Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34170 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-07-07
• Rating: Exempt
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 53 minutes

Special Features

• Hilary’s Bazaar
  
• New Release trailer
  
• Vintage Photo gallery
  
• Postcard Gallery
  
• Origins of belly dancing
  
• Internet info

DVD Technical Information:

• Region Code: 0
  
• Running time: 53 minutes approx.

Synopsis
Learn the camel, Egyptian walks, snaky arms, shimmies and how to use a veil in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

From the Back Cover
The ancient art of oriental dance has a long and colourful history. It began with the many fertility cults of the ancient world, and in the temples of ancient India. The existence of various nomadic groups of professional entertainers, and groups specifically identified with Gypsies, provided for the cross-culturalisation and transmission of these dances. Although regional variations have always existed, the popularity of what is commonly known as "oriental dance" or "belly dance" continues in the modern Middle East and through the world. The survival of this ancient dance despite cultural and moral prejudices is a tribute to the appeal it has to the human spirit as the women (and men) who dance today do so for very practical reasons: because it is enjoyable, it is excellent exercise for muscle-toning and an opportunity for social involvement. In other words, for fitness, fun and friendship.

Hilary Thacker is a renowned professional Egyptian-style "belly dancer" performing and teaching throughout the UK and Middle East, and in the privacy of your own home will instruct you how to master basic moves involved in belly dancing, including the camel and Egyptian walks, snaky arms and shimmies, and finishes with a section on dancing with the veil. Everything a beginner will need to know to enjoy performing!

Customer Reviews

Other much better belly dancing dvds on the market...
I purchased this dvd as it was the most widely available belly dancing dvd so naturally i assumed it would be the best.Initially I was impressed by Hilarys moves, it was only when i purchased another instructional belly dance dvd by Dolphina, that i realised how poor the quality was.Hilary does not even include a warm-up, the picture quality is very poor, rather home movie-ish, there is no change in costume or location and i'm sure the same monotonous background music is used throughout.It is also quite short and includes too much of her dancing on tables and such like.
The only redeming quality was that her instructions were quite clear , however I really do beleive the dvd should have more content considering the price...i'd rent rather than buy.

Does what it says on the packet !!
This really is one of the best of the 'teach yourself' Belly Dancing out. The instructions are so clear and well demonstrated that you can forigive the poor lighting and picture quality.
Some of the movements that she teaches on the video such as the 'Egyptian Walk', I have heard other techers try and explain, but Hillary makes things so much easier to follow.
Each movement has it's own section so you can stop and practise to your own background music and think about what you have just seen and heard.
It really is begginer's level, so I recommend that you get the intermediates with this one as after a while you do feel as if you need something more.

Clear, easy to follow teaching - Naomi's review
The only reason I haven't given five stars is because the sound quality at the beginng was a bit muffled. As a teacher Hilary Thacker was very good and I certainly enjoyed following her instruction throughout the DVD. She showed the moves at different angles, and how to walk the figure of eights and hipdrops, camels etc. The snake arms were the most fun! I'm going to follow on to her intermidate's DVD.