Paulina and Jindra
This is another video in the 3 dvd series
for beginners from the International
Academy of Middle Eastern Dance. Like
the others, it is well produced, well
chaptered, and well instructed. There is
an instruction portion, a do along
choreography, a workout and 2
performances. They are chaptered by
exercise, so you can always cue up one
move to work on that one, or just do the
workout or watch the performances.
Paulina explains the moves very well,
and after you've practiced a move for a
while, form pointers are printed on
screen. The do along choreography
uses the moves you just learned, but it
is uncued. The workout Jindra leads is
supposed to emphasize stretching. I
find it to be more light cardio, but it
does have a lot of hand ripples. The
key moves in the workout are hip twists
and large hip circles. Jindra is friendly
and seems young (could be her voice).
I'd like to see one of her performances,
since she doesn't do one on any of these
3 dvds. The 2 performances included
are a veil dance by Paulina and a drum
solo by Aleya. I think this series is
probably one of the best for beginners,
who either want to learn bellydance or
structure a practice session for their
lessons. There are many excellent
instructionals available, but they tend to
be expensive (like these) and often have
problematic production issues. Though
these are expensive, the instruction is
good and the production quality is very
high, and you do get a lot for your
money. If you are looking for a workout
to add something different to your
exercise program, these are probably
too expensive and too focused on
instruction, rather than exercise, for
your needs. One of the Natural Journeys
or Dolphina's dvds may suit your needs
more closely, and more affordably. If
you're looking to get into bellydance,
this video and its companions are a
great place to start.
Instructor comments:
Paulina teaches the instructional
portion, and she explains things very
well and uses good form. occasionally,
she what you shouldn't do, which is
helpful. I felt like she was teaching and
talking with me, not at me. Jindra does
a fine job with the workout segment.
She seems friendly, cues well and
explains the movements clearly.
linda
