Product Review: Belly Dance Party with Neon Workout DVD

CSO

This belly-dancing workout DVD is designed with a party or preparing for social dancing in mind. Many of the moves could be easily used on a crowded dance floor, and while wearing high heels. Whether used for exercise or fun, this DVD provides a fun workout.

I found this belly dance exercise DVD while looking for Neon's Instant Belly Dancer 1: A Crash Course in Belly Dance DVD. The concept of having a party where everyone learns some belly dancing which can then be used in 'modern social dancing situations' intrigued me, so I purchased this DVD along with the other one. I have not been disappointed with either purchase.

The format of this DVD is unique and well designed. Ten different combinations are shown which may be used alone or together. Each combination is broken down into 4 sets. Each set consists of 2 eight-count movement groups. There is enough great instruction and practice time to sufficiently learn each set and combination, with the option to keep replaying anything that needs a little more practice time. Because of the format, it is easy to find any particular combination or set one wishes to work on, or specifically learn.

Neon is dressed in a bikini-top style top, pants, and high heels. She mentions in the DVD that all of these sets and combinations may be done in high heels, though there is a disclaimer in the extras section removing any liability for injury from her, the DVD company, etc.

There is also a performance titled 'The Arrival', and an introduction to the belly dance DVD in the extras section. It is well worth watching both. Watching Neon perform is intriguing, and motivating. She balances a tray of lighted candles on her head while doing some serious belly dancing moves; and that is an amazing thing to behold.

The only really bad thing about this DVD is the production quality. The noises of the squeaky floorboards and her heels tapping on them were very distracting, and very unprofessional. In addition, her breathing seemed a little more labored in this DVD in comparison to the other one I purchased; though that may have been due to different sound techniques and editing used between the two DVDs.