Essential techniques taught in beginner Bollywood dance classes

Bollywood dance is a popular and vibrant form of dance that originated in the Indian film industry. It combines elements of various classical and folk dances of India, as well as influences from Western styles such as hip-hop, jazz, and salsa. Bollywood dance is known for its expressive movements, colorful costumes, and catchy music.

If you are interested in learning Bollywood dance, you might wonder, what would be the essential techniques that you will learn in a beginner class. Here are some of the common skills and steps that you can expect to master in a beginner Bollywood dance class:

Basic footwork

One of the most important aspects of Bollywood dance is the footwork. You will learn how to move your feet in different patterns and rhythms, such as tapping, sliding, stepping, and hopping. You will also learn how to coordinate your footwork with your upper body movements and the music. Some of the basic footwork patterns that you will learn are:

1. Chakkar: This is a spinning movement that involves turning on one foot while the other foot is lifted in the air. You can do chakkar in different directions and speeds, depending on the mood and tempo of the song.

2. Thumka: This is a hip-shaking movement that involves shifting your weight from one leg to the other while bending your knees slightly. You can do thumka with different variations, such as adding a twist, a bounce, or a clap.

3. Dhamaal: This is a jumping movement that involves lifting both feet off the ground and landing on the same spot. You can do dhamaal with different heights and angles, such as jumping forward, backward, or sideways.

 Basic hand gestures

Another important aspect of Bollywood dance is the hand gestures. You will learn how to use your hands to convey different emotions, meanings, and stories. You will also learn how to synchronize your hand gestures with your facial expressions and eye movements. Some of the basic hand gestures that you will learn are:

1. Mudras: These are symbolic hand gestures that are derived from classical Indian dances, such as Bharatanatyam and Kathak. They are used to represent different concepts, such as gods, animals, flowers, and emotions. For example, the Abhaya mudra is a gesture that shows the palm facing outward, which signifies fearlessness and protection.

2. Claps: These are simple hand gestures that are used to create rhythm and energy. They are often done in sync with the music and the footwork. For example, you can clap your hands together, or clap your hands on your hips, shoulders, or head.

3. Waves: These are fluid hand gestures that are used to create grace and elegance. They are often done with the fingers, wrists, and arms. For example, you can wave your fingers in a circular motion, or wave your arms from side to side.

 Basic expressions

The final aspect of Bollywood dance that you will learn in a beginner class is the expressions. You will learn how to use your face and body to communicate different emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger, and love. You will also learn how to match your expressions with the mood and theme of the song. Some of the basic expressions that you will learn are:

1. Smile: This is a simple expression that shows joy and positivity. You can smile with your mouth, your eyes, or your whole face. You can also vary the intensity and duration of your smile, depending on the situation.

2. Frown: This is a simple expression that shows displeasure and negativity. You can frown with your mouth, your eyebrows, or your whole face. You can also vary the intensity and duration of your frown, depending on the situation.

3. Wink: This is a playful expression that shows flirtation and mischief. You can wink with one eye, or both eyes. You can also add a smile, a pout, or a tongue-out to enhance your wink.

These are some of the essential techniques that you will learn in a beginner Bollywood dance class. Of course, there are many more skills and steps that you can learn as you progress to intermediate and advanced levels. The best way to learn Bollywood dance is to join a class near you and have fun!

Find a Bollywood dance class near you with Sulekha Dance Services

If you are looking for a Bollywood dance class near you, you can use Sulekha Dance Services to find the best dancers and dance studios in your area. Sulekha Dance Services is a category of the online portal Sulekha that connects the users in the USA and Canada who are looking to learn dance with dancers and dance studios in and around their cities. You can browse through the profiles of the dance teachers and dance studios, read their reviews and ratings, and contact them directly to book a class. You can also compare the prices, timings, and locations of the different dance classes and choose the one that suits your needs and preferences.

 Sulekha is not only for the users who want to learn dance, but also for the dance teachers and dance studios who want to expand their reach and grow their business. If you are a dancer or a dance studio owner, you can register with Sulekha and create your own profile. You can showcase your skills, experience, and portfolio, and attract more customers. You can also get feedback and ratings from your customers and improve your reputation and visibility.

 So, what are you waiting for? Whether you want to learn Bollywood dance or teach Bollywood dance, Sulekha Dance Services is the perfect platform for you. Visit the Sulekha website or app today and start your Bollywood dance journey!