[.ca] Bellydance Fitness: For Weight Loss

Pretty to look at, but uninspiring:
I've taught fitness for over 15 years. I was a jazz dance major in college and have also started studying various forms of Middle Eastern Dance. My review of Rania's videos will incorporate all three points of view. In terms of fitness, this is where they rate the best. The Cardio Shimmy is the most challenging, at about a beg-intermediate low-impact workout level. They are safe moves, although I believe Rania left out some key verbal cues for proper technique and alignment. The verbal cuing on the DVDs is also either not aligned properly with the video, or Rania cues late. A participant needs time to react to verbal cuing, thus the instructor needs to cue a couple beats ahead of a new move in order for it to be effective. A good amount of the cues were also completely off beat with the music. Once you know the moves, play the DVD with only the music. Rania and her team are in very good shape, so in this way are inspiring. From a dance perspective I find Rania's style to be very stiff. This stiff style works very well with her performance of the Phaeronic Temple dance (bonus feature). Her delivery, smile and arm movements are wooden, maybe she was nervous. Her "back-up" dancers were pleasant to watch, as they exhibited more grace, extension and ease. From a Middle Eastern Dance background I've most commonly seen a different method of doing hip isolations. Rania initiates the movement by straightening the leg. While this can be a good way to help beginners, it also needs to be emphasized that most hip isolations are not meant to rely on the leg movement, the legs are just "carried along". This difference in technique shows greatest when Rania looses her hip shimmy a few times (in Cardio Shimmy), with lots of movement still going on in her legs. I recommend this series to beginners who wants a light, different workout at home, or someone who wants to get an idea of beginner belly dance moves at home before going out to study somewhere. More exprienced dancers can also use the simple combinations to brush up on their technique or practice zill drills (although it's not Middle Eastern Music) along with their dancing. The special features were enjoyable. I've watched Sohaila over and over again. She has impeccable, inspiring technique, elegance and grace. Marina is a little firecracker with lots of energy. Her drum solo and cane dance are lovely. Lochia shows folk inspired dance with interesting combinations of folk inspired costuming in cabaret style fabrics. Rania's temple dance was well executed, the costume beautiful.

Definetely something different:
Anyone who has gotten sick and tired of the ho-hum step aerobics and *shudder* Richard Simmons will definetely appreciate the fun and fascinating belly dance workouts put together by Rania. I've been searching for different workout videos for a while, I just can't get myself to the gym between work and school so I do workout videos at home. After I did the other videos a few times I'd get bored with them and stop. This did not happen with Rania's videos. One important thing to realize is that these workouts utilize key belly dance movements in the workout **This is not an instructional belly dance set**. (If that's what you want I highly recommend Veena and Neena) If you are looking for a different low impact workout to spice up your routine, this is it. If you are looking for a workout that will help you improve your bellydancing by isolating important belly dance movements while execising, this is it. If you are looking to learn belly dance or a new routine, look elsewhere.

fun to do with my Mom:
this workout is also fun to laugh at. The main teacher is so stiff and her fake smile is annoying. She sometimes says the wrong things at the wrong times. I watch her backup dancers more because they're better dancers. It's fun though because I like learning to move my body in that way and it's nice together time with my mom.

Good dancer, good workout, but very very boring:
If you are interested in her style and the DVDs, I recommend you buy only one of the four. The rest will be all the same. Many repetitions, and little creativity of movement. The bonuses are good, both the performance and the workout. I bought all four, and now I'm selling them all on ebay. I could not even do all four at least once, since I realized after three that they are all the same. Save your money, there are much better belly dancing videos out there.

A Fresh Workout:
This is a fun, fresh workout with lots of flexibility work for someone with a 'challenged' back. Rania explains the moves well, with good camera angles and a slow intro to new moves - then it's up to you to keep up! Very enjoyable.