Thread: WDNY: Luscious vs. Rhythms

I was looking at these two work-out DVDs on the World Dance New York page. If anyone has these, which do you like better?

They're both fun. Luscious is easier, it consists of moves and combos practiced to sort of new-agey music. It's good for drilling basic moves without doing 8 of this, 8 of that, which can get boring pretty fast.

Rhythms has combos that actually go with the specific beats and I think it's a little more difficult and a little more aerobic.

Oh, I didn't know Rhythms was a workout! I assumed it was instructional on rhythms.

I love a good bellydance workout - maybe I'll check out Rhythms.

Does anyone have "The Ultimate Bellydance Workout" from the same people? Aerobic, or not?

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

Does anyone have "The Ultimate Bellydance Workout" from the same people? Aerobic, or not?

I haven't done it in a long time, but it's pretty aerobic. It starts out at a slower pace and builds to a high pace, then ends with a cool-down and stretching session. The more aerobic part does include some folkloric style jumps & hops, so it's not all low impact.

The music is pretty good, but definitely New Agey. You have to listen to lyrics like, "I am a priestess. My body is my temple. Enter and be loved in 1001 ways."

What I liked is that they just go straight through the combos. There's no stopping to explain each move, so it's a continuous practice/work-out session. It would be frustrating, though, for someone who didn't already know belly dancing.

Hi Zamira!!

I'd recommend you get both: They're perfect complements rather than substitutes.

Luscious is not strenuous, but relaxing, making you feel good.
It consists of a long tutorial, and the mild workout - Mala called it "dance-out", and I agree. you move to beautiful music and feel relaxed, refreshed, calm, good in your body. It comprises all sorts of bellydance moves, but shimmies are not present as much, the focus is on flowing movements to beautiful music. The instructors are Blanca, Neon and Sarah Skinner, and their styles and specialties are well "felt" in their segments.
GODDESS feeling describes this "dance-out" best.

Rhythms has a tutorial as well, and two workout flows beginner and intermediate. They re supposed to be STRENUOUS in a very good way. Shimmies and sharp movements all the way through.

I recommend you read the good reviews on amazon, notably Mala's. To see how much of a workout Rhythms is you can check Mala's dance diary on her blog:
malabhargava.com!

In my opinion, these 2 dvds are the best WDNY has made aside Jenna's comprehensive videos and Blanca's Sensual Bellydance.
Mala ranked them as very high on last year's best dvds.

Hope this helps!

As for Ultimate Bellydance Workout: This is a very difficult program not for beginner nor intermediate I'd say. If you're advanced, I think this program does make you sweat :) Beware of the length though - I believe both Luscious and Rhythms are double to triple the length, and I think these recent ones are FAR better thought out and conceptualized. Especially rhythms is a master piece of conceptualization.

I was going to say BOTH! as well, ha ha. For the price on Amazon you may as well, they are exceptionally good value for money. I prefer Luscious when I just want an easy to medium dance, it makes you think a bit, but is still quite easy to follow so you can get a workout. Also if you get bored easily there are pretty sparkly costumes to look at as a distraction.

Rhythms is a lot more challenging physically, and mentally, it has two levels, one is fairly basic, but does give you a good workout. The other is quite a bit harder, also very good. I think there is more material in this one over the long term if you want a dvd that will help your development.
Both are extremely good, well thought out dvds. I would also say 2 of the best WDNY have made.

Agreed :)
As for amazon - I've stopped buying there quite some time ago. Outraging shipping costs for outside the US.
WDNY offers free shipping worldwide, and a discount if you're in the US (I think for at least 2 or 3 dvds, but as this is not for me I never paid much attention :) ) Oceanstatemedia also has great deals for international shipping in case you want to make a bigger order with dvds other than WDNY.
Both companies deliver admirably fast (7 days average to Central Europe) - for my amazon parcels from the US I used to wait up to SIX WEEKS (shipping costs of around 30 dollars for a couple of dvds).

Yes, I agree with you about buying from Amazon if you are overseas, I only use the UK version, but often they are shipped from the US, it takes forever, but at least shipping is cheap.
Ocean state media are fab, I've been very happy with their service.

oh - I can imagine Amazon UK will be ok for US products - the German version carries practically none though.
Ya, Oceanstate is great! Had only good - great - experience as well!

OK, you guys are pretty convincing. ..g.: