Comments on: Belly by Sandra

By: Mala

Mala — Sun, 03 May 2009 05:19:06 +0000

I agree, the moves are taught quite carefully and informatively. Only odd thing – and it’s a big thing – is the incomplete feeling of the DVD. All basics are not covered. One expects the entire range of basics to be there, but i this case you have to wait till vol 2 comes out. Actually, just covering 2 or 3 more would have done t.

The moves are also sequenced strangely. I haven’t looked at this again recently but there was something – maybe a maya? – that usually comes further down the line.

With these two flaws fixed it would have been one of the most highly recommended basics DVDs. The music is also very very nice and altogether, the package has that certain quality I call “inspiring”. You can have DVDs with a lot more to them and yet they’re just not inspiring.

By: Shaia Fahrid

Shaia Fahrid — Sun, 03 May 2009 01:12:17 +0000

I love that there are some slow motion demonstrations in this DVD! I was surprised that she called an omi, a vertical hip circle, a small hip circle, which I have always been taught is a horizontal move, but no matter, different instructors use different names for moves. What seems most important here is that she talks about the muscles involved in the isolations in an easy-to-understand way (no one ever taught me to cough to feel my oblique — it works!) and thoroughly breaks down the moves.

By: Dina

Dina — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:24:31 +0000

LOVE POTION YAAAAY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgMkkCDR78o

By: Mala

Mala — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:28:54 +0000

Joy, you are definitely more than an advanced beginner and you know it.

Sandra’s DVD being useful will depend also on what other isolations videos one already has. By now it looks like every dancer has her own basics video and it’s a question of nuancing. I find her advice useful and i like the slow pace to pretty music; but am not sure if it’s a 100 percent essential if you have a battalion of other basics videos. This one IS one that I’d pick out to work with evry now and then because it’s so pleasant.

By: Joy

Joy — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:22:34 +0000

Oh my, now I gotta have this one too!! I was trying to avoid getting Sandra’s dvd on the grounds that I simply don’t need another one that teaches beginner isolations but, thanks to your review Mala, I think I’ll give this one a go. Since I’m barely more than an advanced beginner, I suppose I can use all the help I can get with my isolations so Sandra here I come! I can only wonder if my bellydance dvd collecting ever end???? Probably not – especially with Sandra Volume 2 in the works and all those delicious upcoming releases from dear Neon at World Deance New York! I I think I’m gonna need a bigger shelf!

By: Mala

Mala — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:58:36 +0000

I’m no seasoned dancer. Only a seasoned learner perhaps.

Sandra’s DVD is really filled with excellent advice. apparently it’s much like her actual classes.

By: Dina

Dina — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 05:17:36 +0000

Ooooohh Mala I am so glad you like Sandra’s video!!
Believe it or not – i was somehow nervous having recommended it. who knows, what if my enthusiasm had created expectations too high for a beginner instructional for a seasoned dancer like you? I was worried for you to be disappointed.
SO glad you like it