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Renee's Magical Bellydancing
Articles - Reviews - Blog
DVD Volume 3
Renee's Review and Thoughts
Learning to bellydance for beginners
About Volume 3
Volume 3 is the third stage in the continues learning process. This DVD concentrates on techniques for the upper body for the beginner. The rib lift, sometimes referred to by others as the chest lifts, the rib slides and rib circles are shown separately, then all 3 techniques are alternated with hip movements.
My thoughts on this method of teaching arose from class experiments (and remembering my past beginners classes). Most students liked the way the ribs where learned first, then further practiced, by learning to alternating from ribs to hips. Alternating in this way helped cement some hip techniques, (such as figure eights, pelvic circle, side hips and lower undulations) which one already knew. This method further helped the students to learn to smoothly transit from one technique to another. My aim is also to encourage smoothness, and dance with the music, while practicing.
Most students, almost without exception, find themselves extremely stiff in the rib department. And it takes a lot of practice in becoming flexible. Once you become flexible, you become more confidence. I also reflect on my past practice times, when I enjoyed playing around with the my new rib techniques and then alternating down to my familiar hip movements. The interplay was fun and challenging. I also became more flexible and I felt that I was achieving something. And without realizing it became fitter and trimmer.
I decided that a voice over is best for introducing the basic instruction. This makes learning pleasant and continues as the student can visually see how the movements are introduced, put together and further developed. Good music is presented through out the entire DVD. I realized that as a student who uses the DVD repeatedly, it was important to find a format that was fun, uplifting and enjoyable, while stimulating all the senses, including the female emotional phsychy. After all belly dance is a physical and emotional journey.
I must point out that the basic instructions are on DVD volume 3. However I strongly suggest that you also use the Extra TIPS in conjunction. Once you read the extra TIPS you will realize why all of these instructions where not included on the DVD. If they where, there would be no space for me to draw breath. Continues chatter, when viewing the video over and over, can drive a student insane. One needs time to absorb simple instructions and have the options to add more information when ready. This method has proven the most useful. Continuous instructions can be most annoying, good basic ones are better absorbed. This also gives the student time for some good practice. As you progress the Extra TIPS become valuable and gives you further insight, additional information which leads to a better understanding of the techniques.
So, when you are ready, print off the extra TIPS for volume 3, and absorb the ones that you find useful now and come back to some when you are ready for more information further down the learning track.
As you progress through volume 3, take notice of the flow and elegance that I present to you. Look at the emotional impact that I am trying to convey to you, at a beginners level. While learning the physical techniques, also learn to acknowledge your emotional involvement. Especially to the music and feeling how the techniques are manipulated to fit the music. I am also trying to teach you to appreciate that belly dance is not just some wild gyrating or wriggly movements but a beautiful and artistic dance of substance and quality. Giving all females of any age style, dignity and elegant grace. Male dancers can also draw inspiration and convert the movements to suit their status.
DVD volume 3 has many practice segments. I have no doubt that you will enjoy these. The DVD also features one half dance and one completed dance, Starting with a BEGINNING and an ENDING, with emotional undertones to each movements. Many of my students have praised this teaching method.
The music used in volume 2 and 3 came from an Australian produced CD by an International and Australian group of Musicians and Singers. Vocals are sung in English.
DVD 4 simply continues this learning progress at a faster tempo, including varied shimmies. Combining and mixing many of the techniques learned in volumes 1-2 and 3 to new music. Volume 4 also highlighting new techniques. It is important to practice old and new techniques to as many varied pieces of music, as possible. This automatically teaches you rhythm and better dancing skills.
Extra
TIPS
Click Image to view video Clip, movie trailer on volume 3 page
