Atea
I really like this video! As an
introduction to bellydance, it is very well
done and will give a beginner a nice do-
along practice session or supplement
their classes, or even serve as an
introductory class program to help
someone decide whether or not they
want to take lessons. The program
starts with Atea explaining the
importance of a warm up and offering
suggestions of activities that are
suitable. The warm up as shown is not
really a good one- it is very short and
unbalanced. I get the idea she wants to
people to do a warm up on their own
and then start in with the meat of the
class. then she leads her class through
some stretches, again, reminding
students they can do their own to
prepare. After that, she starts the class,
grouping the moves logically. She starts
each move with a slow run through,
gradually building the tempo and
adding variations like level changes,
mixing the tempo and so on.
throughout, she incorporates
improvisations using just a few moves
and their variations to put together a
couple minute improv routines.
Towards the end, she includes a session
on costuming, playing zills (finger
cymbals), veil work and wraps and then
features a dance party and many
different dancers come out and do some
short performances as the other clap,
play zills and watch. they all seem to be
having a great time. I like that this tape
gives a taste of lots of different aspects
of bellydance, teaching some slow
moves, fast moves, a little bit of bit veil,
it introduces costuming and zills, and
the free improv sessions are fun and
allow for personal expression and
creativity. There are some things I don't
like- during much of the instruction, the
cameras does tight shots of the torso or
hips of the dancers, making it hard to
see what the whole body is doing.
Although the moves might be isolations,
it helps to see the stillness of the legs or
upper body to remind you of the
technique. I found it particularly
bothersome during the improv sections
since you couldn't see the other dancers
and their interpretations, or even get
the whole impact of the dancer in focus
since you couldn't see their arms, faces
or foot work. Also, veil work isn't really
taught, though it is performed slowly
and clearly so someone could figure out
how to it by watching the women who
demos the moves. several different veil
wraps are shown but I still can't figure
out how some of them were acheived.
With very few exceptions, most of the
dancers here look like they could use a
good meal, so if you are expecting full
bodied dancers, you will see very very
few. also, most of the costume options
shown are variations of the glitzy bra/
top and belt combo most people think
of when they think about bellydance, so
if you're attracted to bellydance from
ren fair or from an ethnic or tribal show,
you will see very few costume options
that do not have a nightclub- cabaret
style. The production quality is low
budget but clear. I had no problems
seeing the dancers against the
background, and the voice and music
volumes were fine and never comepeted
with each other. the sets are hoky and
the leotards shiny- a very '80s
production. there's nothing fancy or
slick here. its just clear and easy to
watch. my only production complaint
are those tight shots of the torso or hips
of one dancer. Overall, this is a really
fun intro class to bellydancing that can
help structure a practice session for
beginners or serve as an intro class on
its own. I would reccomend it to anyone
interested in bellydance, and even to
more experienced dancers who may
want some veil wrap suggestions, or
technique practice with opportunities
for improv or if they are interested in
teaching to pick up some teaching
techniques. Its been on my favorites
shelf for a few years!
Instructor comments:
Atea is a friendly, professional instructor
who explains things very well. I typically
really dislike voice over, but barely
noticed it here, the explanations are so
good. Atea has other dancers
demonstrate dances with her, which is
nice to see other interpretations,
especially during improvisations of a
small number of moves. She's a very
supportive instructor, offering
motivation, form pointers and
suggestions throughout.
linda