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dinavienna · 03-19-2009, 05:57 PM

hello everybody!!

I've realized there is quite a bit of interest for beginner-level reviews here. So far I have been timid to review because I thought a beginner (or a bit advanced beginner) cannot contribute that much.
So from beginner to other beginners, I can tell some on having watched Belly by Sandra for the first time tonight (preview review - like my ohter 2 reviews on Ranya and Autumn, which are a bit advanced for me to get practicing with right away - I watch them and soak up information ;) ):

This dvd (Sandra's) is probably among the absolute best for beginners, for one reason:
It really does what the title suggests, it focuses on ISOLATION with every movement, and does not just mention the concept, and then go through all sorts of movements.

This one repeats very simple movements (after having explained the muscles not only in the body parts to be used, but also in the body parts which are to remain MAGICALLY STILL, ideally) in different tempos to very nice movement, soothing or happily bumping (very nice music!)
she really reminds you of ISOLATION throughout and tells you how to do it in great detail.
Need I say Sandra is SUCH a great dancer, technically? (and drop dead gorgeous as a woman, which doesn't do any harm! ;) )

Also anatomically she gives great advice: One example - I can do a hip drop pretty well, learnt it "socially" at a pretty early age. However i really just bump the hip down - she gives thorough advice on what muscles to use in order to not harm the hip joint (my Mom had always told me to be cautious with such movements to not damage the hip - I did not believe her

well I'm glad I've done no damage so far, and will do more muscular movements, if I can. TO RElearn is sooo much more difficult than learn well instantly - so that is why I think this video is GREAT for beginners to somewhat advanced beginners).

Due to the nice practice parts of all isolations, which I think I will run through repeatedly, different focus on different days, this is a great video to polish moves also for more advanced dancers, I think.
It is a VERY thorough practice video, and well marketed for all levels IMO. Also the title is more accurate than I would have thought - this is not just a creative name for yet another beginner video. Sandra really does give information I have seen nowhere else (I own probably 100 dance dvds, MANY of which are beginner level bellydance videos).

To sum up:
one of the best bellydance videos for beginners to learn and more advanced dancers to practice with (she drills every moment in nice ways - different tempo, variations.. nice to follow her!) ever. Very well rounded and cleverly thought out package.

I think the information could be great for teachers on the search for inspiration in how to explain concepts to beginners - her explanations are among the best ever.

Hope this helps!!!

03-19-2009, 05:57 PM	#1
dinavienna Advanced BHUZzer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Austria Posts: 1,793	Belly by Sandra hello everybody!! I've realized there is quite a bit of interest for beginner-level reviews here. So far I have been timid to review because I thought a beginner (or a bit advanced beginner) cannot contribute that much. So from beginner to other beginners, I can tell some on having watched Belly by Sandra for the first time tonight (preview review - like my ohter 2 reviews on Ranya and Autumn, which are a bit advanced for me to get practicing with right away - I watch them and soak up information ;) ): This dvd (Sandra's) is probably among the absolute best for beginners, for one reason: It really does what the title suggests, it focuses on ISOLATION with every movement, and does not just mention the concept, and then go through all sorts of movements. This one repeats very simple movements (after having explained the muscles not only in the body parts to be used, but also in the body parts which are to remain MAGICALLY STILL, ideally) in different tempos to very nice movement, soothing or happily bumping (very nice music!) she really reminds you of ISOLATION throughout and tells you how to do it in great detail. Need I say Sandra is SUCH a great dancer, technically? (and drop dead gorgeous as a woman, which doesn't do any harm! ;) ) Also anatomically she gives great advice: One example - I can do a hip drop pretty well, learnt it "socially" at a pretty early age. However i really just bump the hip down - she gives thorough advice on what muscles to use in order to not harm the hip joint (my Mom had always told me to be cautious with such movements to not damage the hip - I did not believe her well I'm glad I've done no damage so far, and will do more muscular movements, if I can. TO RElearn is sooo much more difficult than learn well instantly - so that is why I think this video is GREAT for beginners to somewhat advanced beginners). Due to the nice practice parts of all isolations, which I think I will run through repeatedly, different focus on different days, this is a great video to polish moves also for more advanced dancers, I think. It is a VERY thorough practice video, and well marketed for all levels IMO. Also the title is more accurate than I would have thought - this is not just a creative name for yet another beginner video. Sandra really does give information I have seen nowhere else (I own probably 100 dance dvds, MANY of which are beginner level bellydance videos). To sum up: one of the best bellydance videos for beginners to learn and more advanced dancers to practice with (she drills every moment in nice ways - different tempo, variations.. nice to follow her!) ever. Very well rounded and cleverly thought out package. I think the information could be great for teachers on the search for inspiration in how to explain concepts to beginners - her explanations are among the best ever. Hope this helps!!! Last edited by dinavienna; 03-22-2009 at 04:41 AM.