Hey Dancers! For my first diary entry I’ll be sharing my experience taking a Bollywood class. Keep reading to learn how it went!

Basics

Class: Beginner Bollywood

Studio: The Dance Complex

Teacher: Swati Tiwari (@swatiboss)

Time: 1.5 hours

Category: Adults and Teens 16+

Cost (Single Class): $19.49

Background: Rooted in South Asian folk, classical, and contemporary dances, and tied to the Indian film industry, Bollywood is a contemporary global style that connects South Asian dancing to a larger audience (Tiwari, The Dance Complex).

OOTD

I attended class in sneakers, black leggings, a semi-fitted maroon top, and of course accessorized with a hair tie just in case (and boy did I need it!).

My outfit fit right in! Everyone attending the class wore some sort of stretchy pants that allowed them to move comfortably (leggings or sweatpants), and a top that was fitted or semi-fitted to avoid it getting in the way (anything from long sleeve to tank top is fine, so just keep in mind your comfort level and how easily you warm up). Everyone wearing shoes opted for sneakers of some sort, but some dancers preferred to move barefoot, so the choice is up to you!

Granted, I may have stood out wearing such a bright color, but colorful and patterned clothing is not off the table. Also, if you want more chest support, I recommend at least a medium impact sports bra. If you prefer to blend into the crowd, an all-black outfit is a good option.

Atmosphere & Energy

The class had a very welcoming atmosphere, suitable for returning and new dancers. Of the 25 dancers that attended, about a third of us shared that it was our first class. Several of the attendees confessed that they were brought to the class by friends, so this could be a fun group activity as well!

While most of the dancers were women, and mostly South Asian, several men attended as well, and dancers of all backgrounds were welcome. Every so often dancers were asked to switch rows, a change that made sure everyone had their chance to shine up front, near the mirrors and the teacher (if you’re shy, like me, you may want to start in the back row, so that you can ease your way up while watching others, and gain confidence as you move forward).  

I really appreciated that dancers were focused on their own movement and success, but at the same time they were very willing to help and support each other; when a dancer next to me was struggling with a move I was happy to meet his ask to walk him through it again, and when at the end I asked one of the dancers if they could film me performing they agreed with a smile.

Our teacher, Swati, matched her teaching pace to our learning pace, and checked in frequently with the class to ask whether we should repeat a step or move on to the next. Questions were welcome, and Swati was happy to pause and demonstrate whatever a dancer asked before continuing.

The energy in the room started and ended calm and reflective, but during the class it rose and became loud and vibrant. Swati started the class with a check-in, where we stood in a circle and shared our names and something we were thankful for (I shared that it was my first class at The Dance Complex and I was grateful to be there). She ended the class with a cool down for stretching and provided parting words that reflected on the song we had danced to. She explained that the song said to leave the past behind and live in the present, and thanked us for being present with her during the class.

Between the check-in and the cool down, the energy was high! After doing some jumping jacks to warm up, we began learning choreography for a dance (about 40 seconds long). Learning was accompanied by questions, laughter, some freestyling and feeling the rhythm before we were cued to start, and even a part where we all sang along as we danced (“Ooh, aah, take the world and paint it red”).

When we finished learning the dance and rehearsing it several times, Swati divided us up into three groups, and each got to perform on their own and utilize more studio space. This gave the dancers an opportunity to ask classmates to film them dancing, and encouraged those waiting their turn to clap and cheer for those dancing!

Dance Difficulty

The dance did not require any significant level of strength or flexibility, but it did require stamina, coordination, and fast-paced, energetic movement. Be prepared to break a sweat, but don’t expect to collapse afterwards, or to be sore the next day.

There was no need for previous knowledge of the style, but I do think that some background in dance makes the class somewhat less challenging.

Swati made sure to divide the dance into digestible sections, to teach arms and legs separately so we could learn one and then join it with the other, and to practice the steps we learned multiple times before adding on the music. She was also glad to reteach a steps per request, and to go over steps from various points in the routine.

If you are new to the dance world in general or have less experience with fast-paced styles and feel uncomfortable asking questions, you may find this class difficult.

If you have some dance experience, especially with a fast-paced style, like hip-hop for example, you may resonate with Bollywood dancing. From my own background, I recognized moves that resembled a half-turn in salsa dancing, and the drunken sailor step in swing dancing, so that made those steps easier for me to grasp.

Top Tip

Bring water! Twice during the class we took drinking breaks, but dancers also placed water bottles in strategic locations so they could reach for them in between dance runs. If you forget to bring a water bottle, try to locate a water fountain at your dance studio (The Dance Complex has several), but for the best experience make sure to stay hydrated.

Awkward

We were about 25 dancers, which filled the studio and made for an occasional bump into each other. In a crowded studio, I suggest being careful not to get injured/injure anyone, and to be aware of your personal space.

Did I occasionally accidentally start dancing before the music cued us in? Yes, yes I did. And it was a bit embarrassing, but no one seemed to care, and it all turned out okay 🙂

Awesome

It was fun to try a new style, cheer for each other, and enjoy a looser style of movement than I am used to!

I was even able to find the song we danced to online – Ik Junoon (Paint It Red) – so I’m enjoying the fact that I can listen to it whenever I want, and even practice the dance on my own if I’d like.

Final Thoughts

I would absolutely try Bollywood dancing again! If you have experience with another fast-paced dance style or are looking for a high-energy dance that will challenge you, then I suggest you give Bollywood a go!

Have you tried Bollywood dancing before? Do you want to suggest a dance for me to try next? Let me know in the comments!

Want to see more images and videos of my dance journey? Follow me on TikTok and Instagram @dancediaries0

Come back every Monday at noon (EST) to find out which dance I try next! See you then dancers 🙂