I’m always checking out new belly dance performers and DVDs but here’s some of the ones I actually own and consider ‘Top Shelf’ instructional DVDs.
Everyone has personal favorites in terms of their own style of dance. Personally, I’m very fusion style and tend towards a darker more Gothic element in my dance. But I do watch all kinds of dancers and I appreciate the variety of backgrounds they come from.
So, not all of the DVDs I own are tribal or fusion, and I would recommend to watch outside your genre anyway. I can’t imagine not wanting to learn from different styles and just add it to my own way of doing things.
Some of these dancers then are not my favorites in terms of style, but I think they are excellent teachers. (Coincidentally, some of my favorite dancers style-wise don’t have instructional DVDs or they do but I don’t think their DVDs are all that hot.
Go figure. But here’s some performer DVDs I do own, watch, drill to, and I think offer a good value to round out your home study. Check ’em out.
Rachael Brice:
Rachael Brice is insanely popular for good reason. She’s an exceptional professional; has had tremendous influence in the world of tribal and fusion style belly dance, is a great teacher and has absolutely exquisite form.
Seriously, she’s in a class all her own and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any of her instructional DVDs.
I will say this. I’m totally sick of her aesthetic because of the copycats she’s created, but seriously she is the real deal.
I love the Arms and Posture DVD pictured above and also her isolations and drills:
Jillina-
Jillina is another accomplished and fun belly dance teacher. I love her upbeat energy and her videos are very professionally produced and her instruction is clear and easy to follow. She’s not my particular style, she’s definitely a cabaret style dancer, but she’s a rock solid talent and a great teacher.
Princess Farhana
Princess Farhana is another of my favorite teachers despite the fact that her style of dance is not exactly my favorite. She’s warm and funny and you can’t help but love her. I can’t explain it more than that. I don’t love her style but I totally love her as a dancer and teacher. There, ’nuff said!
Bozenka
I have this fabulous DVD called “Every Shimmy in the Book” and it’s awesome! My only complaint is that I wish there was a longer drilling component for each of the shimmies. The instruction is nice and clear, but I’d love the drill to last like five minutes long.
I had no idea there was so many beautiful shimmies! Check it out.
Katia
Katia’s got very good instruction on all the moves you expect to learn, and then some. It’s shot on a beautiful set and she really handles her veil beautifully. This was the first veil DVD I think I bought and even though her music and style of dance is not mine, her teaching and technique are outstanding.
What DVDs do you recommend?
