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.