Best Belly Dance DVDs Part Two

About a year and a half ago, I wrote a post about some of my favorite belly dance DVDs. Since that time, I've found a few more DVDs that I have really enjoyed working with, so it seemed like the right time to post a part two. I think all of these are very well done and make solid additions to a home library. Especially as we get into summertime when schedules get busy, it's a great idea to have a belly dance DVD or two at home to practice with when you can't regularly make it to class.

Best for Understanding and Executing Shimmies: Shimmies with Khalida by Khalida
Last time I also posted about a shimmy DVD, but I recently discovered this one, and I have to say I like it even better. Khalida, the former 2007 Bellydancer of the World, not only provides for ample practice and drill time, but I think she does one of the best jobs I've heard of explaining  proper positioning and the difference between the two main types of hip shimmies. I'm not aware of any U.S. based websites that sell the DVD, so you have to purchase it from either Khalida's or Aziza's website.

 Best for Learning Floorwork: Flawless Floorwork by Ruby

Adding floorwork into your dance repertoire can add spice and variety to your performances.  Learn this unique set of movements from the fabulous Ruby.  Ruby studied Turkish-style belly dance in Istanbul for many years.  This fact combined with being a powerhouse performer, her DVD has all the elements needed for a successful DVD.

 Best for Studying Baladi: Belly Dance Egyptian Style: The Baladi by Ranya Renee

Often featured in a special section of a traditional belly dance show, baladi has it's own structure, rhythms, and musical flavors.  In over five hours of instruction, Ranya breaks down the cultural and musical elements, as well as the dance technique, so that dancers are fully equipped to understand and properly execute a baladi set.

Best for Adding a Specialty Prop: Fantastic Fan Veils by Sedona Soulfire

I recently purchased a pair of fan veils and they are my new favorite toy. However, having a new toy meant learning how to properly use it. Enter Fantastic Fan Veils by Sedona.  The video starts with important basics on holding the fans and opening and closing them. Then technique and basic fan movements are introduced, followed by a combo section that was great for garnering ideas on how to put the basic moves together for performances.

Best for Everyone: 5-Layers From the Ground Up! by Nadira

There's few instructional DVDs or instructors that could manage to make a DVD that's on target for all dance levels, but Nadira managed to do it. An extremely technical dancer, Nadira provides detailed instructions on posture and positioning so that dancers start from a solid foundation. As she moves through the DVD, she starts out with a basic movement as the first layer, and then progressively adds in additional movement layers. Beginning dancers can stay with the first layer, advanced dancers can add in all of them. Great DVD for improving technique and muscle control.



I Took My First Class, Now What?

I took my first belly dance class, now what?

In addition to the obvious - that you should sign up for your next class! - here are a few recommendations that I would make to new students looking to continue their exploration of Middle Eastern dance.

Invest in a quality pair of zills.  Zills in Turkish, zagat in Arabic, or finger cymbals in English, a well-rounded belly dancer should learn to play these.  I played on my crappy beginner zills for far too long, and when I finally purchased a nice pair, it was like night and day.  Playing a quality musical instrument with proper tone and balance will help ease the learning curve. I highly recommend Saroyan zills. They do sell student zills which are a bit smaller and lighter, but I say just go ahead and get the normal-sized pro ones now.

Go see a live show. Live shows are great for inspiration and education.  Seeing how the pros do it will not only motivate you to practice harder, but it's a great learning tool for seeing first-hand the different segments of a show, as well as how the dancer interprets the music and interacts with the musicians. One of my favorite places to take in a show is at the monthly House of Tarab House Concert, held in the home of legendary dancer, Delilah, in Fremont. It's an intimate setting, where you are up close and personal with the band and dancers. Every time I've been, the performances have been phenomenal.  Next show is on April 18th and you can find the Facebook invite and details here.  There is also live music and dance starting at 8pm on both Friday and Saturday nights at Harissa Mediterranean Cuisine in Ravenna. On Friday nights, the music is played by George Sadak and friends, and on Saturdays it's the MB Orchestra. I highly recommend either night.

Study up on YouTube.  Can't make it to a live show right now? Then take some time to do the next best thing and watch dancing on YouTube. With so much material posted onto YouTube these days, it can be a very valuable learning tool for comparing and contrasting different styles of the dance, as well as the added treat of being able to see videos of Egyptian stars of former decades.  Not sure where to start? I keep a Pinterest board of some of my favorite YouTube clips.

Pick up a practice DVD. Even if you are signed up for a class, I still recommend this. Most students only have the time and money to take one class per week. But if you really want to make progress, you'll need to practice on your own as well. When you are first starting out, it can be difficult to know what to practice on your own. This is where a DVD can be really helpful. I wrote a blog post about some of my favorite DVDs awhile back in case you'd like to see my recommendations.

Buy a silk veil.  In addition to zills, veil is the other staple prop of belly dance. I whole-heartedly support silk as the way to go. I have seen veils of other materials, including tricot, chiffon, or satin/sateen sold, often coming as part of a set with a matching skirt. But none of these fabrics have the beautiful, lighweight mesmerizing float of a silk veil. Two of my favorite retailers for silk veils are Fairy Cove and Amiras Belly.

Best Belly Dance DVDs

A while back I wrote a post on making time to practice your dance. One easy way to do that is to pop in a DVD and follow along. However, there's a lot of belly dance DVDs on the market and it can be hard to sort through which ones are worth your money and time. Here's my top recommendations.

Best for the Brand New Belly Dancer: Belly Dance for Beginners by Leila

Perfect for the baby belly dancer, Leila does a good job of breaking down movements into manageable pieces and explaining the technique that provides the foundation of belly dance. Even for experienced dancers, it can be good to review these basics. Also, if you're looking to become a belly dance teacher, this DVD does a good job of illustrating how to explain basic moves simply and correctly.

Best for Intermediate Skill Development: Aziza's Ultimate Bellydance Practice Companion by Aziza
Once you have the basics down, be sure to practice with Aziza in this 80 minute DVD. Through drills and exercises that improve isolation, extension, and muscle coordination, you will take your dancing to the next level. This DVD also includes a section on arms and hands. And my favorite section is Aziza's famous 21-minute shimmy practice that will help you sustain a killer shimmy in no time at all. Bonus is that the DVD includes a couple live performances by Aziza, one of which is my all-time favorite drum solo.

Best for Learning Finger Cymbals: How to Become a Killer Ziller by Michelle Joyce
Real belly dancers play finger cymbals. But that's not to say that it's easy. Learning to coordinate playing a musical instrument while also performing complex dance moves is a challenge, but Michelle's DVD will help you find your groove. The DVD starts with breaking down basic rhythms and then drilling those rhythms. The DVD then goes onto add dance combinations in with the zill patterns.

Best for Perfecting Your Shimmy: Shake It Out by Sherena
The hip shimmy. Probably the most popular belly dance move of all time, and also one of the hardest to master. Perfect your shimmy with Sherena as she breaks down the basic technique and then moves onto challenging layering. There's a bonus 45 minute yoga practice also included.

Best for Honing Your Performance: Meaning in Movement by Alimah
You might not be able to put your finger on it, but you know it when you see it. When a dancer makes you forgot you're sitting in your seat. And it happens because the dancer is one with her music. She's not just checking movements off a list, but she is interpreting the meaning of the song. Becoming the physical manifestation of the music itself. That's what this DVD is all about. Adding meaning, feeling, depth, and nuance to your dance. Perfect for the advanced dancer who's mastered the technique and looking to really wow audiences. I would also say definitely a must for anyone looking to compete in a competition.

I would love to hear your DVD recommendations! What DVDs are in regular rotation at your house?