Search - Azar's Belly Dance Workout: Level 1 on DVD

Love it!!

S. Cunningham | Ohio | 10/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wanted a workout and also wanted to learn how to belly dance. Azar is definitely the answer! Easy to follow, not too repetitious, but enough to learn the move and move on without getting bored. I would recommend this to anyone who has never tried bellydancing and wants to learn the basic moves easily. The music is great and there are links to suppliers! I'm checking out Azar to see what else she has to offer!"

Easy to follow and fun

Sally Cavanaugh | San Jose, CA | 07/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I received this DVD as a gift. I had never tried belly dance before and don't think that I would in a group setting. Trying it at home was great for me. I am able to get a good workout and have fun at the same time. Azar seems so nice and her instructions are clear for a first timer. I think that anybody of any age would enjoy this DVD."

Cons outweigh the pros

Amanda Schneeman | NJ | 06/09/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Cons:
- I have no rythme so, the video moves too fast. She doesn't demonstrate things clearly and slowly for you to get the hang of it without having to rewind all the time.
- When she demonstrates she doesn't do it for very long, if you need to see the video to practice you'll have to rewind a lot.
- The video quality seems to be very low almost home made.
- When she dances her feet are not always in the possition she tells you to use
- she looks too self conscious and awkward
- It's a very short video
- Though her dance at the end was very mediocre for someone studying the dance for so long. She doesn't have very good showmanship and looks awkward.

Pros:
- I like the way she explains some things but not all things are clear
- Music is good
- If I have nothing else it lays some of the very basic ground work I can work on and learn from watching others"

Quick workout for routine, not for beginners by any means

Lena, LMT | Nassau, NY | 09/09/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a mid production dvd with just some chapter options of intor, alignment, workout & performance. It looks set in someone's large living room complete with only eastern & Indian decorating that is beatuiful with hard wood floors.
Azar's starts with a 1 min intro & 2 mins on basic posture which you can get on any bellydance fitness dvd.
I started at the end with her 4 min performance & it wasn't very inspiring. She is self conscious, almost like she wants to look at her own back & the moves themselves seem a bit sloppy. What got me the most is she wears HIGH HEELS. I've never seen any other bellydancer do that. You can tell she loves to dance & natural beauty in her, but she doesn't allow it to come through from worry. I almost wanted to return it right then & there, but willing to give the workout a shot.

The camera stays mostly so far away, you can fit from her head to toe (good) but it's too far away, I don't need to see the floor & walls that much. She does have a very natural slloowww sensual movement, though a bit lazy w/no passion & her face reminds me of Susan Sarandon with a straight red hair & bangs that looks almost exactly like the bellydancer Jillina (who has great routine bellydance videos.)

The warm up is only a few head stretches, shoulder rolls & modified yoga triangle that stretches the hips & side torso.
She narrates over over the video of herself alone showing you the steps. She only here & there gives a few clues on how to do the moves, otherwise ONLY calls out the name of the move. I almost wanted to say that is NOTHING on here for anyone, but realized she does bring out the relaxed side of you to just enjoy the dance. I would suggest this DVD only for those who have several bellydance dvds & are very used to the moves & looking for something that doesn't always stop so much to teach. Do not follow her movements since she is sloppy, but just like working out with a friend.

What moves included on the workout are chest circles vertical & horizontal, hip lifts & hip drops, hip circles, hip & houlder shimmies, hip lift walks, infinity 8s, snake arms, uludations, grapevine, hip lift walking in circle, carousel circle (hip lift turning).

See more about her at her site mysticsun com"