Thread: Autumn ward - beautiful technique from step one

Hi everybody,

I received my copy of Autumn's dvd and am now watching it.
As I have not seen a thread here I think this dvd absolutely merits one.

So my preview impression:
I've watched the foundational chapters of balance and arms - BEAUTIFUL! AMAZING!
A revelation for someone with no ballet nor jazz nor any other classical dance instructional background.

This dvd is a must-have for anyone interested in becoming graceful in movement I'd say. Not just in dance, it helps for body alignment, balance, poise and grace, everything.

I am especially intrigued by her arm alignment chapter: I always feel when I'm dancing my arms are not quite there where they should be. She twists her body in different directions while holding the arm position so you can check whether yours is perfect or not.
Watching this alone helps me tremendously!

Apart from that I'm very impressed by her chapter on arm transitions.
I have watched only a small part of the dvd, but must say it is an AMAZING work for everybody wanting to "get dance right".
Whether you're pretty much of a beginner like me - and want to "get" this dancer optic, and not look somewhat clumsy or imperfect, or whether you're a more seasoned oriental dancer and want to polish your stance, positioning etc.

I highly recommend this dvd!
It looks like inestimable value (does this word make sense? :) ).

Oh I really want this one... I'm just going to have to get it now. There have been too many good recommendations from people who know what they are talking about!

im thinking of getting it too, along with Michelle Joyce's Killer Ziller, they both sound so...essential!

Originally Posted by firefly5

Oh I really want this one... I'm just going to have to get it now. There have been too many good recommendations from people who know what they are talking about!

You cannot imagine how great it is, seriously!!!

I have watched the tutorial (building up movements) in one go - which is special if I can do that, because I normally need music to keep my attention with movement observation. Like Jenna's Basics and Beyond, while I find it stellar: I keep rewatching her movement vocabulary coz it s just so great with so much variation, but my attention fades after 20 min or so watching dance movement without music.
Autumn's tutorial must be 1hour 20 minutes or something in this range - and I watched it without stopping.
Her "building blocks" (mostly muscular movements underlying dance movements, if I get it right) are a revelation. So is her breakdown of arms and other body parts.
Especially valid for me is her breakdown of foot patterns with all kinds of movements.
Her suggestions for shimmies (relaxation of all muscle groups, thoughts that might be hindering etc), undulations, travelling undulations are amazing. Much of my trouble in pretty hip shimmies and travelling undulations (especially in the lower leg and feet placement) may well be a thing of the past when I start working with this.

It is a delight to watch even without music. I am still puzzled how me low-attention-span-person sat still watching and listening while holding my breath for such a long time!
This tutorial was actually EXCITING to watch for me.

I consider getting this dvd next Christmas for a couple of serious dance fans not into bellydancing so far. I am unsure on what a general dance class attender will think of this program - the degree of technique and precision might scare some off. However if like me you are not very advanced, but ambitious and really into improving your dance this is perfect.
Even more so for everybody on intermediate to advanced to professional level - these people must be into dance and form and improvement, so I'd give the dvd as a present for someone on these levels without one second of hesitation. Only I do not know that many of 'em :)

Ironically I have watched everything except for the movement flow - which normally is the FIRST thing I'd watch. Tutorials normally rank last :) so you see how special this one is.
So I will watch the flow tonight :) can't wait!

Oh my, I am biting my nails waiting for Ranya Renees baladi.
Two stellar releases by World Dance New York so early this year!

Baladi should be coming shortly. Got mine in the mail.

OOOOOOHH!! glad for you, but a tiny bit jealous too ;))
please please tell some on your impressions once you look at it!!!
I think mine will take at least 1 week, Ranya posted them recently.

Ok, I ordered the beautiful technique! I decided to get it direct from Autumn, so I'll get the booklet too, I'm getting excited about this one...can't wait to watch it.

I'm so glad to read this review~ I am taking workshops with Autumn in June and am now doubly excited!

Oh my, I so wished I could take a workshop with Autumn too after seeing her dvd! Who knows, I might go to NYC for work some day :) Until then I guess the dvd - and hopefully your impressions of the workshop, if you will like to share them - will have to do!

Originally Posted by maranajla

I'm so glad to read this review~ I am taking workshops with Autumn in June and am now doubly excited!

One of my earliest workshops was with her. It was really informative and I still use the material now! Have fun :)

Autumn Ward's Beautiful Technique from Step One is a unique in-depth instructional program for beginners designed to give you a master-level understanding of the basics. The program teaches bellydance technique and vocabulary with an emphasis on creating a polished, finished look for each individual step from the very start.

Autumn applies a systematic step-by-step method of building bellydance moves from the primary components, such as body angles, tilts and shifts, weight transfers, and muscular contractions and releases, that underlie the fundamental vocabulary of every style of belly dance.

Awareness of the key technical components of every move enables you to perfect your form and execution of dance steps, so that you can perform each step with ease, grace, and a clean and elegant body line, even if you are a new beginner. For each move, Autumn analyzes and demonstrates alignment, engagement, and flow, addressing both anatomy and sensation, guiding you to absorb the fundamentals and to discover where technique grows into expressivity.

Autumn teaches each group of dance steps three different ways: Technique, Practice Flows, and Choreography. She offers both theory of dance movement and beautifully-designed practice drills to make each step sink deep into your muscle memory.

The Technique section guides you through basic terminology and concepts, arm positions and paths, and foundation building blocks, the primary components of bellydance vocabulary. Then Autumn shows you how to progressively build five different groups of isolations, and offers a broad selection of movements and movement breakdowns.

To practice, polish, and enjoy your new skills, dance along with Autumn’s Practice Flows, nine dance practice segments set to beautiful, haunting melodies. Follow detailed voice cues or enjoy the music-only version of the Flows.

As you build comfort with the dance vocabulary, try the movements in context, in the Practice Choreography. Continuing in the same follow-along format as the Flows, the Choreography puts a special emphasis on musicality and expression, putting together all steps taught in the program into sequences of combinations.

Autumn Ward’s Beautiful Technique from Step One will teach and encourage you to dance with the radiant feeling of an open, lifted heart. You will build clean isolations polished with sophisticated technique, and learn the skills that will allow you to give a finished look to any style of bellydance - cabaret, tribal, ethnic, or fusion styles - or just to enjoy the feeling of creating beauty.

You can order it here...click this link. In stock and ships immediately from http://worlddancenewyork.com