Thread: Suhaila online classes

I guess it's quasi official, now.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phSthsdbgyM]YouTube - Suhaila Promo[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di744uV-5vg&feature=channel]YouTube - level 1 promo[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On75wN1cwDw&feature=channel]YouTube - level 2 promo[/ame]

and more.


Thoughts? I'm seriously wondering about this. Not that anybody asked me or anything, but I can't see the logic of having Level 2 and 3 "classes" available for people who don't have the foundation of Level 1, especially people who don't even have a live teacher at all.

I've seen enough exclusively "video trained" dancers. Those of you in the program, can you just imagine trying to do her format without human guidance?

I think the workability of this program depends on the quality of the verbal instruction given.
Case in point-I received the "Masters of Egyptian Choreography" 3 DVD set for Christmas. Randa Kamel's DVD was amazing. I have attended sessions with half a dozen Bellydance teachers in the last 2.5 years and not one of them gave the sort of detailed instruction Randa did. Every move she explained foot, hand, head, arm, etc placement (why doesn't everyone do this!!!) If she did an online program it could really work, provided a student had mirrors at least some times.
Leila of Cairo, on the other hand-awful. Beautiful dancing, good info about the song lyric meaning and how it translated into her dancing, but as for actual instruction-nothing. It was mostly a video watch her perform a choreography while she says "see? Like this". Only the advanced will be able to decipher what she is actually doing. Is this what they mean by "follow the bouncing butt" instruction?
I know nothing about Suhaila's teaching style, but I could see this being a real benefit to current and future dancers. I used to live in the middle of nowhere Texas, where my only exposure to any cultural dancing was Veena and Neena fitness tapes-seriously. "Video trained" dancers may not be up to par, but perhaps that is because the current selection of videos are of poor quality. Maybe this online format of Suhaila's can help change that? I am not saying this should replace in class sessions, but many in class sessions offer about the same instruction as a video tape. (No offense to any of my teachers or any other quality instructors!!)
Nikki

Originally Posted by micamica

I am not saying this should replace in class sessions, but many in class sessions offer about the same instruction as a video tape.

Yes, well this is a good point, and one we tend to gloss over when we talk about video-only learners. I've seen some very well-instructed and cued dvds, and heard terrible stories about know-nothing live instructors.


I have no doubt Suhaila's instruction on these will be top notch. I just remember how we struggled with some concepts and muscle movements when the Fitness Fusion series was first released. A lot of us had to actually go back to Suhaila to make sense of what we were hearing on the dvd.

I'm also curious if students in Suhaila's program would consider the online classes to be "devaluing" the level-based workshops, or weekly level-based classes at the mothership. ?

I've always believed that videos (and on line classes) are to be in addition to the live teaching. One should go take the week long or the weekly classes and in addition to that class, practice with the video or on line class. I agree that some videos do not offer the clarification of moves that you would get if you were to work with a live teacher. In defense of Leila's teaching, IMO, is the same in a workshop as it would be on the video. She goes over and over and over the combos and you don't get that one on one because her workshops are a pretty good size regarding participants. It's Egyptian style teaching, Suhaila is American style teaching. Egyptian teachers don't count 1-8.

Originally Posted by aziyade

I guess it's quasi official, now.

YouTube - Suhaila Promo
YouTube - level 1 promo
YouTube - level 2 promo

and more.


Thoughts? I'm seriously wondering about this. Not that anybody asked me or anything, but I can't see the logic of having Level 2 and 3 "classes" available for people who don't have the foundation of Level 1, especially people who don't even have a live teacher at all.

I've seen enough exclusively "video trained" dancers. Those of you in the program, can you just imagine trying to do her format without human guidance?

HA! This last sentence makes me laugh. YES! I know all too well what it feels like to train in the format without human guidance! I am the only dancer within 90 miles who is working on this program, and I've been training primarily by myself for 2 1/2 years. And I'll tell you, it's HARD! That's why Suhaila formed the online classes and I'm so very grateful!

I see your point about the higher Level classes but I think those who choose not to listen to Suhaila and jump right into Level II or III will probably only do 1 of those classes and find them extremely difficult.

i am super excited!!!!

Wonderful! I didn't have the opportunity to take her class when she came to New Mexico. This is exciting.

dudes...all I can say...if anybody can do this...she can. I was having some serious flash backs watching those....

Whoo-hoo! I'm excited about this! There's no way I'll be able to study with Suhaila in person so this is the next best thing for me. I'm sure there is a lot more to her format than can be crammed into an online lesson but still . . . it's a new challenge for me that is in line with my broke-ass self.

WOW! I'm really excited about this! I think she definitely has the vision to pull this idea off and what a great benefit for dancers around the world?? I loved the workshops I did with Suhaila so this will be a great tool. :)

I have to check it out! ,r:;

I think this is great for people who've studied the Suhaila format via live instructor and are looking to train when they can't go to class. Personally, I think it's awesome for just that reason.

I think it will be difficult for people who've never done the format before, however. Even starting at level I--if you've been dancing for a while, you need to relearn and old habits die hard. If you've never belly danced before, you could have a hard time getting in tune with the proper muscles without a live instructor correcting you.

I imagine that in order to take the classes, you would have to join her membership thingy... What does she call it?... I'm guessing she'll rock the online class format, but make it crazy expensive. There are a lot of other well done DVDs available that I imagine would be more cost effective for me personally. But I'm interested enough to look into it.

I think it's a cool concept, and will prove to be very invaluable, but I also think personally taking classes with an instuctor in a studio has really helped me advance. Also, just be in a big room (studio) with mirrors and working with someone other than yourself really helps. My apartment is tiny!

so where do i sign up ? no seriously...i dont see anything about it on her website?

Originally Posted by aziyade

I guess it's quasi official, now.

and more.


Thoughts? I'm seriously wondering about this. Not that anybody asked me or anything, but I can't see the logic of having Level 2 and 3 "classes" available for people who don't have the foundation of Level 1, especially people who don't even have a live teacher at all.

I've seen enough exclusively "video trained" dancers. Those of you in the program, can you just imagine trying to do her format without human guidance?

If someone wants to pay for a lesson and it's not the right level for them...and they're doing it at home (and not holding up the rest of the class) I don't see the problem.

I would guess that they'll soon a) start taking an appropriate level class ..g.:b) quit c) miraculously improve with natural ability

Originally Posted by aasiyah

so where do i sign up ? no seriously...i dont see anything about it on her website?

Here the address. I'm already signed up.

Suhaila Online Classes

I'm glad she is moving forward on this. She announced the development last October when I was at the mothership for my level two week long. It has been extremely difficult for me to keep my mouth shut.

What I like about these classes is that they are videod in real time. So you will get the total feel of what her classes are like.

How do you sign up? When I fill out the form, it just sends me back to the signup page? Is there a working faq for this?

I had the same problem, aziyade. I also couldn't find a link to this page from Suhaila's main site, so maybe things aren't *quite* up and running yet?

I don't have any answers, sorry. I just filled out the form and hit submit. There was no indication that it went through but I'm just going on faith that it is working and giving them time to get things up and running.

Originally Posted by aazura;333128)

I think it will be difficult for people who've never done the format before, however. Even starting at level I--if you've been dancing for a while, you need to relearn and old habits die hard. If you've never belly danced before, you could have a hard time getting in tune with the proper muscles without a live instructor correcting you.

QfT

What bothers me, is, that I don't see any real instructional at all here. Just students who already know the drill. How can one see if this is a teaching style one can relate to, if there isn't instructional guidance footage as an example.

Besides, I don't believe the hype. No offense to videos, but you always need someone who takes the time and the patience to correct your posture and moves.

And as we saw in former cases, not all that glitters is gold.

Originally Posted by aziyade

I'm also curious if students in Suhaila's program would consider the online classes to be "devaluing" the level-based workshops, or weekly level-based classes at the mothership. ?

I think the short answer to this question is: NO WAY. The longer answer as to why, is this: There is absolutely no substitute for the hands-on experience of attending a live, level specific class/workshop, or a week long level-specific workshop at the Mothership. The experience that one gets from training with Suhaila in person is worth it's weight in gold. She is a fount of knowledge and, as these online classes don't seem to be interactive, I cannot imagine them to be or even to become a "substitute" for the in-person training. These classes will, however, be a great asset when taken in conjunction with the live training and mentoring that a dancer receives when studying the format - especially for those not lucky enough to be in the Bay area and able to attend classes at the Mothership on a regular basis!

The bottom line is the bottom DOLLAR! This is a huge money making endeavor. I have no idea how Suhaila will run her online classes, so let's take Ansuya's formula for an example. Each class is 12.50, they run for a week and then there is a new class to purchase. Let's say she has 100 online students (a very very conservative estimate!). If they take one class per week, Ansuya's monthly gross is $5000.00. Not bad for taping a one hour class each week. Granted there is a bit of overhead and operating cost, but Wow, this is a bandwagon we are bound to see many big names jump on real soon! So there will probably be some very good product coming out since the competition will be stiff. No doubt we are very close to the day when we will have our pick of classes from the very best right at our fingertips. And, of course, this does not and cannot replace a good instructor if you are just beginning. But for the intermediate and up dancer, it is heaven.

Uh... Is no one worried about how this will affect in- person classes? Or is it sort of just like video production?

I doubt it'll affect her classes. I feel like Suhaila's devotees are really devoted and will probably use both Suhaila in person and Suhaila online.

Erika,

Thanks for the comment. I wouldn't have thought anything of it "devaluing" real classes, except when I told my husband about the online class thing he said, "Oh so that means you won't have to follow her around the country any more." I said, no, I'm still going to workshops, and he said "Why? When you can get all the benefits of being 'Suhaila trained' without paying so much for it??" He was serious, and not being snarky.

I haven't been able to get Ansuya's sample class to work on my computer, so I don't know what that's like, but I DON'T like the idea that I can't download and save the video file, and burn it to a dvd.

One thing producers need to realize is that not all of us have a computer in an area where we can actually move around and dance. (Mine is in an alcove next to the kitchen, and I have NO room to practice right there.) If I can't make a dvd of it to play in my dvd player, the class/podcast whatever is pretty useless to me. No matter how much I love Suhaila, if I can't dance along with the video, I see no point in buying it. Maybe you all have big screen laptops, or computers in your studios, but I don't, and I can't be the ONLY one. ??

Originally Posted by aziyade

One thing producers need to realize is that not all of us have a computer in an area where we can actually move around and dance. (Mine is in an alcove next to the kitchen, and I have NO room to practice right there.) If I can't make a dvd of it to play in my dvd player, the class/podcast whatever is pretty useless to me. No matter how much I love Suhaila, if I can't dance along with the video, I see no point in buying it. Maybe you all have big screen laptops, or computers in your studios, but I don't, and I can't be the ONLY one. ??

That's a very good point, and you most certainly are not the only one who does not have a laptop or computer in your studio! Now I'm very curious as to whether these classes will be available for downloading...we'll just have to wait and see...and cross our fingers that they will be! It would also be beneficial to be able to rewind, as well.

I tried filling out the sign up form ... Twice. Anyone getting info back yet?

Originally Posted by Sonja2

I tried filling out the sign up form ... Twice. Anyone getting info back yet?

I don't think they're quite up and running yet...I've tried a couple of times, as well.