Search - Princess Farhana: Belly Dance Basic Workout on DVD

Review of Farhana Basic Bellydance Workout

Lisa Kuney | Jacksonville, NC United States | 10/16/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I was singularly unimpressed with this offering from "Princess" Farhana. It looked like it was shot in someone's living room, with wrinkled sheets/curtains as the backdrop, and intermittent loud traffic noise in the background. She demonstrates moves but does not explain in any depth how to perform them. I would not recommend this video to any of my students. It was absolutely painful to view. I found her calling a large Egyptian-style hip circle a "butt-wipe" extremely unprofessional. While a reasonably competent dancer, she is not by any means a teacher."

NOT WORTH IT

kittykat | orlando, fl usa | 06/14/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I got this dvd for a cheaper price at another store. I was not even worth the cheaper price. I use to pass by it with my mind telling me not to get it, but I finally fell for it and purchased it. My mind was right, it was not good."

This is such a sham it`s laughable

Erin | France | 10/07/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"The pretty cover is a total dupe! Inside the video is the EXACT opposite. Lord almighty, this is the ugliest bellydance video I've seen in 15 years.

Looks like it was shot in a 1930's catholic school gym with a dirty, old and stained, hardwood floor. Behind Farhara dressed in basic black (no princess accroutments evident...she looks less glamourous than a soccer mom) hang dragging-floor-to-ceiling tattered blue satin curtains of the gaudiest color, making your eyes beg for relief. I don`t know what those curtains are hiding but I kept expecting basketballs from the junior high team no doubt playing behind her, to come flying in.

Farhana herself is not a terrible dancer persay - but lets face it, bellydance for all it's technique and work is not rocket science, but a dance whose technique is constantly under interpretion, unlike, say ballet, so tho I would not classify her as `bad`, she`s no inspiring swan song either. Her technique is sloppy and ungainly as far as a teacher goes. She's good-natured enough but does not have the polish of a professional educator and I felt ripped off by this two-bit, pathetic production and frankly was flat out angry I`d wasted my money.

The audio is terrible! The echo of her voice in the empty room is unforgivable. The cover leads one to believe a romanitic almost princess-like class awaits - or at the very least, a dvd with some composure and class, but alas it is not so. Save your cash and buy almost any other bellydance video. Best of luck in the future, Farhara, and blessings to you, but this video is just not worth the purchase.

If you want to see the total opposite in style, panache, and sophistication, purchase `Luscious - The Bellydance Workout for Beginners (2008)` - it is gorgeous and smart and gives you the experience you were probably looking for in Princess Farhara`s instruction and production distaster of a dvd. There`s just far too many excellent bellydance dvds out on the market to settle for the likes of this very unroyal wasteland."

Great Beginner/Practice Bellydance DVD

C.C.N. | 02/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bellydance Basic is a nice starter for a new dancer and is GREAT for practice! Princess Farhana's technique and fun persona will really inspire you to dance. I have been studying bellydance for a few years and I still find myself refering back and practicing with this DVD for fun.

This DVD covers posture, a brief warm-up, arm positions, basic hip movements, traveling, basic shimmy, figure eights, undulations, arms and hand technique, arm and hand technique with shimmy, and a snappy performance that includes a cute drum solo.

Throughout the instruction she gives clear visuals that are easy to understand, and then shows you how to perform the movement so it looks flawless and graceful. She also includes how to present each move with arm positions. The way she structures the exercises on this DVD, help prepare the beginning dancer for the more advanced movements you will learn later on.

The lighting, camera work, and sound are good. Although, there are points, you can hear a slight sound of cars driving by in the very beginning of the dvd, it's not distracting, or noticeable throughout.

If you are looking for a fun, beginner level bellydance DVD to supplement your at home practice, I think you will enjoy this one.

NOTE: Belly Dance Basics is structured more like an actual bellydance class, you will get excercise but I would not call it a work up a sweat "workout.""