opinions on tribal fusion dvds??

VanillaryPuff started this discussion · 11/13/2011

hi ladies! a few years ago i did belly dancing, together with my mum, and it was great, but we could not continue to go to classes. now, as i am looking for something to make my dancing on the pole look better, i came across tribal fusion. i was like, what, another form of belly dancing, even cooler than the egyptian style i learned some years ago? i have to do it! but then, my job does not allow me to go to classes regularly, and my purse does not allow me to take private sessions. i am looking for GOOD dvds now. i came across rachel brice, and the whole worlddancenewyork.com dvd series.does not look bad tome! but before i invest 40 or 50 euros in 2-3 dvds (plus shipping! oh my, why does shipping have to be so expensive?!), i thought i ask you, because you are the most wonderful and skilled ladies that love dancing in all various forms. so, does anyone here know these dvds, or can anyone recommend others? thank you!!

25 replies

joni1 · 11/13/2011
Gingercakes, I have Rachel Brice 's Serpentine tribal fusion dvd which I love. She incorporates yoga type back stretches to also train for great back flexibility needed to do the deep backbends in serpentine tribal dances.
marle777 · 11/13/2011
Serpentine IS an excellent dvd set as are any others put out by that same production company (WDNY). Really is comes down to which teacher's style you prefer but I can't think of any Tribal Fusion dvds I really can't stand. I would, however, save purchasing releases by BDSS for last.
marle777 · 11/13/2011
Serpentine IS an excellent dvd set as are any others put out by that same production company (WDNY). Really is comes down to which teacher's style you prefer but I can't think of any Tribal Fusion dvds I really can't stand. I would, however, save purchasing releases by BDSS for last.
Dancing Paws · 11/13/2011
He girl. Bellydancing is so my thing. Rachel brice is good. I did not like her "Tribal fusion - yoga isolations & drills for bellydance" DVD. It was mostly a DVD to show herself off and the camera work was dizzying. I DO LIKE her "serpentine" and "bellydance arms and posture" DVDs. Have you ever heard of American tribal style bellydance? It is what tribal fusion originates off of. All it is group improv bellydance, but it does have a certain style t it as well. I would suggest learning that as well, and the best person to learn it from is from the creator Carolina Nerriccio.I don't have any of her DVF's, but since she is the creator, I can't see how you can go wrong with her. http://www.fcbd.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=72&zenid=671dba8b6f20a9f2c82d6943b89cf75f Also, I took a workshop with Kajira. She does awesome ATS as well. She wrote the book the "tribal bible," which I have and it's autographed! http://www.blacksheepbellydance.com/bazaar.html You should try to take a workshop with sharon kihara or kami liddle. They were both in bellydance superstars.
marle777 · 11/13/2011
Serpentine IS an excellent dvd set as are any others put out by that same production company (WDNY). Really is comes down to which teacher's style you prefer but I can't think of any Tribal Fusion dvds I really can't stand. I would, however, save purchasing releases by BDSS for last.
marle777 · 11/13/2011
Serpentine IS an excellent dvd set as are any others put out by that same production company (WDNY). Really is comes down to which teacher's style you prefer but I can't think of any Tribal Fusion dvds I really can't stand. I would, however, save purchasing releases by BDSS for last.
Dancing Paws · 11/13/2011
Unmata is a popular group right now. You should watch some of their stuff.
marle777 · 11/13/2011
Geez, sorry about the quad posting there. Sensual, you are right on about Kami and Kajira. ATS is definitely fun looking but I personally haven't touched it for the fact that I feel that Tribal Fusion fits the pole dance flow a little better than some of the more folkloric steps.That and I haven't had a chance to do any group improv, haha. :)
Dancing Paws · 11/13/2011
Tribal fusion and ATS have very similar movements. It's how you use the movements that distinguishes them. Bellydance is bellydance. Once you have the movements, you have them. It's how you use them that defines the different styles. ATS would actually be GOOD for pole becasue it would help activate the part of the brain needed for freestyle. It can help you learn to sync moves together fluidly and seamlessly on the spot. ATS isn't always folkloric either. I've done very snakey sensual ATS dances. It depends on the music. Again, they are the same moves, just different ways of using them, with different music, and different costumes.
marle777 · 11/13/2011
I was only speaking in generalities here. :) And fusion doesn't nessicarily mean it's choreographed. I pretty much only do imrov myself. When I think of ATS, I think of a group improv. which is the other disctinction I was making there. They are all borne from the same pot of soup, but it's all just spiced differently in the end.
Dancing Paws · 11/13/2011
Exactly. That's why I thinks I think Carolina and Kajira's DVD's would be good resources for movements in tribal movements. I started out learning "tribaret" bellydance, but once I started teaching it, I I started learning the techniques of ATS and fushion on my own through workshops and classes. As far as I know tribal fushion is supposed to be structured to allow for both group improv and choreography. At least it was back when I was dancing. The combinations are just styled in a way that they appear to be choregraphed. The fusion dancers I know all improvised. I always did mostly improv too, group and solo.
Dancing Paws · 11/13/2011
Sorry, I am totally not trying to "one up you." I read that last post and it sounded weird. I am actually interested to find another bellydancer on here, so I thought I'd tell you my past...Sorry bout that. Didn't want anything on here to sound bitchy, cuz that is so not me. I am like a puppy dog.
Dancing Paws · 11/13/2011
Ginger - I know this isn't tribal, but if you EVER get to take a workshop with Ansuya, DO IT! She is an AMAZING dancer. And she is just gorgeous to look at. http://web.me.com/arathor/Ansuya.com/Home.html
Black Orchid · 11/14/2011
I'm way more of a cab gal myself ( although pretty contemporary)...but the tribal fusion DVD that I like right now is "Serpentine"..there's so much material there and lots of good back flexibility stuff if you love that Rachel Brice style. I saw Amy Sigil perform live and it was amazing...so an Unmata DVD is on my list for way in the future.
marle777 · 11/14/2011
I'm also a big fan of Ansuya too - she has a new dvd out called "Istanbul Nights Gypsy Fusion", (released by Hollywood Music) which is also on my "Buy a.s.a.p. list" along with Cheeky Girls's new release "From A to Zoe" which is a four disc set. Unmata is a very creative group, and I'd love to pick up Amy Sigil's DVD when there's some "extra" money laying around. :) Sensual, it's no problem. Misunderstandings happen. It appears we have a lot in common as far as stylization. I wouldn't be surprised if I was mistaken since I am completely self taught through DVDs and the like. I'm also excited to get to chat with someone about belly and pole dance because I think it is a fusion that hasn't been explored fully in our community yet. :)
Dancing Paws · 11/14/2011
I keep meaning to get on the Friday chat, but I work in the mornings...:( I did a some bellydance moves in my booty challenge. I REALLY want to do a sword dance with a chair! I haven't attempted it yet. My hips are limiting me still. My friend and I did some burlesque/ bellydance combo dances before (she wrote the dances, I just did what she told me, HAHA!)
VanillaryPuff · 11/14/2011
yay, thank you ladies! okay, so the "serpentine" dvd is on my wishlist for sure. but does anyone around here happen to know east coast tribal by sera solace? she's at world dance NY too. unfortunately i won't be able to do workshops with any of those big superstars, as i am in austria, and it's most unlikely that they come here to teach me, an (more or less) absolute beginner ;) but thank you for the recommendations. i will have a look at all of them. i also searched the internet for teachers in my surroundings, and will probably take some kind of introductory private lessen soon. i guess it would be good to have some kind of one-on-one-training every once in a while, even if i will try to learn mostly with dvds. thank you again - and please, if someone else has something to say to this topic, don't hesitate to let me or us all know! :)
Black Orchid · 11/14/2011
don't be too sure that the tribal bellydance "stars" wont visit your neck of the woods...Europe seems to be a pretty popular tour stop for workshops! Just keep your eye out...join your local bellydance community lists. I had a DVD by Sera...she's pretty good too. Its definitely good to get in-person training in any moevement form that's all about alignment & expression. You can get a lot out of Youtube and online lessons but its nice ( and safe!) and definitely fun to interact with a human when possible ;) This PSA brought to you by a bellydance instructor ;)
marle777 · 11/14/2011
Gingercakes, I highly reccomend Sera's dvd, she has four out. The first she released some years back, 'Bellydance East Coast Tribal' and then recently released another with a similar title but all new content called 'Foundations of Bellydance - East Coast Tribal Basics' alongside two other titles 'Solar' and 'Lunar'. All four of them are worth purchasing but if I had to choose one or two to start I would take 'Foundations of Bellydance' and 'Solar'.
Drdredancer · 11/14/2011
Belladonna does plenty of swordwork and has a DVD out. I also love Ashara's pop n lock. Rachel Brice is my all time favorite. I also like Sharon Kihara. She has a DVD as well. For basic movements, Suhaila Salimpour's workout for bellydance helps strengthen the right muscles. She has experience with both tribal and cabaret. Maybe check out suhaila'a mother's DVD on Taqseem. It's a classic. Her name is Jamilla Salimpour. I have taken workshops from Amy sigil of Unmata as well, she is also wonderful.
Dancing Paws · 11/14/2011
Suhaila's butt shimmy's are unreal. I could never get mine even close to hers.
Drdredancer · 11/15/2011
Haha! I got addicted to her butt shimmies. I teach them now in all my classes- belly, pole and exotic. Put your hand on your bottom, rotate your pelvis forward and work your flutes every day! :)
Dancing Paws · 11/15/2011
I always had my girls practice on the ground, with their legs out in a V so they had to isolate the tops of their tushies instead of doing a "butt clench."
Jenny99 · 11/15/2011
My face is "Serpentine." I've taken awesome workouts from Zoe Jakes who has a new DVD and liked Aubre's as well. Worlddance NY does fantastic stuff. Lots for your $$$. But if I could only start with one, it would be "Serpentine." Happy dancing.
Jenny99 · 11/15/2011
My face is "Serpentine." I've taken awesome workouts from Zoe Jakes who has a new DVD and liked Aubre's as well. Worlddance NY does fantastic stuff. Lots for your $$$. But if I could only start with one, it would be "Serpentine." Happy dancing.