Review: Tribal Fusion Belly Dance: Yoga, Isolations and Drills

[shanmonster]

Today I finally got to try Rachel Brice's DVD Tribal Fusion Belly Dance: Yoga, Isolations and Drills. I decided to go with the 30-minute practice drills (there are three: 15-, 30-, and 45-minute). Rachel starts the session off with a sun salutation (for a good warmup) and then with the locust asana (which is excellent for strengthening the lower back). She then goes into drills for various isolations and locks. She starts each isolation slowly, going through the muscles which should be contracted or released. Then each movement is smoothed out and sped up.

Some reviewers complain that Rachel doesn't explain why the movements look so different on her. First of all, Rachel has very little body fat. Therefore, as each muscle is engaged, it is much more evident than it would be on a less sinewy dancer. Secondly, her movements are very clean and smooth because she has been drilling on a regular basis. Although drills are not exciting, repetition and consistency are the key to mastery. If you follow along with the drills on this DVD on a regular and meticulous basis, you will become a more precise, isolated, and technical dancer. I have no doubts on this.

The video isn't perfect. One minor flaw is Rachel's camera-shyness. She never looks directly at the camera, and remains very detached. Once or twice, it is a bit difficult to see what she is doing when the camera pans so the mirror is directly behind her. She's wearing dark pants, and the reflection is also dark. However, the camera continues panning, and before long, it's easy to see what she's doing. Again, this is a minor problem.

The worst thing about the video is the additional performance video. Rachel does a very interesting dance to a dark and gothy song, and the camera-man decides to get all experimental on us. During the 3-minute or so performance, there are more than 100 strobe-like cuts. I can see that they were going for an edgy, music video feel, but considering the audience for this DVD is comprised of people who want to get a better understanding of Rachel's dancing, the edits are inappropriate and frustrating. It's impossible to follow any one movement to completion. It would have been much nicer had there been a performance clip which shows the movements in a clear and unchopped fashion. Edgy, clipped videos could be saved for entertainment rather than educational DVDs.

On the flip side, the camera work for the drill section, although not static, is clear and appropriate. When the camera goes in for a closeup of Rachel's abdomen, it's when she's demonstrating which muscles to contract. When it flows along the contour of her spine, it's showing the correct alignment during yoga asanas. Some videos dwell on the incorrect body part (eg. on a dancer's face or chest when the instruction is focusing upon hip or footwork). This never happens in this DVD.

Also, Rachel has a pleasant and strong voice, and she explains each movement clearly.

The music (by Pentaphobe) is a minimalistic fusion of dark electronic and Middle Eastern rhythms. It may not be to everyone's liking, but I enjoy it.

I strongly recommend this video to anyone who wants to improve their isolation skills. I intend on using the DVD frequently.

Comments

[julyana.livejournal.com]

wow! and it's only like 12 bucks?

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Yup. Dance DVDs are at long last becoming affordable. Once upon a time, this would have cost more than $40.

[julyana.livejournal.com]

no shit. i remember getting vhs tapes for 40 to 50 bucks, nevermind dvd's.
im glad you are feeling better too. wish i could say the same. i've got a nasty nasty headcold now.

[babygirl4brett.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendation, Shan...and I am very glad you are feeling better!!
Mela

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! It's good to be able to move and think relatively normally again. However, my throat is starting to swell and get sore. Egad.

[uber-wench.livejournal.com]

Great review! I can't wait to get mine in the mail!

I'm also going to be in town on the weekend, and was chatting with snowy_kathryn about going to the market on Saturday, and maybe dropping by one of your dance classes on Sunday afternoon if I can manage it.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Doh! I might not be here this weekend. I'm going to a kung fu seminar on Saturday. I have this Friday off, if you're in town then. I'm still not sure if I'll be around on Sunday....