Dance Today! Samba - Active Lifestyle Makeover (2006) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Quenia Ribeiro's method of teaching you the basic samba steps and slowly (but not too slowly) bringing up the tempo and increasing the patterns will get you dancing an authentic Rio de Janeiro style samba the first time you play this DVD. It is really incredibly simple, and anyone who has the desire to learn will have no trouble at all with the steps, but it can be a workout! If you're out of shape, you'll be feeling it in your legs and may be breathing a little faster too. The samba if done to full speed can be a terrific cardio workout, as well as being enormous fun. Quenia doesn't give you a "warm up" or any preliminary stretches, so some people may want to limber up a little...especially their calf muscles and feet, beforehand. Quenia demonstrates the lessons barefoot on a hardwood floor; I enjoy dancing barefoot and do so on a thick large rug, and find it very comfortable.

There are 2 combinations, the "Samba 2" being harder and a lot faster than "Samba 1." Each is demonstrated first, and then broken down step by step to learn. Quenia is a dynamo with a marvelous personality, and an excellent way of teaching; everything is clearly explained, but it keeps flowing, and is always enjoyable. The music consists of 3 drummers (Nick, Nick and Ze), and they produce a wonderful sound to dance to. The ambiance is good too, in a spacious, well lit studio, and it is simply but well produced, with excellent camerawork. The real treat comes in being able to watch Quenia in lavish Carnaval style costumes (one of them very skimpy but still lavish!) in 3 performances. The amazing platform shoes she wears will astound you and wonder how she can dance in them! This "Dance Today!" DVD is a great addition to a DVD "fitness collection," as well as teaching you how to samba like a native Brazilian.

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Product Description:
When life becomes a bit too predictable and routine drains youof excitement, it's time to let the magic of dance carry you beyond yourcurrent horizons. Discover new ways to move, to look, to find friends, tostay in shape, and to shake off stress. Dance is a language: Tell yourstory and celebrate your true self through sensual, feminine movement. Evenif you learn just a few steps, dance will always be with you, a sparklingnew facet to the precious gem that is YOU.
Learn two fun and elegant Brazilian samba dances with Quenia Ribeiro andQuenia's band, Grupo Ribeiro!
Samba is Brazil's gift to the world, the Brazilian nation's renowned danceand music.Like Brazil itself, samba is a joining of many culturalinfluences, with portions from Africa, Europe, as well as from theindigenous people of the Brazilian region of South America. Developed inBahia and brought to Rio de Janeiro by Brazilians of African descent, sambahas been embraced across Brazilian society.
There are many different styles of samba music and dance in Brazil. In thisinstructional DVD Quenia Ribeiro teaches the sexy exciting samba from Rio.Quenia demonstrates the basic footwork of samba and then breaks down themovements into concise, understandable steps that anyone can follow.
The next section in the DVD focuses on 2 choreographed routines featuringthe style known as"Samba No Pe."
Rio's famous Carnaval is celebrated annually preceding Lent. The Escolas DeSamba (samba schools) are community-based organizations, that create themusic, dance, costumes and world-renowned floats of the Carnaval parade. Inaddition to the musicians (bateria), the parade is comprised of"alas"(wings). Many wings you will see when you visit the Carnaval of Riofollow choreographed dance routines just like the ones demonstrated on thisDVD.
Bonus!Quenia Ribeiro performs three samba dance performances with liveband!