'my oldest dancer is 100!'

POOJA IS SHARING HER LOVE OF DANCE WITH YOUNG AND OLD

- Ruth McCarthy

When it comes to the reason for Pooja Thakkar’s Bollywood success, the Tassie local sums it up in one simple statement: friendship, fitness and fun.

As dancer, choreographer, instructor and owner of her dance school, Bollywood Beats, Pooja has brought the Indian-inspired dance from the streets of Mumbai to Launceston.

Famous for fast and intricate movements Pooja assures New Idea Bollywood dancing can be enjoyed by everyone no matter what age, ability, or gender!

“I have 120 students from kids to teens, senior citizens and NDIS participants,” shares Pooja, 37.

“The youngest is 5 and my oldest has just turned 100!” For Pooja, Bollywood

dance – the dynamic and highly theatrical style, decorated with extravagant, colourful clothing seen in the Indian film industry – has a plethora of benefits, particularly in terms of health and wellbeing.

“It uses all parts of the body and is fantastic for increasing strength, mobility, flexibility and balance,” she explains.