The Goddess Workout with Dolphina - Introduction to Bellydance [VHS]

I bought this to replace another copy that my nephew destroyed. I waited so long to look for another copy and am so glad to have found it. This is one of my favorite workouts. It is not very strenuous so I like to do it at the end of the day followed by Tai Chi and bed. It's great for releasing tension in your neck and shoulders and always leaves me with a fluid and sexy feeling. Very empowering. My favorite part is the Goddess walk (at least that's what I call it) when Dolfina instructs you to "do it with attitude...it's like saying aren't I fabulous?" Some reveiwers commented on not being able to see what she's doing because of the camera angeles. I have taken a belly dance course in the past so this was not an issue for me. But I find that even if you didn't have prior knowledge if you watch the workout once first you can figure it out. She also gives you instructions all throughout so listening to what she's saying is also helpful. I also recommend the Neena and Veena series of bellydance workouts.

WOW... I really disagree with these other reviews! This is an excellent tape for beginners. I began doing this tape while I was living in a small Ct. town, and live classes were not an option. At first, I was unable to complete the tape without taking breaks, and my arms hurt like heck afterwards! When I finally moved back to the city and took my first bellydance class, (Shoutout to Sahara Dance in Washington DC!), I found the moves very easy to master.This tape is fabulously produced. Dolphina dances on a beautiful outdoor set. The workout is divided into sections according to body part/movement: arms, hips, shimmies, and so on. Dolphina changes her outfit and location for each section. I really appreciated this-- after all, how long can you stare at one girl in a bland studio without getting bored? Dolphina's outfits are gorgeous, but not flashy. Furthermore, unlike Neena and Veena, Dolphina narrates as she moves-- there is no creepy voice coming from above.This video is complex enough to be challenging to a beginner, but also basic enough to allow the novice dancer to feel successful. I heartily recommend it!

Dolphina's Warrior Goddess workout is both cheesy and surprisingly inspirational. It's clear that Dolphina is an experienced bellydancer, but she's very... L.A., in the most stereotypical sense of the word. It may feel cheesy at first when she's calling you a "goddess" and "amazing" - but it becomes surprisingly inspirational, especially for those of us who have body image issues (which may be most of us women). I found the moves in this workout to be more about freeing the body and helping you to feel, well, like a goddess in your own skin, rather than about working yourself to exhaustion.Those who are total beginners to bellydancing may find it useful to begin with Dolphina's beginner video before moving to this one. As someone with some bellydancing experience, I found that this video was alternately wonderful and frustrating. She mostly uses her own names for moves, rather than the traditional ones, and as workouts go, she often focuses only on one side without working the other - when I do this video, I find myself having to pause it while I work the other side.That all being said, you will get out of this workout what you put into it. If you don't really focus on isolation and tight muscle movement, you won't reap the benefits. Bellydancing, after all, isn't about shaking your body carelessly - it is about carefully constructed movement using fiercely conditioned muscles fired in isolation. So, if you really focus and work at using your muscles as she tells you to, you will feel the workout, and depending on your level of fitness, break a decent sweat by the end of it. If you don't, you will get almost nothing out of it.Experienced bellydancers and fitness freaks may find this video a little (or a lot) off-putting. I'd recommend it more for those who are interested in bellydancing, but may have not taken very many classes, and really just like the idea of bellydancing as a way of... well, embracing their inner goddess. If you can get past Dolphina's Valley Girl voice, you might just find yourself inspired to treat your body more like the temple it is.

I just recieved my copy of The Goddess Workout and I love it!! Yes, it does focus on her upper body a bit much but I still found it easy to follow along. Dolphina is truly inspiring! I felt so sexy not only during the workout but afterwards as well. I hope to prefect the moves (somewhat) by Chirstmas so I can surprise my boyfriend. If you're looking for a workout that is a change of pace and a workout that will make you feel sexy, give it a shot. As for all the negative comments about Dolphina, yes, she's sexy and beautiful...so what? aren't all women? I believe she wants us all to celebrate our femininity! FYI: I just checked out her web-site and learned she has a few new videos in the works, woohoo!