One of the readers of this blog asked me these few questions. I decided I may as well answer them as a post. Here we go:
Can one learn with just DVDs?
Many of us are stuck with no access to classes and resort to learning via DVD. That’s exactly what I did. When I started out, some five years ago, there were no belly dance classes anywhere around in Delhi. At least none that I’d heard of. I worked only with DVDs, starting with Neon’s Instant Belly Dancer, and worked my way though several, going carefully and persistently. I only knew that I’d actually learnt a lot when a professional dancer saw my dancing. I performed quite a few choreographies for her, and her comment was
“Wow, know I know these videos really work!”
For a hobbyist dancer, they’re perfectly fine as long as you religiously follow the warm up and cool down rule and listen well to your body so you don’t injure anything.
How many sessions a week should one do?
I’ll use the standard exercise format here. Three times a week. Any less, and you’re in the danger of not making enough progress to keep yourself motivated all on your own. Any more… well, there’s no harm in any more, except that if you’re totally un-exercised and out of shape, don’t push any move and don’t go for extreme range of motion.
How long should a learning session be?
Anything less than 30 mins isn’t worth it. But to begin with, if you haven’t been working out at all, start with 20, stopping if you feel tired or if you feel a catch in your side, stress on the ankles, pain in your lower back etc.
Once you get past the beginning stage and your muscles are stronger and engage more easily, increase to 45 minutes. Then, you’ll be able to assess this on your own and will know whether you can increase the time or stick with 45 mins to an hour.
After that, I think it all depends on how obsessed you get. I’ve done about three hours at a go and then taken a choreography or a move and worked on it through the day when I can snatch a moment or two. By this time, you’ll know your body well enough and will totally be able to figure out how much is enough for you.
In what sequence should one learn? Arms, hip work..?
If you’re going to use DVDs, the sequence is pretty much decided for you. If there isn’t a warm up on a DVD you’ve selected, then pop another one into the player to make sure you do a warm up.
Most dancers do seem to start with arms and shoulders, move on to torso slides and then to the main primary hip work – hip lifts and slides etc. But follow the DVD instruction rather than try and decide on your own sequence and change the sections around – that will break the flow anyway.
Anyone else have some inputs?
Thank you for answering my questions. Today will start my journey into the art of bellydance. After watching a few YouTube videos, it was love at first sight. I also love that the bellydance community opens it’s arms to anyone, regardless of age, shape, size or ability. My outlet for learning will be through DVD. (Mala you are an inspiration.) I will begin with Autumn Ward’s Beautiful Technique.
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Bellydance, Angela!!
Mala is my inspiration also. Before I discovered her blog, I thought that the only way to learn bellydance was through weekly classes. Boy, did Mala ever change my way of thinking!!! While it is true that intense training with a real, live instructor is absolutely necessary if you intend to become a professional dancer, if you are an enthusiastic hobbyist (like myself) learning bellydance by dvd is a perfectly acceptible way to study. Dvd learning is also much more economical than taking weekly classes and will allow you total flexibility when it comes to deciding which bellydance style is your cup of tea!
BTW, even though there are many bellydance classes where I live and I took formal lessons for almost 5 years, I currently choose to study bellydance solely by dvd. (again thanks to Mala!) I enjoy it so much more than dragging myself to class after a long day at work. Using dvds lets me explore new techniques and bellydance styles whenever I choose to do so.
Dance on, Angela, dance on!
BTW, now that you are a “dvd learner” you must be prepared to amass a library full of dvds!! As you will soon discover, there are so many excellent (and reasonably priced) ones out there to choose from that it will make your head spin!!! Unfortunately, there are stinkers as well so… if you find yourself wondering whether or not a dvd would be a “worthy addition” to your collection ASK MALA. Mala’s reviews are honest and always spot on!
I’ve learnded through classes and DVDs.
Sure, the classes (ATS bellydance and fusion bellydance) helped me to get some things right. But, honnestly, I’ve learned a lot more with DVDs. They gave me motivation and a great support in my daily practice, new moves, useful advices, great workout…
So if someone motivated wanted to learn only from DVDs, I’m sure they could get great results!
And thanks Mala to help us choose the best DVD for us.
(p.s. sorry for my English, it’s not my first language)
Joanna, your English is perfectly easy to understand.
So, yes, I really have to agree because I haven’t ever had a live class! Actually, when Blanca came here and tried to teach me a few things, I found I had already become way too used to doing this on my own! She would have needed to stay here a good long time for me to have become comfortable with being taught by an actual person.
For me, videos have worked more than ever because I can’t see so well and would miss a zillion things in class. But with the video, I can go close up and peer at the scene, repeat ad nauseum, and take my time. Powerful reasons.
But I’m sure if one wanted to go quite professional, you’d have to learn en every way you could including lots of classes!
My only worry is that it is possible for beginners to develop bad habits without a real live teacher to correct, one may think one is copying exactly, but could be doing something slightly wrong. Of course it is still possible to have these overlooked by a real teacher too, so no method is foolproof. In general I think have learned a lot more from dvds than I have in regular classes, but I would say live workshops and masterclasses are a step up again -for me anyway. If you are learning solely (and seriously) from dvd’s, filming yourself dancing can be a very valuable tool indeed, so that you can see your dance as a 3rd party would.
It is great to know that it is possible to dance well from using dvd’s alone. Mala, I really admire your motivation and dedication to learn bellydance in this format, you are an inspiration to us all.
Ruth, thank you for saying I’m an inspiration because I was just this minute trying to inspire myself to get into the dance room and dance instead of exercising. My workout (essential essential essential) totally derails the bellydance these days, and I feel rotten about that but am determined to get thin before I really get backto dancing.
I spent many hours today going through my DVD collection to pick something to work with. I’m not in the mood for hardcore tribal drills, though that would probably get me back into isolated from and give me a workout at the same time. I was looking for something softer. I can’t find a DVD I have by Leila — a beginner’s video. Long, take-your-time instruction. I might work with Belly by Sandra (Vol I) because she also goes through each move in a relaxed way and her video has lovely music. Another option would be the dead-serious Basics and Beyond by Jenna. That doesn’t have much music to begin with, but it would remind me of how my basic moves are suppose to be! And finally, bits from the Luscious-Love Potion-Hard Candy series, where I can go through the tutorial bit and then switch to the move. That too will be a workout plus re-learning the basics. I wish someone would make up my mind for me!
On the live classes vs DVD issue, perhaps it’s right to say that a learner will benefit hugely from both. But if you’re stuck without classes, it isn’t like you have no choice. Yes, you may pick up a bad habit, but that may be better than nothing. UNLESS your habit is bad enough to cause injury. And that’s the catch. You have to really become a good body-listener. That said, most of injuries have come from my salsa and jazz class! Here in India, no instructor has the time or considers it his or her responsibility to protect you from injuries. One of my instructors went about with a broken arm himself! And we did so many potentially dangerous moves too! I remember once my instructor wanted to try a move where he would just flip a girl over 360 degrees. I told him to forget it –not with me. But when I turned my attention away for a second, he stood at right angles to me (very difficult to describe) placed one hand on the small of my back and one just under the sternum — and did something! I didn’t even have time to think or react! before I knew it, the 360 degrees were over and I was back standing the same way.
I was traumatized though. he’d never done this move before, and neither had I. Neither did this again. Even though nothing went wrong, both were suitably shocked.
But you see what I mean… I think I was just lucky not to get injured that time. We also had so many falls and dips and spins. It was all a bit wild because you don’t depend on yourself alone for safety but on your partner who had better know what he’s doing.
Another time, we were all learning this weird dip where the guy has one arm hooked around the girl’s neck and dips her really really low. Both are in an awkward position and everything depends on the strength of your back and timing. Well, with the instructor jolly well watching, my partner just lets go at the lowest point in the dip. he just forgot that he’s the one who has to deftly push me back up. I had no support — my knees are bent and I’m all backwards with my hair touching the floor. Oh phew… again, it’s tough to describe. I fell.
Obviously, where else could I go.
Mala- thank you for such a wonderful blog. I always look forward to reading your reviews and posts.
Angela – If you are planning to work with Beautiful Technique, you might want to go to Autumn Ward’s website (www.autumnward.com). If you click on the “Merchandise” link and then read the paragraph, you will see a link to her “Beautiful Plans” .pdf booklet she created so you can get the most out of your practice with this DVD. Autumn has generously made it free to download!
Glow.
ShimmySafari, not sure if you’ll still see this months later, but that is a *very* useful link to Autumn Ward’s website. Thank you!
hey..i am new into belly dancing..please suggest me some good dvds to practice as i haven’t joined any classes i have learned some of the moves by downloading videos from net…thank you….:)
Hi Shruti! There’s a ton of beginner belly dance DVDs. Here are two I’d recommend. Try Belly Dance for Beginners by Leila, and Luscious, the Bellydance Workout by Neon. These are both on Amazon or direct from the dancers.
Others, do feel free to chip in with some suggestions, keeping in mind the newer videos available now not only when you began learning/
Shruti, on Expert Village and YouTube, you’ll find lots of helpful clips, but to get into dancing more seirously and safely, pick up a full DVD. I learned with Instant Bellydancer (Neon) and it served me well because she uses nice graphic overlays to show you the exact trajectory of the move. Had I been given the choice there is today though, I would have chosen to supplement that with one or two others in a different style.