Hello,

Well, I did not get into the class, but I think I will try for the next one. I did check out the Neena Veena tapes from the Library, (still waiting for the basic I ordered to come in.) I liked the basic one. It's the only one I've had time to watch so far. It is indeed a little awkward. I think I might like trying this first on my own before trying the classes. I'm gonna try to really get into this weekend and am pretty excited about it!

Are those tops yall are talking about like the onces the twins wear in the basic video, the purple close fitting crop tops? I like them and was wondering where you'd purchase them.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Hello everyone!

I just found this thread tonight and wanted to say hi. I've been taking classes for 8 months now and I absolutely love it!!! :dancer: I have moved up to the intermediate class (couldn't move up before the end of last year because of our performance) and it is even better now. Totally exhausting, but great!! I had my class on Tuesday and my abs are still sore. We did heaps of camels and belly rolls because our new dance involves a LOT of them. :lol:

I didn't know that there were videos available for bellydancing I'm going to have to see if there are any around here.

I have already learned a fair bit from you ladies and I would like to learn more about bellydancing and its origins, does anyone know any good websites or books?

Aphil - congratulations on the 31 pounds!!! That is awesome!!!

Thanks,
Jayne

Hi everyone!
Welcome newbies! The tops that Veena and Neena wear vary a bit depending on what video it is-in the fitness for beginners series of tapes they wear cropped athletic tops that you could find in a sporting goods store. In the beginning of the Discover Bellydance series-Basic Dance, Beyond Basic Dance, and Mystic Dance-where they introduce themselves-they are wearing a type of costume type bellydance vest. A "choli" is more of a sleeved half top-either with short, long, or 3/4 length sleeves that is either made of a stretchy material like a lycra blend or stretch velvet that you pullover your head, or of a non stretch material that either ties in the back or wraps. The best way to see what I mean is to visit soem bellydance costume or supply websites and see what they have listed as a choli. :)
As far as origins of the dance-I will tell you a little bit. Bellydance never started in the harems as a seductive dance for some sultan. It started out as a dance of celebration for women-usually at a wedding, engagement, birth of a baby, etc. Men and women traditoinally held their own celebrations for these events in same sex groups-so it was a dance the women did together. Some say it actually started as a dance for an expecting mother. It was supposed to help the women have an easy labor and delivery. In some places it has been considered sacred and men are not allowed to touch a woman dancing.
There are two main separations of bellydance-what is usually called "Cabaret" or the more traditional Middle Eastern style of oriental dance, or what developed in the 1960's called "American Tribal Style" bellydance. Veena and Neena do the traditional style of cabaret, which is usually done with a single performer-or in their case together-and they wear the traditional type of bellydance costumes. The American Tribal style incorporates bellydance moves with some dance moves from other countries and tribes, and while using the basic naval bearing costume, has incorporated costuming elements that are more tribal or earthy in the look. It was started in the SanFransico area in the 60's, but Carolena Nericcio-a student of the original starter of tribal style, made it more popular with her well know troupe "Fat Chance Belly Dance" in the 1980's-they are still very popular today. Tribal style is also more geared towards women dancing in a group together-and not a single performer.
My teacher teaches what is called "Tribal Fusion" which is a blend of both styles. Her troupe performs both traditional and tribal style routines. My teacher learned from an instructor who learned from the original starter of the tribal style in San Francisco.
You have seen the traditional costumes at the end of the Veena and Neena Videos-if you are unfamiliar with tribal style and want to see their costumes, etc. go to www.fcbd.com and take a look at Fat Chance's website.
As far as buying a choli or bellydance accessories-if you want low cost-try Aliah's closet at www.aliahscloset.com, if you want more of a professional type gear, or some really nice zils, or even a unitard with a see through belly portion for practice or class you can shop at www.dahlal.com-and finally, if you want a china silk veil rather than a basic chiffon, you can either send me a personal message or shop online at www.naharisv.com.
If you want more detailed information on the origins of bellydance, you can go to www.shira.net. She has a lot of great information there!
Have a great day everyone!
Aphil

Cool!
 

Hi ladies!

I'm new to this board but wanted to say "HI" and say thanks for the belly-dancing information.

I have considered this form of cardio before.

How cool!!!

:cb:

Hi Aphil

Thanks so much for the info, I'll be checking out those links.

Jayne :D

Sandy
 

WHERE did you get that picture of me to use as your avatar?:lol:

I "dabbeled" at belly dancing but want to do it "full force" so to speak. I have Veena and Neena tapes but really want more instruction on the belly moves. I too am looking for my muscles !:eek:

At one point in time I found a site where this women "described" what to do but now I can't find it again. Aphil, do you happen to know of such a site?

Do you mean that you are wanting instruction on advanced moves for the belly alone? A lot fo bellydance videos do not teach "belly rolls" because of their difficulty, and the fact that a lot of teachers do not do them well enough to instruct them on video. The video that I would recommend for teaching belly rolls is the basic video by Fat Chance Belly Dance. It is a tribal bellydance video-so it is a different type of dance than Veena and Neena, but Carolena teaches and executes belly rolls very well. If you are wanting to dance full force I would suggest that you try to find an instructor-like I said before, try to look for one at www.shira.net.
If you were not referring to belly rolls-could you describe in a little more detail what website you were talking about, or what moves it is that you are wanting to learn? For gaining more toned muscles, I would reccomend that you dance a few days a week with a class and/or videos, and that you add a weight training routine to your workouts 2x a week like I do. If you need any help, just let me know and I can help you out!
Aphil

Yep - belly rolls.

I live in a rural area - nearest town has 300 people and you can trust me on this - NONE of them belly dance!!!!!

From Veena and Neena I liked where they showed how to drop your hip and raise your hip. I would have never believed the move was different until I did it with them on the video. Otherwise I feel the video I have of theirs is more just an exercise video, which is okay but I was interested in actually learning the belly dancing "moves" and dancing the night away so to speak.

Thanks for your help, Aphil.

Aphil,
 

have you ever heard of Suzanna Del Vecchio and what is your opinion?

LLB-I live in a small town as well, so my class is about a 40 minute drive away-to the nearest bigger city. If you are truly interested in finding an instructor-why don't you pm me with your city and state, and I will see what I can do about finding you a class! ;)
Yes, I have heard of Suzanna Del Vecchio-but I have never seen her perform or a video of hers if she has one. If you have the Veena and Neena Basic Moves Fitness for Beginners video-this IS more of an exercise video-if you want an actual dance video that teaches a bit of choreography, try their Discover Bellydance "Basic Dance" video-this may be more what you have in mind. :D Another video that is great for beginners is called "Magical Motion" by Atea. It is a pretty standard basic bellydance instruction video-showing most basic moves-you may like this one as well.
Aphil

Class was great last night...I actually got up in the front row in class, rather than in the back row. I decided to choose wanting to see my teacher move more closely over modesty! ;)
It was great, we had a vendor from Dahlal International come in after with a ton of hip scarves, etc. and I brought veils, so we all had a little shopping excursion afterwards...nothing like combining two of my loves! :lol:
Aphil

http://www.h2net.net/p/dancersuz/videos.html

This is Suzanna Del Vecchio site. I have to admit I like her "look".

I may invest in one of her video's. I will practice with what I have for awhile first.

These videos are "drill" tapes for more advanced dancers. (Practice tapes for pros) these are videos geared more towards dancers, rather than the general public. I would really recommend that you try to find a class before attempting these-it is really important to get the correct posture down and proper execution of more basic moves. It is very easy to bend you knees wrong, or have your back tilted a bit, and with the more advanced moves comes the possibility of injury-we don't want that. (Right now I am picturing someone on their knees on the floor, lying back with their head on the floor and their knees under them for floorwork, and then not being able to get up!)
I would say practice for a while with the easier ones, gain strength, gain flexibility, and carefully watch posture-I don't actually think Veena and Neena have the best posture. They have their rear end tucked a bit, and their chests lifted, but they don't bend their knees enough and their feet need to be a little closer together at times-even the pros can compromise posture, that is something that is very important for best movement and to avoid injury.
On a lighter note, we are getting patterns ordered, and I am getting measurements for the girls in the troupe, for their new costumes I am making. I will definitely get pics up here when they are finished.
Aphil

Thanks, can't wait for the pictures.:)

HI!

I am not getting time to do the basic moves tape as much as I would like to. The floor work is stretching at the end, the time goes so fast when I am doing the tape. I don't think I will ever be able to shimmy as fast as the twins do but I enjoy doing what I can LOL. DM