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57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
So fun!
Ok, so I was skeptical as to whether or not I would like this workout DVD. I was pleasantly suprised. It was so different from my usual work outs that I found myself having fun (mostly laughing at myself). The steps are simple, though for the coordination-deficients out there (me), you may have to pause the video once in a while to practice the move before continuing...
Published on February 23, 2004 by Sarah J. W. Tyrchniewicz
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41 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
Shake Your Hips to Slim Down Your Waist
Workout Description: about 20 minutes of cardio / light toning w/ 5 minute warm-up, 3 minute cool-down, and 3 minute stretch for a total of 30 minutes
Workout Level: mid-beginner to low-intermediate. You can modify the moves for low or mid-level impact by adding or taking away jumps and bounces. The choreography is fairly basic.
Instructor: Veena and...
Published on August 10, 2004 by blueyed puella
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57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
So fun!, February 23, 2004
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down (DVD)
Ok, so I was skeptical as to whether or not I would like this workout DVD. I was pleasantly suprised. It was so different from my usual work outs that I found myself having fun (mostly laughing at myself). The steps are simple, though for the coordination-deficients out there (me), you may have to pause the video once in a while to practice the move before continuing. Sometimes the camera does closeups at inopportune moments -- this causes you to see only the hip movements, but not the foot placement, for example. That can get annoying. I was a little dissapointed that the "trailers" did not have videos from Neena and Veena's series. Instead it was for some other woman. Also, they weren't really trailers but segments from those workouts. This was sort of nice because it gives you an idea what the "flavor" of the workout will be, I assume. In short, after trying this video, I definately intend on buying other Neena and Veena workouts to spice up my usual work out home routine! By the way... I don't mean to be crass, but I suggest wearing a heavy duty sports bra for the well endowed. The workout requires a lot of bouncing.
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47 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
I AM THIN AND BELLY BEAUTIFUL!, August 8, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down (DVD)
I HIGHLY recomend Veena and Neena's "slim down". When I started this program it was in December of 2002. I was 60 pounds overweight and becoming deeply depressed because of it. I actually picked up Veena and Neena's "fat burning" VHS tape and having enjoyed the tape so much I bought "slim down" soon after. As soon as I started "slim down" I enjoyed it even more than "fat burning" and stuck with it. At first I started out small and did the tape once or twice a week. Febuary I started doing it at least three times a week. I lost 15 pounds before April. Starting in May I switched to a Low carb diet, cut out sugar drinks and drank LOTS of water. I kept up my workout ritual with the belly-twins and did the video four to five times a week. Between April and August I've lost about 35 pounds. A total of 50 lbs! I've gained beautiful muscle, I'm toned and I've only got a short way to go till I reach my goal weight! Veena and Neena's program has inspired me to take bellydancing classes. This DVD is a work out video (not a dance instruction video) and it will take a little time to learn the moves. Learning the moves doesn't take away from the intensity of the workout though. As soon as you familiarize yourself with the moves I promise you'll love it! If you want to learn the dance itself I suggest Veena and Neena's other DVD's and tapes "Mystic Dance" "basic dance" and "beyond basic dance". The workout videos do however use bellydance moves for the workout. I own all their programs and out of all of them "slim down" has helped me the most.
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41 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
Shake Your Hips to Slim Down Your Waist, August 10, 2004
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down (DVD)
Workout Description: about 20 minutes of cardio / light toning w/ 5 minute warm-up, 3 minute cool-down, and 3 minute stretch for a total of 30 minutes
Workout Level: mid-beginner to low-intermediate. You can modify the moves for low or mid-level impact by adding or taking away jumps and bounces. The choreography is fairly basic.
Instructor: Veena and Neena Badisha (known as the "Bellydance Twins") via voice over to announce the exercises and offer encouragement
Class: Veena & Neena only
Music / Set: The non-vocal music is Middle Eastern-inspired. The set is brightly lit, with carpet, rich-colored curtains, and pillows scattered around the back. You'll recognize the set from other Natural Journeys videos.
Equipment Needed: none
Caveats: There are few pointers for form. I don't have the introductory volume of this series, so I don't know if that's where technique is discussed. I feel, however, that this should include form tips regardless.
Additional Comments: You don't need a lot of space for this workout. You should be able to take one step forward and back and two steps to each size.
This isn't a true belly dance routine. You will learn a few belly dance moves, but most are derived or just inspired by various Egyptian or Middle Eastern dances.
Some cardio parts of his workout are almost a little too rigorous for true beginners, but more intermediate exercisers will probably find the repetitive movements too dull. This workout is best for those who want more variety among their beginner dance videos (bellydance, hula, Latin, or whatever).
While a lot of people will enjoy this non-intimidating approach to fitness, this workout just isn't for me. I like dancing, but I much prefer ballet or even jazz to more hip-shaking forms of dance. This workout's a little too slow for me and doesn't have enough focus on form. I've found that it leaves me sore and aching-and not in a good way.
The DVD allows you to select your chapter and to choose to workout without the narration. There are photos of Neena and Veena from their other bellydance videos, trailers for Natural Journey's other bellydance videos, a performance clip by a bellydancer named Marina, and a segment called "Flexibility Training" by Rania (I believe), who doesn't have very good form.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
Solid start for beginner weight loss.., July 7, 2005
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down (DVD)
I was initially interested in purchasing this video because I wanted to try some type of Eastern dance technique and burn fat/calories at the same time (which this DVD claims to do). I had high expectations for it because I know the two dancers, Veena and Neena have had international belly dance training and have acclaim in the Eastern dancing world...I was not disappointed at all.
The workout is of moderate intensity- starting out slower, gradually getting more intense, and then a short cool down at the end. After 30 minutes of this tape, (i'm a young person, a little on the chunky side but not out of shape) I was sweating PROFUSELY...after about 2 weeks of doing this every day, I can definitely feel that my stamina has risen, I have lost at least 2 inches on my waist, and, complimented with a sensible diet, I've lost somewhere between 5 and 7 pounds. The moves are generally easy to follow, except for some of the step movements, but after a few times you'll have it down. The only one complaint I have about this video is that the constant use of arms will make one tired after about 15-20 minutes, so I just bring my arms down lower to make up for the tiredness, and still keep them moving.
One piece of advice if you do this workout, and I hope you do: there is a chapter on this DVD called Flexibility training, which provides you with an extra stretch routine before you start Veena and Neena's workout- DO IT! Its indispensable in making sure you aren't sore after the bellydance workout, and stretches all the main muscles in the body, so it can be used if you are just looking for a basic stretch routine before any workout, like running or bicycling.
I definitely plan on buying more of Veena and Neena's workout tapes, once my endurance is high and I can do the workout without the voiceover (another great addition to this DVD is the removal of the voiceover, so you can practice with just Veena, Neena, and the music)
Lose that stubborn weight with this DVD...you won't regret it =)
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Great workout!, January 9, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down (DVD)
This is a great workout. I am someone who is basically quite lazy and it takes a lot for me to stick to a program-and i normally hate exercise videos. I have bought numerous ones (about 45 videos in all) but end up using these ones which i find the most enjoyable togather with african healing dance (with wyoma). I actually find myself looking forward to the next exercise session with the twins one day and with wyoma the other. The reason for the 4 stars is the lack of proper warmup (which i borrow from the wyoma video) and cooldown streches (which i do from a book). This workout is quite a challenge to the calf muscles- and they need to be properly streched before and after and the warmup is best done by yourself- running in spot or skipping or whatever gets you thoroughly warmed up.
not recommedned for people with any joint injury in the legs or ankles. however if they are simply weak- this will challenge and strengthen them. Just listen to your body and know when to ease down.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
A refreshing change from other workouts, January 12, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down (DVD)
I used to be a competitive runner, but over the past few years I've grown less active, and am kept quite busy with work. So I picked up this video to keep me motivated to work out when I'm at home and don't have that much time. It definitely made me break a sweat (and I'm still in decently good shape), and the rhythm and music made the workout a lot more fun than tae bo and other workout videos I have in my collection-- I actually did this work out for a few days in a row without having to cycle it with other routines because it was fun to do. So I give it four stars. I would not give it five stars, however, because I felt it was rather short (around twenty minutes) and I did not find it as strenuous as I had hoped-- and since I don't have much time to spend on working out, I think every minute counts! This dance would be challenging for someone who is just starting to get back into shape, or someone who is in decent shape, but I would not recommend it for athletes or those who are experienced exercisers (I suppose that's why it says bellydance fitness for beginners), because it's moderately difficult but nowhere near as strenuous as tae bo advanced or even a quick jog around the park.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
Really nice change of pace, January 2, 2006
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down (DVD)
I ordered this hoping for a light cardio workout that would be fun for a change. I'm a former amateur athlete and aerobics instructor recovering from a debilitating health problem and needed something fun and light as a variation to physical therapy. I have really enjoyed this workout. The moves look "easy" but are deceptively engaging; if you follow the instructors' moves you get a nice, low-impact, total-body workout. I like the music and I especially like the fact that Neena and Veena don't have media-style "perfect" bodies -- they look like normal young women. The workout is balanced and contains adequate warm-up and cooldown sections. In accordance with some other comments, the narration does leave a little bit to be desired, but the instruction is good enough to keep you going without confusion. I'd definitely encourage this as a starter video for any woman who wants to begin a slimming program that won't be boring or intimidating.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Fun, just remember to keep it tight!!, December 29, 2005
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down (DVD)
I will start out by saying that I love this DVD. The workout is short enough for a couch potato like me to get through, though I have to admit that I have to push a bit. If you are in shape at all, this may be a bit too light for you. Also, this doesn't really teach you bellydance moves so don't buy this DVD for that reason. It really is just a fun little workout with a bit of bellydance flavor (some hip and chest moves) that will get a beginner sweating. It does take a few runs through the routine to get the moves and steps down, but before long you'll be way ahead of the voice cues! I would just stress two things: keep your abs tight throughout the entire workout and if your arms get tired (they will!) just lower them a bit and keep moving. I think this is definitely worthwhile for the beginner. Just don't take it too seriously and have some fun! And definitely do the bonus stretching workout with Rania...not hard, but as I've said a couple of times already: keep it tight!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
WHAT A WORKOUT!, February 24, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down (DVD)
I totally liked this workout better than the "fat burning" tape. It's easier to keep up unlike the other one it was hard to keep going because you're out of breath in midpoint of the workout. This one is easier on the feet too. You will have fun doing this workout because you almost feel like you're dancing along with them and you won't believe how much you have sweated after this workout. You won't be disappointed!
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Playful Folk-Style Bellydance, October 17, 2005
This review is from: Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down (DVD)
If you are looking for a highly sensuous dance routine, then this is much more playful and exuberant. The music inspires spontaneous motion and you may find yourself modifying various sections and even making up your own dance routines to the inspirational music.
Neena and Veena Bidasha dance in a room of flowing fuchsia curtains. The setting is beautiful with pillows all over the floor and a calm environment. They begin with simple shoulder rolls and simultaneously warm up your calves. After elegant stretches they get playful as you loosen up your hips and then delve into shimmies galore. The shimmies in this particular workout seemed very easy to accomplish and that might be because your body will naturally get into a rhythm with this particular style of music.
Overall, the music is especially inspiring, you will feel a sense of calm and the playful flow of the movements seem to promote the cleansing of negative emotions. One of my favorite Neena and Veena workouts. You can feel your body burning those calories as you strengthen your thighs and abs.
~The Rebecca Review
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