Origins of belly dancing with a stick - DVD Review
The Heartbeat of belly dance with Jenna and Raquy
General impression - This belly
dance instructional DVD impressed me for the clarity
with which belly dancer Jenna explains and breaks
down every single move. Also, Arabic rhythms are explained
vey well by Raqui and the overall quality of the video
is excellent and highly professional.
The fact that this belly dance instructional DVD includes
a section on Arabic rhythms, makes it even more complete,
helping the viewer to better understand belly dance
music.
Content - The DVD is divided into
four parts:
• Warm up routine
• Rhythm workshop
• Choreography workshop
• Shimmy drills
The choreography workshop is made up of three belly
dance drum solo routines. This section has its own
submenu, with the option to choose among three routines
for three different levels of belly dancing 
experience:
beginners, intermediate and advanced.
Each level starts with a belly dance drum solo performance,
which then is broken down very clearly and in details.
The part where the bellydance routines are explained
is set in a big and bright dance studio and Jenna
is standing in front of a mirror. This makes it easier
for the viewer to see every movement that belly dancer
Jenna does, from front and back. Jenna’s figure
stands out very clearly from the back ground because
of the colours of the garments she is wearing. Jenna
in the instructional part of the video is wearing
a simple outfit (dark tights, a short top and a plain
hip scarf in a contrasting colour) that helps the
viewer see clearly every movement of her body. Following
the instructions in this belly dance DVD almost feels
as though you were standing in the same room as Jenna,
so clearly the moves are explained.
The rhythm workshop focuses on some of the most common
Arabic
Rhythms, such as saiidi, baladi, masmoudi and
more. The drummer, Raquy, breaks down each rhythm
and belly dancer Jenna gives a brief demonstration
of an improvisation to each of the explained rhythms.
The shimmy drills consist of two parts: ¾
shimmy drill and shimmy layering drill. Again, Jenna
starts slowly, by breaking down these movements that
are so important for every belly dancer to master,
and then speeds up.
Advised level - Jenna’s and
Raquy’s Heartbeat of belly dance is an instructional
DVD that I think is perfect for belly dancers at an
intermediate level. Although the movements are broken
down very well, the viewer still needs a basic understanding
of at least the main belly dance movements.
The routines can be used by the viewer during their
belly dance performance as they are, or they can provide
some ideas on new moves and transitions. The advanced
belly dancer may find this DVD too basic; however,
even an advanced belly dancer could get some inspiration
and ideas on movements and shimmies.
