Search - Bellydance - Tribal Fusion NYC on DVD

Very Good For Isolations

Diana Maria DellaStrega | 02/25/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Finally, a TFBD workout that shows you the intricacies of those isolations! Takes all the Rachel Brice stuff and really breaks it down, gives LOTS of choreography and a really long warmup/drill section that actually makes you feel like you've WORKED. I didn't care for the long, expository, talky bit at the beginning (she's not much of a public speaker) but the rest of the DVD was really good. Could have been lit a little better, the background is very dark sometimes, but that's not too important. I really like that she gives examples of 3 different styles here too. Her dance at the end is intricate and interesting. Overall not perfect but highly recommended."

Slow-paced instructional/toning workout

Lena, LMT | Nassau, NY | 02/12/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I love Darshan since seeing her great body awareness & mind/body connection in her Chakra Dance dvd.

Intro/Welcome w/Darshan - 4 min

Including how modern incorporates more upper body which this dvd focuses on

Dance Workout - 30 min

Set in a small auditorium? as the 2nd part of the intro is in. She's alone in a basic black halter & black pants that you can easily see her legs to see how she moves. Includes a warm-up, posture exercises, poses, rib slides, circles, figure 8s, a little snake arms, hip bumps, omi, undulations both up & down (she explains it the best I've ever seen & I finally get it.) She teaches corners first, then builds to complex finish. She also has you do it slow several times & normal speed several times which was perfect. Enough to get muscle memory but not get tired/bored. She also doens't do a voice over & teaches you well with talking you through the move telling you which direction to move that & every body part. She doesn't just count like others which is great. There is always music playing, different styles in even the dance workout as time went on from modern to pacific island to middle eastern which helps although sometimes the music will have a fast temp which goes against her relaxed teaching in this section. She talk a little too much before/after instead of during the drill practice where you would be moving which is what you want. At first the slow pace killed me, but as time went on, she talked less & did more movements it was perfect.

Combinations - 40 min (Contemporary, Tribaleque, World Tribal Fusion)

Darshan is in a simple red/black pant/halter that you can still see her knees for movement. The background is all computer generated & looks like a beautifully colored STATIONARY graffiti brick/concrete wall that only changes for each new chapter dance style. Here she goes over the moves 1/2 speed a few times & then normal/fast speed several times while still telling you where to move your body. It build into a routine & she always has you practice each part of the routine on each side of the body before adding more. She was fast, to the point, but great drilling.

Contemporary - 20 min - she uses mostly the moves covered in the workout section, very nice routine, very fluid music here had a slow beat

Tribaleque - 9 min - short routine of only undulations, chest lift, w/added shimmy walk, hip lifts & hip push backs (not taught in the workout section)

World Tribal Fusion - 9 min - teaches only one samba style, a turn, pose, etc.

Transitions - 2 min - teaches one horse stance transition w/some hip circles & drops for added workout music is very trance-like which put me to sleep

Practice Combinations - 17 min??? - Shows Darshan showing all 3 combinations in a single routine done 2x in 1 min 10 seconds w/music that fades in/out with it as well. This chapter is reset many times for as long as you want to practice

Performance - 10 min

Darshan in tribal style outfit/silver metal jewelry & metal top in a room with a simple black floor, black curtains behind her, well placed subtle colored lights & sunlight streaming in off camera most times from the large windows.



I did feel my muscles being used/strengthening & I felt more control & learned a lot, but this isn't a cardio/sweat type of workout. I tend to like minimal/no instruction before/after each move & only details while you are doing the drills/practice instead of as an intro so that you're always moving. Darshan did a little too much intro instruction in the workout section, but talked less as time went on. She did give great detailed info that is the difference between an average dancer & a skillful/mesmerizing dancer. Some of the music was trance like which some like, but I need a fast/hard beat to keep me energized. Great for beginners who already know the basic movements of the popular belly dance steps & those looking for a little refinement, fluidity & body awareness.



Intro/Welcome clip is on amazon & youtube. A clip of her in the combination portion is also on youtube."