Shira's Video Center:
Reviews of Instructional Videos

Do you want to use a video to either learn belly dancing at home or provide a framework for your practice outside of class? Here you'll find Shira's reviews of some of them. Read Shira's Video Reviews: Format & Biases before reading any of these video reviews so you can better understand the format she has chosen for her reviews and acquaint yourself with her biases that may affect the content of her reviews.

Videos marked with a twirling star below are Shira's top picks.

Basic Moves Instruction For Beginners

These reviews are arranged in alphabetical order by instructor's first name.

Learn to Belly Dance with Alexandra, Volume 1. By Alexandra Glover. Belly Dance Your Way to Fitness. Taught by Amira Mor. Available in DVD, NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. Bellydance! Magical Motion. Taught by Atéa. Available in both NTSC and PAL. Bellydance! Fast Moves. Taught by Atéa. Available in both NTSC and PAL. Bellydance! Slow Moves. Taught by Atéa. Available in both NTSC and PAL. Tribal Basics Volume 1: Dance Fundamentals (Revised). Taught by Carolena Nericcio. Available in both NTSC and PAL. Belly Dance Lesson #2 - Standing Moves. Taught by Cory Zamora. Available in NTSC on either VHS tape or DVD. Delilah's Bellydance Workshop, Volume 1. Taught by Delilah. Available in NTSC and PAL. The Enchanted Dance. Documentary by Estelle on the dances of ancient Egypt, including an instructional session on belly dancing. Available in NTSC and PAL. Belly Dancing the Sacred Shapes. Taught by the group The Goddess Dancing. Egyptian Belly Dancing 1. Taught by Hilary Thacker. Available in NTSC and PAL. Belly Dancing for Fun and Fitness. Taught by Janine Rabbitt. Available in NTSC. Beginning Bellydance Technique. Taught by the dancers of Khafif. Dance of the Goddess. By Lorna Zilba.Available in NTSC on DVD. This Is Your Hip 101. Taught by Mahisha. Available in NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. Belly Dance Technique. Taught by Ramzi El-Edlibi. Available in NTSC. Healing Dance. (2005 DVD edition.) Taught by Tahya. Available in NTSC, all regions. An introduction to belly dancing for women who are recovering from breast surgery or other devastating medical conditions and need healing for both body and soul. Healing Dance. (2002 VHS tape edition.) Taught by Tahya. Available in NTSC. This version has been discontinued, and replaced by the DVD edition. The review remains online for archival reasons. Discover Bellydance: Basic Dance. By Veena & Neena. Previously titled The Sensuous Art of Bellydance: Basic Dance.

Opinion Polls Only for "Basic Moves" Videos UniTancz Belly Dance. Taught by Adry Svraka. The Ancient Art Of Oriental Belly Dance, Volume 1. Taught by Alexandra King. Amira's Bellydance 101. Taught by Amira. Absolute Beginning Bellydance. Taught by Delilah. Goddess Workout - Intro to Bellydance. By Dolphina. Bauchtanzschule mit Elisza, Teil 1. By Elisza. Bauchtanzschule mit Elisza, Teil 2. By Elisza. Belly Dance Basics. Taught by Farhana. Volume 1, Raks Esharqui. Taught by Hadia. Arabesque: Belly Dance & Exotic Eastern Moves. Taught by Ishtar. Sensuality Through Movement - Tai-Chi & Bellydancing. Taught by Jean Goulet-Klein. Bellydance Basics and Beyond: Technique for a Solid Foundation. Taught by Jenna. Bellydance for Fitness & Health, Level 1. Taught by Kelli Marie. Belly Dancing I: Beginning Instruction. Taught by Mara. Dance of the Serpent. Taught by Mesmera. Bellydance for Wimps. Taught by Natasha Senkovich. Belly Dance with Nath Keo. Taught by Nath Keo. You Can Bellydance! Absolute Beginning Belly Dance. Taught by Neon. Dance Today! Bellydance. Taught by Neon. Renee's Magical Belly Dancing, Volume 1. Taught by Renee. The Healing Dance (2005 DVD edition). Taught by Tahya. Arabic Dance. Taught by Wendy Buonaventura. Bellydance Movement Foundation. Taught by Yasmina Ramzy. Bellydance Technique Volume 1. Taught by Yasmina Ramzy. Middle Eastern Dance Basics. Taught by Zahra Zuhair.

Using Belly Dance for Party Dancing

The videos reviewed in this category are for people who just want to learn some belly dance moves for partying with friends or going out clubbing, rather than learn how to perform or "study" proper technique.

Full-Length Reviews Instant Belly Dancer: Curves. Taught by Neon. Available in NTSC on DVD. This DVD is now out of print, and has been replaced by Instant Bellydancer 1, A Crash Course. Instant Belly Dancer: Hipwork Plus. Taught by Neon. Available in NTSC on DVD. This DVD is now out of print, and has been replaced by Instant Bellydancer 1, A Crash Course. Belly Dance Party. Taught by Neon. Bellydance Jam. Taught by Amar Gamal and Kaeshi Chai of Bellyqueen. Opinion Polls Only Instant Bellydancer 1, A Crash Course. Taught by Neon. Instant Bellydancer 2, A Crash Course. Taught by Neon.

Belly Dancing for Children

The following are all opinion polls only, not full-length reviews: Belly Dance Foundations for Children. Taught by Adry Svraka. Poll only. Belly Dance for Mother & Daughter. Taught by Amira Mor. Poll only. Pink Lotus Belly Dance for Girls of All Ages. Taught by Anahata. Poll only.

Belly Dancing for Boudoir Use

All of these are opinion polls only. The videos in this category are ones designed for private "parties", VERY private. Belly Dance Your Way to Your Soul Mate. Taught by Amira Mor. Available in NTSC. Belly Dancing for the Single Woman. Taught by Sohaila. Available in NTSC. Belly Dancing for the Boudoir. Taught by Sohaila. Available in NTSC.

Continuing Education: After Basic Moves, What Next?

Hahbi 'Ru Basics, Level 1. By John Compton and Rita Alderucci (Rebaba). Available in NTSC. Egyptian Belly Dancing for Intermediates. Taught by Hilary Thacker. Available in NTSC and PAL. Egyptian Dancing with Hilary Thacker, Volume 3. Taught by Hilary Thacker. Available in NTSC and PAL. A-Z Bellydance. Taught by Keti Sharif. Available in VHS tape (NTSC, PAL) and DVD. Bellydance Live 5-Part Series by Keti Sharif Bellydance Live, Part 1 - Introduction to Music & Rhythms. Taught by Keti Sharif. Available in VHS tape (NTSC, PAL) and DVD. Demonstrates Middle Eastern musical instruments and how they are played, describes musical rhythms typical of Egyptian music. Bellydance Live, Part 2: Classical Bellydance. Taught by Keti Sharif. Available in VHS tape (NTSC, PAL) and DVD. Bellydance Live, Part 3 - Folkloric Dance. Taught by Keti Sharif. Available in VHS tape (NTSC, PAL) and DVD. Instruction in the baladi dance style and documentary on some Egyptian folkloric dances. Bellydance Live, Part 4: Modern Bellydance. Taught by Keti Sharif. Available in VHS tape (NTSC, PAL) and DVD. Bellydance Live, Part 5: The Tabla Solo. Taught by Keti Sharif. Available in VHS tape (NTSC, PAL) and DVD. Secrets of the Centre. Taught by Keti Sharif. Available in VHS tape (NTSC, PAL) and DVD. Joyous Laughter, Volume 1: Belly Dance Basics with Michelle. Taught by Michelle Morrison. Available in NTSC. Bellydance Moves & Combinations Anyone Can Do. By Qadria. Precision Motion Workout. Taught by Suzanna Del Vecchio. Available in NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. Discover Bellydance: Beyond Basic Dance. Taught by Veena & Neena. Previously titled The Sensuous Art of Bellydance: Beyond Basic Dance. Discover Bellydance: Mystic Dance. Taught by Veena & Neena. Previously titled The Sensuous Art of Bellydance: Mystic Dance.

Opinion Polls Only for "After Basics" The Dancer's Toolkit. Taught by Bàraka. Available in NTSC and PAL. Delilah's Bellydance Workshop, Volume 2. Taught by Delilah. Available in NTSC and PAL. Belly Dance Your Way to Your Soul Mate. Taught by Amira Mor. Available in NTSC. Belly Dancing II: Intermediate Instruction. Taught by Mara. Renee's Magical Belly Dance, Volume 2. Taught by Renee in Australia. Bellydance Technique Volume 2. Taught by Yasmina Ramzy in Canada.

Choreography & Combinations Instruction

(arranged alphabetically by instructor)

Belly Dance Your Way to Energy. Taught by Amira Mor. Beginner. Available in NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and DVD. A Retro Choreography. Taught by Delilah. Intermediate and Advanced. Available in NTSC, PAL, and DVD. Belly Dance and Balance: The Art of Sword & Shamadan. By Farhana, Princess of Hollywood. Hahbi 'Ru Basics, Level 1. By John Compton and Rita Alderucci (Rebaba). Available in NTSC. Hahbi 'Ru - Level Two Dance. Taught by John Compton & Rita Alderucci (Rebaba). Available in NTSC. Hahbi Ru Level Three - The Cymbal Dance. Taught by John Compton and Rita Alderucci (Rebaba). Available in NTSC. Egyptian Drum Solo Choreography, Volume 1. Advanced. Taught by Jamilla Al-Wahid. Available in NTSC. Belly Dancing for Fun and Fitness. Taught by Janine Rabbitt. Beginner. Available in NTSC. Oriental Arms. Arm movements taught by Katia. Intermediate. Available in both NTSC and PAL. AstroBelly. Taught by Keti Sharif. Bellydance Live, Part 2 - Classical Bellydance. Taught by Keti Sharif. Intermediate. Available in NTSC, PAL, and VCD. A-Z Bellydance. Taught by Keti Sharif. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. Available in NTSC, PAL, and VCD. Jewel of Arabia. Taught by Keti Sharif. Intermediate. Available in NTSC and PAL. Belly Dance Party. Taught by Neon. Available in NTSC on DVD. Belly Dance Surprise: Queen of Flowers. By Neon. Available in NTSC on DVD. Bellydance Moves & Combinations Anyone Can Do. By Qadria. Available in NTSC on DVD. Weadirt Tohgor. Taught by Shareen el Safy. Advanced. Available in NTSC and PAL. Dynamic Combinations. By Suzanna Del Vecchio. Lock, Roll, & Flutter. Taught by Suzanna Del Vecchio. Available in NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and DVD. Discover Bellydance: Basic Dance. By Veena & Neena. Previously titled The Sensuous Art of Bellydance: Basic Dance. Discover Bellydance: Beyond Basic Dance. Taught by Veena & Neena. Previously titled The Sensuous Art of Bellydance: Beyond Basic Dance. Discover Bellydance: Mystic Dance. Taught by Veena & Neena. Previously titled The Sensuous Art of Bellydance: Mystic Dance.

Opinion Polls Only for Choreography & Combinations Belly Dance Your Way to Your Soul. Taught by Amira Mor. Intermediate. Available in NTSC. Belly Dance Your Way to Cardio Taught by Amira Mor. Intermediate. Available in NTSC. The Dancer's Toolkit. Taught by Bàraka. Beginner and Intermediate. Available in NTSC and PAL. Tribal Basics, Volume 4 - Advanced Workshop. By Carolena Nericcio (FatChanceBellyDance). Belly Dancing for Beginners. Taught by Cory Zamora. Volume 4, Raks Esharqui, Masha'al. Taught by Hadia. Volume 5, Modern Egyptian. Taught by Hadia. Ultimate Oriental Belly Dance System. Taught by Hadia. Warm-Ups & Classical Egyptian Combinations. By Jamilla Al-Wahid. Instructional Bellydance with Jillina. Taught by Jillina. A-Z Advanced Stage. Taught by Keti Sharif. Belly Dance Paradise. Produced by Raja. Taught by Fahtiem and Atlantis. Renee's Magical Belly Dance, Volume 3. Taught by Renee. Renee's Magical Belly Dance, Volume 4. Taught by Renee. Alf Leyla Wa Leyla. By Shareen el Safy. Beledi Drum Solo. By Shareen el Safy. El Hob Kulu. By Shareen el Safy. Fe Yom Wa Leyla. By Shareen el Safy. Saidi for the Stage. By Shareen el Safy. Walla Mara. By Shareen el Safy. Bellydance for Beautiful Freaks. By Tempest. Choreographed Belly Gram. By Véda Sereem (TM). Bou Saada. By Véda Sereem (TM).

Instruction In Specialty Topics

Click on the specialty below to jump directly to the reviews for that skill area:

Abdominal Isolations Algerian Arms & Gestures Candles Cane Costuming. Goes to a separate page! Drum Solo Fans Finger Cymbals Ghawazee Glass Dancing Floor Work Moroccan Melaya Leff

Middle Eastern Music. Goes to a separate page! Performing Skills Persian Pregnancy Snakes Stage Makeup. Goes to a separate page! Sword & Tray Taqsim Tribal Tunisian Turkish Veil Warm Ups and/or Cool Downs Wings of Isis

Abdominal Isolations Dance of the Belly. Taught by Cindy Loader. Opinion poll only.
Algerian Bedia's Ouled Nail Workshop with Nelli. Taught by Nelli. Opinion poll only. Bou Saada. By Véda Sereem (TM). Opinion poll only.
Arms & Gestures Veil and Arm Dancing By Amaya. Veil work and arms, taught by Amaya. Available in NTSC and PAL. Oriental Arms. Arm movements taught by Katia. Available in both NTSC and PAL. Belly Dance Boot Camp: Arms. Taught by Tahja Starr. Opinion poll only. Habibi, You Are My WHAT?! Leyla Lanty's Essential Arabic for Dancers - Volume 1. Taught by Leyla Lanty. Teaches Arabic words frequently used in songs and suggestions for gestures to do with them. Added October 12, 2009.
Candles Candles. Taught by Véda Sereem (TM). Opinion poll only.
Cane Egyptian Belly Dancing for Intermediates. Taught by Hilary Thacker. Available in NTSC and PAL. Opinion Polls Only Dancing with a Prop. Taught by Aneena & Cindy Loader. Volume 2, Raks Esharqui. Taught by Hadia.
Costuming Click here for reviews of videos on costuming.
Drum Solo Egyptian Drum Solo Choreography, Volume 1. Advanced. Taught by Jamilla Al-Wahid. Available in NTSC. Bellydance Live, Part 5: The Tabla Solo. Taught by Keti Sharif. Available in NTSC, PAL, and DVD. Lock, Roll, & Flutter. Taught by Suzanna Del Vecchio. Available in NTSC, PAL, SECAM, and DVD. Opinion Polls Only Belly Dance Your Way to Cardio Taught by Amira Mor. Intermediate. Available in NTSC. Heartbeat of Belly Dance. Taught by Jenna and Raquy.
Fans Opinion Polls Only Egyptian Fans. Taught by Véda Sereem (TM). Opinion poll only. Dancing with a Prop. Taught by Aneena & Cindy Loader.
Finger Cymbals Hahbi 'Ru Level Three - The Cymbal Dance. Taught by John Compton and Rita Alderucci (Rebaba). Available in NTSC. How To Play Finger Cymbals With Mesmera. Taught by Mesmera. Tribal Basics, Volume 3 - Zils. By Carolena Nericcio (FatChanceBellyDance). Learning With Libby. Also known as Learning to Move & Play Finger Cymbals "The Easy Way". Taught by Libby. Opinion Polls Only Goddess Workout - Finger Cymbals. By Dolphina. Finger Cymbals for Belly Dance. By Tobias Roberson. Strictly Zills. Taught by Véda Sereem (TM). Zills with Zahira. By Zahira from Australia.
Floor Work Floor Work Made Simple. Taught by Mahisha. Available in NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. Cabaret Bellydancing Floor Moves Advice. Taught by Cory Zamora. Available in NTSC. Opinion Polls Only Delilah's Bellydance Workshop, Volume 3. Taught by Delilah. Available in NTSC and PAL.
Ghawazee Bedia's Ghawazee Workshop with Nelli. Taught by Nelli. Opinion poll only. Ghawazee Workshop. Taught by Aida Nour. Opinion poll only.
Glass Dancing Glass Dance. Taught by Véda Sereem (TM). Opinion poll only.
Melaya Leff Eskandarani (Malaya Laff). Taught by Aida Nour. Opinion poll only.
Middle Eastern Music & Rhythm Click here for the music-related products.
Moroccan Moroccan. Taught by Véda Sereem (TM). Opinion poll only.
Performing Skills Habibi, You Are My WHAT?! Leyla Lanty's Essential Arabic for Dancers - Volume 1. Taught by Leyla Lanty. Teaches Arabic words frequently used in songs and suggestions for gestures to do with them. Added October 12, 2009. Cabaret Bellydancing Floor Moves Advice. Taught by Cory Zamora. Available in NTSC. Stage Dynamics. Taught by Katia. Opinion poll only.
Persian Dance Persian classical dance is very different from belly dance, but many people who study Middle Eastern dance forms also embrace Persian. Opinion Polls Only Classical Persian Dance Level One. Taught by Shahrzad Khorsandi Available in NTSC.
Pregnancy Prenatal Bellydance. Taught by Naia. Opinion Polls Only Belly Dancing During Pregnancy. Taught by Gaby Oeftering. Belly Dance Pregnant VID003. Taught by Tara of Isis and the Star Dancers.
Snakes Belly Dance with Snakes - Embody Your Inner Serpent. Taught by Serpentessa.
Stage Makeup Click here for reviews of videos on stage makeup which appear on a separate page.
Sword Belly Dance & Balance: The Art of Sword & Shamadan. By Farhana, Princess of Hollywood. Opinion Polls Only Sword & Tray Balancing for Beginners. Taught by Cory Zamora & Laura Sutherland. Available in NTSC. Balancing Act. Taught by Mezdulene. Available in NTSC. Sword Balancing, Beginning. Taught by Véda Sereem (TM). Sword Balancing, Advanced. Taught by Véda Sereem (TM).
Taqsim Opinion Polls Only Basic Taqseem for All Levels. Taught by Deniz.
Tribal This section includes all flavors of the Tribal style that arose in the U.S. Tribal Basics Volume 1: Dance Fundamentals (Revised). Taught by Carolena Nericcio. Available in both NTSC and PAL. Tribal Basics, Volume 2 - Make-Up & Costume. Taught by Carolena Nericcio (FatChanceBellyDance). Tribal Basics, Volume 3 - Zils. By Carolena Nericcio (FatChanceBellyDance). Tribal Basics, Volume 4 - Advanced Workshop. By Carolena Nericcio (FatChanceBellyDance). Opinion Polls Only Tribal Basics, Volume 5 - Cue & Transitions. By Carolena Nericcio (FatChanceBellyDance). Tribal Basics, Volume 6 - Improvisational Choreography. By Carolena Nericcio (FatChanceBellyDance). Bellydance Tribal Fusion NYC. By Darshan. East Coast Tribal. By Sera.
Tunisian Opinion Polls Only Tunisian. Taught by Véda Sereem (TM). Tunisian Rhythms & Raqs Shaabi. Taught by Aisha Ali. Volume 6, Tunisian Folklore. Taught by Hadia.
Turkish Opinion Polls Only I Love Turkish Bellydance. Taught by Sarah Skinner.
Veil Veil and Arm Dancing By Amaya. Veil work and arms, taught by Amaya. Available in NTSC and PAL. Veil Workshop With Mahisha. Single veil, taught by Mahisha. Available in NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. Dancing With Veils. Single veil, taught by Cory Zamora. Available in NTSC. Discover Bellydance: Mystic Dance. Taught by Veena & Neena. Available in NTSC. Previously titled The Sensuous Art of Bellydance: Mystic Dance. Opinion Polls Only Goddess Workout - Veils. Workout for the arms using veil moves, taught by Dolphina. Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Veil. Double veil, taught by Aneena. Mezdulene's Veiled Visions. Single veil, double veil, and cape work, taught by Mezdulene. Available in NTSC. Secrets Unveiled. Single veil, taught by Dunia. Available in NTSC only. Petite Jamilla Tells Secrets of the Double Veil. Taught by Petite Jamilla.
Warm Ups and Cool Downs Warm Ups and Cool Downs for Bellydancers. Taught by Qadria. Available in NTSC only. Opinion Polls Only Ultimate Oriental Belly Dance System. Taught by Hadia. Warm-Ups & Classical Egyptian Combinations. By Jamilla Al-Wahid.
Wings of Isis Wings: The Complete Technique. Taught by Ayshe. Full-length review.

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