Rating: Summary: The Goddess Workout with Dolphina Review: I have always wanted to try bellydancing and I loved this video. She teaches all the different bellydance moves, each in a different segment that has a different color costume, which was fun and a good way to distiguish which part of the body you are working on. Then, at the end, you put all the different movements into a bellydance routine, which I found that I could actually do! It was so much fun and I recommend this video.
Rating: Summary: Very disappointing. Review: I have never tried bellydancing and bought this DVD for something new and fun. I would say I'm pretty coordinated and quick to catch on, but Dolphina doesn't spend much time at all explaining her movements. It's a very frusterating experience because you can't get the full workout unless you're doing the dances correctly. The most difficult thing is trying to isolate your movements to one section of the body, which she does perfectly but doesn't emphasize to you (and I think this is key). There must be better bellydance DVD's out there, I suggest you look elsewhere.
Rating: Summary: Hard to Follow Review: I have taken two beginners belly dance classes, and I still had trouble following Dolphina. I read the other reviews, and I now agree with those who complain about the camera angles. There are several section where she is doing lower bodywork, but the camera is zoomed in on the face. I also found it difficult to understand some of her lower bodywork because she wear longs flowing belly dance skirts. I high recommend the Bellydance Fitness for Beginners series, because the dancers in those videos wear light leotards, not belly dance outfits. When you are learning from a video, its very important to see how the body is moving, and its virtually impossible with Dolphina's long skirts. However, if you know what you are doing, its a great workout. Also, she had the best explanation of how to do snake arms I've heard yet.
Rating: Summary: Good for some fun Review: I have very mixed feelings towards this workout. I like the bellydancing but something about Dolphina turns me off. It felt like she was trying to be a sex symbol and appeal to men at the same time as trying to connect with the women who are trying to learn the dance. As a result you get unnecessary foci and panning of her body which unfortunately inhibit the workout. This is particularly true where it gets into the really interesting hip movements. However, if you choose to ignore this you will still be able to learn a majority of the moves in the workout (She also isn't the best at giving directions, but it doesn't matter too much as this is a very loose, free formish workout). Another issue is her vague goddess talk. Since she doesn't go very in depth about the history and legends she is referring to it ends up sounding very gimmicky, like a ploy to appeal to women seeking empowerment. It makes the dance seem more commercial, especially in light of her company goddesslife. On the positive side, the sets and costumes are very beautiful. Her voice is very nice and soothing(although that is nullified somewhat by the empty goddess talk). Most importantly, it is fun! If you want to see what bellydancing is like, want to experience something new and different, or want to add a little variety to your fitness regime (Be forewarned: this is not the best for cardio as it will barely raise your heart rate) then try this. If you want to seriously learn to bellydance I recommend you pick a workout that will illustrate all the moves fully.
Rating: Summary: Truly Beautiful and Beneficial Dance Workout! Review: I love dancing and feeling sensual sexy so this program helps me to achieve all these goals. Bellydance is made Non-intimidating and easy and fun to learn. Dolphina's narration helps to understand each movement. I enjoy bellydancing and the way it contours the body. I love her style, extremely feminine. While this workout isn't too strenuous but I do sweat so I believe this is perfect for a beginner. Her spectacular bellydance costumes are breathtaking and I truly think this is important to create excitement and lift energy. I also feel the only drawback of this DVD is the photographer spending too footage on her face while I just want to watch the body movements. After a few session it gets easier so I couldn't wait for the sequence. Ovarally it's a very well made program and there are very few programs outthere are as good as this one.
Rating: Summary: Perfect for in-between class practicing Review: I love the music, set, and costumes in this DVD. And I think this is a great workout - to those who are not getting a workout, you need to be working harder to perfect the moves!! Either that or you need to go on to advanced. The workout is challenging and full of good belly dancing moves for a beginner like myself.
However, it does not take the place of a class with a live instructer to answer your questions and critique your form. Especially if you don't have a mirror to watch your form while you dance. I use this to practice when I'm not at my weekly class and find it far superior to other bellydance DVDs I have. It's worth it!
The only reason I gave it three stars instead of 5 is because too many times the camera focuses on her chest and face instead of her hips and feet - where the action is!! She is very pretty, but that is not what I bought the DVD for! : )
Rating: Summary: Lacking in many places Review: If you have no prior experience to belly dance, I really don't recommend this Dvd/Video. If you do have previous experience in middle eastern dance and want a fun, new workout to do at home, this would be a good buy for you. The theme of this video seems to be Dolphina's beauty rather than her dance skill. She lacks rhythm and makes her routinues hard to follow. Her worshiop of the goddess is appreciated here, but in a part of the workout she states to perform a move with the feeling, "you know you want me, but you can't have me", which is a representation of belly dancers that we are trying to get away from. There are other more inspiring teachers/videos to first learn from such as Rania and Veena and Neena.
Rating: Summary: Fun Workout! Review: Imagine having fun and working out at the same time, added with feeling sassy afterwards and this describes the Goddess Workout with Delfina. There is a different segment for each part of the body, even concentrating on lower abdominals on one segment, upper on another and side abdominals(obliques)on yet another. I like how she breaks down the movements, shares fun girly facts, and makes you feel that you too can bellydance. Some of the movements are really difficult and I was laughing at myself, but I must admit that it was still fun and kept me moving the whole video. It was helpful to have the costume changes because then I remember and coordinate which muscles groups I workout by which color costume she is wearing. There is a routine at the end which I could actually follow with my first viewing!
Rating: Summary: How can you learn to dance if you can't see the teacher? Review: Most of the time the camera is focussed on Dolpina's face. This makes it impossible to see what her hips and feet are doing. How can you learn hip movements by looking at the teacher's eyes? You can't. Dolphina is also a poor dancer. She is usually off the rhythm of the music playing in the background and her technique is stiff. The cluttered backgrounds that she uses are distracting. I am an advanced dancer and I frequently couldn't understand what she was trying to demonstrate. One of my beginning students was completely lost. Save your money for a better video.
Rating: Summary: This is a great form of exercise for the core muscles! Review: Once you get past the camera guy being in Love with Dolphina, you can get some great instruction on Belly Dancing for fitness. It's amazing that you can get such a great body workout while working on your self esteem too. I found that after I was finished with the tape that I was inspired to dance more and the tape had taught me enough moves to freeform belly dance. Better than other belly dance instruction tapes.
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