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146 of 150 people found the following review helpful:
The Workout is Good, but the Title is Deceptive
The "beginners" part of the title is in reference to the DVD in question offering instructions on how to bellydance for someone who may never have done it before. It teaches basic moves and exercises the various areas of the body that are used during bellydance. DO be able to get through the first workout if you aren't in shape -- but do NOT expect the same...
Published on January 8, 2002 by S. D. Shaver
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
Good teaching tool, boring workout
There are essentially two parts to this DVD: the basic moves, and the fat-burning workout.
The basic moves are a good teaching tool, and a decent low- to intermediate-level cardio workout.
The fat-burning section is INTENSE. I could barely get through it. There is a lot of hopping and jumping around, as explained by previous reviewers. My biggest...
Published on July 21, 2006 by Jennifer
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146 of 150 people found the following review helpful:
The Workout is Good, but the Title is Deceptive, January 8, 2002
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Basic Moves & Fat Burning (DVD)
The "beginners" part of the title is in reference to the DVD in question offering instructions on how to bellydance for someone who may never have done it before. It teaches basic moves and exercises the various areas of the body that are used during bellydance. DO be able to get through the first workout if you aren't in shape -- but do NOT expect the same with the second workout (hence my reason for refering to the title as deceptive). The basic moves section of this DVD is good for someone who is out of shape (like me) and looking for something that stretches and challenges at the same time. It doesn't really burn fat or get your heart rate going like, say, a Tae-Bo workout would, but it does get your body moving and teaches you some unusual dance moves at the same time. The fat burning section is something else entirely. Intermediate users who have some tone and strength to their muscles might be able to deal with the constant up-down-up-down movement, but even after a month of fairly steady exercise with other titles, I still can't get through the first part of this workout. The constant bouncing in particular seems to agitate my knees and ankles. So, in short -- the first workout is good for stretching, coordination, grace, and learning a little bit about bellydance. The second is good if your knees and ankles can take it and you have the endurance to tough it out. That person isn't me, but it might be you :) DVD options include sound type (Dolby 5.1 or Dolby 2), editing out the commentators's voices, and information about the benefits of bellydance. The dance footage that was originally part of the credits on the VHS versions of these workouts is also included, and I would almost say that they're worth the price of admission. As difficult as I found the second workout to be, I find watching Veena and Neena dance to be awe-inspiring. They are very good at what they do, and their costumes are incredible!
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44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
THANK YOU NEENA AND VEENA!, February 21, 2002
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Basic Moves & Fat Burning (DVD)
This is an excellent workout for someone who hates to work out. I have been doing it twice a week for three weeks and its been fun. My belly is noticable more defined, so are my legs and arms, and I've lost about 8 pounds. My boyfriend has especially noticed the change in my body and says he loves it that I look like a belly dancer. Its a very sexy workout.I have more energy and i acctually look forward to working out now, instead of dreading it. It is not strenuous, instead it is more relaxing. I feel good when I am done instead of worn out. Neena and Veena have a lot of enthusiasm and thier attitude makes you feel good about working out. They are so graceful and fun to watch. I find myself doing the moves to music as I clean the house because they are enjoyable. If you are not in shape when you get it, take your time learning the basic moves section before you try to move onto the fat burning. If you stick with it, which i'm sure you will want to after you try it, it really works. My body is so thankful for Neena and Veena. :)
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27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
Great workout for the out of shape and rushed!, July 15, 2004
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Basic Moves & Fat Burning (DVD)
I love the beginning workout on this CD. It reminds me a lot of Tai Chi--but with music and some prettier moves. I bought this DVD to have a short and easy workout to alternate with an easy Tai Chi workout. I can almost do this workout and will be able to do it soon. It covers all sections of my body, but is not so strenuous that I will damage myself. Veena and Neena are experienced instructors and they make the workout fun, relaxing and thorough. I have not done the fat burning portion yet--I will save it for when I can do the basic moves easily and want to step up the action. It looks like there is a more advanced set of DVDs that is available if I ever get really smooth and want to move it up more.
This is a very professionally done DVD with attention to scene and background selection, good sound, selection of music and costuming as well as sound method.
Many films of this nature often leave a lot to be desired--but this one is professionally laid out and I will enjoy it for years.
I will probably buy the more advanced three set if I put in enough time to get smooth on this beginning tape.:)
I am too old to want to bellydance in a public class, but this is really fun and inspiring to try this in my own home. :)
Mary Z. Cox
www.nettally.com/infocon
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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
Sensual and Smooth Bellydance Workout, September 30, 2006
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Basic Moves & Fat Burning (DVD)
The emphasis of the title for this DVD would be "workout," because while you are moving fluidly through dance moves, Neena and Veena are focusing on the basics rather than a choreographed routine. This works well for anyone at the end of the beginner scale or middle of intermediate bellydancing. The exercises are fast enough to give you a cardiovascular workout, but not so strenuous as to leave you catching your breath. Well, a few times during the Egyptian folk dancing segments it was a little more challenging.
There are two main sections with a second workout focusing on fat burning. The first workout can be used to stretch and warm the body. Both workouts are narrated and the music is inspirational.
During the truly enjoyable "Basic Moves" section the shoulder isolations are especially good as they allow you to work slowly into the shoulder shimmies with added confidence. In the Fat Burning workout you increase the strength of your feet and lower body by jumping around a bit more as you might in folk dancing. I found the exercises to be fun, challenging and emotionally freeing. In both sections you practice beautiful hand movements and get an excellent arm workout.
Overall I found this to be challenging for your feet, knees and shoulders. You will feel a burn in your calves as you try to remain up on your toes. The Fat Burning section is especially effective to help you increase the flexibility in your back and enhance your feminine grace. Drinking lots of water during the second section is recommended. I'd say that you will enjoy this most if you are intermediate because of the fast pace of the Fat Burning exercises.
Even if you are intermediate to advanced, there seems to be an interesting array of new exercises because this focuses more on the folk and Egyptian style of dance. If you are interested in increasing your awareness and talents in those two areas, I can highly recommend this to you.
~The Rebecca Review
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
Good teaching tool, boring workout, July 21, 2006
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Basic Moves & Fat Burning (DVD)
There are essentially two parts to this DVD: the basic moves, and the fat-burning workout.
The basic moves are a good teaching tool, and a decent low- to intermediate-level cardio workout.
The fat-burning section is INTENSE. I could barely get through it. There is a lot of hopping and jumping around, as explained by previous reviewers. My biggest gripe with this workout is that it's very repetetive and boring. There's only a few moves that are repeated for a very long time, and I found myself looking at the clock far more often than I'd like. Also, this section doesn't really focus on classic "bellydance" moves-- at least, not that I recognize. So it's not even helpful for teaching in that respect.
Overall, I'd say it's worth it just to see the twins dance, and for the light workout provided by the Basic Moves. For intense cardio, however, I'll go somewhere else.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Perfect for the Beginner / Intermediate, February 26, 2006
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Basic Moves & Fat Burning (DVD)
This is a SUPER video to get back into exercise again - it's not going to be easy but it's not going to be frustrating either. It's pretty, it's sensual, it's not too dance-heavy (for those of us who are coordination-challenged) and is a pleasant way to break up your workout routine.
This video is personally erotic, beautifully feminine and artfully spiritual. It's a terrific way to spend free time and has not been something to dread (as opposed to other workout videos) because it's as good for the mind and spirit as the body. This video is "Me Time".
The girls are lovely, have normal female bodies and the voice-overs aren't cloying, sugary, or filled with false pep. It's probably too easy for advanced / in-shape people looking for a serious workout, but to me it's far more than exercise and certainly worth a look, no matter what your exercise style or fitness level.
Oh! Those of you with young children! My six-year-old daughter fell in love with this video (she loves the moves and the girliness of the dance as well as the costumes in the bonus dance section)and we often do this workout together. What a plus!
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
NOT the best for beginners!, July 4, 2005
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Basic Moves & Fat Burning (DVD)
If you explore bellydance fitness and instructional videos and DVDs on Amazon you'll see everyone and their momma reccommending this one.
But this is NOT The best DVD out there for instruction OR fitness.
First of all: the "basic moves" DVD is a decent basic instruction, however there are other bellydance DVD's that teach a LOT more basic moves, such as the Goddess Workout with Dolphina or Magical Motion with Atea (the one that I would REALLY reccommend). Even Neena and Veena's "Discover Bellydance - Basic Dance" teaches more than this DVD.
Second: the "Fat Burning" workout is, in a word, DANGEROUS. There are several moves done in this workout, including head rolls during the workout and an extended piston shimmy (aka choo-choo shimmy, that whole toe-tapping on the balls of your fee thing) that can cause injury when done incorrectly. The DVD does not teach the proper technique to do these moves.
Thirdly, "Fat Burning" is an extremely difficult workout and would be very bad for anyone with trouble in their ankles, knees or hips. After the first time I did it my calves were excruciatingly sore for a week.
Fourthly, though the "Basic Moves" part does teach some bellydance moves, the moves used in "Fat Burning" are mostly just exercise moves. If you want to learn to bellydance or do a workout that uses a lot of bellydance moves, you'll want to look elsewhere.
The Discover Bellydance workouts by Rania offer a far more gentle workout for those who haven't been exercising for a while. For someone who exercises regularly, wants a workout that uses a few bellydance moves and can still be challenging, Neena and Veena's "Slim Down" is a far better choice.
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22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
THE video for beginning dancers, July 15, 2003
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Basic Moves & Fat Burning (DVD)
These excellent videos are a must have for anyone interested in learning to bellydance. Although you will not become a bellydancer overnight, the videos teach you the basic components of bellydance. The workout is fun and engaging, and you won't mind practicing it over and over. Once the material here is mastered, Neena and Veena's more advanced videos teach choreography and putting everything together into a routine.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
Fun!, July 20, 2002
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Basic Moves & Fat Burning (DVD)
This might not be the hardest workout in the world, it might not be the best but it will motivate you, move you and yes, excercise you. The Basic Moves are fairly easy to do and a great start before you move on to any other of Neena and Veena's videos (specially the Slim Down VHS which is my favorite). Fat Burning seems easy when you watch it but give it a try and you'll feel it. I have found that using a bellydancing belt or scarf (you can get them at ebay for a good price) is really encouraging, it helps you keep the rythm and motivates you to move more and make sounds that not only sound beautiful, but you'll hear them matching the movements in the screen and will make you feel like a real bellydancer. The DVD is a great value since you get for one low price, what you would otherwise have to buy as two separate VHS for about the same price. I also recommend the Arms, Abs, Hips, Buns and Thighs DVD and the Slim Down VHS.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
Basic Moves For Novices-FatBurning For In shape ppl!, April 24, 2002
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Basic Moves & Fat Burning (DVD)
I absolutely fell in love with Belly Dancing thanks to this DVD. It has helped me lose 2 pant sizes in a month (From 24 to a 22)and has upped my confidence, energy and has helped me develop a new love- Belly dancing!
My personal opinion: Basic Moves is best if you are a total novice to belly dancing, and if you are pretty out of shape. I would highly reccomend Basic Moves if you are looking for a work out that will teach you some moves, is fun, challenging yet dosen't leave you feeling like your gonna die any moment.My only gripe is I don't understand why they included one of their HARDEST work outs on the same DVD as their easiest. I have weak ankles, so the fat burning portion of the DVD which deals mostly with Egyptian Folk dancing is pretty much a no go for me. It seems you would need to be in really good shape to do the fat burning portion. If you are out of shape, I would save the money and just buy the VHS of Basic moves.
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