Dynamic Combinations,
by Suzanna Del Vecchio

Overall Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 5 stars)

Suzanna Del Vecchio teaches a series of 15 intermediate-level step combinations plus three sequences that are built from them, then leads a half-hour practice session based on them.

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This video is the second in Suzanna Del Vecchio's instructional series and the sequel to Precision Motion Workout. Suzanna assumes that you have mastered all the moves taught on that video, and uses them as the building blocks for the combinations taught on this one. It is divided into two major parts: instruction in 15 step combinations in American nightclub style of belly dancing, and a half-hour practice session that reviews and drills them.

Suzanna opens the instruction with a quick review of some key isolations that were taught on Precision Motion Workout. She doesn't break them down into explanations, simply announces the name of each and demonstrates it. This should be sufficient for people who truly have previously mastered those moves, but may be overwhelming for people who have not worked with the earlier video or learned those moves elsewhere.

Following the review, Suzanna teaches the 15 combinations. For each, she first teaches the opening moves, then runs through the sequence so far a couple of times, then builds on it by adding the next section and running through it, continuing in this way until the combination is complete. She runs through the completed combination only a couple of times, then moves on to the next. People who need multiple repetitions may need to rewind or pause the video a few times to practice. This continues until all the combinations have been taught.

Suzanna then teaches what she calls a Veil Sequence, which is a series of veil moves that are layered on top of a couple of the combinations that were taught. She follows this with a Standing Taqsim Sequence which puts together some of the fluid combinations that were taught earlier into a longer sequence of moves.

At the end of this instruction section, Suzanna leads a half-hour practice session consisting of the combinations and sequences that were taught. She takes them in order, starting with the first that was taught and moving forward. If you work on just a couple of combinations each day, you could work the beginning combinations, then skip to the practice session and use it as a review of everything you have done so far, going just until you reach the ones you haven't studied yet.

The practice session could be used as a sculpting and toning workout, but you would need to insert your own warm-up before it and cooldown after. It's not designed to drive the heart rate into the cardio zone, but will help build muscle control and tone.

There is no performance segment.

The production quality is reasonably good. The set consists of an attractive painted silk background by Silk Spirit, and is well lit. The camera always shows what it should, usually pulled back far enough to show Suzanna's entire body. For the instruction, Suzanna wears a crop top, straight skirt that shows her legs, and hip belt. The sound quality is clear. In the instructional part, Suzanna demonstrates the combinations while a voiceover explains what to do, with no background music. In the practice session, Suzanna uses musical background, and speaks directly to the camera as she calls out what to do next.

The one thing I don't like about this video is that it fails to use on-screen text to introduce each combination. This makes it difficult to rewind or fast-forward directly to the section I want to work on or repeat. It's necessary to guess, and I've found I don't always guess correctly. On the DVD edition, I wish there would have been a chapter break at the beginning of each combination's instruction, again to make it easier to jump to the desired combination and repeat it as many times as needed. This is why I gave the video only four stars instead of five.

You Will Probably Like This Video If

• You are an intermediate or advanced dancer.
• You are looking for new ideas for your choreography or improvised dancing.
• You enjoy American nightclub style of belly dancing.

You Probably Won't Care for This Video If

• You are still a beginning-level dancer.

What I Liked

• It offers creative ideas for combinations.
• Suzanna provides clear explanations and demonstrations.
• The practice session can double as a workout.
• The video is well lit, with clear sound.
• The credits identify the music used.

What I Didn't Like

• There is no on-screen text indicating beginning of each combination.

If you'd like to read my reviews of other videos by Suzanna Del Vecchio, choose from the list below:

• Precision Motion Workout
• Lock, Roll, and Flutter
• Dances from the Heart
• Dances from the Heart II

Contact Suzanna Del Vecchio as follows:

P.O. Box 61383
Denver, CO 80206
U.S.A.

Phone: (+1) (303) 399-2622
Web Site: www.suzanna.vecchio.com

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