Rating: Summary: Fun but has some flaws Review: Overall, I did enjoy this DVD. It's fun and not that difficult of a workout. I've taken one class before so I'm familar with most of the moves. This helps to compensate for shortcomings in the video.Like many other posters pointed out, the camera work leaves a lot to be desired. When Dolphina's doing lower body work, the camera is often focused on her face which is very unhelpful. Another frustrating aspect is that she spends a lot of time of simpler moves (i.e., shimmy and head circles) but rushes through much harder moves (i.e., undulations and snakes). This video would also be better if she spent more time on the routine - maybe go through it once slowly and then up to rhythm. To end on a positive note, the scenery and costumes are lovely. She is a good teacher and has a very calming demeanor. I would recommend this DVD to someone who has taken a class before but not to a total novice.
Rating: Summary: Fun but has some flaws Review: Overall, I did enjoy this DVD. It's fun and not that difficult of a workout. I've taken one class before so I'm familar with most of the moves. This helps to compensate for shortcomings in the video. Like many other posters pointed out, the camera work leaves a lot to be desired. When Dolphina's doing lower body work, the camera is often focused on her face which is very unhelpful. Another frustrating aspect is that she spends a lot of time of simpler moves (i.e., shimmy and head circles) but rushes through much harder moves (i.e., undulations and snakes). This video would also be better if she spent more time on the routine - maybe go through it once slowly and then up to rhythm. To end on a positive note, the scenery and costumes are lovely. She is a good teacher and has a very calming demeanor. I would recommend this DVD to someone who has taken a class before but not to a total novice.
Rating: Summary: Is this supposed to be bellydance? Review: She might have tried to make an introduction to bellydance, but she didn't succeed. I've been bellydancing for several years. I don't know much about american dancestyle, but I dought that you will learn how to bellydance from this DVD. It doesn't look anything like oriental bellydance.
Rating: Summary: All-over tone Review: The good news- It really does give you amazing all-over tone. I have done the gym thing, and I hate sit-ups and crunches. I always do them wrong and end up hurting something. I have never seen my stomach get this flat and hard so quickly, WITHOUT SIT-UPS, as I have with this video. After one week of regular use, I could see a definite improvement. Now, I do it about 5-7 times a week, because you can actually see an almost daily improvement. It's great. I sit all day at my desk. So my back hurts at the end of the day. This video really stretches out my back and straightens my posture. My arms and backside look great. I have gone down a dress size in one month of consistent use. The bad news- The camerawork is shoddy. It focuses on her face too much rather than her actual body-movements. It is difficult to tell exactly what she is doing all the time. It took me about a week to actually figure out what she is doing. I have taken several dance classes and I found it hard to follow. She often loses count. She talks a lot about chakras and serphents that apparently live at the base of your spine, etc. In sum: Now, that I have figured it out. I love it. It makes me feel good, toned, and relaxed. I don't mind doing it almost everyday. I intend to buy another one.
Rating: Summary: Not Recommended Review: There are some positive points to this DVD, but the negatives far outweigh the positive. Negative: Camera work focuses on her face or her breasts or crotch area, not the body part where the particular movement she teaches is located. Negative: When the camera finally focuses on the correct area, her beautiful costumes get in the way of seeing the movement. Negative: She is way too fast in many of her movements and counts for the beginning bellydancer. Negative: The camera angle shows the movement from only one point of view, the front. It is almost impossible to tell where the weight distribution should be or how to do the movement properly from this perspective. Negative: She gives wrong directions at times for different movements. She does the movement correctly, but does not tell the viewer how to do the movement correctly.
Rating: Summary: Pretty good, but..... Review: This DVD is not for people who are just starting out in bellydance. Apparently the cameraman really likes her face and upper body, because the shots of her legwork are rare. I'd suggest getting Neena and Veena's Basic Moves or Discover Bellydance videos first because they show either their entire body or the specific area(s) used in the movements, and they break the movements down well. If you're already familiar with basic moves, this is a fun routine with good musical selections, but not the most vigorous workout. Also, don't expect to get the choreography at the end the first try. She does not break it down.....just expects you to follow along.
Rating: Summary: A fun way to exercise Review: This is a fun and entertaining workout. I am one of those people that NEVER wants to do anything but sit on the couch, but I enjoy doing the Goddess Workout. Some of the other reviews go on about how Dolphina does not teach "real" belly dance, or that there is too much yoga thrown in. For those people that want to learn "real" belly dance, take a class! This a fun workout that is not only enjoyable, but keeps you moveing.You will brake a sweat, but not so much you have to stop. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars was that the camara does focus on her face alot.(It took some time, but I was able to get all the moves down!) I would recogmend this workout to anyone that is looking for a fun and new way to workout.
Rating: Summary: Nice easy workout Review: This is a nice easy workout video, if you are looking for a fun, sensual workout (not a sweat marathon) then look no further, the movements will make you feel very sexy and feminine. The positives: The instructor's voice is very soothing, it helps you relax during the workout - the background scenery is amazing - her costumes are so beautiful (different costume for each workout section - she keeps you motivated - she breaks down the movements - her girl power motivation is contagious - very nice background music - the workout is based on basic bellydance moves - at the end there's a nice choreography based on all the workout movements (very nice). The negatives: She counts too fast - the movements are done too fast (once you watch the video a few times, this won't be a problem) - she uses a lot of Yoga terminology (I think that was great, but for someone that doesn't know about Yoga this can be a little discouraging) - sometimes (not all the time) the camera focuses on her face and not her lower body (like when you need to see what her hips and feet are doing) - at the end, she explains the choreography a bit too fast. I highly recommend this bellydance workout video if you are tired of the same ol' workout videos, and you are looking for something different and fun. Including this video, I also recomment the Veena & Neena workout tapes too. Keep in mind that if you really want to learn how to bellydance, find an experienced instructor in your area, do not depend on this video to learn the dance, this is merely a workout video with some basic bellydancing moves to get you in shape.
Rating: Summary: Please don't waste your money!!! Review: This is by far the WORST workout video I have ever purchased. As a matter of fact, this is the FIRST video I am sending back to Amazon. Firstly, the camera focuses more on dolphina's face than the areas being worked. For instance, when doing hip isolation you don't see dolphina's hips for more than ten seconds. The rest of the time is spent focusing on her smiling face. Meanwhile, you can end up with major back stress/pain if you don't already know the logistics of the isolation exercise she's doing. If I didn't know some belly dancing moves prior to this video, my back would be in big trouble. Secondly, I didn't feel any burn. The moves don't really focus on toning muscles as much as I had hoped for. Every section is only about five minutes long and, again, either her lack of instruction or the camera only focused on her face made me perform the move wrong so I didn't reap any benefits. Please, don't waste your money. If you're looking for a video that's about dolphina's smiling face, then you've got the right workout. If you really want to have fun and get toned, don't buy this video.
Rating: Summary: The one excercise video I can't live without! Review: This is easily the most enjoyable workout I have ever done. Not only do you get an incredible abdominal workout, it also loosens the muscles in the body. It is very calming, and not only do you have fun doing it, you definately feel the "Goddess" effect. Out of all of the exercise videos I have used, this is easily the most entertaining and enjoyable.
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