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Kriti Cadambi, center, practices a dance move for an upcoming performance. Reetu Patel teaches Bollywood-style dance at M.A.D. Bollywood Dance and Fitness studio in Tustin.
Prya Sharma works on her moves for an upcoming performance at M.A.D. Bollywood Dance and Fitness studio in Tustin.
The class practices an opening move for an upcoming performance at M.A.D. Bollywood Dance and Fitness studio in Tustin.
Class members watch themselves in the mirror as Reetu Patel teaches Bollywood-style dance at M.A.D. Bollywood Dance and Fitness studio in Tustin.
Rini Jain, left, and Kriti Cadambi work on a routine for an upcoming performance at M.A.D. Bollywood Dance and Fitness studio in Tustin.
Reetu Patel watches her students with a critical eye as she teaches Bollywood-style dance at M.A.D. Bollywood Dance and Fitness studio in Tustin.
A group of students practice a performance at M.A.D. Bollywood Dance and Fitness studio in Tustin.
Ashwaraya Kumar watches herself in the mirror at the M.A.D. Bollywood Dance and Fitness studio in Tustin.
Rhea Jain practices a dance routine for an upcoming performance. Reetu Patel teaches Bollywood-style dance at M.A.D. Bollywood Dance and Fitness studio in Tustin.
Reetu Patel leans against the full wall mirror as she teaches Bollywood-style dance at M.A.D. Bollywood Dance and Fitness studio in Tustin.
Lydia Welhan discovered Bollywood films in a small town in Missouri after a recommendation from Netflix.
“I got sucked in,” she said of the theatrical Indian love stories told through song and dance.
When she moved to diverse Orange County, she decided to make her way onto the dance floor. Welhan, 30, learned to sashay her hips just like in the movies at M.A.D. Bollywood Dance and Fitness Studios in Tustin.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Welhan, who lives in Laguna Niguel. “It’s a nice way to get exercise, meet people and experience this culture that I don’t know much about.”
She adores the bright costumes ordered from India. She’s also learned a few words of Hindi – including love – from the music.
“Now when I watch my Bollywood films, I’ll recognize a word,” Welhan said.
The studio also offers a dance-inspired fitness class called Bombay Booty. Owner Reetu Patel added the cardio class after women commented that their pants were fitting looser from the dancing.
She says the benefits don’t stop there.
“It’s not just about coming and learning dance, but it actually does help you in your personal life, too, in winding down and in your confidence,” Patel said. “You’re not just learning how to move, you’re learning how to stand correctly, how to pose.”
Patel grew up in Mumbai and learned to dance by watching TV. She said the fluid dance moves capture the appeal of the films.
“There is romance,” Patel said. “There is drama. It’s a fantasyland.”
During recent rehearsals, the music soared and Patel offered demonstrations and corrections.
“Smile. You look so much better when you smile,” she exhorted.
The dance classes draw a number of teen girls, whose parents want them to maintain cultural ties to India.
Riya Jain, 16, of Irvine took hip-hop and ballet before trying Bollywood in the summer.
“Dance is a distraction for me,” Jain said. “I come here to forget about everything and just dance. The music is really peaceful.”
Harsha Parbat, 27, emigrated from India five years ago and works as a software engineer. She loves the familiar music of her homeland.
“When you have classes like Bombay Booty, why would you miss home?” Parbat asked. “I’m sweaty, my bones hurt and my muscles hurt. I think it’s better than Zumba.”
Contact the writer: cperkes@ocregister.com 714-796-3686
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