Thread: Recommended DVD's

Hi everyone-

I am a new instructor - started by covering classes for my instructor when she traveled, etc. I have since taken over the beginner class she used to teach, as she teaches farther up north than where this class is held. I know the basics, but want to expand and improve in many areas as well as get some combination ideas. I saw the Thrillin and Drillin with Sadie DVD and thought it might give me some great drills to practice. I just hate to spend that much money if it isn't a good DVD. I've seen some that really aren't challenging enough and I want to work!

Have any of you used it? Can you recommend something for me?

Thanks so much!!!

Hi Shimmara,

I just bought the DVD you mentioned as well as two of her other DVD's. I haven't watched it yet, but I hear great things about it. I will let you know how it is as soon as I watch it. I'm sure a few others here have seen it already though and can maybe chime in.

I also have Leyla Jouvana's 21 Shimmies and 1001 Variations and her second follow-up to that one. Those are great DVDs (especially the first one) as well as either of Ansuya's combinations DVDs. Those might be good to help expand your knowledge and put a few moves together.

What I also do is watch as many performance DVDs over and over and just try to mimic stuff. You can find great moves in really cool sequences that you would never think of on your own.

thanks for your suggestions. i appreciate the feedback!

I always recommend the same 2 DVDs: Aziza's Ultimate Practice Companion and Michelle Joyce's Drill, Drills, Drills. They would actually be great for your purposes as they get gradually more challenging, so you can share some of the easier stuff with your students and drill the more advanced material for your own purposes.

I have Thrillin Drillin. There are a couple of segments where Sadie breaks down basic moves like undulations and ribcage isolations. They are chaptered and easy to either select or skip. There are no choreography segments. The bulk of the DVD is 6 layering drills, with three "levels" or variations of each drill. I consider layering to be an intermediate and up level skill. If you like Sadie's dancing, I would recommend her DVDs- she does not hold back her "secrets"!

Most of Sadie's stuff could definitely help you progress but would be very difficult for beginners. Michelle's Drillsx3 would be a better source for class ideas.

Shamira's dvds have some nice easy combos you could adapt. Welcome to Shamiradance - Bellydance with Shamira Keti Sharif's A-Z Bellydance has 26 combos that gradually increase in difficulty. The dvd is expensive though. Keti Sharif's Official Dance Site - Egypt

I would LOVE to recommend Autumn Ward's newest DVD, "Beautiful Technique from Step One".
autumn ward
I have my share of instructional DVDs, some that I like, some I have passed on to other dancers...this is the first DVD I can honestly say that I LOVE!
Autumn has created a DVD with a booklet that takes a wonderful 'scholarly' approach to dance movements...breaking them down into sections, showing HOW the movement is driven, not just doing the movments!
There is a YouTube clip (just search her name) of this DVD that will give you an idea of what it's about...it's fantastic. I watched it once while I was recovering from the flu and ended up JUMPING out of bed to do a few slick movements because it was THAT engaging.
While it's challenging, I think it would be great for beginners who want to learn REALLY great technique from the beginning...pro dancers will find many things in here to use in strengthening their own technique too...teachers will find new inspiration for breaking down movements...
You can purchase from Autumn, World Dance NY & Amazon...
Love I tell you...Love...
Gia

I second Drills Drills Drills, I do that dvd like twice daily. I use Aziza practice companion as well and Suhaila's Fitness Fusion.

I love Autumn Ward and have enjoyed watching her progress over the years. Think I'll be getting her DVD's....

thank you all so much for your suggestions! i look forward to getting some new ideas from some of the dvd's mentioned. too bad netflix doesn't have instructional bellydance dvd's!