Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down

Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down
by David Nakahara

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DVD details

Actor: Neena Bidasha, Veena Bidasha
Director: David Nakahara
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 33 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-01-01
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Cerebellum Corporation

DVD Reviews of Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down

DVD Review: Wow!
Summary: 4 Stars

This workout will have you breathless by the end! It is a full aerobic workout and they keep you moving the entire time. I love it! It is the most fun I've had with a video workout in a long time, and I can do it while my 18 month old is up and about as she likes the music and tries to dance too. I've told my friends that, if I can manage to follow this video at least 3 times a week, and I haven't lost inches from all over my body after a month, I'm not doing it right, cause Veena and Neena have you use muscles I didn't know could be exercised! The bonus features are nice, especially the bonus flexibility workout. I only have 2 complaints: on my disc, the menu doesn't load properly, so I have to be really quick in choosing what I want; also, a little more explanation of movements would be helpful for rhythmically challenge people such as myself.

DVD Review: Fun and different!
Summary: 4 Stars

I love this workout. It's different, but really gets me "glowing" and moving. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I wish they would have broken down some of the moves better, like hip drops and shimmies. I am learning from other belly dance workouts how to do these, but I think it would make it more effective - and less frustrating - to have additional explanation.

I have other Neena and Veena workouts, but I use this one the most simply because it's so enjoyable. I can really feel it in my hamstrings and calves the next day! I usually use this, then add on the workout from the Hips, Buns and Thighs DVD to get a full hour and a good lower-body burn.

DVD Review: Fun Fundamental 30 minute Cardio
Summary: 4 Stars

I started looking at belly dancing as a viable exercise alternative after watching the amazing Hafsia Herzi dance for what seemed forever in the final minutes of the film "The Secret of the Grain (La Graine et le Mulet) (Subtitled in English) (Region 1 DVD, USA/Canada Edition)." The energy and passion that she exerted during this session sold me; with each sustained shimmy I felt myself drawn to this mysterious expression of sultry womanhood. The fact that Hafsia (I do not know whether or not this Cesar Award winning actress actually performed the dance herself or had a body double) perspired profusely convinced me that belly dancing was not for the meek in spirit; all those exotic gyrations and erotically expressive undulations required fit muscles that worked within a tight frame and were controlled by a disciplined brain. I could not wait to begin.

I purchased Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Basic Moves & Fat Burning by the Belly Dancing Twins, Veena & Neena. It wasn't tough, but it wasn't easy either. The twins know their stuff--the routine required multiple viewings and practice sessions to become familiar enough with what was coming next to feel comfortable enough to just let go and enjoy the process. After working out at least five times with this DVD, I decided that Veena and Neena were worthwhile instructors and thereby purchased their Slim Down workout.

Now I am not a dancer by any means. My workout routine consists of running on the levee for about 60 to 90 minutes. I break this up with some strength training using the method of lifting heavier weights with less repetition, Tae Bo when the weather prevents me from going outdoors and Pilates to concentrate on moving from my core. The exuberant flexible movements of belly dance do not exactly emulate my usual workout routine; so the idea of incorporating smaller quicker moves within a larger framework alone for me was a challenge.

The Slim Down DVD does not waste time on Basic Moves. If you are an Uber beginner you must acquaint yourself with the terminology and the correlated moves by either purchasing a fundamental DVD (Amira's Belly Dance 101 Dvd, a 5-Star Instructional Video of Belly Dancing Basics for Beginners) or taking a beginner's class. Of course, if you are a dancer, you need not worry. This DVD probably will not be challenging enough to give you the workout you require.

In fact, it did not give me the workout I desire. The twins start off with about a five minute warm-up (neck rolls, arm and leg stretches) and introduce what they call the genie bounce (side to side motion with alternating arms) which they activate to a jump once the music accelerates and the 20 minute cardio portion of the session is in full swing. The genie bounce is used as a transition move throughout the session as the voice over (neither Veena nor Neena speak during the workout; however they do perpetually smile) announces what is to come about 5 seconds before the twins actually execute on the screen. More belly dancing moves--shoulder and hip shimmies, hip drops and lifts--are used in Slim Down than in the Fat Burning DVD. Fat Burning's cardio relies mainly on rocking back and forth, skipping and hopping but not for any great length of time. In fact one of the most difficult moves for me to complete in the Slim Down is the shoulder shimmy while I move up and down. It was tough to incorporate the small fast movement while making a larger overall movement. No wonder belly dancing is an art.

In the same respect, some of the hopping and twisting motions the twins employ may be too intense for someone who either has hip or knee problems or has just re-entered the exercising world from a coach-potato coma. However if you are accustomed to high-impact running or kickboxing, don't expect the same type of rush that larger moves will give you in terms of fitness when performing Slim Down. Despite the rocking horse motions, skipping and hopping, the low intensity nature of the belly dancing itself means that a mere 20 minutes isn't going to give you the cardio benefit that you crave. Therefore, I would recommend this presentation as an alternative to be used on days where an intense workout is not required.

The twins finish up with a five-minute cool down for an overall workout of thirty minutes. Included on the DVD is a Flexibility Training Workout which is very basic--I used this to complete my cool-down. However, I would not recommend this session at all.

Bottom Line: Although Veena and Neena rely on a voice over to instruct participants of their Slim Down Belly Dancing Workout, they both are attractively supple and slim with lovely attainable bodies. Personally, I liked their Fat Burning workout better than this one, but only because I felt it gave me more intense cardio due to the high impact jumping. Slim Down does incorporated more Belly dancing moves--however, these are not really explained--the DVD contains no fundamental moves section. Belly dancing is an art that encourages expression through the rounded feminine form and makes a good alternative workout option that will round out your exercise possibilities. The music and costumes contribute to the overall exotic feeling that belly dance promotes. Do wear a coin scarf around your hips to add weight--the sound of the coins swaying will put you in a sensual mood. Otherwise don't expect the full cardio benefit of running or kickboxing but look at this as a fun introduction to something truly beautiful and exhilarting.
Diana Faillace Von Behren
"reneofc"

DVD Review: It's fun. It works. Get ready to sweat.
Summary: 5 Stars

There isn't much I can add that other reviewers haven't already mentioned. This is a fantastic workout dvd, very easy to follow. They break down the steps in the warmup so you can't get lost. It's better to practice with their "Basic Moves" video a few times first, for better familiarity with the moves. "Basic Movess" is good for someone just starting to exercise again, after a hiatus. "Slim Down" would be the next level of difficulty to move up to. In my opinion, they should be packaged together, but "Basic Moves" is only packaged with the "Fat Burning" dvd in the same series, rather than this one. "Slim Down" is my favorite workout video. Have lots of drinking water handy while you watch this one -- you will SWEAT!!

DVD Review: Sensual Fun
Summary: 5 Stars

While this may be for beginners, it's still challenging enough to give you a workout. My friends and I laughed like loons until we'd have to hit pause. We'd even come to each others' homes to practice. No fancy outfits or special gear needed.

Description of Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down

Veena & Neena Bidasha have practiced bellydance since childhood and traveled throughout the Middle East and India to perform and develop their techniques. They teach popular classes for a wide variety of folk dances from around the world and have performed in film, television, theater, music videos and even during the Academy Awards. Their amazing talent and delightful style will keep you captivated and totally motivated.

Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down is a full-body workout that slims and tones your body through cardiovascular and strength dance moves. Fast bellydancing burns calories, while building cardiovascular endurance. Muscle isolation exercises tone your hips, buns, thighs and abdominals. All these moves interweave bellydance basics. So you are beautifying your body while practicing bellydancing's charms.

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