Search - Fluid Tribal Bellydance: Swirling Waves, Fierce Isolations, Hits & Breaks on DVD

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Alechka16 | Ottawa, ON, Canada | 08/22/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm slightly conflicted about how I feel about this DVD. While it has valuable content and I love Fayzha's energy and great instructions, I wish there was more practice time included for each of the movements she covers in both the tribal fusion foundation movement and Concepts, Layered and Advanced Moves. Those sections include various moves and concepts that are introduced rather quickly and some I've never seen before, which is why I would've preferred to have some practice time along with Fayzha and not a still picture as I have her on pause and try to remember how she described the movement. I figure the logic behind the little practice time is that this DVD is indubitably for intermediate-advanced dancers who likely know how to practice on their own and in accordance with areas that need improvement so they only need to be informed how to do movements.....I still would've liked more practice though...
So this is the menu on the DVD and how long each section is:
Welcome --3:35 (This is the portion you can find on youtube)
Essential Oils- Preparation for Meditation --1:29 (Here she just discusses how she likes to use essential oils because they can help you relax, etc)
Guided Meditation --7:16 (I don't love this section because I'm not a meditation type of person, especially before dance. Also, there's music in the background that to is not particularly relaxing but others might like it)
Warm-up and tribal fusion technique review --14:26 (This is a fairly thorough warm up, it starts kind of pilates inspired with some ab work and some yoga type stretches, the second half is belly dance inspired and has you warming up for isolations)
Tribal Fusion Foundation Movement --20:09--which has the following moves (duration is in brackets):
1. Walks [2:59] (here she shows a "panther" walk, its a funky type of grapevine)
2. Turns & Double Turns [1:47]
3. Chest Rotations [1:23]
4. Headslides and Rolls [1:10]
5. Abdominal Isolations [:53]
6. Popping [:49]
7. Hand Articulations [3:02](This section covers seaweed hands, jelly fish hands and she gives tips and demonstrations on working on hand and finger flexibility and other good tips to polish your hand articulation)
8. Waving [2:16]
9. Arms Training Exercises [2:00]
10. Hips: "Indian Sit" [:43]
11. Umis [:20]
12. Glute Accents & Hip Shimmies [:51]
13. Hip Drop Patterns [:31]
Concepts, Advanced Moves & Layers --14:36--which has the following moves (duration is in brackets):
1. Stop and Release [1:07]
2. Exhibiting [:51]
3. Twist Kicks [1:13]
4. Elbow to Knee Pick Ups [:31]
5. Wave Internal Roll Through [:33]
6. Spiral Swinging Door Hips with Elbow Pulls [:56]
7. Walking Mayas Rolling Through Foot [1:10]
8. Floating Seaweed Arms with Hip Accents [1:47]
9. Going to the Market Walk [1:04]
10. Back/Front Cross Step [:38]
11. Hips Ups with Chest Stops [1:12]
12. Slow Washer Woman [:57]
13. Reggae Rock [:38]
14. Balance Turn [1:02]
15. Jellyfish Side Wave Move [:49]
Movement Play Flow --8:49 (This is a good practice flow, it can get confusing if you haven't practiced the moves enough ahead of time but it does cover the new moves Fayzha has introduced to you...yet I feel like I need more. I mean, how can 35 minutes of new moves be covered efficiently in a 9 minute practice flow? Once again, it's a good practice flow, but it could have been longer with more practice time for the more challenging moves. Sure you can just play it over again...but I just want more.
"Bounty Killer" Choreography Demonstration --1:16
"Bounty Killer" Combinations Step by Step --8:05 (She explains well and doesn't move too quickly, the choreography is fun and if I can ever get it down pat I'll be very proud. What I liked is that it's very reflective of Fayzha's dance style, she's very tribal but not the gothic dark type. She really is fluid and a great creative dancer.
Performing Tribal Fusion with Finger Cymbals --8:04 (She gives an intro to different ways to make sounds with the zils and how different ones have different tones. She has you play along for a few short minutes to a song playing in the background, and then zils as she dances while a voice over explains what she's doing zil wise)
Tribal Fusion Music Flavors: Improvised Demonstrations --5:19 (She covers one song that has kind of a circus feeling, one that is jazz and I don't remember the third. In a voice over she explains how the music influences her movements and how to listen for those cues that help her reflect the music in her dance. I wish there was a no voice option so that this could double as fun performance pieces)
Performances by Fayzah --4:33 (Fun creative dances but I'm pretty sure I saw both already on youtube)
Overall, this DVD is definitely not a waste because she does impart a lot of great tribal dance knowledge. However, be prepared to get adequate practice with the new and more advanced moves on your own. I don't understand why on the cover it says there are drills in the DVD because there really aren't any, on average you repeat each move about 4 times in the practice flow and when the moves are introduced it goes quite fast as well. I especially like how she has more of a funky vibe to her tribal dance style, unlike many of the other tribal girls who are more gothic and dark. The production is great and everything looks very professional. She does wear long pants, but when it's important to see the specifics of her foot movements she lifts the pant leg up. If you like Fayzha's style of dancing and have been dancing for some time then this DVD will please you because she really gives away a lot of her secrets. Beginners be warned, this is not a beginner friendly DVD, she will not break down how to do undulations and other more basic moves.
"

Fluid Tribal Bellydance... a fun ride!

Shara of Desert Dance | KS | 08/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was excited to get this one! I was watching and waiting for it to arrive in my mailbox! It is impossible for me to choose a favorite syle of bellydance, but I CAN say that this is ONE of my favorite styles to watch!

First of all, let me say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this DVD! That is not to say this will not be a critical review, though, so let me break it down.

Fayzah starts off with a bit on essential oils. Since no warnings are mentioned in this section, I feel I must. Always do a patch test with essential oils, and unless you really know what you are doing, don't use them undiluted, as some of them will burn your skin, and all citrus oils make your skin photosensitive (which means, if you wear them in the sun, you are more likely to burn in that area).

Okay, the critical part is over! Now for some FUN! Fayzah then leads you in a guided meditation and a yoga warm-up, work-out. She then leads you through isolations, spiraling, turns, locks, pops,hits, and breaks. She shows you how she fuses a particular club move into her dance. You will learn combinations and short choreography so that you can practice your new moves and techniques. You will enjoy her spirit and her love for the dance.


Fayzah also demonstrates that zills have different tones and that you want to play with your zills to find a tone to go with your music. She does several short performances that you are sure to enjoy! THIS ONE IS FUN, GIRLS! (AND GUYS) You will find it challenging if you are not used to layering, and layering isolations, but you want a challenge, now, don't you?!! Have fun with Fayzah's combinations and playful, energetic motion!"

One of my favorites!

Suzanne Estrada | 08/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have owned probably more than 30 bellydance dvd's and I have only reviewed a few that really impress me. After watching this just a few times, I am already naturally adding these movements to my repetoire. It is one of those dvd's that you watch the movements and then just do them. She simply explains the moves and I am able to replicate the movements, unlike with other dvds. I have tried other tribal choreography dvd's etc, but haven't found one as complete as this one and as easy to follow. This one has all those signature type moves that make tribal bellydance so awesome. This dvd and Saida's first dvd with Mario Kirlis are the two most influential dvds in really transforming my dance.
This dvd has basics and moves into more complex movements, so I will be using it for a long time.
The only thing I didn't care for is the meditation section, but everything else is awesome! Thanks a lot Fayzah, great job!"

Inspiring

Marco Tomatis | Italy | 02/13/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If I consider this dvd as an inspirational dvd, I'd give it five stars: unique style, attractive and well played combos. Otherwise, if I consider this dvd as an instructional one, I'd give it only one star: many difficult combos are demonstrated only two or three times without giving you the chance to understand the machanics of the movements. Furthermore, Fayzah doesn't show you the movements from the back not even with a mirror.
The zill section is very poorly done and doesn't give you any explaination for the most common rhythms.
Definitely I'd suggest this dvd to a tribal fusion addicted bellydancer who is looking for new ideas."