Category: Healthy Living

Monthly Class Combines Fun and Fitness for All Skill Levels

Mill Creek, WA. March 5, 2024 – Mill Creek Family YMCA offers a monthly Bollywood Dance Workshop for people of all dance skill levels. Bollywood dance is a vibrant dance style that originated in the Indian film industry, incorporating elements from various dance forms. The class, taught by YMCA member and volunteer, Surbhi Kabra, combines fun and fitness, offering Y members the chance to learn something new while getting a great workout. The class has been on hold while Surbhi traveled, but it’s back on the schedule for Sunday, March 10 from noon – 1:30 pm.

“I love dancing and music, seeing other people dance, and creating choreography,” said Surbhi. “I love to share something that I’m passionate about with others. It makes me happy to see people dance.”

Surbhi, originally from Mumbai, India, moved with her husband to the Silver Firs community in 2021. At the time, she didn’t know the Y existed and had never been to a facility. After checking out the Y and learning about all of the amenities, they joined the Mill Creek Y. Surbhi’s husband learned how to swim and she started exploring group exercise classes, including Zumba.

“After attending Zumba, I knew there were a lot of dance enthusiasts at the Y. I knew Bollywood was popular with Americans, but there are no formal classes,” said Surbhi. “Once I realized people might be interested, I approached the Health and Wellness Director and proposed a class. It’s quickly grown in popularity.”

Surbhi is an engineer by trade, but wants to shift her career and pursue dance. She hasn’t trained professionally, but grew up dancing and competing in school competitions. Since moving to the Seattle area, she has gotten more serious about dance and enjoys the creative outlet and introducing new choreography to her class.

“Dancing is a fun way of moving your body, said Surbhi. “It raises your heart rate, works on the mind-body connection, and exercises your memory. The time flies when you’re dancing with a group – it doesn’t feel like working out.”

Surbhi’s vision for the class is to share her knowledge of dance, while empowering her class members to embrace their health and wellness goals. Due to the class’s popularity, she hopes to offer it more frequently in the future.

“I feel inspired when I see people taking time out of their busy schedules for themselves, doing something fun, and working to improve their health,” said Surbhi. “I feel so happy to help them have fun and exercise. Anyone can come. You don’t need a background in dance – you just need to enjoy loud music and want to have a good time!”

All group exercise classes, including the Bollywood Dance Workshop, are free with a Y membership. To learn more about membership at the Y, please visit ymca-snoco.org.