, so I've followed along with the tape every other day. The soreness is leaving and the flexibility is coming! Since I am not coordinated at all, I have yet to master the arm moves with the hip moves, so I will add that later. I'm going to get the next in the series! The dancers are pleasant to watch, their attire makes it easy to see what they are doing (if you can stand to watch yourself in a mirror, do that, so you make sure you are doing the moves the way they do it) The speaker that announces the steps has a pleasant voice. It is a really good video. I live in a rural area, so this is as close to a dance/exercise class as I am going to get! I'm inspired to keep watching it, not like the other exercise videos that are gathering dust ... this is a great tape for the beginning excerciser who is also a veteran clutz...

This was a relief after the last belly-dance video that I returned. The videography was well done. You can see the whole picture and get close ups along with a clear narrative. The setting and costuming is simple but nice. You can actually see the movements instead of just a costume! There is a nice introduction followed by a warm up and different moves for the different body parts (upper, lower, arms). Each begins with an introduction of how the move looks when done, Then it is broken down to the basic steps. The moves were explained well and done slowly, only later in the segment are they then speeded up. Eventually you are asked to put them all together and move to the music and with both Neena and Veena. The tape is very basic, simple and seems to go by much too quickly. If you are a beginner then I would recommend this tape since you can have fun and progress easily. I am looking forward to trying their other tapes!

I agree with much of what has already been said. This is an easy-to-follow, attractive and well-paced video.

I am not a confident dancer, and the slow pace of the video was helpful.

However, the video doesn't really stand up to repeated viewings, if you have learned the basic steps.

Also, I wanted to note that the voice-overs are not always well synched with the movements, which can throw off your rhythm a bit.

All the same, I'm looking forward to being challenged by the next one!

I was hesitant about purchasing these videos (I also purchased "Beyond Basic Dance") because I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to get for my money, and I knew nothing at all about bellydancing - except it involved the belly! (I'd read that bellydancing is a great way to get a good workout.) I was so amazed at the level of instruction! Everything was broken down in such a way that it was easily understood, and Neena and Veena went slowly enough that I could see every aspect of the movement, then brought it up to speed. They even put the movements together into a short dance, so that I was not left wondering what to do or how to put it all together. Not only is it fun learning the movements, I found that I'm a lot better coordinated than I thought I was. Learning the art of bellydancing is going to be a great experience, and Neena and Veena are excellent teachers. I recommend ALL of their videos.

As a professional dancer, I own many instructional videos on various styles of dance. I must say that this is the best belly-dancing video I've ever purchased. The qaulity is rather good for an instructional video, and I like the creativity used to create the scenery (most videos look as though they take place in an empty garage). The steps were very easy to follow as the girls demonstrate each motion slowly, while the instructor directs you in how to execute each movement. I would recommend this video to anyone who wanted to learn how to belly dance or get in shape and have fun!

I've never really even WATCHED Bellydance before, but wanted to learn to move in that very sensual way. The Basic Dance tape is EXACTLY what I needed.

A previous reviewer thought that this tape might be too difficult for someone who hasn't done the Bellydance for Fitness tapes - not so. I haven't seen those tapes, and still did well with the Basic Dance.

Not that I can DO the whole thing, mind you. ;) I'm still plugging away at it, but I get better each time. One suggestion - buy the whole set! Once I get this one down (which will probably take a total of 10-15 viewings) I'll be needing the next tape!