Customer Reviews

SharQui - The bellydance workout [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been bellydancing since 1994 and have taken instruction from some of the best bellydance performers and teachers in the U.S. (Suhaila, Suzanna Del Vecchio, Cassandra...) This doesn't mean that *I'm* one of the best performers or teachers in the U.S., but it does mean that I know what good bellydance instruction is when I see it.

This video has pretty good production values but the instructor's inability to dance to the beat and the fact that she doesn't explain proper execution of hip snaps, so that it looks like all of her students are just throwing their hips as hard as they can (my lower back hurt just watching, ow, ow, ow) are deal breakers for me. "It doesn't matter if you do the move right as long as you're having fun" is all well and good until you injure yourself. My shoulders did get sore from holding my arms out so much, but otherwise, I did not find it to be much of a cardio or strengthening workout.

Good production values couldn't outweigh Oreet's inability to stay on the beat and the fact that she doesn't fully explain moves that, if done incorrectly, can injure your lower back (hip snaps and pelvic locks.) "Don't worry about doing it right, just have fun" only goes so far where safety is concerned.

This is an hour long workout led by a cute instructor. The first part of the workout is made up of segments where you work on the abs - the arms - and the hips - learning movements that will be incorporated into the dance at the end - and toning at the same time. Then at the end, the dance is taught in a TIFTT manner - each segment is taught slowly and then in tempo - and then put together in one long sequence.

Oreet is graceful, mellow and charming - and does her best to instill positive thinking. So nice to have a workout video which doesn't seem like one - and where we are not constantly reminded that we are burning calories/fat or tightening our fat behinds! The class is cute too - a nice mix of body types who take turns to demonstrate moves during the dance segment at the end.

HOEVER. the music seems to have been added on afterwards. They don't hold the beat. Furthermore, the jerky hip movements are potentially unsafe. So I think this workout is good for those who are experienced at bellydance and know they have to tense their buttocks and hold their abs firm to protect their lower back when doing these moves.

This is a fun, bellydance-inspired workout. If you're looking for a bellydance teaching tape, then keep looking. If you're looking for an aerobic workout, this isn't it, either. This IS a workout that will especially help build strength in those who are modestly to moderately fit.

Following a brief warmup, the cast present a progression of bellydance-inspired isolations to work arms, abs, and legs. The leg section was definitely most challenging for me. I wish the arms and abs sections had been a litte harder. One touch that I appreciated (but others might not) is the brief breaks the cast takes to grab water. Good place to pause if you need a little hydration!

Following the isolation sections, the cast introduces a dance routine in small segments (as you've probably seen done in most dance-aerobic tapes). The movements are simple to master since they're primarily derived from the isolation segments. The complete dance is fun and repeated 3 times. It isn't an aerobic challenge. You'll either love this because you'll be able to complete and repeat the dance easily, or you'll be disappointed that you weren't challenged more. Oreet isn't concerned with teaching "correct" bellydance movements -- she just wants you to move and have fun.

One technical quibble. The dancers don't seem to be dancing in time with the music. (Maybe the music track was laid over the video footage in post production?) I found this distracting, and ultimately opted to dance in time to the music, rather than in sync with the cast. Otherwise, sound and video quality are good. Camera is usually tracking what you want to see.

I enjoy the workout and will keep it in rotation with other tapes.

The SharQui workout is exactly what I've been looking for! My abs, legs and arms are so sore from doing this video. You don't realize that you're exercising for almost an hour because it's fun. And the music has a great beat which keeps you moving. I highly recommend this tape for anyone who wants to replace their cardio workouts. For me it's like getting 2 videos in one....aerobic and bellydance!

I was searching ... for a new workout video and I came across Sharqui...I am so glad I did. I usually take classes at the gym 3-4 times a week and the rest of the week I rely on my workout videos to keep me in shape. After doing the Sharqui workout I realized that there are days that I find myself intentionally missing class to go home and workout with Oreet! This video is such a great combination of fitness and dance. In addition to this video really making me sweat and keeping me toned, I love how I picked up some new moves to use when I am out on the town. I can't wait until I can get to NYC to take Oreet's class because this girl really knows what she is doing when it comes to fitness...great job Oreet!

I never thought I would find a video that targeted and improved my mid-section the way SharQui does. I really feel the burn, and have seen an amazing improvement in how my pants fit. I finally have a wasitline again! I also thought the video was just challenging enough so I didn't get bored with it after a few viewings; if anything, I found it more and more fun every time I watched! Since there is no bellydance workout available at gyms in my area, I would love to see another SharQui video out soon!

A friend of mine recommended this video to get in shape. I thought to myself "Belly dancing - I would never be able to do that". After doing the video one time I really worked up a sweat and felt GREAT. I thought it would be a lot more difficult then it was. It was very instructional and it really made Belly dancing look easy and made working out look and feel like fun. Just think--Learning to belly dance while working out--what else can you ask for?

This video will get your heart rate up! The first half of the video introduces the movements that will be used in the aerobic routine in the second half. The routine feels and looks like dancing, not like aerobic exercising. Oreet and her fellow dancers each introduce a movement-combination segment that adds up to the complete aerobic routine. The music used is lively, in the Middle-Eastern pop/fusion style, with steady rhythms throughout each song. Movements are fairly basic, suitable for beginners, presented in a straight-forward manner. More experienced dancers can do variations on the moves for added difficulty/variety. Bellydancing can be aerobic!!!

Oreet's bellydance is one of the best dance workout I have ever encountered. I feel like a different person each and ever time I workout with her video. I have much more confidence in myself as a woman. Loving everything about my body this dance is all about celebrating and liberating myself as a women. It's a self-esteem video for whatever insecurites that might have entered my mind. Thanks Oreet for making a difference in the way I see myself. When I workout I become a completely different person and now all my friends are fascinated which is a good thing more sales for your tape. Oreet without knowing... you are great inspiration to me...