Silk Waist - Belly Dance Abdominal Isolations

Super dvd with good quality filming. Lovely lady giving good clear instruction.

really good dvd

This was my first DVD from Shahrzad and my first experience of her style and her instruction. This volume builds from the ground upwards in abdominal strengthening, movement drills and dance. It makes you much more aware of the core movements of your own body and those required for the dance. I think it also changes cultural perceptions, as movements of the trunk, belly, core and hips are certainly central to the way for example Egyptian people move anyway. There is a lot of spontaneous dancing in the street and wherever they get together anyway and they seem naturally to know how to move these parts of the body in a flow incorporating it into their dance. Even men do this in their gatherings. So maybe Shahrzad is teaching some cultural awareness too, even though this is a considerably technical DVD for the specialist dancer. I like the warm-up and I like the way she is facing the viewer rather than facing a mirror. I prefer this. You can still follow along and I find it more personal. The how-to of undulations, mayas and pops is given a thorough going over after an equally thorough posture class section. I have compared Shahrzad's belly-roll instruction, which is after all what most people looking at this video will be most interested in, with other DVDs offering the same knowledge and she does it much more slowly, which may frustrate some lightning-fast learners, but again with that impressive thoroughness. She separates out the different parts of each move, you do them, then she smooths them out so it looks seamless. I learned a lot more with this video about belly work, than I expected to and I have begun to use it regularly: I find it grows on you! I began to firm up around my stomach and hips after only a few times using it. But that's not why I got it. I got it so as to be able to incorporate more belly moves into my own dance and look and feel more, what the dance is all about. Can you see me trying to avoid using that over-used word "authentic", here? I feel I have become so much more sensual, feminine and aware through watching this DVD. I feel it has even improved the way I walk. There is also a very useful toning abdominal work-out in the last section. The only reason I have given it four stars is because, being from the UK, sometimes the American accent starts to grate! Come on, bellydancers from other parts of the world, show us your instructional stuff! And no overdubs either! Not that there are any here, it's very well made, maybe a little too slick at times, the backdrop looks a bit Disney at times, but the instructor's movements are very clear. And the whole feel of the DVD, backdrop, colour theme, costumes etc, connects with the fairy-tale fantasy exotic side of Bellydance, the mystery of it. There is an exciting, rivetting performance at the end, with the drummer. I didn't find, as another reviewer did, that he is trying not to look at the dancer. He just seems to be concentrating on his own part of the performance, which he does very well. I'm actually glad I bought this and I feel it has helped me simultaneously improve and spice up my dancing, while also making it more professional.

This was a nice video with great drills and moves. I wish it included a few other "waist" movements such as flutters. I also wish there was a practice section with its own chapter for targeting upper belly/ lower belly etc., and movements, without instruction. I liked the practice section at the end which combinations are run through with the drummer. I also liked her combination of bellydance moves in her core strengthening section and the surprise of her glittered feet, lol!

I bought this dvd after watching the preview on Youtube. It is an excellent idea to make a dvd simply on belly & waist movements. The dvd has different sections, she spends enough time demonstrating each essential movement with a live drummer. Warm up Foundations Technique Movements Combinations Practice dance flow Abs work out Followed by an enjoyable performance. I have to add that Shahrzad has wonderful figure that makes her dance moves appear distinct and rhythmical. I am completely satisfied

ドラムソロの練習をしていて、ポップ＆ロックが上手にできなくて、お腹のアイソレーションに焦点を当てたこの商品を見つけました。 YouTubeでShahrzadのイントロダクションを見て、驚愕！お腹や胸が、ボヨンボヨンと不思議な生き物のように動くんです。体内に何かを飼っているみたいな！？不思議な動き。でも、これが本当のベリーダンスなんだろうなぁと思って、即買い。 手に取ってみて、ど迫力ボディのShahrzadのカバーにビックリです（笑）。 内容は、タクシーム（フィギュア8のことをこう呼んでます）やベリーロール等、各種テクニックの説明・練習が一通りあり、タクシームとアンジュレーション、チェストアンジュレーションとベリーロールといったコンビネーションを、ドラムに合わせてとことん練習です。 使用されているテクニックは、フィギュア8、マイヤ、アンジュレーションと逆バージョン、ピストンヒップ、ポップ、ロックと、本当に基本の動きばっかり。お腹の動きがメインなので、シミーはありません。彼女はシミーバージョンのDVDも出してるようですね。 初心者なら基本的なテクニックの反復練習、中級者以上なら各動きの確認にピッタリ。説明も丁寧だし、おかげでドラムソロの動きが以前より良くなった気がします！ 残念なのは、腹部のアイソレーションということでフラター（彼女のフラターが、また強烈なんです）を期待していたのになかったこと、腹部の筋トレが短い（5分程度）上にあまり斬新さがなかったこと、そして、内容がちょっと少ない（説明が長い分、トレーニングが短い）ことでしょうか。 タブラ奏者のMarshallがイケメンで、ついそっちに目が行っちゃいます（笑）が、ドラムソロを踊っているShahrzadの迫力に、すぐに引き戻されます。 こんな吸引力のあるダンスができるようになりたい！でも、まずボディが違うか…。

I like this dvd, it is nice to have "someone" to drill belly rolls etc with. For me, some of the explanation and ways of doing things were the same and some were new. I think it's a worthy purchase if you need that extra support in practicing or trying to do fabulous undulations. In my belly dance classes we don't focus on that a lot , I mean drill wise, so I bought this dvd to supplement. I'm glad I did, more courage at home.

I really like her layers and I loved watching her break them down. Good Video.