Every Saturday afternoon, Indian songs ring out from the Tarana Dance Centre in Scarborough.
With brightly painted pink walls, the dance centre is a hub for exercise-seeking women in Scarborough, who flock to the centre to try a new aerobics class known as Bollyfit.
For founder Reshmi Chetram, putting fun back into exercise is her main goal.
“We balance [dance] out with the muscle conditioning component, so you lose the weight, but then you tone as well which is the great thing about Bollyfit,” Chetram said.
Chetram, a professional dancer from a young age, says she wanted to bring her love of dance to the community.
Her mother opened the Tarana Dance Centre in the late ’80s and Chetram has been taking lessons ever since.
Bollyfit all began as her idea to combine Bollywood-style dance with aerobics. Creating Bollyfit International several years ago, Chetram has seen her classes expand into several cities across the GTA.
While participants describe Bollyfit classes as physically demanding, they agree there is no better way to stay fit.
“Being with the group, it’s like family … it’s just really nice to come here and have fun on a Saturday morning,” said Alima Bandali, a participant who has been taking the classes from the beginning.
A local celebrity, Chetram has made television appearances on Breakfast Television and Wow TV.
Chetram is taking her brand known as Bollyfit International to a new level, launching a TV show on Nov.21.