Hemalayaa: Beautiful Belly

So I bought this DVD nearly 3 years ago, and at the time when I first tried it, I did not like this workout. Back then I thought it had something to do with the DVD, but now I realize that was all me. I was lazy, a newbie to working out, and I blamed my out-of-shapeness on the DVD. 3 years later and in average shape, I have to say I LOVE this workout, and I'm so glad that I found it lying around in my basement.First and foremost, this workout is fun. It's fast moving, but I never feel like it's TOO fast, and Hemalayaa keeps it easy to follow. There are different sequences with repeated moves that build upon one another to create larger sequences. As someone who loves to dance, I wasn't so focused on the cardio aspect of it--I just danced. As for the less dancey stuff (washing machine, hopping around, etc.), there are your typical leg and knee raises, which target the abs (which is the point). The segments move quickly, and I think that doing the warm up and the three segments isn't asking too much at all. It's challenging, but it's never too difficult, and unless you're a beginner at working out like I was 3 years ago, you shouldn't reach that point where you've had enough and you just turn the thing off.Basically, I felt compelled to write a review for this workout because I loved it so much and I was so wrong about it the first go-round. This is one I'm definitely putting into my weekly rotation.

Over the years I continue to go back to this workout to stay in shape. It's a fun exercise and I don't get bored while doing the video. I truly feel like I'm dancing and not working out. The production value sets this workout video apart from all of the others. I've recommended this video to my family and friends. Now I'm recommending that you go ahead and try it out yourself. :)

Fabulous , fun and I couldn't stop smiling- and that was just in the warm up!!Once I got out of my white girl rhythm and just enjoyed moving my body. I started to smile, laugh break a sweat and just be in the moment.I am not a dancer by any means, I grew up very tom boy did martial arts for 20 years, so to break out of my shell of be free, less structure more fun I ended up having a blast with this video. I am so going to order more from her. I enjoy her teaching style and she just smiles which I always infectious

I recently discovered Hemalayaa Behl's incredibly fun workouts "Bollywood Dance" and "Bollywood Burn" (check them out, they are a blast!) and I think I am going to love her "Beautiful Belly" workout just as much. Like the other two DVDs this one gets you sweating right away with lots of shimmies, hops, and other bhangra-inspired dance moves. In addition to the cardio, Hema also mixes in some more traditional abdominal work (pilates-type leg circles, yoga boat pose) and some non-traditional ab work as well.The workout starts off with a six minute cardio warm-up. Following the warm-up are three separate twelve minute segments. Each of these segments incorporates both dance and ab work. If pressed for time you could do the warm-up and one of the twelve minute segments, but honestly, this workout is so much fun, once you start you don't want it to end. My only criticism of the workout is that there is no "cool-down" segment, which would be nice here because the final segment ends with some vigorous belly dance moves, and definitely left me sweating.Like Hemalayaa's other two "dance" workouts, "Bollywood Dance" and "Bollywood Burn," this workout is driven by Hemalayaa's infectious spirit of fun and play. The set and costumes are great, the music keeps you moving, and Hema keeps you smiling and inspired.

I agree with the other reviewers that Hemalayaa is very inspiring and fun to watch and work out with. I feel she invites you to share in the fun with her, and believe me - these ARE workouts. You WILL be dripping!! I feel her secret is inviting you to have fun with her, and you are working out without feeling it. Definately a change from the 1-2-3-4-I'm bored weight lifting routines. Be advised though, there are some parts which may be challenging for you if you are not flexible, so maybe watch first so you don't get caught up and hurt yourself. I also have her other workout DVD's and they are just as much fun and work. Try something new!

I workout daily and hoped this would be a fun addition to my winter DVD collection; I was so wrong! Beautifully done, but the instructions are poor. The moves are not particularly challenging, but the cues come both early and late (if at all) so you are stuck steps behind and continually trying to catch up. I have numerous belly dance workouts and would place any of them before this one. I am just glad that I rented it and did not bother purchasing it.

No warm-up makes this video just a flop in our house. Warm-ups avoid injury and help somebody prepare to do the harder cardio. She just launches into the full-speed workout. Disappointing. I need the belly workout around here but the bootie exercise dvd is far better for prepping and keeping oneself distracted and happy.

I gave it to my girl friend because it has easy enough moves for her to start out with. We both watch it, and laugh when some of the more difficult stuff comes! We think it's a really great video!!! "A lot of energy and Heart", thanks Hemalayaa!! from both of us.

Very intense..... The three wprkouts split is right on target inb terns of length and toughness. It is a brand new way to work your abs and waist without doing the Crunches and setups. This is not for everybody as it is fast paced from the get-go. Use this one as a target in your fitness progression.RECOMMANDED

being a very plus sized person and new to working out just the warm up alone would have me collapsing so i am not ready for the workout just yet, i have to say i have some concerns about the bouncing aspects of some of them and i don't think i will ever be that flexible for other parts. i think this might be more suitable for people who are more fit and maybe even more adventerous then i am, i must say though that hemalayaa puts a lot of "life" into all her workouts and really seems to be enjoying herself which can be a good motivator for someone following along.if you might be wondering if it is suitable for you, try and see if you can get it through your local library before buying. i will stick with bollywood booty for now and work my way up to the dance workout. for me this is super advanced and will be sitting on the shelf awhile.

This workout is excellent. It's a nice mix of cardio and ab work. At first it was difficult to get through all three circuits, but after a few goes it gets easier. After this workout, I feel stronger and more powerful. I mix this workout with Bollywood Dance Workout (which is easier) and Bollywood Burn (which is more difficult) for variation. Although there are some small performance/sync errors in all three videos, the production value is still very high,the music is awesome, the exercises are excellent and I have not become bored with any of them. I would highly recommend this DVD.

I am really impressed with this one and it surprised me because I thought that it would not keep my attention when it actually did! The total workout is about 43mins and you do work up a bit of sweat. You can put as much effort you want into it because some cardio is involved. There were moves that I could not do well but worth the effort to keep trying.

This really makes you sweat, and while I have troubles getting motivated to do "normal workouts" and hate going to the gym, this gets my heart pumping and gets all your muscles moving.