Rachel Brice: Bellydance Arms and Posture (2007)

Welcome to Belly Dance Arms & Posture, a practice for carriage, coiling and serpentine stylization. This practice was designed to be used in conjunction with your regular dance practice to increase strength, flexibility and the illusion of bonelessness in the upper body. The practice has 5 parts: Gentle stretching to relax and prepare the body for movement, Dance movement preparation to strengthen the legs, An intense shoulder series with both strengthening and stretching segments to prepare for serpentine arm movements, A short combination to illustrate the use of arms in dance and with torso movement and layering, Finishing poses to relax the spine and prepare you to re-enter your day.

Great for arthritic shoulders.

About a year ago, I started having serious problems with pain in my right shoulder because of arthritis in that shoulder--I drive 30,000 miles a year for work. I decided that if I had to move my arm a lot in order to make it better, which is the least invasive treatment for garden-variety osteoarthritis in your shoulders, I was going to do something that wouldn't remind me that I was doing the exercises because of arthritis. So, I began teaching myself to bellydance.

This is fabulous for opening up the arms and shoulders. It's just wonderful. October 19, 2008

mixed feelings...

I have mixed feelings about this dvd, so I can understand the mixed reviews.
It is short compared to other tribal dvd's, so you can go through and do the whole thing in one session, which may be a good thing or a bad thing.

The workout for your arms and sholders is great (I mostly just do this section). There is only one combination and it would be nice to see more, or have a short choreography. The stretching and yoga I found a bit inadequate. One section has you doing levels changes, which is hard on the thighs yet there are no leg stretches at the end. My thighs were aching for days.

As for the 'interview' with Rachel Brice, that was very disappointing. Rachel asks Miles what he thinks viewers would want to know, and he says oh where you get your jewellery from(!!) Am I different to every other viewer? I want to know about her flexbility, her strength, her moves...anything except jewellery!
If you want to move your arms like Rachel then sure this dvd will help (although you can get an arms workout from other tribal dvd's). You will not learn anything about her amazing backbends or belly rolls (which I've now worked out for myself anyway, hoorah...but a lesson might have helped!).

So if you are a big fan of Rachel then get the dvd, if you are just into tribal get Asharah's or Ariellah's - you will get way more for your money. September 20, 2008

Challenging and Inspiring

Rachel Brice is just awesome. I'm so glad she came out with this DVD (her yoga/drills DVD was a bit basic for me). The strengthening section really burns, and I love the combos at the end. This DVD has really inspired me to work harder on my arms, which are often an afterthought. Another must have for any bellydancer!! September 11, 2008

Incredible for even advanced dancers...

This is a great tutorial. I've had back problems for quite a few years, and I was delighted to see the yoga and hardcore exercises packed into this video. I can't say it completely healed up my back, but I can tell the muscles are so much stronger, and I can hold correct posture for much longer without pain.

More importantly to most dancers, arms and posture are the biggest things so many dancers ignore or forget. If you don't have this skill set, you're going to look like a beginner for certain! Plus, the way she goes through how to do serpentine movements is so thoroughly broken down - even though I've been a tribal dancer for years, I learned so much.

Rachel deserves her fame - she's brilliant at what she does. Buy this product!!! It's so worth it.

Warm Gypsy Wishes,

Velvet Moxie (Raven)
thegypsykiss
September 6, 2008

Good not only for dancers

I am new to belly dancing, but not new to dance. This DVD makes a lot of sense; starting with build up the strength,great exercise stretching the muscles.Rachel Brice doesn't promise quick results, but mentions the necessity of consistent practice.And I see the exercises are great for me: they relax muscles when I am tired after computer work, or after driving on those horribly congested Southern Californian freeways. I would recommend this DVD not only to people who want to learn belly dancing, but also those who would like to add creativity to their daily stretches.I found the interview not too interesting, but the added bonus for me was Rachel Brice's performance, and what a dancing goddess is she! June 19, 2008

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