Rachel BriceTribal Fusion - Yoga Isolations & Drills for Bellydance

I've been bellydancing for about 3 solid years now (and, surprisingly enough, volunteer-teaching at the beginning level within my college for 2 of those years), and I like this workout-for-bellydancers.This DVD is put out by the Bellydance Superstars Co. Rachel is extremely talented, both in yoga and bellydance and in dance (i.e. using your body at its fullest capability, creatively and interpretively, to music).This DVD is not about Rachel. Its about working out.I pre-ordered it as soon as I heard it existed, and waited through several delays. When I got it, I was disappointed with the rushed quality (though it made sense since I got it for $12), and I was very, very disappointed with the editing of the performance video, and the release was delayed so many times. I feel that this was somewhat out of her hands, since it was produced by BDSS. The editor thought that making a music video was more important, for her performance section, and a lot of the other extras are pixelated, and there's a lot of gratuitous merchandising (thankfully, not within the workout itself).Despite the low quality inherant in such an inexpensive DVD, the purpose of the DVD is fulfilled. The title says "Yoga Isolations & Drills for Bellydance". (emphasis added)Beginning and througout each workout (the contents of which are explained in other reviews), Rachel goes over some basic yoga moves to warm up the muscles that are involved. For a full stretch, its too little; for a warm-up and for strengthening exercises in their own right, its fine. What I really appreciate is her vocal instruction and commentary. Her skill at as a yoga instructor really comes through since she is so aware of problems her students probably have (neck problems, when they are clenching their jaws or slouching).In the belly dance isolation drills -- which are exactly that, drills of isolations and simple basic movements -- she is equally good at commenting. Here, the editing is great and the views are informative. A friend of mine took a workshop from Rachel in person and raved about the clarity of each move because Rachel's own musculature makes the movement clear; the same is present here. Each of her movements are clear, for those who learn by imitating, and each of her comments are informative and pertinent. Even her own readjustments are reminders for the student to readjust themselves. The set-up is the same one that people admire about Jillina's videos (which I haven't seen) where the camera stays stationary and Rachel stands in front of a mirror, so that your body easily translates to hers at all times.The drills are isolations -- pops, locks, undulations, etc.; fundamental moves useful to any sect of bellydance. Each section works first on re-establishing what posture is necessary, what muscles are used, how the body moves to the next phase, etc. Then it moves up to quicker repitition. Its very much an exercise video for developing strength and crispness.I think I value the 15-min workout (which really is 15 min, I discovered happily before my early morning academic class/work) and the 45 min. workout. The 30 min. one seems just to be a blend between the two.Because of the editing (again, I blame BDSS rather than Rachel) the transitions are abrupt, but its a DVD so you can just as easily keep the remote control nearby and pause for a moment to get into position.Because its a workout (not workout pretending to be bellydance or bellydance for fitness) and because its about basic isolations and repititions of muscle-developing movements, there's no choreography and its not aerobic. Think of it as weight training for the belly dancer. You will break a sweat if you're doing the moves with the amount of concentration and control that she recommends, and you will get stronger.The only way this could get better is if it came with a weighted dance belt.

Today I finally got to try Rachel Brice's DVD Tribal Fusion Belly Dance: Yoga, Isolations and Drills. I decided to go with the 30-minute practice drills (there are three: 15-, 30-, and 45-minute). Rachel starts the session off with a sun salutation (for a good warmup) and then with the locust asana (which is excellent for strengthening the lower back). She then goes into drills for various isolations and locks. She starts each isolation slowly, going through the muscles which should be contracted or released. Then each movement is smoothed out and sped up.Some reviewers complain that Rachel doesn't explain why the movements look so different on her. First of all, Rachel has very little body fat. Therefore, as each muscle is engaged, it is much more evident than it would be on a less sinewy dancer. Secondly, her movements are very clean and smooth because she has been drilling on a regular basis. Although drills are not exciting, repetition and consistency are the key to mastery. If you follow along with the drills on this DVD on a regular and meticulous basis, you will become a more precise, isolated, and technical dancer. I have no doubts on this.The video isn't perfect. One minor flaw is Rachel's camera-shyness. She never looks directly at the camera, and remains very detached. Once or twice, it is a bit difficult to see what she is doing when the camera pans so the mirror is directly behind her. She's wearing dark pants, and the reflection is also dark. However, the camera continues panning, and before long, it's easy to see what she's doing. Again, this is a minor problem.The worst thing about the video is the additional performance video. Rachel does a very interesting dance to a dark and gothy song, and the camera-man decides to get all experimental on us. During the 3-minute or so performance, there are more than 100 strobe-like cuts. I can see that they were going for an edgy, music video feel, but considering the audience for this DVD is comprised of people who want to get a better understanding of Rachel's dancing, the edits are inappropriate and frustrating. It's impossible to follow any one movement to completion. It would have been much nicer had there been a performance clip which shows the movements in a clear and unchopped fashion. Edgy, clipped videos could be saved for entertainment rather than educational DVDs.On the flip side, the camera work for the drill section, although not static, is clear and appropriate. When the camera goes in for a closeup of Rachel's abdomen, it's when she's demonstrating which muscles to contract. When it flows along the contour of her spine, it's showing the correct alignment during yoga asanas. Some videos dwell on the incorrect body part (eg. on a dancer's face or chest when the instruction is focusing upon hip or footwork). This never happens in this DVD.Also, Rachel has a pleasant and strong voice, and she explains each movement clearly.The music (by Pentaphobe) is a minimalistic fusion of dark electronic and Middle Eastern rhythms. It may not be to everyone's liking, but I enjoy it.I strongly recommend this video to anyone who wants to improve their isolation skills. I intend on using the DVD frequently.

This is a great video.It will not teach you all the ins and outs of Tribal Fusion bellydance, in that the title is perhaps misleading.The workout covers a handful of movements (off the top of my head: chest lifts, hipwork on the up, hipwork on the down, undulations down to up and up to down, chest eights, omis), which are only drilled individually with increasing speed, plus a number of yoga poses arranged in a warmup and cooldown. No combos, no choreos.I find this video absolutely perfect for a midweek workout. You can choose between a 15, 30 and 45 minutes practice, which will have a slightly modified warmup and cooldown and a selection of the movements. 15 minutes might not seem much, but it is quite intense as all the movements presented are muscular rather than skeletal. I normally do the 30 minutes practice on its own, or the 15 minutes with some freestyle dancing.

As we all know the basics are the foundation for anything, dance, music etc. This is what this DVD delivers. You won't get lots of moves or variations, it won't teach you to dance BUT it will drill a few core fundamental moves, it will condition the muscles used in belly dance and you will feel it!A few people have complained about lack of cues when changing poses in the warm-up/yoga sections, I have no problem. I watched it through and knew what was coming up.You have a choice of 3 lengths of workout 15/30/45 minutes, each adding an extra couple of moves from the section before so you can build up or dip in depending how much time you have. The instructions are quite clear, the production is high so you get a good look at how the dancer is moving.Great for building bellydancing stamina and Rachel Brice is a great dancer. Well worth the bargain price.

I took a 6 week course on Tribal Fusion & decided to get this as a back up to practice at home with.I really enjoyed it and found it works really nicely as a companion whilst taking classes as it mixes the yoga & drills that are the basis of the style of dance.I like the fact that you can choose from sections depending on if you have time for a full practice or just want 15 mins quick session.I am not sure if for a complete beginner this would be too much - not strenuous, but the detail in how to make the muscular movements is touched upon but not in too much detail (it does say it's a companion!)So overall I love it as it'll help me keep up practicing the basic components

For companion purpose, it is great and you will follow the different time slot depending on how long you have to practice. It may a bit hard to ones who are not familiar with her because you have to follow her pace to do the yoga and the skill practice. Since I have bought the serpentine to practice before so I know her quite well and this would be nice for me to only practice some core movements and undulations.

good DVD gets you working and moving muscles you never knew you had, i would recommend to a friend...very good buy!