Renee's Magical Bellydancing
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DVD
Volume  5

Renee's Review and Thoughts
 

Volume 5 is a quiet gem. It continues the education of learning to belly dance for beginners, introducing stretching legs and pointing toes for better body line and elegant, graceful movements. Many of these stretching techniques can be used to create wonderful alternative openings, emotional middle segments or commanding memorable ending poses.

Volume 5 has the intention of improving your body line and bringing out your femininity in techniques and dance. This is why I call it a quite gem. A gem that cannot be missed if you like my elegant and expressive style.

Volume 4 highlights all the techniques taught so far, at a faster tempo while volume 5 continues the artistic teaching series at a slow to medium pace, with only a few faster movements. It is essential to learn fast and slow dancing. All good performances have a mixture of fast and slow phrasings, which gives the dancing light and shade.

Many new techniques are introduced in volume 5. Some of the more familiar techniques from volumes 1 to 4 are included. This time they are demonstrated to new music. Mixing the old with the new.

In volume 5, "Telling the Story" in dance, is an invaluable "gem". The dance features voiced over instructions for both hip techniques and arm, hand movements. In a separate version it has the story unfolding as you dance an 8 minute delightful program.

Volume 5 is still geared for the beginner. If you have been following volumes 1 to 4, you will find this volume a breeze. If you attend classes you may be able to appreciate the instructions. Intermediate students may also find this volume useful and very educational. Teachers and Stage Performers can learn some intriguing techniques to make their class or presentation, mesmerizing and memorable.

Many of Volume 5 new techniques will become very useful for better veil work, as featured in volume 6, "Zeina the Veil Princes".

HEAR & FEEL The Music (Part 3) ~ Telling the Story . Thoughts behind the action. Allowing your gestures (techniques) & expressions (emotions) to tell the story, which is guided by the music. The choreography is easy to follow with my voiced over instructions. The choreography has an introduction using many new techniques. Featuring a few highlights and has a distinctive ending. The choreography combines the new techniques with the old familiar ones, learned previously.

The music is repeated, this time thoughts, are voiced over, telling the story as the music unfolds. The story theme has a beginning, a middle and an ending. Featuring emotional interpretations ranging from sadness to happiness, optimism and gratitude. I found this a most satisfying piece of dance, to present to you. This educational piece will open up your mind, in hearing music emotionally with or without a story.

STICK DANCING - The introduction of Stick Dancing has been kept simple with basic cane techniques. The holding and twirling of the stick has been modified to suit small spaces. The traditional holding of the cane has a more loose and open hold. But in most cases students who learn at home or practice at home need to be shown another way of holding the stick, that is more suited for home learning. In the past, when I learned stick techniques in a large class studio situation, the cane often flew out of my hand, almost smashing through windows or hitting someone on the head. The one thing I do stress is that one purchases a light bamboo cane and not use a heavy wooden stick.

This volume is a gentle introduction to understanding and coaxing out the emotional involvement in belly dance. My last comment is that you do not have to follow my choreography strictly. Allow yourself freedom to improvise.

Volume 5 - Extra TIPS

For more information on techniques taught - Click Image to view DVD volume 5 page