Suite101

Learning to Belly Dance from Videos - Page 7


© Shira
Page 7
Are You Low On Cash? Try The Library

If you can't afford to purchase your video, you may be able to borrow one from the library or rent it from a video store. If you're a teen-ager, you probably won't have much luck finding a suitable video in your school's library, but your city library may have one. If your local library does not have a good belly dancing video, try asking the librarian if it would be possible for them to borrow one for you using inter-library loan.

There are certain videos that are especially common in libraries. Here are some you're likely to see, along with my recommendation on whether they're likely to be helpful:

  • Bellydance! Magical Motion. By Atéa. I recommended this one above.
  • Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Basic Moves. By Neena and Veena. I recommended this one above.
  • Belly Dancing For Fun and Fitness. By Janine Rabbitt. Although I haven't actually seen this one, I've been told by people that I respect that it's terrible. For that reason, I don't recommend it.
  • The Art of Oriental Belly Dance, Volume 1. By Alexandra King. It's okay, but I don't recommend it because she includes some extremely difficult moves on what is supposed to be a beginner video. Many beginners have told me they find this video intimidating, and I can see why.

If your library doesn't have the video you want, you might encourage them to buy it. Explain to them that belly dancing is becoming very popular, and suggest that if you are looking for this sort of thing, other people may be too. Many libraries are happy to consider buying items that people ask for, because the reason libraries exist is to provide people with access to information.

Respond to Our Poll

What is the primary method you are using to learn how to belly dance?

I attend classes and/or workshops taught by live instructors.
I just copy what I see my friends doing.
I'm studying on my own with a video.
I'm working through the instructions in a book.
None of the above

See results of this poll

This article is part of the Suite101 "Middle Eastern Dance" topic area. For the other Suite101 articles, discussion forums, and opinion polls related to Middle Eastern dance, music, and culture, see the Welcome page on Suite101. For other articles written by Shira about these topics, please see Shira's own popular web site at www.shira.net.

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The copyright of the article Learning to Belly Dance from Videos - Page 7 in Middle Eastern Dance is owned by Shira. Permission to republish Learning to Belly Dance from Videos - Page 7 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

7.   Jul 14, 2002 2:14 PM
Most of the women I run into and teach really ARE total beginners and I have to say, Neena and Veena Bidasha certainly have their place. And their PERFORMANCES at the end of each video (at least the B ...

-- posted by LadyB


6.   Jul 10, 2002 8:25 PM
I’ve been busy reading the wealth of material written by Shira. Wow! Fascinating, informative, and well-written. I am very impressed. She’s a great resource for the community.

I would like to add a ...


-- posted by Delilah77


5.   Jul 4, 2002 3:35 PM
In response to message posted by Hurley:

Lorienna, thanks for launching this discussion!

As you noted, I kept my artic ...


-- posted by ghaziya


4.   Jul 4, 2002 12:27 PM
I agree, the Janine Rabbit tape is absolutley terrible. I have all of the Atea videos. The production is very very good but like you, I am a bit disappointed in them.
Hurley, (since you are from Cana ...

-- posted by Tahlia


3.   Jul 3, 2002 1:22 PM
In response to message posted by vickilynn2002:

I am looking to learn for some videos. There are NO teachers near by that ...


-- posted by LizettaRose





For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Shira's Middle Eastern Dance topic, please visit the Discussions page.