Comments on: Dancer’s Library

By: Irina

Irina — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:46:29 +0000

I’ve been noticing this as I pull some of my older vids out and work with them… the standard of material has gone up so much in the pat decade, in no small part due to WDNY and, later, Cheeky Girls. Both the amount of material covered and the organization, teaching concepts, etc., are so much higher now, that it’s hard to judge the older videos fairly.

By: Mala

Mala — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:59:53 +0000

This Dancer’s Library is a stalled project-let of mine. I wanted to collect all those DVDs that learning dancers seem to think are a must-have. But, it’s not awfully scientific. And my own library grew to over 300… or is it even more. I’ve gvigen up keeping track of the titles in spreadsheets like I used to!

But I certainly never ever took to Aziza’s Companion. I think that more now, when I’ve seen many other videos. That said though, I think when one finds that one is comfortable with a dancer’s style of teaching, one should just stick with it and ignore whether the video is living up to new expectations arising from the flood of DVDs that came afterwards. After all, this one was so much earlier than the drilly ones we use now. Including Drills Drills Drills. And the WDNY tribal ones that thoroughly drill you in the basics.

By: Irina

Irina — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:50:35 +0000

Wow, am I really the only one who liked Aziza’s practice companion?

I wish I were far enough along to think in terms of “Dancer’s Library”… for now, I still think in terms of “Dancer’s Curriculum.” That means lots of basics, as well as videos to practice with, move up with, etc.

By: Mala

Mala — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:15:20 +0000

Ah, I was a bit disappointed with it too! It’s sort of a patchy bunch of mixed things. Haven’t seen it in a while, but I picked it up to jump right into it and ended up being a bit nonplussed.

By: Lukesmum

Lukesmum — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:20:29 +0000

Hi Mala,
I love your reviews on Amazon!
Thought I might mention Kaya’s Hip notic is worth it just for the belly rolls section.
I was a bit disappointed with certain sections of her dvd.The best way to put it would be that it wasnt engaging enough and bordered on ‘boring’,until I got to the belly drills section.Its very well explained.
She doesnt have too many drills with the other sections.
I am Beginner-Intermediate and mainly rely on dvd to learn from.

By: Joy

Joy — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:52:29 +0000

I have the dvd by Leila and it’s pretty good. In fact, it’s darn good!
I ordered it on a whim (not expecting much for the low price I paid) and was pleasantly surprised just how much information was covered.
I can’t wait until I have the time to work with this dvd. I think it was a real find.

By: Mala

Mala — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 17:38:35 +0000

I guess you go back to something you were comfortable with. I go back to East Coast I and Asharah’s drills. And Luscious. Having done one session of each, I’m also now looking for one of the basics videos that will make me go through circles and hip lifts etc all over again. I might pick one of the newer ones for this. There’s a long video by a Leila that might do. Or maybe Belly By Sandra (1). Yes,in fact that was rather nice. I think that’s the one!

By: Joy

Joy — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 17:14:20 +0000

I love your “round is a shape” comment – you really put a smile on my face just when I needed it most!

I am most definitely back to (pre) beginner level in my dancing. In fact, I’m so out of practice that I don’t even know which dvd I should work with at this point. I suppose Love Potion would be as good a place to start with as any. I need to learn the basics all over again. *sigh*

By: Mala

Mala — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 05:59:55 +0000

I’m back to round one! But they tell me round is a shape too.

By: Joy

Joy — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 22:41:53 +0000

I agree totally! I’ve gotten more out of Ariellah and Sera’s dvs than I ever did out of Aziza’ Practice Companion. I recently got Irina’s tribal Fusion Workout and, even though it zips along rather quickly, I think I’m going to like working with this one (a bit down the road…) For now, I’m putting it on the shelf until I’ve gotten back into a regular practice routine. I’m afraid I’ve gotten very lazy lately and done very little dancing. I’m afraid I’m almost back to square one!