Three 15-min. workouts featuring a variety of exotic belly dance moves. Floorwork is a vital part of many fitness systems including Yoga and Pilates. Bellydance floorwork offers all the benefits of floor exercises - stretc... more »hing, toning and strength training - plus the added motivation of learning aesthetics and techniques of dance. As you exercise, you master the artistry of movement arising from ancient traditions and acquire fluidity and sensual grace - qualities not commonly imparted by physical fitness routines. Learn and practice belly dance steps during the workouts, then follow Tanna as she demonstrates her powerful and dramatic dance choreographies. Both earthy and spiritual, bellydance floorwork will add a unique creative experience to your personal fitness program. Each floorwork choreography can be accessed separately for review before your own special performance. FEATURES: * Belly dance floorwork technique tutorial by Tanna
* Anatomy of movement involved in floorwork by Andy Troy, CSCS
* Pictorial cues and onscreen titles showing the name of each bellydance movement;
* A progress bar shows the number of reps for each move, plus marks the rep you are currently performing.
* Belly dance performance by Tanna Each 15-min. workout includes: 3-min. warmup, 9-min. exercise session, 2-min. dance sequence (2-3 reps of each move from the exercise session arranged into an attractive choreography), 1-min. cooldown« less
Understand this is a Challeging & Fun Workout - Not a Guide
C.C.N. | 07/23/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Bellydance for Body Shaping uses bellydance floorwork moves as a foundation for a fun yet challeging workout. The atmosphere is lovely, the music fantastic, and the instructor Tanna is great. She is personable and clear throughout her insrtuction. This DVD has complete warm-ups and cool-downs, including an introduction about the muscle groups used. Tanna makes sure you do each excercise properly so you don't put strain your back, hips, or knees. The workouts are broken down into 3 sessions. As each session progresses, the next is a bit more challenging. Tanna gives a short performance incorporating the moves at the end of each session.
With such a great production, I am not sure what happened with some of the camera-work. You can tell the camera is hand held through parts of the DVD, giving you that slight bobbing feeling. And in the beginnging, it seemed like the camera person is too close to Tanna and can't get her quite into the whole shot, so they angle it. At this angle (tilt your head to one side), it is very distracting when you are trying to follow along. Luckily, this is not the case through the whole DVD.
This DVD is perfect for someone who wants to try something different and fun, strengthen the upper body, or learn some slinky dance moves. Sorry to say, I would not recommend this if you are seriously interested in learning traditonal bellydance floorwork. You might like to try "Classic Cabaret Floor Work.""
Excellent Floorwork Instruction
Tamii | 03/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This dvd delivered everything I'd hoped it would deliver in terms of instruction and sensuous moves. With this dvd, anyone can learn how to add grace to floorwork moves by following and practicing the 3 sessions.
The dvd is broken down into 3 "sessions" where instruction and practice is given on moves and 3 "dance" sections where the instructor uses all of the moves in a dance. (No instructions or cueing is given during the dance sessions) Following these sessions is a performance by Tanna.
In my opinion, the info on the anatomy of the moves could have been left out and in its place, instruction on arm movements could have been given and would have been very helpful. Also, beginning belly dance students might find that the movements are done too quickly and without time for much repetition within the session, but the moves are used again in each session.
I feel this dvd is a good buy for beginning dancers who want to learn and practice floorwork. The moves will make you feel and look sexy and exotic!"
Fitness and floorwork
R. Grissmer | 02/22/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I normally love the titles that are hosted by the belly dancers from New York. They wonderfully blend fitness and instruction, and target audiences who seek both these wants. However, unlike Tana's Belly dance for Upper Body DVD, this title is geared almost exclusively to an audience who is looking for a new workout. I loved the way she explained the moves, but it seems as though the viewer needs a strong background on floorwork, and it is not for those who are on a basic level with workouts, simple because of the wear and risk to the knees. I often see other dancers shy away from using floorwork in a performance, which I simply cannot identify with, other than the risk to the knees as mentioned. Maybe I expected too much, but I wanted a way to apply the moves to actual performance, just like her previous video offered, but could not do so. The background and costuming are very practical and lovely, and Tana does give a brief tutorial. However, the tutorial would fit well with others who have had more floorwork experience. I also wanted Tana to give more cautionary advice on posture and performing the moves, which I believe Andy Troy, the certified fitness instructor did not summarize. I still love this video, and really recommend her videos for a great workout, and instructional approach."
Pretty good, very different, great toning benefits
Lena, LMT | Nassau, NY | 05/22/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have over 25 bellydance dvds I've collected in the past 4 years just for fitness.
This is definitly not for beginners in terms of holding your body up on your arms & feet alone while doing uludations, hips circles & twists, etc. You will need to be at least somewhat active & workout regularly before buying this.
If you have Neon's Bellydance for Body Shaping, you know the instruction & pace style.
There is a 20 min tutorial w/no music on hip circles, etc. but still not enough for a first-time bellydance dvd buyer or even a second dvd. I would still suggest Veena & Neena the bellydance twins first since they go the slowest & use analogies.
It's broke down into 3 warmup, teaching, dance & cooldown all in 15 min each. There is soft soothing music playing the during the first 13 min of the session & the more heavy beat good music for the end dance.
I agree with another reviewer that though Tanna is good, she's still a little stiff & feels "by the book" in her movements like she's still a little unsure. Tanna is very nice & personable & is very enerst when she says to just do the best you can.
The dance routines you learn I felt were a little uninspiring & the bonus workout of Tanna dancing solo with full costume at the end seemed to need the extra camerawork that moves a lot & changes back & forth to cover up her inexperience."
Great Alternative to Crunches
GT1979 | Hamden, CT USA | 04/28/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This video is excellent for anyone looking to find a way to tone up the abs without having to do crunches. The video has three 15 minutes sessions and a tutorial in the very beginning that helps you learn the moves before you dive into a lesson. The dancer informs you not to force yourself to do anything uncomfortable for the more challenging floor exercises. This video is great for blood circulation as well and takes place in a calm and serene environment. The best part it, you can pick up some really sexy dance moves along the way :-D"