![\"Said](\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/10\/2dvdcollageTammi.jpg\")
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When Lynette asked me to review two DVDs and assigned me these titles and artists, I was excited at the prospect. After watching both of the DVDs in depth, I would describe Aziza & Said El Amir as amazing and dedicated instructors.<\/p>\n
Hands, Arms & Poses by Aziza<\/strong> starts off with a brief introduction, an all body warm-up, drilling exercises (introducing and drilling ballet arm positions, foot patterns, and hand\/arm isolations), combinations, and a thorough cool down. This DVD also includes bonus performances, \u00a0career spanning photographs, and an intimate interview with Aziza. <\/p>\n Turn In, Turn Out & Turn Around, Volume 1 by Said El Amir<\/strong> starts similarly with helpful details as warm-ups (brief instruction on classic ballet positioning and moves: port de bra,<\/em> arabesque, promenade,\u00a0 pencil, pivot and tipp turns (tipp turns are explained in the DVD) combinations, full choreography and ends with credits and messages.\n<\/p>\n Both DVDs are geared towards ballet fundamentals, adding them to the art of Belly dance. The fusing of these classic forms seems easily accomplished by the instructor\u2019s strong posture, controlled movements, complete intention in every move, and graceful extensions from the head to the toe.<\/p>\n Aziza speaks live or in real time, with a clear and crisp voice, whereas Said\u2019s voice is recorded over the instruction and seems, therefore, a little detached. The video angles and views are complimentary to the body positions and movement. Aziza brings you in for a closer view many times throughout the instruction, and Said keeps a full-length view primarily. Said adds the element of instrumentation with a live drummer, infusing depth and culture. Aziza\u2019s music is softly faded into the drills after the initial verbal instruction has finished. Aziza\u2019s video takes place in a ballroom and Said\u2019s is recorded in a studio. The studio and the grand ballroom settings are both well suited for their instruction. Absolutely, Aziza\u2019s performance section (set in different portions of what appears to be a grand hotel) is striking and compliments the mood perfectly. The instructors\u2019 attire, used as a visual aid, in the instruction portion of their DVDs are classic and geared towards showing the movement, and does not detract from the dance. Aziza wears brown dance pants and a blue bra top that subtly match the the room d\u00e9cor. Said wears active-wear and the strips on the pants are a great visual focal point for his leg work, foot work, and rotations of his hips. <\/p>\n\n
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