Thread: Beginner DVDs

Originally Posted by michellejoyce

Thanks for asking, but at this point I am only selling on Amazon and FilmBaby. FilmBaby ships internationally and is pretty quick. You can get to their links on my site.

Thanks for letting me know. Am happy to get it that way, just wanted to check as sometimes buying direct means you get to keep more of the money for your hard work!

Very stylized indeed, but even though I am a Middleeastern "purist" in my taste, I loved Autumn's aesthetics.
It is a way of stylized that makes me want to work on myself to be able to be so elegant!
I wonder if too much "tension" comes in the body (in lack of a better word... ballet aethetics I mean) from training this way, but I think it is not going to have such a huge impact so that your dancing looks balletesque rather than grounded, Mideastern.. it is so very artistic, and different. I love the look, too.

Originally Posted by dinavienna

...I think it is not going to have such a huge impact so that your dancing looks balletesque rather than grounded, Mideastern.

Dina, I think you're absolutely right on both counts -- what's a potential risk and what's not with this approach. There's the danger of holding on to too much tension and getting too mechanical or stiff if you approach the movement too self-consciously or muscularly (powering through arm undulations as if you were lifting weights, for example). In my experience it also happens if you don't keep relaxation in mind as something essential to the Middle Eastern look. I'm struggling with that now due to studies with a different teacher whose work is very much influenced by contemporary Western dance forms, so I'm really conscious of it.

On the other hand, at least the way I was taught by Autumn, I never felt that I was losing the groundedness in my lower body or the connection to the music. We talked a lot about maintaining two centers of gravity, with a definite distinction made between the heaviness in the hips and belly and the lighter, ethereal feeling in the upper body and arms. Looking back at some older clips, it seems to me that the overall effect is more Nour (lower center and juicy hips with balletic upper body and busy, pretty arms) than Beata (also very beautiful but higher center and more balletic throughout the body), if that makes any sense. She reminds me of both of them, though.

Sorry if this is rambling too far off topic. These things have been on my mind a lot lately.

Suzana

I too believe that Autumn Ward's dvd is not the best for absolute beginners as it is too lengthy and detailed. As a beginner myself I prefer shorter dvds where I can practice many basic moves in about an hour. I like Amira's 101, Michelle's Belly Dance Basics and Perfect Hips, Bellydance with Portia, Bellydance with Nathalie and Authentic Belly Dance with Lana.

As a UK beginner - you will have to consider that some of the technique will be American. Jenna for example - bigger movements - more hard work. Not insurmountable, because it's all good to condition your body

Oh yeah that s true most US instructors teach bold big movements.

I would say Amira 101 is pretty moderate - she is Estonian, and I found her movements to be somewhat in between, not as bold American and big as f.e. Sadie dances. Her style is very generic I think.

Also Sandra has a certain way of dancing slightly "held back".

Most of the others by American producers do probably have the American style with them.. not a bad thing, and it certainly depends on your style too how big you want to make your movements.

I might add:
Looking at Sandra's channel her performances are very diverse. Sometimes bold and big, sometimes more internal.
YouTube - sandrabelly's Channel
in her instructional, I found her style to be more "internal", no really bold big moves.

I only came to this thread when it was linked to another controversial one but I wanted to say it has been a pleasure to read opinions on all these different DVDs, and the discussion on Arabic style vs. American style. I am really a fan of Arabic (particularly Egyptian) style dance, so now when I see a review on amazon or here from DinaVienna, I'll know that she prefers Arabic style too and her praise for a video will mean that much more to me.

By the way, I wrote so many Amazon reviews that I'm at 1450 for my reviewer ranking and they asked me to join Vine Voices. I have to write 4 reviews a month and get 4 free books in exchange, but I don't consider it a kickback - I'm allowed to write a bad review and recently I did. (sometimes the authors do get mad and come rate your review poorly or even attack you in comments!) I guess my point is - it's perfectly ethical to receive promo material in exchange for _a_ review - it's not the same as advertising.

Ladies please note that I did not suggest to start with the Autumn Ward instructional DVD as a beginner, but to learn the basics from 'Amira 101', and only afterwards start perfecting technique with the Autumn Ward DVD. Even with her obviously ballet background (I started with ballet also at 2 years old) her belly dance technique is centered, graceful and most of all thorough. I feel a certain tension is required as a counterpoint to the flow of the dance. Any comments?

So 'Amira 101' FIRST. When the basics have been mastered, only then Autumn Ward!

Ladies please note that I did not suggest to start with the Autumn Ward instructional DVD as a beginner, but to learn the basics from 'Amira 101', and only afterwards start perfecting technique with the Autumn Ward DVD. Even with her obviously ballet background (I started with ballet also at 2 years old) her belly dance technique is centered, graceful and most of all thorough. I feel a certain tension is required as a counterpoint to the flow of the dance. Any comments?

So 'Amira 101' FIRST. When the basics have been mastered, only then Autumn Ward!

Oh yes that was understood :)
Tension I guess yes - but be aware of the different look of Western dance (very elongated, "stiff" if that is the right word), and the more grounded earthy look of Egyptian dance.

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

I only came to this thread when it was linked to another controversial one but I wanted to say it has been a pleasure to read opinions on all these different DVDs, and the discussion on Arabic style vs. American style. I am really a fan of Arabic (particularly Egyptian) style dance, so now when I see a review on amazon or here from DinaVienna, I'll know that she prefers Arabic style too and her praise for a video will mean that much more to me.

good to know we're like minded