Thread: suggestions for beginning DVD?

Hi!

I'd like to buy my partner's sister a beginning bellydance DVD as a gift, but since there are sooooooo many out there, I need some advice. Do you have any suggestions? She has never taken a bd class.

Thanks in advance,

Maura

well, at the sake of being yelled at, i offer a 2 pack dvd for $35.00
one is all arms, and taxim
the other is standing steps...shira gave me a good review of it too, the standing steps, ( do not think she has seen my arms ).
www.bellydancingbyzamoras.com

p.s., i have a partner too!

Taaj has a great one. She is my instructor. Her website is www.thebellydancetrainer.org. You can buy it there under products. I will begin teaching in a few weeks and feel comfortable selling it to my students.

Zuleika

www.amirasbelly.com

Amira's Bellydance 101

She's my teacher, and she's FANTASTIC. :)

There are so many great beginner dvd's..... I love Cory's! Michelle Joyce's new one is great (I just got it today)! Hannan Sultan, Princess Farhana, Veda Sereem, Delilah, and suzanna Del Vechio all have good beginner dvd's. Also, IAMED's set is great, as well as the one's Neon and World Dance produce. If your interested in ATS FCBD has a great set of dvd's.

thank you so much, vron!
z

i suggest Autumn Ward's DVD
amazing!

Michelle Joyce's Belly Dance Crash Course is a great beginner DVD!

Originally Posted by mauraseale

Hi!

I'd like to buy my partner's sister a beginning bellydance DVD as a gift, but since there are sooooooo many out there, I need some advice. Do you have any suggestions? She has never taken a bd class.

Thanks in advance,

Maura

How much can you spend?
My favourite as a total beginner was Amira s 101.
If you have no dance background, many others can be a bit intimidating. This one is slow, friendly, comfortable and just feels good.

For more comprehensive learning (but only for very serious beginners) I recommend Jenna s Basics and Beyond (2,5 hours), or Neons Instant Bellydancer 2dvd set. Both offer a wide variety of movements, and are very precise, analytical.

If she s got a bit of dance background, Luscious Bellydance and Neon's Rhythms are amazing - this might be a follow up gift for Christmas though, they re not beginner level. maybe experienced beginner, but then they re drop dead gorgeous.

I might add: Sadie Complete Bellydance is beautiful.
But beware if she s a complete beginner: Sadie s perfection in movement is intimidating to me as a somewhat experienced beginner. I'm glad I started with Amira 101, Sadie is a follow up to really see what you can do with these simple movements. That it basically takes years to polish them to their ultimate beauty :)

so it all depends on what she s done already.

Get her Amira 101 if she has no bellydance experience.
Then there are 3 options for a 2nd gift:
You might want to get her jenna Basics and Beyond, too, if you judge her the analytical type who would enjoy polishing the movements in many variations. If you think she s the person wanting to "flow" with music get her Luscious Bellydance. If she s gifted with dancing to drum music, get her Neons rhythms. These three to me are not absolute beginner, but best after the very basic Amira 101 for further progress.

Thanks for mentioning mine, Vron. I don't do a good job of advertising mine, but if you're interested, send me an email. dearhannansultan@gmail.com

Check out Belly Dancing for Every Woman dvd series

Belly Dancing for Every Woman

Sabra*

Amira's 101 definitely for a dancer with no experience. It comes highly recommended. Her instructions are always clear, her teaching manner is warm and charming, and it is great value for money. What more can I say!!!

Originally Posted by stardancer711

Amira's 101 definitely for a dancer with no experience. It comes highly recommended. Her instructions are always clear, her teaching manner is warm and charming, and it is great value for money. What more can I say!!!

Yes, I agree.
This video taught me very much, especially to have patience with myself and take it easy and have fun :)

My favorite begginner DVD is still Shamira's Sensuous Workout. It's not a workout video at all though, it's all about technique so don't let the name fool you.
It was one of the first videos I ever purchased back in the days of VHS (it's on DVD now) and I still like it far better than alot of the newer begginer videos.
I like the original version of Sensuous Workout a bit more than the volume 2, although volume 2 has alot of the same information on it plus a whole lot more and is alot longer than the original. It's just a matter of personal preference. They're both good. Shamira is a great instructor and her videos are easy to understand and easy to follow along.

Bellydance DVDs and Videos by Shamira

Regards
Priscilla

Ha! Jessedan, Shimira vol. 2 was my very first BD dvd. Still have it and love it. It's still the best format in terms of how it's arranged for easy chapter selections. Shimira is easy to understand and the dvd shows her legs and positioning so it's not confusing to the viewer.

I second the Jenna basics and beyond. It's relatively inexpensive and you get a lot of info. Jenna is not too intimidating either. Good luck.

Neena and Veena's are all good for beginners; if she wants to start out with a little more spice, go with Jillina I DVD.