Ultimate Bellydance Fitness Workout, Released 2003
Reviewed by Johonna Gamble
Now as many of you have read over the last year or so, I am really excited by many of the DVD’s coming out through World Dance New York. I have heaped accolades on to each DVD I’ve reviewed from them because, well, they are that good in content, sound and videography. This time I decided to review one of their fitness selections by checking out their “Temple of Jehan Ultimate Bellydance Fitness Workout”.
As a veteran bellydance instructor and beginning yoga instructor, I popped in the DVD as soon as I got it, thinking “how hard can it be?” Boy, was I in for a surprise, because it’s hard. Not in the ‘what are they doing?’ kinda way, but in a ‘what’s gonna happen now?’ kinda way. Hmmm, how can I explain this?!?…. I had a more difficult time trying to follow the verbal instructions than watching the visuals and the movements changed so often it was hard to know where I was going. After about the third time through it wasn’t too bad because by then I had a sense of what movements would be in each set. After doing the workout a couple of times, I viewed the whole thing from start to finish, including all the special features, and was glad I did since they recommend Jehan’s DVD “Sacred Bellydance”, a different video series entirely for movement instructions, that according to Jehan’s website is currently (as of July 2007) being transferred to DVD. That means simply that this is an aerobic workout geared for bellydancers, not a workout that will teach you belly dance as it gets you moving.
The sections are well balanced to bring up and sustain your heart rate as a good aerobic workout should. They are terrific to work in the order on the DVD or in variety with the warm-up and cool-down at either end. Most of the movements are geared to use a small space, so I could easily do the workouts in my small living room. As always, I enjoy Andy Troy’s section on this DVD. He talks about his 4 criteria for a cardio routine, a brief explanation of the coronary risk factors, how to calculate your heart rate, and what heart rate you might be looking to achieve. He even shows Tana wearing a heart rate monitor.
From the technical side, I found some of the costuming in the warm-up and cool-down difficult to see body movements. Overall the costuming was well fitting and functional, though a bit more flashy and skin-rich than I normally see at my local Y. The camera work and lighting were well done which can be very difficult to do with the white background they used and a grouping of dancers. The voiceover quality was good and Jehan’s music was very lively and upbeat. There were several video montages set to more of Jehan’s music that were fun to watch for behind the scenes views and dramatic dance ideas. Overall, again I like this DVD and can easily recommend it to an intermediate or advanced dancer, or as a challenge workout for a beginner.
http://www.worlddancenewyork.com
