New Workouts

dvd cover of belly dance
dvd cover of belly dance

Title: Element: Belly Dance (Anchor Bay Entertainment, available Tuesday)

Format: 63-minute widescreen, stereo DVD with belly dancing instruction performed outdoors in a sunny garden overlooking the hazy Pacific Ocean horizon.

Is this a beginning belly dance instructional DVD? It can be. Two of the three chapters are flowing workouts. But the first chapter, "Belly Dance Foundation," provides 15 minutes of step-by-steps on the basic moves.

A beginner can approach that chapter as a workout, practicing it for a week or two ... or three. Abdominal muscles are muscles: If we suddenly ask them to twist and undulate in 20-minute bouts, they will cramp. Tomorrow will dawn on a world of hurt.

The basics include torso and hip circles and a pelvic-tilting circle called omi; figure eights; undulations; hip drops and twists; side-step taps; and turns.

Without music, Jacqui Lalita first holds each position in the move, then leads a slow but flowing version and then takes it up to tempo.

What are the workouts like? Sensual and surprisingly challenging. It truly does makes sense to stick with the basics chapter until you master it.

The 23-minute "Slow and Sensual Belly Dance Toning" transitions gracefully from movement to movement, with unilateral moves repeated on each side of the body.

Lalita guides the viewer with clear cues. Once in a while she says something reassuring like "the feeling is more important than making the move perfect so just move in a way that feels good to you."

"Belly Dance Burn" is 21 minutes of athletic wiggle-worm wobbling, stepping, strutting, undulating, shimmying and body-part-bouncing, in roughly five-minute segments with heart-calming breaks in between. There are two repeated combinations, which helps one relax into the motions.

Just before the cool down comes two minutes of joyous shimmies to a drum solo. Who knew belly dance was so much fun?

Gear needed: Hips and a tummy, but most people have both already.

Can I do it barefoot? Yes, and that's recommended.

Is belly dancing only for women or can men do it? Men can do anything they wish. But Lalita says she created the workouts for women "of all ages and abilities to awaken core strength and sensuality while toning muscles and deepening flexibility.

"These gentle yet powerful movements have a profound effect on our bodies and our minds, promoting inner peace as well as playfulness and passion."

Also, she says, good digestion.

Distractions: Everything about belly dancing is potentially distracting. Do attempt this workout at home: Attempting it at the office could be construed as creating a hostile workplace.

Who developed the workout? Originally from Rhode Island, Lalita has 13 years experience with belly dance. She learned it at Mid Eastern Dance Exchange in Miami, where she is a faculty member. She leads teacher training workshops in the United States and other countries.

Price: $14.95

ActiveStyle on 12/01/2014

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