Bellydance for Beginners: Hip Buns Thighs [VHS]
Most of this tape isn't belly dancing--although the instructors are professional belly dancers. Rather, this is a buttock and thigh workout starting with traditional leg lifts and lunges and leading to belly-dance inspired moves such as squeezing one buttock at a time or circling the hips. The latter exercises are fun and an interesting change from the usual lower-body exercise routine, but they don't really strengthen or define the buttock and thigh muscles much because there's no resistance (no body weight, no external weight). It will, however, increase hip and low-back flexibility. The fun really begins later in the 30-minute workout with "hip drops" and "hip lifts" with added leg and arm positions. By the end, you're prancing on your toes (good calf workout), flicking your hips to the sides, and feeling like a real belly dancer.--Joan Price