Bellydance for Romance DVD with Jayna (NR) +Movie Reviews

An instructional video for adding sensuality to your bellyda

Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 08/06/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This video is led by bellydancer Jayna. The goal is to teach you more than just bellydance moves per se; the goal is for you to learn how to add sensuality to your bellydance practice. The DVD is well-chaptered, and the main instructional segment is broken down into several shorter segments, including glances and arms (4.5 minutes), upper body (7.5 minutes), lower body (3 minutes), and travelling steps and turns (13 minutes). Not surprisingly, the last section is the most complex, as you begin work on more complicated footwork and to combine this with the arms movements. You then practice all the moves with three very brief (only about 30 seconds) combos with instructors Emily, Donna, and Jayna; each combo is performed once with Jayna giving voiceover direct and then secondly with little instruction. Following the instructional portion, there is a short group combination dance (1.5 minutes) and a slightly longer solo dance by Jayna.

I consider the main part of this video to be more instructional rather than a true workout, especially given that Jayna introduces each new move slowly and there are frequent pauses while she provides additional information. However, the DVD does include a 10-minute bonus workout. Here you do a series of basic bellydance moves--eg, chest and hip isolations, hip circles, figure 8s--in a nice flow. This was at best a gentle workout; Jayna says at one point "your hips should be burning!" but mine really weren't, just nicely stretched and opened. An additional bonus freature on the DVD was trailers from Natural Journey's "For Wimps" series as well as their other titles. Overall, if you are are looking to fine-tune your bellydance practice and become a better dance, these video has plenty of great tips, but if you are hoping for a good bellydance workout, this probablly is not the video for you."

Got Flirt?

HeartofAvalon | Denver, CO USA | 05/27/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"First, Jayna is a beautiful, confident woman that shares encouragement with the viewer. This is what I feel the strong point of learning bellydance is. Women empowering other women. There is nothing else like it that gives you a sense of Feminine beauty, power, and spirituality. There are other great belly dance DVD's out there. The weak point on this one is that if you really want to learn the moves fully and correctly, this one is not in depth. I would recommend Neon's Instant BellyDancer 1 and 2. (I have zillions, so the list goes on...) Having said that, what THIS DVD teaches you, which is often missing in classes or other DVDs is the facial expression, eye contact and eye flirting. She does teach nice arm and hand framing for the different moves. She gives permission to embrace your femininity, grace, sensuality, sexuality. If you want more confidence, sparkle, and radiance when you enter a room or dance, I would recommend this tape. BUT, for really learning to bellydance, there are more solid teaching DVD's out there. Come on women, embrace your power, share your radiance, rock this world!"

Pleasant Surprise!

Tamii | 05/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To start, I have to say that I agree with the other reviewer in that I also was not expecting a lot from this tape, but what a little gem it proved to be! This tape goes over a few basic bd moves in a flirty, sexy manner. The purpose is to get the beginner dancer into that super sexy, hot bd look. I think most beginning bd students are really looking for a way to look sexy and sensuous like more experienced dancers and this tape allows beginners to get some of it instantly!

In terms of content, there is instruction on eye contact, head rolls, posing, hand and arm positioning which all give that sexy, playful look. I found the instruction on the 3/4 shimmy to be most helpful as, for me, this movement always felt a little goofy on my body. I also adored the two background dancers and their combinations. Jayna does a wonderful dance at the end of this tape and if one practices the moves, poses and "teases" she outlines, you can easily identify elements of her dance and begin putting more feeling into your own expression of bd.

To sum up, anyone can learn with some practice how to get that sexy look from this tape. I highly recommend this one and I'd also recommend "The Art of the Drum Solo" along with this dvd!"

I love this video, well worth the price.

CherryJellyBean | San Diego | 04/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am surprised to say that I really like this dvd! I have been bd-ing only a few years, and have about 100 bellydance videos.

Remember, this is not a normal belly dance instructional video. Even though she does teach basic moves (and does an okay job of it), she also gives tips on flirting and such. So if that sort of thing bothers you, you may want to pass.

"

Delivers what it promises

Lena, LMT | Nassau, NY | 05/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jayna is actually very sweet & has good humor on this. She really has great presence & really is great at reminding you to keep eye contact & remind you to stay confident. I immediatly felt a difference. She was great at saying "Here's your chance to flirt with me.... Flip your hair like you're on fire.... this pose is the 'Aren't I adorable' pose... I'm back, did you miss me?....Don't forget to look at me, you know I hate when I'm ignored...." She was perfect at being sensual but also sweet & reminding you how important it is to look at who you are dancing for to include them into your dancing & just ENJOY yourself to relieve daily stress instead of just worrying about accuracy.

The DVD has nice menus, comes in 5.1 dolby sound & widescreen choice. There are a lot of trailers for the Wimp Series, Raina's bellydance series & Shuilula's BellyDance Fusion Series. The trailers were too short for me though. Except to know not to buy the Wimp series.

She teaches with the blue shirt & black pants with a hip scarf you see on the DVD cover to show you don't need an elaborate costume to look great. She has 2 backup female dancers who are danced like office workers as well.

She teaches slowly at first then speeds it up. She does everything on both sides. She doesn't give that much cues or help in explaining, though some like her vertical figure 8's I liked.

There are basic shoulder roles & bending back with them, shoulder shimmies "Why do they call it shoulder shimmies when you know no one is looking at your shoulders....?" Horizontal chest circles, regular horizontal hip circles, & while steping as you do it, wide hip circles with "shaking your tail", verticle figure 8s, hip drops with extra bounces to the back, 3/4 shimmies, which Neena & Veena do in a better way without lifting your foot which they use an "L" visual how to teach, camels which she teaches well, hip drop walking, shaasze? step, Shinee? turn & another turn. Then she & the background dancers put 3 very, very short routines they do once normal speed, then again slow it down a little to follow along. The entire workout is 30 min including her introduction.

The workout was slow, I didn't sweat or feel anything except for doing the camels. It was fun though, the music is at a soft level, sensual, moderate tempo with a good strong beat which felt right for the pace of the DVD & intensity. I wouldn't suggest this to anyone as a first or only bellydance, but as an addition to help you feel more confident & relax & not be afraid to look at your friends, spouse when dancing for them.

The extra 10 min bonus routine is only with her with a half-sweat top & tight shirt & workout pants with hip scarf that is of more belydancing with what you were already taught with more chest slides, back/forth, lifts/drops, chest circles, hips circles, vertical & horizonal figure 8s & camels. Her pace is very relaxed & I felt a nice work on my abs with that.

I took off a star wishing there was more content instead of more repeating of what you already learned & slow pace. Take off another star if you're looking for more then just learning to be relaxed while doing some slow paced bellydance drills."

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	Bellydance for Romance Actor: Jayna Genres: Special Interests, Educational, Fitness & Yoga NR 2005 0hr 50min Bellydance artist Jayna brings passion, playfulness and sexiness to her dance routines. A second-generation bellydancer, she has performed as a solo artist and with bellydance troupes nationwide. Jayna has create... more » « less
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