Using DVDs in your Dance practice
by Huraiva
Belly dance DVDs can be a great way to structure your dance practice outside of class. Whatever it is you want to focus on, there is almost certainly a DVD out there for you. (I have run into a few topics where I’ve had trouble finding DVDs but not many). The most important thing to consider when choosing a DVD to practice with is to choose one that is geared towards your own current level of dance.
Unfortunately, since belly dance is not regulated in any way, not all instructors agree on what is beginner level. I have included a list of DVDs that I think are doable for students in my beginner level classes on the Beginner Belly Dance DVDs page. If you are in beginning belly dance class this is where I recommend you concentrate your effort. Some DVD titles will say beginner in them, but really cover material that is more intermediate in nature. Working with a DVD that is too advanced for you can be very frustrating and even dangerous.
Once you reach intermediate level, dance posture should be second nature so there is less of a chance of you injuring yourself when attempting a new technique. You will also have been exposed to a greater variety of dance styles and props making it easier for you to follow along at home with a DVD covering new to you material. I recommend asking questions of me (or another experience belly dancer) when you run across a move with which you are unfamiliar. For the Intermediate level dancer, I recommend choosing DVDs that focus on the topic we are covering in class for your practice each session. You will find recommendations for DVDs focusing on Cane, Gypsy and Veil at each of those links. If you would like a specific recommendations, please ask.
Advanced level students should be able to find a wealth of information available on DVDs. No matter what topic we are covering, there is probably a DVD (usually more than one) out there on the topic. You can also pursue your own dance development in the direction of your choice by using DVDs that go into more detail on topics we have covered, or by using DVDs on topics that have not been covered in the Belly Dance Topeka curriculum.
I do not recommend DVDs as your only source of instruction and do not know of any instructor that advocates such an approach. Nothing can replace the feedback of an experienced instructor when you are learning and a live instructor can explain moves in a different way if you are uncertain what the explanation means and rotate in 360 degrees so you can see every angle. These are things a DVD cannot do. However, they are good practice companions.
I own a wide variety of belly dance DVDs and include different ones in my practice depending on what I am trying to accomplish. When I'm looking for new ideas on ways to combine movements I like the DVDs that focus on layering or teaching combinations. When I'm getting ready to teach a topic that I haven't worked with in a while, I like to brush up on it by using DVDs related to the topic as well as reviewing notes I've taken from seminars. I use DVDs to learn new topics for which I have not been able to find a workshop or to go more in depth into a topic for which the workshop was simply an introduction. Finally, I try to include workout DVDs in my weekly dance practice as they allow me to drill movements without having to think about which ones I want to drill next. By owning a variety of workout DVDs I'm never board since I can avoid repeating a given workout for at least a couple of weeks.
Unfortunately, since belly dance is not regulated in any way, not all instructors agree on what is beginner level. I have included a list of DVDs that I think are doable for students in my beginner level classes on the Beginner Belly Dance DVDs page. If you are in beginning belly dance class this is where I recommend you concentrate your effort. Some DVD titles will say beginner in them, but really cover material that is more intermediate in nature. Working with a DVD that is too advanced for you can be very frustrating and even dangerous.
Once you reach intermediate level, dance posture should be second nature so there is less of a chance of you injuring yourself when attempting a new technique. You will also have been exposed to a greater variety of dance styles and props making it easier for you to follow along at home with a DVD covering new to you material. I recommend asking questions of me (or another experience belly dancer) when you run across a move with which you are unfamiliar. For the Intermediate level dancer, I recommend choosing DVDs that focus on the topic we are covering in class for your practice each session. You will find recommendations for DVDs focusing on Cane, Gypsy and Veil at each of those links. If you would like a specific recommendations, please ask.
Advanced level students should be able to find a wealth of information available on DVDs. No matter what topic we are covering, there is probably a DVD (usually more than one) out there on the topic. You can also pursue your own dance development in the direction of your choice by using DVDs that go into more detail on topics we have covered, or by using DVDs on topics that have not been covered in the Belly Dance Topeka curriculum.
I do not recommend DVDs as your only source of instruction and do not know of any instructor that advocates such an approach. Nothing can replace the feedback of an experienced instructor when you are learning and a live instructor can explain moves in a different way if you are uncertain what the explanation means and rotate in 360 degrees so you can see every angle. These are things a DVD cannot do. However, they are good practice companions.
I own a wide variety of belly dance DVDs and include different ones in my practice depending on what I am trying to accomplish. When I'm looking for new ideas on ways to combine movements I like the DVDs that focus on layering or teaching combinations. When I'm getting ready to teach a topic that I haven't worked with in a while, I like to brush up on it by using DVDs related to the topic as well as reviewing notes I've taken from seminars. I use DVDs to learn new topics for which I have not been able to find a workshop or to go more in depth into a topic for which the workshop was simply an introduction. Finally, I try to include workout DVDs in my weekly dance practice as they allow me to drill movements without having to think about which ones I want to drill next. By owning a variety of workout DVDs I'm never board since I can avoid repeating a given workout for at least a couple of weeks.
