Bellydance for Body Shaping: Floorwork with Tanna Valentine

Three 15-min. workouts featuring a variety of exotic belly dancing moves. Floorwork is a vital part of many fitness systems including yoga and Pilates.

Bellydance floorwork offers all the benefits of floor exercises - stretching, toning and strength training - plus the added motivation of learning the aesthetics and techniques of dance. As you exercise, you master the artistry of movement arising from ancient traditions and acquire fluidity and sensual grace - qualities not commonly found in physical fitness routines.

Learn and practice belly dance steps during the workouts, then follow Tanna as she demonstrates her powerful and dramatic dance choreographies. Both earthy and spiritual, bellydance floorwork will add a unique creative experience to your personal fitness program.

Each floorwork choreography can be accessed separately for review before your own special performance.

Floorwork refers to that part of a belly dancer's show where she descends, either gracefully or dramatically, to the floor, and performs a variety of movements there. These movements are intended to be artistically satisfying, but they also serve as an excellent showcase for the dancer's flexibility, strength and muscle control.

Floorwork became very popular in the American Cabaret style of belly dance during the 60's and 70's when many professional dancers included it in their repertoire. However, floorwork is not an American invention. Elements of floorwork can be found in a variety of regional dances throughout the Middle East. One particularly good example is the guedra, a ritual blessing from southern Morocco. The guedra dancer performs on her knees, sinking deeper and deeper into a trance-like state until she collapses on the ground.

Floorwork is performed less frequently now, for a number of reasons. It was banned in Egypt during the 1950's, and as more and more American belly dancers began to take their cues from the Egyptians, it essentially fell out of favor. Changes in costuming, with tighter skirts and longer fringe, made floorwork more difficult to perform smoothly and gracefully. Finally, the venues themselves have changed. Without a fairly unobstructed and relatively safe floor, and clear sightlines for the audience, it is just not practical to perform much floorwork.

"If you are bored with your usual mat workout, this is a new and exciting way to expand your horizons."

"Don't let the innocent face fool you. Tanna, the instructor for this belly dance workout, may look like Snow White, but she'll work you harder than a drill sergeant...This workout would be a great way for someone well experienced in Pilates or yoga to vary their workout, since the three routines and tutorial that Tanna leads rely greatly on core strength. Tanna is a very pleasant exercise leader, and the light, airy studio in which this program was filmed makes it visually soothing as well. The music ranges from wispy New Age to more exotic Middle Eastern sounds, but it's all understated and slow-paced, so the entire experience has an unhurried feel." Amanda DeWees, DVD Verdict.

TANNA is one of New York City's best-loved belly dancers, her friendly face and her joyfully spirited performances a welcome addition to the evening's entertainment at clubs and restaurants across the city. Tanna is known for her warm, supportive style of belly dance instruction. Among dancers, Tanna is respected for her focus on the more traditional styles and interpretations of Middle Eastern Dance.