By combining influences from her own Indian heritage with 14 years in the U.S. fitness industry she has created an exotic new kind of "calorie-burning" cultural dance experience. As seen on national and international media, fitness personality and creator, Sarina Jain of Masala Dance & Fitness Inc. is back with her Bollywood inspired Masala Bhangra Workout™ Volume 3. With years of experience in the world of fitness, Sarina has developed three workout volumes that are calorie-burning, fun and easy to follow. The Masala Bhangra Workout™ has been quoted as "a lively and modern, vigorous and effective workout utilizing moves from traditional Indian folk dance." Sarina Jain is the first to introduce Indian dance to the U.S. Fitness Industry and has been stamped as the "Indian Jane Fonda" for creating such a power fitness tool, The Masala Bhangra Workout™.

Nisha Rana: So Sarina, why don't you tell DesiClub a little bit about yourself and what you're about?
Sarina Jain: Well first let me clear up the assumption often made, I'm not Punjabi :) I am Jain and come from Rajasthan. I have been in the US fitness industry since I became an instructor at the age of 15. I also have been performing at various dance competitions and Indian events in the community. In 1999 after completing my studies in marketing and extensive work in public relations, I launched my company, Masala Dance & Fitness, Inc. Even though I've relocated to New York City to further my career, I still lead MASALA BHANGRA WORKOUT classes all over the world, including weekly classes at New York Sports Club, Crunch and Equinox in New York City (featuring live music), regular classes in Atlanta and San Francisco, and Master Classes in upscale locations. Now at age 28, I can proudly say I have created fitness and dance routines for television commercials, music videos, cultural festivals and concerts, combining my passion for bhangra with Indian classical and Hindi film dance, and other dance forms.

NR: When and Where did Masala Dance & Fitness Originate?
SJ: With the help of my family, I materialized my concept and created Masala Dance & Fitness Inc. in 1999, in California. I produced and launched my first workout video The Masala Bhangra Workout Vol 1 in 2000. Masala Bhangra Workout(tm) is the first Indian dance workout to be introduced to the US fitness industry at a global level. It is a total body workout burning more than 500 calories per workout.

"...no one has as much experience as I do in the fitness industry!"

NR: How did Sarina Jain and Masala Dance end up at New York Sports Club? and what kind of crowd do you usually attract?
SJ: NYSC heard about me in 2000 and they asked me to come out and teach for one week in 2001, which is also when I made my first television appearance. They liked what they saw and took me on, and I've been teaching there ever since. My crowd is 99% AMERICAN, even though it is a fact that South Asians have the lowest rate in physical activity and the highest rate in doctors -which is pretty sad!

NR: What can your clients expect from a 30-minute Masala Bhangra workout session with you?
SJ: My a cardiovascular dance routine that modernizes the high-energy folk dance of bhangra by blending it with traditional dance steps, Bollywood (Hindi film) moves, salsa and hip-hop. Some people will like it and some may not like it at all. Just depends on what kind of fitness you are into. Knock on wood - most have enjoyed it especially with a live drummer who is a white boy! (Half Punjabi but looks white) The exercise regimen is as much fun as it is rigorous, burning over approx 500 calories per workout, and is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.

NR: Do you feel you dominate this market or do you have any competition out there?
SJ: See - no one has as much experience as I do in the fitness industry especially being South Asian. So I am not sure if there is competition - there are now many dance studios that are starting bhangra aerobics - but they are just using it for the name - I teach a true fitness class that is proven by fitness terms! So that is the difference. Everything I do is done based on fitness standards.

NR: Other than being the Indian Jane Fonda, what else do you have up your sleeve?
SJ: Well! (Smiles) Other than being the Indian Jane Fonda - I host a very popular "U2U" segment on a South Asian Entertainment show called V-Desi in the tri-state area. I am a publicist by profession and I teach 14 classes a week. I also am a producer of fitness workout videos. I am currently promoting my third workout video which is launching on Aug 14th! Make sure you come out to the launch party.

NR: Launch Party?
SJ: Well I'm launching my third workout video of The Masala Bhangra Workout... Bollywood Style. On August 14th, Thursday night at ETOILE on 56th between Park and Lex. It's free between 8PM-11PM to EVERYONE who is 21 and over. So be there!!

For more information, log onto the web site at www.masaladance.com. To order DVD's and videotapes, call 1-877-4-MASALA.

Do you have any thoughts on this? Feel free to send Nisha an e-mail @ Nisha Rana.