BellyDance: Beautiful Technique from Step One [DVD] with Autumn Ward [ALL REGIONS] [NTSC] [2009]

Autumn Ward, a star bellydance performer and instructor based in New York City, applies a systematic step-by-step method of building bellydance moves from the primary components, such as body angles, tilts and shifts, weight transfers, and muscular contractions and releases, that underlie the fundamental vocabulary of every style of belly dance.

Awareness of the key technical components of every move enables you to perfect your form and execution of dance steps, so that you can perform each step with ease, grace, and a clean and elegant body line, even if you are a new beginner. For each move, Autumn analyzes and demonstrates alignment, engagement, and flow, addressing both anatomy and sensation, guiding you to absorb the fundamentals and to discover where technique grows into expressivity.

Autumn teaches each group of dance steps three different ways: Technique, Practice Flows, and Choreography. She offers both theory of dance movement and beautifully-designed practice drills to make each step sink deep into your muscle memory.

The Technique section guides you through basic terminology and concepts, arm positions and paths, and foundation building blocks, the primary components of bellydance vocabulary. Then Autumn shows you how to progressively build five different groups of isolations, and offers a broad selection of movements and movement breakdowns.

To practice, polish, and enjoy your new skills, dance along with Autumn s Practice Flows, nine dance practice segments set to beautiful, haunting melodies. Follow detailed voice cues or enjoy the music-only version of the Flows.

As you build comfort with the dance vocabulary, try the movements in context, in the Practice Choreography. Continuing in the same follow-along format as the Flows, the Choreography puts a special emphasis on musicality and expression, putting together all steps taught in the program into sequences of combinations.

Autumn Ward s Beautiful Technique from Step One will teach and encourage you to dance with the radiant feeling of an open, lifted heart. You will build clean isolations polished with sophisticated technique, and learn the skills that will allow you to give a finished look to any style of bellydance - cabaret, tribal, ethnic, or fusion styles - or just to enjoy the feeling of creating beauty.

By C. Lindeman

(REAL NAME)

I am a beginning dancer who has to mostly rely on video instruction for my practices. So, I put a lot of thought into what I buy. I bought Autumn Ward's video after seeing clips on Youtube and I'm glad I did. I was looking for a comprehensive video that would break down the dance vocabulary and focus on building a strong foundation. Ward's video provides just that.

The first section is a detailed section on basic moves such as arm work, hip work, and transitions. Autumn spends a great deal of time breaking down each move, demonstrating correct technique, pointing out common mistakes, and adding in her dance philosophies. Therefore, it is a great "reference" for dancers to come back to if they want a calibrated breakdown of a move. As a beginner, it has also greatly helped me learn and recognize dance moves when I see them. In essence, it is the language of the dance, explained for any dancer who desires a muscular and intellectual understanding of the basic moves. That said, she does not focus on coaching the viewer through drilling. If I want a substantial drill, I follow her instruction on the move, pause the video, and drill it for 3-5 minutes. Then, I begin the video again.

The second section offers "practice flows" that the viewer can use to integrate the technical practice with rhythm and flow. The warm up is not as rigorous as I like but it feels relaxed and joyful. The flow segments are short, which is good for a weeknight practice and builds intutive understanding of transitions. They are also accessible and can offer the feeling of actual dancing even for a beginner like me. A more experienced dancer might find that the flows help them integrate Ward's unique style into their own.

The third part is a choreography that I have not done. It is wonderful though and I am working my way up to it.

The video includes 2 performances, both of which are inspiring and so joyful to watch. As I learn the dance and find my own voice and identity, I really try to cue into how a dancer makes me feel when I watch her. Ward is a model for seamlessly blending and communicating playful joyfulness and earthy sensuality. --amazon.com (US)

5.0 out of 5 stars - Beautiful dance technique, beautiful dance!, February 5, 2009

By Seir

With all the right ingredients, beautiful movement flows on a correct foundation. This program has all the lovely touches that distinguish just movement from dance. Here are the embellishments to present your dance with the qualities of an experienced dancer, flawless, and finessed.

The eloquences in dance terminology and the finished result brings Autumns dance to captivation. I recall performances by Autumn in past issues of WDNY videos Her style is unique as is her look.

I chose to begin my review by viewing her performance section before beginning the program. The performances are rich, with the freedom to embrace a combination of styles; strong in oriental and classical dance; Indian hints sprinkled about. Once I studied her style of expression, I felt it would be simpler to understand her program.

The dance theory is elaborate and begins in full blown detail. There is much to the technique and the warm up is essential to prepare the body for these moves. Autumn tells you she will start at the beginning and she does.

To begin, the warm up section is extensive. The foundations, from breath to movement because proper inhalation and exhalation brings life to the dance. Orientation of space in a stage, turning, Autumn narrates and moves about quickly because there is much to learn.

The technique section defines basic posture, with several variations such as wide stance, staggered stance, building blocks, and upper body mechanics. An elaborate section on arms, basic and elaborate arm transitions. Also included are lower body movements such as:

Tilting the pelvis

3/4 shimmies

Hip lifts and drops

Circles

Undulations

In the dance philosophy segment, the practice flows and practice choreography are designed with and without voice cues. Pace yourself in the practice flow section as it is designed in six series pending your progress. Patience and perfection is pretty much a solid theory, before moving ahead, "if you slosh through the moves, so shall you engrain into your muscle memory."

In the practice choreography Autum explains the five elements she implements into personal choreography.

The musical is mystical and allows freedom of movement without a rigid beat.The dance moves are clearly defined and the visuals were clear and pleasing to the eye.

Although this program is designed for beginner, some background of basic fundamentals will facilitate the entry to the program. Faithful use of the warm up section will allow an easier transition into some of the intricate moves as twist and shift and others simply because muscle memory makes some of the intricate moves here easier to master. Overall, the near three hour presentation is not only interesting, but captivating as Autum moves and speaks.Autum doesnt spill out overly dressed jargon but rather she presses forward with confidence and eloquence of words that match her style. This approach to belly dance is the trajectory to artistry in a beautiful way. I loved this program and learned much from it. --amazon.com (US)

5.0 out of 5 stars - How to Create Beauty 101, February 11, 2009

By Alejandra Vernon

(TOP 50 REVIEWER) (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This fantastic DVD will tell you how to create beauty in belly dance from the very basics to the finer details, and to dance with the radiant feeling of an open heart, as Autumn says. Autumn Ward is a gorgeous, graceful woman with excellent verbal skills, who can teach you both with words and visual examples the fundamentals of her art.

For Beginners:

If you've never taken a dance class in your life, This DVD would be a superb first course, and should keep you busy for months because of its lengthy tutorials. You'll learn terminology, all the basic positions, and some easy to learn choreography. Because of the simple and well lit production, and Autumn's concise demonstrations which are easy to see, this DVD is a great starting point for any beginner, and those of you studying other art forms are sure to learn something too.

For Intermediate Level:

There is much to learn here even for the more advanced student because of the emphasis on style, and the many details one might have overlooked while learning the art of dance. It makes a terrific refresher course, as Autumn's technique is so precise (and shows her versatility in a variety of dance forms), and her expressive musicality is marvelous to watch.

In the "Practice Flows" segments there is a "Music Only" option which I appreciate to practice with, once one has learned from the verbal instruction, and the performances are a treat. The 1st one is continuous flow from one tempo and rhythm to the next, and the 2nd one a sultry number in a beautiful red and black costume, like a dream from the 1001 Nights come to life. Music is well balanced and lovely, and includes Serpent's Garden, Electric Oasis, Solace, and many more. --amazon.com (US)