Studio: Cerebellum Corporation Release Date: 10/07/2008 Run time: 66 minutes

Average Customer Review: ( 138 customer reviews )
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The basic moves section of this DVD is good for someone who is out of shape (like me) and looking for something that stretches and challenges at the same time. It doesn't really burn fat or get your heart rate going like, say, a Tae-Bo workout would, but it does get your body moving and teaches you some unusual dance moves at the same time.

The fat burning section is something else entirely. Intermediate users who have some tone and strength to their muscles might be able to deal with the constant up-down-up-down movement, but even after a month of fairly steady exercise with other titles, I still can't get through the first part of this workout. The constant bouncing in particular seems to agitate my knees and ankles.

So, in short -- the first workout is good for stretching, coordination, grace, and learning a little bit about bellydance. The second is good if your knees and ankles can take it and you have the endurance to tough it out. That person isn't me, but it might be you :)

DVD options include sound type (Dolby 5.1 or Dolby 2), editing out the commentators's voices, and information about the benefits of bellydance. The dance footage that was originally part of the credits on the VHS versions of these workouts is also included, and I would almost say that they're worth the price of admission. As difficult as I found the second workout to be, I find watching Veena and Neena dance to be awe-inspiring. They are very good at what they do, and their costumes are incredible!

46 of 47 found the following review helpful:

THANK YOU NEENA AND VEENA!Feb 21, 2002

This is an excellent workout for someone who hates to work out. I have been doing it twice a week for three weeks and its been fun. My belly is noticable more defined, so are my legs and arms, and I've lost about 8 pounds. My boyfriend has especially noticed the change in my body and says he loves it that I look like a belly dancer. Its a very sexy workout.

I have more energy and i acctually look forward to working out now, instead of dreading it. It is not strenuous, instead it is more relaxing. I feel good when I am done instead of worn out.

Neena and Veena have a lot of enthusiasm and thier attitude makes you feel good about working out. They are so graceful and fun to watch. I find myself doing the moves to music as I clean the house because they are enjoyable.

If you are not in shape when you get it, take your time learning the basic moves section before you try to move onto the fat burning. If you stick with it, which i'm sure you will want to after you try it, it really works. My body is so thankful for Neena and Veena. :)

30 of 30 found the following review helpful:

Good Workout for a BeginnerNov 01, 2000
By S. D. Shaver
I disagree with the people who say this workout doesn't teach you to dance -- a lot of what I've learned from just this video I've used while dancing. The two times I've gone dancing, in fact, people have turned and cheered me on when they saw I was shaking my hips like there was no tomorrow.

But it probably is a poor video if you're looking to create dances out of what you learn here. It's an EXCELLENT video, though, if you want something unusual and fun to add to your workout routine, which is why it's called the Bellydance Fitness WORKOUT.

If you don't have a lot of money, go with this video first. If you're out of shape (like me), it WILL get your heartrate up and stretch your limbs. Then when you get to a point where you're able, go for one of the other three.

I recommend it for a workout. There are moves in here that make a woman feel sensuous and sexy, even if she doesn't have Neena or Veena's body :)

28 of 29 found the following review helpful:

Great workout for the out of shape and rushed!Jul 15, 2004
By Mary Z. Cox
I love the beginning workout on this CD. It reminds me a lot of Tai Chi--but with music and some prettier moves. I bought this DVD to have a short and easy workout to alternate with an easy Tai Chi workout. I can almost do this workout and will be able to do it soon. It covers all sections of my body, but is not so strenuous that I will damage myself. Veena and Neena are experienced instructors and they make the workout fun, relaxing and thorough. I have not done the fat burning portion yet--I will save it for when I can do the basic moves easily and want to step up the action. It looks like there is a more advanced set of DVDs that is available if I ever get really smooth and want to move it up more.
This is a very professionally done DVD with attention to scene and background selection, good sound, selection of music and costuming as well as sound method.
Many films of this nature often leave a lot to be desired--but this one is professionally laid out and I will enjoy it for years.
I will probably buy the more advanced three set if I put in enough time to get smooth on this beginning tape.:)
I am too old to want to bellydance in a public class, but this is really fun and inspiring to try this in my own home. :)
Mary Z. Cox
www.nettally.com/infocon

24 of 25 found the following review helpful:

Basic is Good!Jan 11, 2001

I ordered this video at the same time as "The Goddess Workout". I suspected "Goddess" might be beyond my ability to grasp right away and I was right. Don't get me wrong - it's a very nice video, but I am an EXTREME beginner to bellydance. I am also a KLUTZ. I don't dance. At all. However, bellydance looked intriguing (and way more fun than aerobics, which I have always detested). I received "Goddess" first and put it into the machine. I saw right away it involved more skill than I had or could pick up the first 20 times I did the workout (and I'm not talking about being able to dance like Dolphina - I'm talking about getting the basic moves down). I knew I would end up frustrated and stop trying unless I learned the basic moves. Then this video arrived. Watching Neena and Veena, I understood better what Dolphina was trying to show me. I fell in love with this video. It's an exercise tape. You won't be learning the dances on this tape. But, if you're anything like me and take forever to get "Grapevine" right at your aerobics class, this tape will really help you learn and master the basic moves. Then you can move on from there. When I was a little girl, I saw "The Nutcracker". I wanted to be the Sugar Plum Fairy. I took a ballet class and discovered that I'm not a natural. I'll never dance professionally (in any genre). I gave up ballet. But I have come to learn that no one becomes the Sugar Plum Fairy overnight. Or in a week, month, or year. This time, I'm in it for the long haul. No, I'll never dance as well as Neena or Veena (or Dolphina). But I will develop strength and grace. And I'll get better at bellydance.

I'm babbling. Bottom line: I enjoyed this video very much and have ordered the others in the set. And Dolphina will be revisited in a couple of weeks, to see what I've learned that can be applied.

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