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.