adiemus
New member
tee hee!!
I have two that I quite like, both by Jenna.
Basics and Beyond - I like the step-by-step way she goes through each movement, and because she stands in front of a mirror, you see both front and back - and she works both sides, so you get to see everything from all angles.
The practice combinations are fun especially if you're a beginner like me, they allow me to practice something different from what I'm covering in class, while still learning the very basics.
I'm not so keen on her warmup, because I think stretches are good only once you have warmed cardiovascularly, but they are good as a cool down.
The other one is Heartbeat of Belly Dance, rhythms and dance combinations for drum solo's.
For me the best part is Raquy going through each rhythm so I am beginning to identify the differences in other pieces of music.
The choreography that Jenna does (there are three) are reasonably easy to follow, she breaks down each bar and this means it's easy to stop and go over each one until you've got it.
But the best part for me is her shimmy drills - these are great for someone like me who is a real beginner to go over and over without getting bored.
I have no idea whether these are 'good' examples of technique, but I have found that since following this, as well as going through the class, the number of practices I do each week has increased, my stamina has improved, and I'm more able to do the moves without having to think with my brain - my body is beginning to do it naturally.
Can I emphasise that using a DVD is no way as good as being in a class? And I should add that having a mirror is really helpful to ensure posture is correct (especially if you're working on a lumbar lordosis that needs to learn a new position!!). But having a DVD does mean you can stop and start, go over and over what you're struggling with, and not bore everyone - I just wish I could video my teacher in class and use that in between lessons!!
I hope I haven't broken protocol by doing this review - but for me it's been a worthwhile couple of purchases!
I have two that I quite like, both by Jenna.
Basics and Beyond - I like the step-by-step way she goes through each movement, and because she stands in front of a mirror, you see both front and back - and she works both sides, so you get to see everything from all angles.
The practice combinations are fun especially if you're a beginner like me, they allow me to practice something different from what I'm covering in class, while still learning the very basics.
I'm not so keen on her warmup, because I think stretches are good only once you have warmed cardiovascularly, but they are good as a cool down.
The other one is Heartbeat of Belly Dance, rhythms and dance combinations for drum solo's.
For me the best part is Raquy going through each rhythm so I am beginning to identify the differences in other pieces of music.
The choreography that Jenna does (there are three) are reasonably easy to follow, she breaks down each bar and this means it's easy to stop and go over each one until you've got it.
But the best part for me is her shimmy drills - these are great for someone like me who is a real beginner to go over and over without getting bored.
I have no idea whether these are 'good' examples of technique, but I have found that since following this, as well as going through the class, the number of practices I do each week has increased, my stamina has improved, and I'm more able to do the moves without having to think with my brain - my body is beginning to do it naturally.
Can I emphasise that using a DVD is no way as good as being in a class? And I should add that having a mirror is really helpful to ensure posture is correct (especially if you're working on a lumbar lordosis that needs to learn a new position!!). But having a DVD does mean you can stop and start, go over and over what you're struggling with, and not bore everyone - I just wish I could video my teacher in class and use that in between lessons!!
I hope I haven't broken protocol by doing this review - but for me it's been a worthwhile couple of purchases!
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