Bollywood fitness redefined!

Posted by Shilpa Wednesday, March 31, 2010 0 comments

I always thought to myself – “How are DI’s fitness classes different from the many others I have tried before”. Finally I got the answer – it’s simple! DI’s fitness classes are so well entwined in the rhythm that you think you are “shaking a leg”, which you are, but in reality you are also getting an awesome whole body workout! Pump up that heart rate and work those muscles all while enjoying the beat! Learn the difference between Jazz and Hip Hop while you are at it! :)
These are no cookie cutter classes. The instructors are creative and know how to you keep you grooving and sweating at the same time. Oh, and did I mention they have amazing amount of energy!
Have a good workout!


Bollywood Cardio

Posted by Shaira 1 comments

Exercise does not have to be boring. It can be fun, exciting and something you want to do and not have to do. Join us as we dance our way to fitness to some of the latest and greatest Bollywood Hits. Learn from the company that's offering classes at Google, Intel, SAP, YMCA, JCC and more.

No previous experience required, no need t0 memorize choreography you can join anytime...so start NOW!



An ENCORE for DI !

Posted by Shaira Tuesday, March 23, 2010 0 comments


 After a great performance at the Fundraiser for Candidate for California attorney general Kamala D. Harris, Dance Identity was invited to perform once again in San Francisco this time, to celebrate the Women's history month with Kamala.  DI Senior and Junior companies will be performing on March 28th, upcoming Sunday.  Come watch DI participate once again in celebrating the candidacy of Kamala D. Harris to become the first woman Attorney General while honoring Women's History Month. For details look at the image above.

Go Dance Identity!!

Bottom Line: Strength and Stamina are a result of hard work.

Posted by sprakash Thursday, March 18, 2010 0 comments

You know that feeling you get when you are about to begin a fitness class with DI, the feeling of "oh man this class is gonna kill me" well you bet! You sound terrified but you are back for the next lesson, why? Because you know, that you are better than the last lesson in terms of stamina and strength. We work our way through bollywood masala songs, bhangra, salsa, rock n' roll, any music you name that can make you jump, twist and run and you will hear the genre in class and you will watch the sweat drip down and feel you are running out of breath.


Sounds demanding? Well if you are truly seeking to change may it be, your posture, fitness level, stamina, any of those things, you have got to be ready to work and you have got to work with people you know can last through the workout themselves before they lure you with the likes of how much "fun" you will have in class. We have fun but we feel the workout every song and every move and that's how we like it.

Most importantly, I can trust my instructor who tells me when to slow down and when to keep going because I know and I've seen them carry out the whole routine with me. They last class after class and that right there proves to me their credibility.

So the next time you see a poster selling you the fun behind fitness classes make sure

1).
You are getting your work out and have phrases like "oh man they killed us but I feel good, see you next class" and not just "wow, that was fun" because that's what you'd say when you get out after sitting in a theatre watching a blockbuster.

2).
Your instructor has been known to last through the routine they are having you sweat through.

For DI, both 1). & 2). are true every class! See you at our fitness workout where we work you and you have fun :)

More about our credibility :
Our leader Shaira bhan has her own dance fitness show running on NDTV Goodtimes everday Mon-Fri.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njP4fWIfEkk&feature=PlayList&p=0EACF2ABECE10373&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=18

DI's Dance fitness classes are in such demand that now classes are offered at Google, Intel, SAP, JCC, Club One, Decathlon, YMCA and more..

Don't wait any longer get fit while dancing and having fun. You can start anytime no need to wait for sessions to start or end. $12 drop in or $80 for 8 classes http://shairabhan.com/classes.aspx

Tuesday Night Jazz Classes! Absolutely Love It!

Posted by Nima Tuesday, March 16, 2010 0 comments

Ok - One word ---- A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!!
Sometimes I've got to...run away...I've got to...get away...
Tainted Love!
Love the song and love the choreo we are learning in class right now. Only Shaira can train us to the point where we like contestants from SYTYCD!! We really looked amazing today with our clean, long lines...great job, class! And Shaira, thanks for being an amazing teacher! Thank you thank you thank you...

For all you people who are reading this blog and are not in the class, you should just stop by one day and watch us do our choreo, then you'll know what I'm talking about :)









Dance Identity Performance for Kamala D. Harris

Posted by Shaira Thursday, March 11, 2010 0 comments






Bollywood Dance Performance by Dance Identity Honoring San Francisco District Attorney & Candidate for California Attorney General 2010 Kamala D. Harris Saturday March 13th 2010 at Menlo Park. http://kamalaharris.org/donate/event/596

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANCE IDENTITY

Posted by Shaira Wednesday, March 10, 2010 1 comments

Exactly a year ago on March 10th 2009 is when Dance Identity had it's first class ever. Tuesday 8-9pm 20 students dancing and singing "Bachna Ae Haseeno". From that day DI has come a long way not only in terms of number of students, classes or locations but as a company we are creating "Artists".

The founding vision and principal for DI was to inspire individuals to follow their dream be it dance or anything else. DI uses dance as a medium to achieve that dream. Dancers are taught that dance is not only about steps but rather a means of communication and a way to connect to oneself.
I feel so happy today as I see that vision in the eyes of all my dancers. We have had our set backs and ups and downs just like any other company but in 12 years of my career the one thing I have learnt is that you cannot control what other people say or do. The only thing that is in your control is your attitude and how you react. So DI along with me will always stay focused on our goal and our vision of spreading the message of dance and we hope that you will continue to support us and join us in this journey.
Happy Birthday to US!
Love,
Shaira

Posted by Shaira Tuesday, March 9, 2010 0 comments





After 2 years of gearing up for motherhood and then experiencing it for the first time, I needed to get back to dance. It was more for my daughter than myself - I was her role model..even if she didn't know it then :). My criteria for a class was something that would be close to my home and something that would not be boring. Well, I was in for a real surprise after I joined Shaira's class..! One class that is not boring? Yeah right. 

From 1 class a week, I went to 2. From 2 classes a week, I went to dancing almost every day, and performing at the PAN IIT Diwali Dhamaka 2009 show! I had never imagined I would do that..That is the magic of Shaira. She inspires and supports. Most importantly, she believes in her students and team. She always told me - if you want to do this, we'll make it happen. Having a full time job and a 1.5 year old did not leave me much time, but it happened. I was there, I felt beautiful, I danced, and my daughter loved the show! After the show, my daughter actually started moving her legs as opposed to just hands, when we "danced" at home.. The most amazing part was that she could actually recognize me in all the performances from a distance :)

What I love about DI is that there is something for everyone. If you just want to unwind, you can do that, though I doubt that after one class, you will not want to do more! If you want grow in different areas, you can do that too! There is so much to learn and so much scope to grow. Bollywood, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop... every class is different. Bodies and souls start moving to the music in a beautiful way given the time..

DI is a family first and then a company, and for many, it's love at first sight :)

The Big B Experience

Posted by Shaira Thursday, March 4, 2010 0 comments

Right before moving to the Bay Area I got a call from Ashley Lobo asking me to come and assist him with this new film. My immediate reaction was NO as I had so much to do. All the paperwork, Visa, packing I wasn't leaving for a Holiday I was leaving to take one of the biggest decisions of my life of getting married :) Then he said these two words, "Amitabh Bachchan"....All of a sudden I stopped doing what I was doing and asked the question. "Will I be choreographing the Big B?" The answer, "YES" and within hours I was packing my bags not for the US but to Mumbai!!

Hours later I reach Mumbai and go straight to rehearsal. I was handed over the CD and told to listen to it. I hear the song it says "Life is a game" and I think to myself how appropriate! Soon the Director Leena Yadav walks in with the director of photography, Aseem Bajaj. I had worked with Aseem before on U, me aur Hum so I was happy to see a familiar face. Leena started to explain the screenplay of the song and I was super excited as it was so different and unique. Ashley and I left to go work on the song and choreography.
The next day we met the 4 new comers in the film. Dhruv, Vaibhav, Siddharth and Shraddha. We started working on the song with them. We had dancers from Russia for this song. A chair routine, puppet sequence and hours of rehearsal and we were half way through the song.



What followed were dance and theatre workshops to get them to really understand and connect with their characters in the film. Roysten Able was doing the theatre workshops while Ashley and I worked on the dance. Roy was the lighting director for the first ever musical/dance theatre production I did in New Delhi called "That's Dancing". So working with familiar people always adds the element of fun to the set.
Finally we get to the set. It looks grand and very unlike a regular Bollywood film set. This is where the excitement begins....For now this is all I have time for I'll be back soon to update you on the rest of the experience. Until then here's a glimpse of the song.