New Rachel Brice Video Finally Out

[Zamira]

Hey, I just got an email from Amazon that the Rachel Brice: Bellydance Arms and Posture DVD I ordered months ago shipped today. Guess it's finally out. Has anyone seen it yet?

[lylagus]

cool...then mine will be coming too!!! i'm so excited. I took a workshop with her in florida and she did TONS of arm stuff...i wrote down all i could but i know i missed tons...

i can't wait to have great arms....ahhhhhh

*waiting my mailbox*



i did see the preview and it looked like a clear crisp teaching style.

[jasani]

So what does she teach in the DVD that is so special? Just curious.

[Zamira]

Well, to be perfectly honest, I don't know yet. Hopefully in a few days, I'll be able to report back.

[jahbie]

I won't get mine for a while because it's pre- ordered as part of a cut price deal with something else. So will you all post your opinions when you've seen it so that I'll know if it's worth the wait?

[mekyria]

I also ordered from amazon months ago and got an email that it's coming my way. weehee!

jasaani, this dvd is about posture and arms, which are two of Rb's strong points and something that most dancers have trouble with. So for me it's exciting to work on two of my weak spots and RB is great at explaining technique and creating drills that kick your %&*

[Gwoofer]

I just before coming over here ordered it from amazon. Alas, they told me to expect it in November . Oh well, it should be good though.

[shimarella]

My friend ordered her through Hollywood music/Peko Records and should have it by now. Stupid Amazon.com. If the DVD has half the stuff she taught us in Austin it will be well worth it.

[Zamira]

Hi, just got through the first 3 chapters this morning. So far, it's all shoulder and arm stretches and exercises with some level changes for lower body strength. There are lots of different exercises, each done for only about 8 counts, which I like because I have a short attention span. I think this will be great for stiff shoulders, but I'll have to see if it makes a difference after I do it a few times.

It looks like the next part has arm poses and movements for dancing, but I'll have to wait until this evening to try that part.

[NandaDncer]

Hi Zamira

Maybe you can help me with a few questions...

How do you think the shoulder and arm stretches will go for oriental dancers?
Are the exercises general or Brice style specific?
How much does she go into the mechanics of using your arms, like does she explain what muscles you are using/stretching with each exercise or is it a little more general like "this is for your upper arms" "this is for your shoulders"...?

Cheers

[Zamira]

I can say the first 3 chapters are not Rachel Brice or even oriental dance specific. There are a lot of shoulder rotation exercises, cat & cow stretch, etc that would be good for anyone who works at a desk or has stiff shoulders. She goes into mechanics as far as how the shoulders should be moving down the back, which way the elbows and palms should be pointing. She doesn't go into muscles much.

Anyway, I'll watch the rest of it now. I think that's the part that gets into the dancing.

[Zamira]

OK, I watched the rest.

The 4th chapter is a series of arm pathways for dancing. The pathways include some torso movements also. I would say they're all tribal fusion style. I think most dancers are eclectic enough that they could use a few snakey moves even in a mostly cabaret style dance, but if someone were really strict Golden Age Egyptian style or some such thing, they probably wouldn't get much out of this section. I don't have any tribal training, so a lot of these were tricky for me, but at least it gives me something to work toward.

Then the 5th chapter is a short little choreography incorporating some of the arm and torso moves from the last section.

The 6th chapter has yoga stretches on the floor to relax and cool down.

There's also a performance piece that is pretty typical Rachel Brice dancing.

[HotDogYogini]

Zamira, Would you say the stretches were pretty basic yoga stuff? I'm guessing I don't need this DVD, even though I like her & I have stiff shoulders. It is not likely to have anything I don't already do on a regular basis.

[Zamira]

Yes, the yoga stretches were very basic - for people like me, not for a yogini.
:)