Wanna lose kilos? Do the bhangra says an Indian-born fitness instructor who is making NYC work out to Jai Ho! Sarina Jain tells Shweta Shiware how she turns the average American into a movie star with peacock feathers and some gaana-shaana
Wanna lose kilos? Do the bhangra says an Indian-born fitness instructor who is making NYC work out to Jai Ho! Sarina Jain tells Shweta Shiware how she turns the average American into a movie star with peacock feathers and some gaana-shaana
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Indian Jane Fonda, Sarina Jain is the woman behind the Masala Bhagra Workout. pic/Rane Ashish |
Every decade has its heroes. Some arrive before time, and some, like Barack Obama, make it in time to catch the Hope Express. The "Yes, we can!" movement of positive change embraced the world in one tight hug, while Oscar-winner AR Rahman's Jai Ho urged us to bravely move forward into a recession-ridden world. The song from Oscar-winning Danny Boyle film Slumdog Millionaire encapsulates life, including its triumphs without ignoring its pitfalls.
The victory song that plays when the credits roll off the screen, was shot in Mumbai on a platform at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and echoed as far as Los Angeles where TV icons Oprah Winfrey, Jay Leno and Ellen DeGeneres threw their arms up in don't-worry-be-happy abandon. It's another story that the Congress party, in the hope that some Slumdog Millionaire stardust might dust off on its election campaign, bought the copyright and made it their election anthem. Meanwhile, in New York, Indian-American Sarina Jain decided to put the stimulating lyrics and addictive thump to a charitable cause. Losing weight!
Song inspires you to do whatever you want
This Indian Jane Fonda is the energetic force behind the 10 year-old Masala Bhangra Workout, an interesting weight loss regime that incorporates bhangra dance steps. "Music plays a huge part in my class, and Jai Ho is truly magical. It inspires you to do whatever you want, when you hear it. The song helped students find newfound appreciation for Indian culture. The lyrics are meaningful and the tune, addictive.u00a0 And of course Jai Ho meaning 'victory be yours' is a perfect anthem for the times we are living in," says the certified fitness instructor, in an email chat.
Students feel like stars
As a packed class of 45 students hops, leans to the right, bends to the left, turning, clapping to the moves choreographed by Longinus Fernandes for Slumdog Millionaire, the Masala Bhangra Workout class fuses a cardiovascular regime with traditional Punjabi folk dance steps. Sarina adds spice by using props like scarves and peacock feathers to make the average American feel like a movie star.
Sarina, who has designed exercise routines to Bollywood tracks Nach Baliye, Sona Sona, Mast Kalandar, and songs from Jab We Met, turned fitness instructor at 15 to support her school education. "Plus it helped me stay fit. That's where my heart is. I introduced bhangra steps not because I was riding a trend wave, but because it is a complete, high-energy workout. The drumming, doubled with sensuous, vigorous movements recreates the excitement like that of a celebration." That her students lose up to 500 calories per class, is a bonus, she signs off.
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