Search - Instant Belly Dancer: A Crash Course in Bellydance, Vol.1 - Curves on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 3/14/2023...

Pretty detailed explanation for the ladies to learn Belly Dancing!

Not Your Grandmother' Belly Dancing

Runner | US | 06/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is possibly one of the best made Belly dancing DVDs that I have seen so far. After reading the credits I realized that the dancer is also the filmmaker. Highly innovative in her approach, she has broken down the tough to discern gyrations into simple motion graphics. A definite plus if you are a beginner. though not that important if you are a pro. The instructor is gorgeous and seems like a fun chick.

If you are a beginner who really insists on dancing retro, there are plenty of the traditional fare going around. Get this DVD if you want if you want to dazzle your friends on the dance floor with the shortest learning curve. Yes the moves are very sexy. Possibly a little too sexy for the traditional styles. I like it like that."

Workout while having fun and breaking a real sweat

Shelley Gammon | Kaufman, Texas USA | 07/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You will never look at belly dancing the same way if you have never before attempted to do it. The pros, like instructor Neon, make it look easy. Isn't that the way it is with everything? Mark Roth in bowling, Tiger Woods in golf, your kid & your computer... those who are really good make their craft look so easy that armchair observers often don't give credit where credit is due.

I honestly had no interest in belly dancing prior to being sent a copy to review. I was instantly captivated by the professional instruction. I put down the remote, cleared a path in front of my television and attempted to wiggle my belly fat, tuck my butt and firmly plant my feet at the same time I was trying to not fall flat on my face. Belly-dancing is a freakin' work-out! Even though I ended up panting by the end of the lesson, I was concentrating so much on getting the moves right, I was thinking less of it being an "exercise" as just something fun to learn.

Once I had gone through one lesson after another, I was truly humbled, but I didn't feel as though my attempts were wild grasps at futility... rather a challenge to continue working on my moves and make my awkward movements match the graceful movements of the apt instructor. I now realize how much work and dedication goes into belly dancing performances.

Neon makes the artform approachable to those of either gender, any ability and just about any physique. There are graphic overlays of the human form shown adjacent to Neon as she goes over new moves. She carefully articulates each movement and what muscles you should be focusing on and what beats to listen to. Even for someone as uncoordinated as I am, I was able to follow along. The great thing about this DVD instruction is that there is no pressure like there would be in a belly dancing class. No one is looking at you pulling your underwear out of your nether regions, and no one is rolling their eyes when you hit "pause" and run to the kitchen for a drink of water.

No pressure instruction at your own pace. Neon, even with her pronounced Russian accent, is easy to understand. And despite an over-abundance of theatrical eye makeup, she seems like the kind of person you'd like to get to know in person. She comes across as down-to-earth, friendly and approachable. So many dance instruction and exercise videos have these cookie-cutter perfect ripped body-builders who are so peppy, you want to vomit. Not so with this Crash Course in Bellydance.

Even if you're just mildly interested in the artform, or if you just want a fun way to burn some calories without the mindless shlepping on a treadmill, this DVD is the way to go!"

This seems to be more about club moves...

Deborah P | San Pedro, CA | 03/23/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"...but, she does break down moves better than other DVDs I've seen. The geometric patterns used to describe hip movement along with where your knee should be swinging/pointing as your hip moves round is quite helpful.

Even if I was looking for club moves, this probably wouldn't be the DVD for me. The thing I don't like about this is video is the lack of practice and lack of "doing it with you" feeling you get in most exercise videos. It's like I am suppose to watch her, stop the video and pratice on my own.

Something about her comes across as very, very practiced more than sensual. Maybe I just like the more authentic, traditional feeling belly dance DVDs. I use this DVD to supplement another belly dance DVD I have.

"