You think you've got two left hips? Come stand by me; let's party. Natural Journeys, producers of a wide range of topnotch fitness programs, has a new Workout for Wimps series, and I grabbed Bellydance for Wimps, because, um, it's my job. I wrapped an exotic flannel scarf around my hips (hey, it's cold in the Northwest!), cued up the DVD, and got ready to shake and shimmy my way to Goddessville. Oddly, teacher Natasha Senkovich is a rather mediocre dancer--maybe because, physically, she doesn't really have hips or, for that matter, a belly, so it wasn't always easy to see what move she was demonstrating to the viewer (as there wasn't a whole lotta shakin' goin' on). But Senkovich is a beguiling instructor, and I don't use the term lightly: her sense of fun was absolutely infectious as she slowly demonstrated each of the 10 basic moves (including hip circles, hip drop with circles, and tummy undulations) along with arm and hand positions--followed by faster and faster repetitions--while encouraging viewers to smile, wink, and flirt, all “in a soft feminine way, of course” and “watch the crowd go crazy!” Still, unlike many exotic and dangerous-looking dancers who roll their hips and curl their torsos to intoxicating Middle Eastern music, Senkovich herself looks a little wimpy here. DVD extras include a bonus performance, and an option for working out to music only. Other titles in the series are Pilates for Wimps and Yoga for Wimps. Recommended, overall. Aud: P. (N. Plympton)
Bellydance for Wimps
(2004) 50 min. VHS or DVD: $14.98. Natural Journeys (dist. by Goldhil Home Media). PPR. Color cover. ISBN: 1-58565-860-X (vhs), 1-59443-557-X (dvd). Volume 20, Issue 2
Bellydance for Wimps
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