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Hip hop, tap and twist to good health

Photo: T. Saravanan

Sweat it out On the dance floor to stay fit

There is no denying the fact dance is a potential therapy for weight reduction. And so I fix an appointment with choreographer S.M. Dhandapani of Leons Dance Academy and seek his advice on how to shed the flab around my waist.

Dhans, as he is popularly called by all his students, plundered me with questions without losing time. He wanted to assess whether I was really interested in dancing or was there just to improve fitness. I made myself clear that I am a dance lover.

And instantly I was initiated into a basic warm up session. The hall was reverberating with the Vengaboys’ party track “Boom, boom, boom, boom…” and I got lost in the music tapping my feet my own way. I didn’t realise my mistake of not moving according to the instructions imparted.

“Come on and do as I say. You are like any other student,” Dhans got mildly angry, something which I never expected from a 26-year-old.

I felt a bit humiliated and gingerly moved on to the next routine. Soon I became comfortable once I got into the rhythm.

The warm ups modelled on aerobic style involved rotation of wrists, hands and ankles. Stretching of hips, legs and back muscles followed. I was also asked to kick front and back like a desi filmi hero whacking rowdies at will, which I did to perfection. The 20-minute drill left me gasping but it was more than a satisfying experience.

Dhans mood changes seeing my performance and he appreciates my music sense too.

“Exercising is definitely advantageous but after five to 10 minutes you might feel bored. Here is where music plays a vital role. For, it can break the monotony in you and also enthuse you to go on. More than that, once you get on with the initial hiccups, dance can do wonders. Hard work on the dance floor for three months can increase your fitness and keep you healthy,” he encourages me.

For all newcomers he starts with freestyle dance then depending on their interests teaches them jazz, hip hop, salsa, contemporary western, classical and folk dance. There are exclusive sessions for children and adults.

For children he takes classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. and for the adults on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

For further details dial 9994165226 for Mr. Dhandapani, Amman Towers I Floor, near E.M.G. Yadava College for Women, Tiruppalai, Madurai-14.

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