Search - Instructional Bellydance With Jillina - Level 2 on DVD

Excellent quality, but more for the early beginner

D. Dahl | 06/16/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I liked this video a lot as a practice companion, but have to say that the actual technique is more for the early beginner in the dance. There is also very little technique taight. You only learn moves that are utilized in the choreography and a little more layering at the "intermediate" level I think would be more appropriate. I liked the choreography, but again, it was below the intermediate level of the dance and lacked the drama of the selected music piece. I don't think the choreograohy and the music "meshed" all that well together. All in all, Jillina is a very effective and technically advanced teacher (which is made obvious by her performance pieces at the end) and the production of the video itself is excellent."

Excellent Choreography!

Tamii | 09/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This tape consists 5 sections:

1. Stretching

2. Technique

3. Combinations

4. Choreography

5. Performance



In the stretching section, there is a brief warm-up routine to get your muscles warmed up and stretched. Some people may need to do more stretching, but I'm glad this is a short part of the tape as I like the way it focuses more on learning the combinations and choreography.



In the technique section, the moves that will be used in the choreography are explained and shown with preciness. Jillina is very good at explaining how your body should move when doing a movement. The camera is very good at showing the foot work and belly movements.



The combinations section goes over the combos that will be used in the choreography. In my review of Jillina's first tape, I was not a fan of this section, but now I am because it helps learning the final choreography, which has some slight variations from the combinations. This tape may seem difficult at first, but if you follow the combinations and learn them, the choreography will be so much easier to learn!



The choreography section is where practice is given to learning the dance. It is broken down into 8 combinations and the dance is repeated from the beginning at each new combination. The dance is dramatic, sexy and playful. It begins with slow movements, then speeds up a bit and incorporates one floor movement with head swings.



The performance part of this tape is where we get to see Jillina perform a version of the dance. It's a full belly dance performance and the audience gets to see her incorporate the dance taught in the tape into her performance. No, it's not the dance taught exactly like it is on the tape as Jillina is a professional dancer and not a beginner so you'll see her put her professional stamp on the choreography. Just enjoy!It's a wonderful performance by a true belly dance professional!



I'd recommend this tape for intermediate dancers who have had some instruction from real instructors. You won't be disappointed!"

One of the best instructional video series

R. Grissmer | 02/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This video has excellent choreography, and an exciting, challenging routine to learn. The dvd is broken down into warm-up, technique, combinations, choreography, and performance sections. The technique section, in my opinion, is the most useful section to give ideas on remembering moves to do on your own. The technique section includes movements such as the omi, choo choo shimmy, egyptian twist, and zar head movements. But, the technique section is a bit short.



I also wanted more repetition just for the sake of muscle memory. The short time Jillina spent teaching the techniques did grab my attention and kept me focused though. It takes awhile to become accustomed to her style of reviewing from the beginning everytime a new section of the choreography is introduced. The combinations section breaks down the choreography, and reinforces learning, which I most enjoyed.



I wanted the warm up section to be a bit longer, but the video informs the viewer that the warm up is incomplete. I enjoyed the yoga inspired movements in this section. The video, on the whole, is very enjoyable, and Jillina's skill in her performances is very admirable. I cannot agree that this is for a beginner, although it was one of my first bellydance videos, just because of the time spent on teaching moves. One has to become more accustomed to bellydance before beginning this video, because it can be a good 80 minute workout. Plus, the zar head movements must be performed with caution, and are not basic moves, in my opinion, because of conditioning. This is one of my favorite belly dance videos overall."

Professional Belly Dance for Everyone

Lana | Acworth, GA United States | 12/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let me start by saying, I am a huge fan of Jillina. Her series of instructional DVDs can help anyone see that her talent for dancing and teaching made her into an international star and a favorite among fellow dancers.

As in the first volume, Jillina will take you through a short stretching exercise, followed by proper techniques, then onto the combinations for the choreography. Each time you learn a new combination, you start at the beginning of the dance and work your way through all the combinations that you just learned till you reach the new combination. Jillina explains each move several times so that the dancer can have full knowledge of the moves, sequences, and proper body alignment. Its fairly easy to follow if you've had prior belly dance experience. There is a preformance at the end in full costume (plus a drum solo! Yay!)."