Instant Belly Dancer: A Crash Course in Bellydance, Vol.2 - Hipwork Plus

This is my third bellydance DVD and it is by far the best one. It covers A LOT of bellydance hip movements and combinations, from basic to intricate. True to the title, it presents everything in a clear, intuitive way that I understand "INSTANTLY." As I was watching this DVD for the first time I was able to grasp quite a few bellydance concepts that I was really not getting after trying for months in weekly group classes. Neon is a terrific instructor, showing everything in an extremely well-organized and systematic way. For example, she arranges all the movements in categories that show how they are connected and what comes from what. With the categories I can remember things and combine them on my own. Every single move is illustrated in excellent computer graphics drawn on Neon's moving body. It's a whole integrated system. So after months of feeling frustrated in class and actually having a lot of doubt about whether I could do this, I'm now moving forward very rapidly. I know this is only because of what I have picked up from this DVD.

Beginners: Take a chance on this tape if you have had problems learning from other tapes. You can't go wrong for the price. You probably won't like this DVD if you want expensive production. Get the much hyped "Goddess workout" if you want to fantasize you are a gorgeous bellydancer... It would be a better gift for someone. It is production perfect: You will see a perfect looking blonde in a gorgous background. But, if you really want to learn and you are movement challenged like I am -- get this DVD. Nothing fancy, just pure learning.

I always read and trust the reviews of DVD's from Shira's bellydance website. Neon was never mentioned there so I didn't pay too much attention to her when I would see her DVD's for sale now and then on ebay. Then one day out of curiousity looked at her reviews from Amazon. I was very impressed at what people said. I took a chance and bought it since one was for sale cheap (used). I have a number of bellydance DVDs for beginners, but this is the first one that I can really learn from explanation as well as visually. Many people taking bellydance have dance backgrounds and are visual learners. For them it isn't too important who the teacher is as long as they have good form. They see, then do. They can look at someone and copy easily because they understand where their bodies are in space. They do well in classes.... I don't. I need to go really slow and have explanation accompanying the visual. This doesn't come easily in most classes or videos, but this video delivers.

Because Neon wears a LOT of makeup, I think people judge her as a "bimbo" who maybe couldn't deliver a good lesson. Trust me: Don't judge the book by the cover... this gal is SHARP. I am a teacher (not for dance) so I know a good teacher when I encounter one. This lady proves that she has an UNCANNY ability to teach.. better than American born teachers who might have a more serious appearance. If I hadn't seen the rave reviews I might have stereotyped her as well. Neon will blow you away with her breakdown of movements.. I promise. I learned a lot less from expensive tapes. I have also taken classes from excellent bellydancers at 100/hr private lessons who couldn't tell me HOW they do their moves... they could only show me. I think it takes a certain inborn teaching quality to break movements down to their simplest components. I agree with the other reviewer who said she liked the way she "relates moves to each other." You will see what I mean if you get the video. She will teach a move and show you how to tweak it and make it another similar move. I think even bellydance teachers should see this video because they could improve teaching skills.

Like the "Curves" version of Instant Bellydancer, this focuses more on a few movements to incorporate into regular dancing. Sometimes the camerawork can be awkward as Neon walks toward the camera, and it starts to cut off her head. However, showing her at numerous angles doing the moves makes them easier, and she teaches them at a perfect pace to learn them quickly. I mainly dance at Middle Eastern and Latin nightclubs, so these moves naturally go with the music, but these can easily be used at any other club as well. I love this DVD and how easy Neon makes it to learn each move.