If I were to go by which DVD I’ve used the most, it would be Asharah’s Modern Tribal which was released Jan 2008. All through this year, I’ve used this comprehensive conditioning workout until it’s become second nature. I don’t need to look at the screen any more and I can even do the entire workout by memory, hearing Asharah’s instructions in my head. In fact, many times I’ve tried to switch to another workout, without much success. My body just wants to do this one. I know that although this video isn’t so talked-about as many others, many of my friends use it regularly.
If I were to go by sheer popularity, Drills Drills Drills would also be one of the best over 2008. This video has a lot of variety and a long shelf life because you can take any part from it to use any time. In fact, it also turns out to be very flexible because of all its varied components. What it misses is the kind of cueing that would also make it possible to do from beginning to end in one smooth flow, without even having to check the screen for what’s happening. I have tended to use this program in parts – taking whatever drill chunk I feel like to add to other exercise sessions. Like everyone, I treasure my copy of “Drills x 3″ though it’s not my everyday program.
Another video that, in my opinion, fits into the best category, is Luscious. It’s plain gorgeous. Officially a beginner’s program, it’s posed to challenge for many intermediate dancers – including for me, if I can stretch my beginner status a little. Moves that we think of as basic have been threaded together very beautifully in flows and combinations that show how lovely something can look when it’s not over-danced. I often work with Luscious and have yet to tackle its mini choreography and body line section; you can learn something just from photos from that segment in fact.
Three of the videos that Sadie has brought out this year very much stand out in my mind as being among the best as well. Her Slow and Sultry, Thrillin Drillin, and Pops Locks and Shimmies are all fantastic programs. Each one of these has depth, content and gives you enough to work on for a whole lifetime. Slow and Sultry tackles a topic that has been difficult for other video instructors and does so without ignoring the whole fabric of concepts that underlie chiftetelli dancing. Thrillin Drillin and Pops Locks and Shimmies both teach the micro components of layering and give exercises that will ingrain these into the learner. I use parts of these programs often as all of it is too much to do at one go and takes time and practice to learn. The instruction format in Pops Locks is also absolutely amazing and groundbreaking.
And finally, Bellydance Rhythms shot to the top of my list, not when I got it, but when I started working with it. The many many things this instructional program teaches you is amzzing – giving a jolly good workout at the same time. For a change, it really really does. With enough in it for the beginner, the intermediate dancer and the advanced dancer who may use it to drill and teach, it’s a fantastic DVD.
Other videos that I would also definitedly consider are Killer Ziller for its simple clarity, and Improvisation Toolkit for being the first ever full-fledged video on something that many dancers claim can’t even be taught.
All in all, 2008 may have been a rotten year for many reasons, but for bellydance videos, it’s been plain wonderful.
Happy New Year, everyone!
If you can do a triple undulation, you should consider yourself advanced beginner. Thanks for your excellent write-ups, and Happy New Year!
thanks for that review of the bellydance year 2008!
from your review I realize you grateful we can be for WDNY especially and the energy-radiating Neon
i wish you all an amazing new year 2009, may all your wishes come true! or sufficiently many, to keep some to yearn for and work towards
how grateful I meant? sorry must be too much food and wine on this new year s eve
what s a triple undulation? three on the way down?
Yes, or on the way up for that matter. The undulations have to be smaller, of course. And that means more controlled. It’s just a matter of getting a single one real well — the rest works out on its own in time. That’s the thing with many of these things; it’s sheer time.
What Bellydance Rhythmns DVD is that you are talking about, if you don’t mind me asking?
This is the Bellydance Rhythms Workout by Neon and Raquy. You’ll find it on Amazon and the World Dance New York website. I’ve also reviewed it here and done a bit of an ongoing series on working with it.
Bought it right away! Thanks for the great review!
Sadie is very productive these days.
She already has another new DVD out.
https://www.hollywoodmusiccenter.com/productDetails.php?1=1&userId=4rC4hO3aO3dW7kS7&productId=1339&language=english&
Sadie’s Complete Bellydance Guide.
Video here: https://www.hollywoodmusiccenter.com/additionalMedia/1586.mov
I am thinking of buying it, will tell you how it is, asa it has arrived.
What it makes interesting for me is, that is for beginners. ^^
Sadie has not only brought out many DVDs over this past year but really material-filled ones. Slow and Sultry, Thrillin Drillin, a drum solo, Pops Locks and Shimmies and the Complete Guide. The initial announcement for Pops Locks, if I remember right, had said this was to be in two parts. So let’s see! I’m supposed to do an interview with Sadie one of these days – fingers crossed!