Who am I?
A fitness enthusiast.
A Naachfit instructor.
At the beginning of every dancer’s story, you learn about their glorious achievements and awards. I am going to tell you the opposite. I have over 10 years of hardcore Bollywood dance fitness experience, but there was a beginning to my fitness journey.
It all started in 2006 when I went through some health problems. Doctors suggested cardio and exercise for 1 hour every day, so I started looking for a workout that brings energy but is more fun than a treadmill. That's when I found a Bollywood dance fitness academy. Within a few days of starting, I got hooked to dance fitness that was paired with upbeat Bollywood songs.
When it comes to dancing, nothing beats the energy and excitement of a live class. I felt it was more motivating to be working out next to others like me – people who have the same goal in mind. From 2006-2016 I enjoyed every single day dancing and making friends. During the 10 years of my journey, I got to know my personality, my preferred exercise format, and my schedule and budget very well.
What happened after 2016?
I entered into an entirely different world, leaving behind my friends and dear ones. We moved from India to the USA. I started missing my usual routine of dancing and fitness. Then, I began to look for local dance fitness classes. I tried many different classes like Zumba, BollyZumba, and more, but nothing beat the Bollywood dance style. I realized how much I missed the spice of the Bollywood style. I didn’t find the spark that is in our Desi dance, but I knew I had to find it.
I didn’t know where to start, being new to this country. My first step, like most, was to do a Google search to find somebody that could train me to teach. That is when I found Bend it Like Bollywood. I picked up the phone right away and called BILB. Pavani was on the other end of the line. I introduced myself and told her about my passion for dance fitness and what I was looking for. She asked me to come and meet her, and that minute changed my life again.
When I landed in the US, my first job was an online customer service agent. Shortly after, my EAD expired and my boss asked me to get it renewed and rejoin work after 3 months. During the same time, I met Pavani. She was kind enough to train me, even through her pregnancy, for three months of training on how to teach, dance format, style, choreography, building stamina, and so much more.
Once I was ready, I attended Sharanya’s classes to get the hang of teaching. She trained me by allowing me to take 1 to 2 songs in each of her classes. My journey with BILB started from there. At that point, the three months of renewal time was over. I did get my EAD renewed, but I never went back to work as a customer service agent. I knew what I would be.
Philosophy:
I use this opportunity to share my passion for dance fitness with others like me and inspire others to discover the joy of dancing.