Suhana Khan’s belly dance instructor reveals what it’s like to teach her: “She’s very graceful”

“Belly dancing is really a full body workout,” says Sanjana Muthreja, a belly dance and Tahitian dance teacher who has worked with Shanaya Kapoor, Suhana Khan, Janhvi Kapoor and Ananya Panday on their skills. “It involves a lot of core work and engages your hips. This not only helps as a cardiovascular workout (you can lose up to 1000 calories in a Tahitian class due to the constant explosive movements), but it also strengthens the core muscles, which helps stabilize the spine, ”she says. . As face-to-face classes aren’t scheduled at this time, Muthreja spoke to her students via virtual video sessions. “You have to make the most of the time you have with any given restrictions,” she shared.

The benefits of belly dancing

“It’s a very graceful dance form. It requires you to be absolutely graceful with your movements, so in the process of learning belly dancing also bring that movement into your body language, ”shares Muthreja. Rolling and contracting muscles in the specific way required, especially the abdominal, oblique, and glute muscles, can also isolate and tone them better than regular abdominal exercises. “It improves posture and I have seen my students feel more confident about themselves. I have also noticed that it acts as an anti-stress, ”confirms Muthreja. Plus, anyone can do it. Since the dance form is low impact, it is suitable for all levels of flexibility and mobility. “My youngest student is five and the oldest is 68,” she shares.

Facilitation of online courses during confinement

Since belly dancing requires a lot of practice to fully understand the movements, frequent sessions to work on it are essential. “I take online classes for my students who have been studying abroad or living there for a few years now,” says Muthreja, who is no stranger to a course on camera. “Now with foreclosure not leaving us a lot of options but to teach online, he’s the next best substitute. “

Classes are structured much like regular training. “We start with warm-ups, then we practice the dance, then we end with cool-ups because that’s the key,” she says. “Also, I put a lot of emphasis on technique at the start and once the basics are established I move them to choreography. While the music is generally oriental given the style of the dance, I also mix it with songs from Bollywood. “

Work with Ananya Panday, Suhana Khan and Shanaya Kapoor

Ananya Panday is the newest addition to Muthreja’s student base. “I started with Ananya during this lockdown so we’ve only done online sessions so far. It’s actually a lot of fun. The playlist we choose to dance to is full of energy, just like her. She took things very quickly. When we started, she had some apprehensions, but once she understood, she started to enjoy it a lot more, ”she shares.

Suhana Khan and Shanaya Kapoor have been students for longer. “With Suhana, we’ve been working together for a long time now. She is inherently very graceful and has therefore progressed very well. Shanaya, Ananya, and Suhana are incredibly intelligent, which makes it much easier for me to teach them. “

Read also :

How Improving Your Flexibility Can Help You Get Fitter, Stronger, and Faster

6 fitness experts who took their classes on Instagram so you can work out at home

5 Videos That Will Help You Try Kareena Kapoor Khan & Amrita Arora Ladak Intense Workout At Home

Suhana Khan experiments with makeup while isolating herself at home in a camisole and hoodie