Thursday, August 11, 2011

Yoga Classes for Different Age Groups Provided at YICG

yoga classes NYC
YICG (Young Indian Culture Group, Inc.), an academy for NYC based Indians, currently offers yoga classes for kids and adults from Long Island and Queens. Students who want to attend the classes can register and join for the group training at the Herricks Middle School in New York, conducted on Saturdays.

According to one of the yoga teachers at YICG, “We hope that by exposing our students to yoga and its healing properties, this younger generation of Indians in NYC would be able to connect with their ancient Indian culture. In fact, this very connection is what we strive to develop in our students by providing such educative sessions.”

Personalized and Beneficial Yoga Classes

The training sessions would incorporate training in breathing, asanas, and relaxation. The students would be guided from simple to complex postures depending on the pace of their progress. The team of instructors at YICG hopes that apart from the fun of being in a group environment, the students would benefit in any or all of the following ways:
  • Improved focus of mind
  • Improved body flexibility
  • Stress relief
  • More energy and enthusiasm towards life
  • Development of self-esteem
  • Improved strength and stamina
  • Fat reduction
The training sessions are handled by Deepika Modi, Sunil Modi, and Vasundhara Sureka.

About Young Indian Culture Group, Inc.


The YICG academy works on a not-for-profit basis. Interested students can learn any of a variety of subjects for which training is provided at YICG including Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Odissi, tabla, Bhagavad Gita, Hindi language, Bollywood dance, shlokas, and Vedic heritage. The academy by way of its classes and cultural activities, attempts to instill in the Indian youth, feelings of identity and pride in their heritage.

For details regarding the schedule for yoga classes or other training sessions, and for more information about the academy, visit http://www.yicg.com

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

YICG Invites Registration for its Fun and Energetic Bollywood Dance Classes

Bollywood Dance Classes NYC
Young Indian Culture Group, Inc. (YICG), a New York based non-profit academy is calling people to join its Bollywood dance classes. Students from Long Island and Queens in New York City and aged 4 years and above can attend the sessions. The dance teacher is an experienced professional from Bollywood Performing Arts in Hicksville.

Bollywood Dance Classes to Give You a Good Start

According to a YICG representative, “If Indian classical is not your cup of tea, you can join for these thoroughly engaging sessions and show your friends that you too know how to shake a leg. The course we provide consists of 25 sessions. At the end of it, students will get the start they need to further their passion.”

The various sessions would incorporate:

•    Theory
•    Education in making the right facial expressions, hand gestures, and body movements
•    Relaxation
•    Proper rhythm and timing
•    Achieving correct posture
•    Improving flexibility

The Bollywood dance classes are organized on Saturdays and the venue is the Herricks Middle School in Albertson, NY.  Catchy music numbers are used to get the students in the right mood. Students would gain experience in performing both alone and as a group and would see an increase in their confidence. Students looking for a basic, intermediate, or advanced level of study can benefit from the classes.

About Young Indian Culture Group, Inc.

YICG has over 25 qualified staff to provide education in areas such as Indian language, Vedic heritage, yoga, music, and Indian dance. The classes are directed at Indians based in New York to help them gain knowledge of their Indian roots. Instruction is also provided in Indian cooking and mehendi. In addition to educational sessions, the academy takes a keen interest in outreach community projects. You can get more information from the YICG website - http://www.yicg.com

Friday, June 10, 2011

Professional Dance Classes in Indian Classical and Bollywood Styles at YICG

YICG (Young Indian Culture Group, Inc.), a not-for-profit academy for Asian Indians in New York, is providing dance classes for children and adults in Indian Classical and Bollywood styles. The various sessions are handled by experienced and professional dance teachers who can provide basic, intermediate, and advanced levels of training. The sessions are targeted at communities in Long Island and Queens, NYC.  

bollywood dance classes nyc
Students enrolling for these dance classes are educated in areas such as theory, developing accuracy and gracefulness in body movements, ensuring that the movements are in time with the music beats, performance appraisals, and appropriate facial expressions. Currently, YICG provides training in Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Odissi, and Bollywood Dancing and these classes are handled by Malini Sreenivasan, Pandit Satya Narayana Charka, Mala Desai, and a teacher from Bollywood Performing Arts in Hicksville respectively.
  • Bharata Natyam – “Bharata Natyam” incorporates bhaava, thaala, and raaga, the basis of this style being steps and hand gestures. A performance would begin with prayers to Lord Ganapathi and adoration of the Nataraja Moorthi. Aspects of the style include “abhinaya” or telling a story with dramatics, “nritta” which stands for dance movements, and a blend of nritta and abhinaya.
  • Kathak – traced back to ancient Northern India’s nomadic bards also known as Kathaks (storytellers), this style involves speedy rhythmic footwork, and various pirouettes that culminate in statuesque poses. Facial expressions and hand gestures are important aspects of Kathak.
  • Odissi – a classical dance form of Orissa, the characteristic features of Odissi are upper torso fluidity, graceful wristwork and gestures, and firm footwork. The central aspect of this style is the everlasting union of Krishna and Radha.
  • Bollywood Dance – It is the popular style seen in Indian films and blends various styles including Kathak, Western popular, jazz, belly dancing, Indian folk, Western erotic dancing, and modern.
According to one of the dance teachers at YICG, “These worthwhile sessions are just what you need if you wish to advance in your knowledge of dance, want to take it up as a serious profession, or just want to have fun.” Information about the schedule for the dance classes for various styles, and the instructors is available at http://www.yicg.com.

About YICG

YICG was established in 1993 to educate New York based Asian Indians on the religious and cultural heritage of India. To achieve this objective, the institution arranges classes, festival events, workshops, outreach forums, specialty books, and performances.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Bollywood Dance Classes - Get Fit And Have Fun

Bollywood dance classes offer an exhilarating and exciting way to get fit and have fun. Bollywood dancing is highly expressive and blends classical Indian dance steps with belly dancing, Indian folk, jazz, hip hop, Western popular and Western erotic. It is based on the popular Indian film genre of which it forms an important part. Apart from its glamour and versatility, it provides a fast-moving and energetic workout. It has an international appeal and so its popularity in the US among college goers and others shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Styles that You May Learn

Some of the important styles of dancing taught in your Bollywood dance classes are:

Bollywood dance classes
  • Kathak – This North Indian dance form incorporates quick spins and rapid footwork. Live musicians are a frequent accompaniment and the performance may follow a story or narrative. The typical kathak performance usually follows a pace progression from slow to swift.
  • Classical – The basis for the classical steps are pounding beats and folk rhythms. It adheres to the traditional, with sliding and sensual movements.
  • Bhangra and Modern – Conventional Bhangra folk rhythm is blended with elements of hip hop, jazz, and Latin. Bhangra originated in Punjab and is similar to Latin and funk in its heavy rhythms and powerful beats.
How it Helps Make You Physically and Mentally Healthier

Now, a look at the benefits of attending Bollywood dance classes with respect to how you can become more physically and mentally fit:
  • Provides aerobic exercise – The high energy levels give you a wonderful aerobic workout that would enhance oxygen supply to the important muscles. The improved oxygen supply would eventually enhance muscular resistance.
  • Frees your mind of stress – The fun you get from performing the various steps as a group would refresh your mind and help you forget your tensions.
  • Improves bone density.
  • Improves rhythm, co-ordination, and balance.
  • Tones the body – Your body would have to make rapid movements to go with the expressive and rhythmic music beats. The result is that you can burn more calories and tone the calf muscles and other important muscle groups.
  • Improves self-esteem and concentration and you develop a more positive view about life.
Your dance teacher will guide you in the various body movements, hand gestures, and facial expressions and ensure that you are moving in sync with the music. You can search online directories or ask around to get an instructor suitable for your requirements.

If you have the time and interest, you definitely shouldn’t miss any opportunity you can to join Bollywood dance classes to get fit and have fun. Bring along a friend or family member to enjoy even more. The instruction you get would also be useful if you plan to take an exam or participate in a competition, or go professional as an entertainment professional or dance teacher.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Bollywood Dance Classes for Children and Adults Provided at YICG

bollywood dance classes queens
Young Indian Culture Group, Inc. (YICG), a not-for-profit New York based academy is providing Bollywood dance classes to children and adults. The classes would enable students of both Indian and non-Indian backgrounds to comprehend India’s admirable dance heritage. The Indian dance training is intended to benefit students from the Long Island and Queens communities in NYC. The venue of the classes is the Herricks Middle School, 7 Hilldale Drive, Albertson, NY 11507.

Training for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Students

Bollywood dance classes are available for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners. The dance teacher is from Bollywood Performing Arts in Hicksville and provides the training in one-hour sessions. The classes incorporate the following:
  • Theory
  • Warm-up routines
  • Stretching exercises
  • Instruction in        
    • Accurate and graceful body movements
    • Correct timing
    • Accurate facial expressions and hand gestures
With the training they get from the classes, students would be able to deliver professional dance performances, entertain their friends or family, take exams, or participate in competitions.

More About Bollywood Dance

This is the kind of dance seen in Bollywood films. It blends different styles such as belly dancing, Indian folk, “modern,” Western erotic dancing, kathak, jazz, and Western popular. It is popular globally and provides for a lively, fun workout. In the context of the film, the song and dance items are included to suit the particular situation in the film whether romance, sadness, or happiness.

About YICG

YICG is a not-for-profit academy established in 1993 to make Asian Indians in New York aware of their Indian cultural and spiritual roots. The academy conducts classes, performances, festival events, outreach forums, and workshops to meet its objectives. Rathi Raja is the founder of YICG. YICG carries out its activities with the help of contributions from donors.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Dance Classes in Popular Indian Classical Dances Offered at YICG

Young Indian Culture Group, Inc. (YICG), a non-profit academy based in New York is offering classes in popular Indian classical dances for adults and children. The dance classes are in keeping with YICG’s goal to help Asian Indians in New York understand and appreciate their rich Indian heritage. The training is directed at students from the Long Island and Queens communities in NYC and is held at the Herricks Middle School, 7 Hilldale Drive, Albertson, NY 11507.

Training in Classical Indian Dance

YICG is currently offering training in three classical Indian dances namely Bharata Natyam, Kathak, and Odissi. Bharata Natyam, a classical South Indian dance form is considered to have originated in Thanjavoor, Tamil Nadu. The term comes from the three fundamental theories of Bhava, Raga, and Thaala. The basis of the dance form is steps (adavu) and hand gestures (hasthamudra).

indian dance classes new york
Kathak is of North Indian origin and can be traced to the ancient nomadic bards of this area who were called storytellers or Kathaks. The term “kathak” comes from Sanskrit “katha” which translates as “story.” The Sanskrit word “katthaka” means “he/she who tells a story,” or “concerned with stories.” The usual kathak performance follows the structure of a progression from a slow to a fast tempo, and culmination in a dramatic climax.

Odissi is the dance from of Orissa. It incorporates repeated use of the thrice deflected posture or tribhangi which is bending of the body in three places. This along with the typical side to side shifting of the torso makes Odissi a difficult yet enjoyable dance form.

Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Levels to Suit Different Needs

Students looking for basic, intermediate, or advanced training can benefit from the classes. Highly experienced professionals impart training to the students. Some of the elements that are covered in the dance classes are:
  • Theory
  • Stretching and warm-up routines
  • Achieving gracefulness and precision in body movements
  • Precision in facial expressions and hand gestures
  • Moving in sync with music beats
  • Performance appraisals
According to a YICG representative, “Our classes give the students the necessary confidence to dance alone or in a group and do their best at dance competitions, stage shows, and maybe even choreography.”

More information about the dance classes in New York conducted at YICG can be got by dialing 1-516-739-1575 or sending an email to yicgroup99@gmail.com.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Yoga Classes in New York City

Yoga is a Sanskrit term that means “union,” and this ancient practice utilizes breathing techniques as well as various physical postures that are aimed at enhancing the strength of the body and providing mental calm and relaxation. This holistic practice has spread worldwide and is now commonly provided in schools, institutes, and health clubs run by various independent centers and organizations. There are various Yoga classes in New York City where one can be trained to experience a remarkable transformation in body, mind and spirit.

What You Learn in these Classes

When you enroll for these classes, you get to learn the various postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation (dhyana). These categories are combined in different yogasanas to enhance physiological, psychological and biochemical effects to keep the body healthy and the mind happy.

Benefit from a Healthy Body and Divine Wellness

Yoga classes are beneficial for the mind and the body. Its practice in today’s hectic life schedule is essential as most people don’t get time to perform regular exercises. It focuses on the physical well-being of a person by promoting greater mobility, balance, longevity and internal happiness through a healthy body. It can be practiced by almost all age groups to relieve stress, fatigue and bodily disorders. Apart from that, some of the other benefits are:

yoga classes new york city
• Pain Relief
• Proper Breathing
• Increased Flexibility
• Increased Strength
• Weight Management
• Improved Blood Circulation
• Cardiovascular Conditioning
• Focus on the Present
• Inner Peace

If you plan to include this in your regular regime, you must seek out a center with a proficient Yoga teacher. Your teacher should be able to give you a clear-cut understanding of what to expect and what you can hope to achieve by the end of the session.

Classes for Children

It might be difficult to get children to agree to attend these classes. Therefore, the classes are made special, with innovative ways of teaching children. Games and storytelling are included to add more interest and hold the attention of children.

Tips on Finding a Good Center in NYC

There are many centers that offer Yoga classes in New York that it is difficult to choose a reliable one. Nevertheless, you should try and find a not-for-profit academy that helps to spread knowledge of Indian culture and heritage in the US. The following tips may prove useful in finding a good center in NYC:

• Ask your friends and neighbors
• Talk to someone who knows and practices Yoga
• Search the internet for Indian cultural groups in NY promoting yoga classes
• Attend spiritual events conducted by different organizations.