Product Review

In the first half of this 2 hour DVD, Vashti goes over Gypsy stylization and technique. This section includes: Arms and Posture, Skirt Work, The Zambra Step, Vuelta de Pasos, and The Rumba Step.

In the second half of the DVD, Vashti teaches a dynamic Gypsy choreography with skirt. Each section is slowly and thoroughly broken down. There are several optional level increases that will challenge the advanced dancer, but can be left out to make the choreography easier.

Vashti is the Artistic Director for Bellydance Odyssey Productions and Dance Odyssey Studio in Soquel, California and the winner of the 2005 Gypsy Stylist award.

A few words from Vashti:

"Welcome to Vashti's Gypsy Passion. My name is Vashti and I am the Artistic Director for Bellydance Odyssey Productions and Dance Odyssey Studio in Soquel, California.

My goal is to teach you a gypsy fusion dance routine using a full skirt. This DVD is organized in a way that allows you to use it as a beginner and as an advanced student because I have included optional level increases.

A word about stylization. I have used the word "gypsy" to describe a stylization - not a people. This choreography is a fusion of Middle Eastern dance movement and "gitana" or flamenco stylization. I have also included some dance movement from my own cultural heritage - so you will find that some movement resembles the folkloric dances of Mexico and Colombia.

Finally, this DVD includes some chapters which break down specific dance steps we will use in our dance but it does not provide a complete technique breakdown. As a point of reference you should know that I utilize some
vocabulary and movement from my training in the Suhaila Salimpour format."