Rating: 
Summary: The One to Buy
Review: Belly dance videos/dvds are usually expensive and, thinking you're getting a dvd that's going to help you learn the dance, you end up with an exercise aid instead. If you're looking to exercise using belly dance movements, I can recommend none higher than Rania's Exotic Belly Dance Workout; however, if you're looking to practice dance, you must buy Jillina's Instructional Bellydance dvd set. The price is excellent - three dvd's for the usual cost of one. The set has three dvds: Levels One, Two and Three. Beginners can easily follow and intermediate and advanced students won't be disappointed either. Jillina teaches you movements - she does not play "monkey see - monkey do." Her clear, concise instruction includes the movements, which muscles are being used, and proper posture starting with a slow, exaggerated example moving up to tempo. There are sufficient repetitions that allow you to repeat and practice instead of rewinding. The music, modern Egyptian pop, is current, loud enough to hear, but not too overwhelming and does not prevent you from hearing the instruction. The song titles are also listed in the credits with the artists' names - very helpful. Jillina wears a matching choli, exercise pants, and short hip scarf so you can see her body move. The ability to see her is aided by the excellent camera angles and the full-wall mirror. There is no guess-work here. Finally, seeing Jillina's superlative preformance of the dance you've just learned is the best. If you're not a beginner, this is still the set to buy. At all levels of this dvd, Jillina give excellent instruction of basic technique and then she proceeds to teach combinations using that technique. The combinations are then used in the choreogrphy section. I find these sections of the dvds most helpful; as you see how she combines movements and then uses the combination to choreograph a dance, it allows you to use that knowledge to create your own choreography - most helpful. I highly recommend this dvd set to belly dancers of all levels - it is my best ever purchase for home practice.
Rating: 
Summary: good and bad
Review: Don't get me wrong, Jillina is a great dancer and has good teaching skills. It is just overwhelmingly apparent that she is a Jazz dancer doing Belly Dance, that it looks not authentic at all. I know this is a problem for American dancers trying to learn the dance from another culture, but I wish there was just one video/dvd out there with a real representation of Middle Eastern Dance. At least this dvd should say describe itself as fusion or American Bellydance. Instead, it claims to be authentic and it is not. It would make a nice gift for a beginner, and it did have some nice combinations/choreography, I just wish they would have told me it was a jazz/fusion thing.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Dancer - Incredible Value
Review: First in what I hope to be a series of instructional videos from the producers of the Bellydance Superstars show, this is a great set from a fabulous dancer. Three separate DVDs cover beginning, intermediate, and advanced moves and choreography. The choreographies cover classic style dancing, the more ÒpopÓ moves, and an earthy, folkloric style, so you really get a good sample of what modern bellydance looks and feels like. Each DVD begins with a short series of stretches, although she cautions you do an aerobic warm-up for about 20 minutes before you begin to stretch. On each DVD, different moves are taught, from the most basic hip circles on Vol. 1 to the more complicated Arabic Twist and spins on Vol. 3. Beginners or people with no previous dance training will have no trouble following these movements. Jillina demonstrates each move slowly and in exaggerated fashion, so itÕs easy for you to see the shape, gradually bringing it down so itÕs smaller and more subtle, while speeding it up to its full time tempo. She repeats the movements several times so you donÕt have to keep rewinding. Unlike some ÒinstructionalÓ videos, Jillina actually describes and explains each move and the muscles driving it, so you donÕt just have to watch her and play follow the leader. The next section is combinations, where she puts together the moves you just learned into short (on the beginning DVD) or longer (on the Advanced) combinations which you can incorporate into your own dances. The combinations you learn in this section will be put together in the next section, where she teaches a different choreography on each DVD. She is a thorough teacher, and explains and demonstrates each move and combination a number of times, so it is very easy to learn the choreography. Each DVD ends with a performance by Jillina, in full costume, of the choreography you just learned, with a few additions and modifications. I donÕt know that advanced dancers would learn any ÒnewÓ moves from her, but they will definitely benefit from seeing the different combinations, and her choreographies are fun and easily modified to fit different music. JillinaÕs style is very energetic, and she interprets the music in a way that is different than most dancers of ÒclassicalÓ Egyptian dance. The price is so reasonable that if you only invest in this DVD to check out JillinaÕs personal dancing style, you still wonÕt be disappointed. Production Quality: Excellent
Jillina teaches with her back to the camera, in front of a large angled mirror, so you can see both her front and back at all times. The set is pleasantly decorated and the music is loud enough to dance to, but not loud enough to overpower her voice. There is no bizarre camera work. The camera angle will change depending on the focus of the movement, but for the most part her entire is body is shown, and the angle changes are not jarring or distracting. Jillina is dressed in a matching hip scarf and choli-type blouse, and you can clearly see her stomach and legs. Since she teaches in front of a mirror, you can see just about all of the angles of her body. She stands out well against the backdrop, and the set itself is well-lit, unlike many videos, where you end up with eyestrain after watching! Another nice addition is in the credits, which list the music used in each section. Also a plus is that there is no extraneous advertising at the beginning of the DVD, so you donÕt have to sit through five minutes of ads before the instructional part. Price: Better than Excellent
Typical good-quality bellydance instructional videos are priced at around $45-$55 EACH. This set gives you 3 well-produced DVDs for that price. This boxed set is less than the price of a standard workshop, and you get about the same amount of instruction and choreography time. I hope to see more productions of this quality from the Bellydance Superstars team in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: A Review from a Non-Player Hater
Review: I have just bought all 3 levels of Jillina's instructional videos. I agree with some of the previous reveiwers reguarding the amount of time she spends on techinques. She does not spend alot of time on each one. However, each move is clearly labeled at the bottom of the screen. This would allow someone that is totaly new to Belly Dance a chance to rewind to what you don't understand. Her explanations were very clear, and performing in front of the mirror was an exellent idea.
One thing that is important for one to keep in mind is that someone that REALLY want's to learn belly dance should suppliment DVD'S with actual dance lessons. In a dance studio, a teacher can give you feed back on what you are doing, and see things that the student can't.
As far as the personal attacks about her race and looks, I could not care less. She could have trees growing out of her face, if she can teach, she can teach. It is my understanding that J has gone to Egypt to study technique. Who was teaching there? Russians?
ALSO RECCOMENEDED:
Neena & Veena the "Beyond Bellydance" Set
BellyQueen "BellyDance Jam"
Rating:
Summary: This is a DVD
Review: I have read some of the review and I have two of the three instructional DVD. She may not go into it in depth like if you were in a seminar but you do have the reverse button on your control so that you can see the moves over and over again. Yes, she has a jazz and ballet background but she has performed in other countries and very sought after for weekend seminars which I was lucky to take one and just love her for her easy way and explainations of the moves. You should have a live teacher to correct any movements you may be doing incorrectly. However, I think her video series are an excellent tool for those that can't get to a studio or don't have a teacher near by. I am still a student but I think she has one of better instructional videos out there and affordable without being a cheap useless DVD that will sit on my shelf. Way to go with quality, Jillina. -An adoring fan.
Rating:
Summary: Great Value
Review: I highly recommend this dvd package. You get to learn 3 excellent choreographys by Jillina. It is a great value for all that you get to learn. She explains every step very, very well.
The dvd are also of great quality for viewing.
Rating:
Summary: Great videos, but not the best for brand new beginners
Review: I think Jillina is the best BD in the world. However, this is not the best video for brand new beginners. She doesn't spend much time on each move. So it would be hard for anyone to learn if they haven't seen the moves before. It would be great for some one who has already taken a beginners class or has other beginners videos. I consider it more a chorography video than instructional. Her performances at the end are wonderful!
Rating: 
Summary: Waste of my money
Review: I was very sorry to have spent nearly $50 of my hard-earned cash on this. I felt that the first (introductory) DVD was impossible to follow, so gave up. Also, the editing style is extremely annoying -- the "wipe" transitions between segments made me motion sick. I wasted my money -- don't waste yours.
Rating:
Summary: Mixed feelings.
Review: Jillina's "instructional" videos include some belly dance technique and combinations which she puts together into a performance at the end of each one. Overall, it seems more instructional in choreography than in belly dance technique, and Jillina filmed choreography that she uses elsewhere. Learning choreography technique and getting ideas from this video can be helpful, but learning music composition is fairly crucial to this process as well if that's what you're seeking. While Jillina can belly dance and put together choreography, the tone of her videos is directed at the American consumer, or it is, rather, commercialized. By her own admission, her background is in Jazz dance. I recommend that if you are looking for technique than the best thing to do is enroll in a class with a teacher you are comfortable with and if you use videos, use them to augment your lessons. Videos, as true in this set, will not teach you emotional interpretation of music and using expression like you'll see with authentic Egyptian performers (this is much more than remembering to smile while you dance).
Rating:
Summary: Love Jillina's Box Set
Review: Jillina's 3 dvd box set was on my "Christmas List" this year. I had been anxious to purchase one of her dvd's, coming across several from IAMED. I finally settled on this one, because I liked the idea of three levels; beginning, intermediate and advanced. And the price is really great. I have been studying bellydance for about a year. I attend class twice a week, practice on my own and attend performances whenever I can. I love dancing and want to expose myself to as many performers as possible. I discovered Jillina from one of my bellydance instructors. She is a professional bellydancer and as part of our ongoing instruction plays a performance or two at the beginning of every class. It helps us to recognize the various styles and dancers. Anyway, I just wanted to give a short idea of my background and how I came to become a fan of Jillina. I feel the dvd's are an excellent compliment to regular practice and class. I found them very easy to follow. And I have to say that no matter how many times I have viewed Jillina's performance at the end of the DVD, I am still impressed and taken in by her style, expression, and interpretation. Excellent and highly recommended. I plan to search out some of her other DVD titles.
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