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Renee's Magical Belly Dancing
Articles - Reviews - Blog
Renee's DVD's and video tapes for beginners. My thoughts on why they where produced.
About Volume 1
See below for a sample DVD, video clip
Volume one is suitable for all ages, fitness level and body shape. It is mainly aimed at females but boys and men can also learn belly dance. Families can learn together for fun and entertainment, especially during school holidays or inclement weather. Girls or teens can learns solo or with their piers. Females of any age can learn separately, in the privacy of their homes or together with family or friends. Many beginner students also use my instructional videos for extra practice at home, even though they attend classes.
This article is based from my own perspective, as a teacher and from my own humble beginners stage, nearly 15 years ago. My videos are dedicated to the beginner, starting at square one. The idea was to make it very simple, step by step and easy to follow. Most western students have very little concept of what belly dance is all about. Some have seen demonstrations in their local area or on TV. Others have heard that it is a fun form of exercising, especially for the tummy area. Most start off simply for the fun exercise and later, many learn to appreciate the dance itself. And discover the secret, that the learning and practice, becomes the key element of keeping fit without trying. There are also many other benefits and bonuses for each individual student that becomes apparent, further down the track.
Each volume teaches a few techniques only. The movements are practiced separately, then two or three are combined, which I refer to as practice dance segments. There are also completed choreographed dances that highlight and combine techniques accomplished. A simple beginners posture is nurtured and maintained through out. Beginner needs lots of repetitive practice to teach muscle memory and become flexible, both are very important. Getting the student accustomed to simple Middle Eastern rhythms is also crucial.
Volume one introduces simple basic foundation techniques that are suitable for all style of belly dance, be it Egyptian, Turkish, Lebanese, Arabic, Gypsy, Tribal and to some extend Bollywood. For example figure eight, hip or pelvic circles, hip drops, varied side hips that lead into shimmies, shoulder movements, arm and hand techniques. The instructions are voiced over, to keep the techniques flowing and musical. The voice and music are clear and undistorted. A number of extra useful TIPS have been listed and can be printed off
It is important to learn good foundation movements first before attempting more complex ones. Once you have basic foundations techniques mastered, the more complex ones come more easier. For example learning the 3/4 side hips (basic foundation) will help you to understand an Egyptian walk (which is a more complex movement). Also learning how techniques fit into the music or rhythm. The teaching carries an air of grace and elegance. An artistic and expressive aspect has been included through out, all the volumes. It is in my opinion that beginners should be introduced to the artistic aspect as well as the emotional interpretation of belly dance from the beginning.
Renee started the series of instructional videos over 10 years ago. I also thought it was important to start volume one before I forgot what it was like being a beginner. From my own experience, I saw many teachers loose the ability to relate to a beginner, especially if the student was un coordinated or needed extra help. I personally found the movements hard to execute, but realized that I needed lots of practice to become flexible. So volumes 1, 2 and 3 are dedicated for the novice beginner with extra practice.
Volume One is formatted in both Pal and NTSC, both on DVD or Video tape. This means that they can be shipped and posted to most parts of the world. Internationally or globally. The main countries are -
PAL - Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany and many other European countries.
NTSC - America, Canada and Japan.
Conclusion.
The Artistic, elegant, imaginative and expressive presentation of belly dance is the most favoured and revered by all countries.
Next I will review volume 2, so stay tuned. You may like to link to this page and visit me monthly. Or you can ask to be listed on my monthly Newsletter for
updates, see Email below. However please make sure that my emails do not end up in the spam basket.
Click Image go the page with Video Clip
Basic Foundation Techniques
Varied Side Hips into Shimmies
