Search - The Goddess Workout with Dolphina - Advanced Bellydance for the Warrior Goddess on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 2/16/2023...

A great introduction to Bellydancing if you want to learn!

Dance Dance!

You may sweat, but it works out your body image more than yo

Sundari | San Francisco, CA | 11/25/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Dolphina's Warrior Goddess workout is both cheesy and surprisingly inspirational. It's clear that Dolphina is an experienced bellydancer, but she's very... L.A., in the most stereotypical sense of the word. It may feel cheesy at first when she's calling you a "goddess" and "amazing" - but it becomes surprisingly inspirational, especially for those of us who have body image issues (which may be most of us women). I found the moves in this workout to be more about freeing the body and helping you to feel, well, like a goddess in your own skin, rather than about working yourself to exhaustion.

Those who are total beginners to bellydancing may find it useful to begin with Dolphina's beginner video before moving to this one. As someone with some bellydancing experience, I found that this video was alternately wonderful and frustrating. She mostly uses her own names for moves, rather than the traditional ones, and as workouts go, she often focuses only on one side without working the other - when I do this video, I find myself having to pause it while I work the other side.

That all being said, you will get out of this workout what you put into it. If you don't really focus on isolation and tight muscle movement, you won't reap the benefits. Bellydancing, after all, isn't about shaking your body carelessly - it is about carefully constructed movement using fiercely conditioned muscles fired in isolation. So, if you really focus and work at using your muscles as she tells you to, you will feel the workout, and depending on your level of fitness, break a decent sweat by the end of it. If you don't, you will get almost nothing out of it.

Experienced bellydancers and fitness freaks may find this video a little (or a lot) off-putting. I'd recommend it more for those who are interested in bellydancing, but may have not taken very many classes, and really just like the idea of bellydancing as a way of... well, embracing their inner goddess. If you can get past Dolphina's Valley Girl voice, you might just find yourself inspired to treat your body more like the temple it is."

Takes belly dance to the next level

Alexandra O'Neal | 01/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Goddess Introduction to Bellydance workout tones and shapes, but is not a strenuous aerobic challenge. If you've conquered the Introduction and want to challenge yourself, the Warrior Goddess workout will do that. There are whole new levels of burn for your muscles, but if you start slowly and keep at it, you will find it rewarding. If moves are difficult at first, follow Dolphina's advice and "just shake something." Your body will figure things out eventually. I imagine people who are already in outstanding shape but are seeking new moves will be challenged by the choreography.

For those who find visual interest important in workouts (after all, you're watching it on a nearly daily basis), this is every bit as lovely as the Introduction. Unlike the Introduction, Dolphina does not change costumes between every section, wearing a simple workout outfit. The location is serene and simple, with Dolphina's workout space surrounded by a reflecting pool and pale walls that reflect the water. She does wear more traditional belly dance costumes for the routine and the cool down.

Great choreography, great commentary, great setting. I highly recommend this DVD."

There are better ones out there

K. Benson | Medford, MA | 04/01/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD covers a number of movements that are important for any bellydancer to drill, though Dolphina is not the best to learn from. She is more of a fitness instructor than a dancer, so I would not recommend this to a serious dance student. If you want strength, coordination and flexibility training that will really help you improve, check out Suhaila Salimpour."