“I have no doubt that Josh, Jaya and Studio J are my healing source. I absolutely know I would not be where I am without you all.” Two of our wonderful Senior students had surgery recently. Both have recovered remarkably well. Both commented that one of the main reasons for their fantastic recovery was their …
“I’m not worried about making mistakes, or being as good as anyone else. I’m just there because I love to dance.” Malvika, a physiotherapist working in age care, is also a die-hard lover of Bollywood and one of our regular students. Earlier this year I watched her dancing in Belly-Bolly, and I was struck by …
“It was a great bonding experience. Normally you just talk about your usual stuff at home, like groceries, work, watching a movie… rather than actually sitting and talking with each other. Because of the dance class, there were so many conversations around it at home. Plus, it was so delightful to watch each other dancing.” …
On our 4th bday, we look back through the eyes of our very first student – Saachi!! Saachi enrolled when we opened on 24 Oct 2016. 4 years on, she continues to dance with her Studio J fam. “What can I say, I’m very loyal!” (laughs heartily): What brought you to Studio J? Dance has …
“I really believe in the law of attraction and manifesting what you want. I applied to Coles eighty-four times and was rejected. But I didn’t give up. Then one day, I got the job.” Always ready with a smile and a helping hand, Anagha sparkles with positivity. Starting off as a teacher, and then coming …
“Being the only girl in a guy’s team, I don’t want to be seen as the weak link. I want to be the strongest. If I’m not tired at the end of the day, then I haven’t put in enough.” Founder of Bharatanatyam dance school, Natya Praana, co-founder of Ranjhe Bhangra, and co-owner of LAKS …
This year has been tough. We talked to our dance fam about how they’ve looked after their mental health during lockdown. Here’s what some of them have shared: Anagha: Waking up every morning & thinking of all that I was still blessed to have, what other people have lost, has kept me going. I’ve started …
“What I’ve learnt the most about life is the magic of going with the flow. At the core of it is – what do I want? If you filter it down, I want to earn money doing something enjoyable, I want to feel connected to people, I want to be healthy. Because what is life …
“It has happened that when students come to my class, and they realize I am Muslim, they don’t sign up. I tell them, if you are looking for a good teacher, then come to me. If you are after religion, then please don’t come.” Born to be a dancer & a warrior at heart, our …
“I was so focused on fixing things in my dance that the love wasn’t present.” It always surprises me what one conversation can reveal. Sitting with our guest teacher, Emily, on a Tuesday evening, I mentioned that I’m in awe of how her dancing has transformed and blossomed over the last year. How did it …
“When I moved to Australia, I came with all my dance costumes. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to dance here, but I still brought them, for the sake of happiness.” An insight into the many facets of our passionate Bharatanatyam Beginner teacher, Divya Shreejit Kumar! Destined to be a dancer, Divya talks …
Everyone knows that we love sharing our student journeys, and we’re certainly not going to let a virus change that. Social-distancing and isolation – but still connecting, sharing stories and celebrating life. Today we’re featuring our beautiful Bollywood Seniors student, Maret, in her Bollywood style music video! Maret (71 yrs) watched the film ‘Marigold Hotel’ …
This is based on OUR experience so far! Not saying it’s the only way, but it’s worked for us with fast and good quality! 1. PREPARATION Essentials: – Laptop (not a tablet or phone). Minimum Processer i7, RAM 8GB+, SSD Hard drive. Windows (we haven’t tried a MacBook). – Webcam: we recommend …
From a huge online fan base to sold out dance classes, plus the glamour of performing with Sapphire Dance…one would think life is a bed of roses for Ida Ghatge. But as the saying goes, everyone has a story! Equally passionate about dance and mental health, read on to find out about our Bolly-Kathak queen’s …
A coincidental tram ride home together after class one day, turned into discovering the amazing life journey of Natsuko Mineghishi, our Bolly-Heels student. When Natusko dropped out of science-engineering to pursue studies in classical opera singing, her family repeatedly asked her, “Are you sure you’re good enough?” Harsh words for a young woman, especially when …
“I think it’s amazing what people can do for themselves when they love something.” At the age of six, Govind started to learn classical Indian dance from his older sister. Many years later, when his sister became a survivor of domestic violence, Govind set up Karma Dance, as a means to help her heal through …
“Your heart is always right, even though it’s on the left.” Over the last couple of years, I have come to realize how we underestimate just how alive and active senior citizens are. From joining choirs, to patchwork clubs, volunteering at nursing homes, rescuing animals, going to the gym, commuting on bicycles, they never fail …
In October 2018, Kanika moved to Melbourne from Sydney to get away from a broken heart. In her own words, she was “reserved, unhappy and refused to try anything new”. She never danced at weddings or parties, even though her siblings and cousins loved to rock the dance floor. She just didn’t have the confidence. …
“Sensual, feminine, soulful.” Our Belly-Bolly classes have thrived since Pragya Khare joined the team. Studio J talks to this woman who exudes effortless grace and beauty.
“You have to believe it before you see it” Well before there was a business plan (there still isn’t), I had a vague idea of what Studio J might be. Melbourne has no shortage of talent, so I knew something amazing would have to happen if we all came together, and shared our creativity with …
Lately we’ve had an influx of students who joined because they are planning their first ever trip to India. ‘Dance is such a great introduction to another culture’, said Theresa, who joined Studio J in preparation for her trip to India this year. “It’s like learning a foreign language.” Another student, Jess, recently returned to …
Gurpreet joined the Bolly-Bhangra Saturday class in April. Always half an hour early, I was struck by his easy smile and enthusiasm for the class. One day he asked, “Isn’t Bhangra a masculine dance form? Where are the men?” Great question – “Where are they?” I asked, “And where were you?” At the end of …
Dance classes lead to deep conversations! We love this little insight shared by a student recently. Divya, 23, quit her finance job in India and is currently in Melbourne visiting her sister, wondering what to do with her life. She was feeling lost, thinking about career and future, when she suddenly had a lightbulb moment …
“Do you earn enough from dance?” A question I hear all the time. But this question raises another – what is ‘enough’? Is it ‘enough’ to be doing what you love? Is it ‘enough’ to earn a living through your art? Is it ‘enough’ to prioritise things in life that you enjoy and appreciate? Is …
“When a child is born, a father is born …” – Frederick Buechner Children learn from what we do, not what we say. I admire the dedication of the modern father, ferrying his kids to soccer, piano, karate and tennis; but it makes me sad to hear in conversation that the same father has given …
“How do you find time for dance?” is a question I am often asked. With family, kids and work commitments, I’ve had to find some creative ways to fit dance into my schedule. Here are a few things that have worked for me over the years – hopefully you find a few of these helpful for you too! 1. …
A couple of years ago, my Bharatanatyam teacher became frustrated with some of the younger students in my class. He felt that they weren’t pushing themselves to their full potential. He looked at me (since I was the oldest in the class) and said – “Tell them! This is the best years of their life!” …
All it takes to live a creative life, says Eileen Kramer, is to follow your desire. It’s just that most people don’t. • Eileen Kramer, an Australian dancer and choreographer is still active at 104 and will be staging a theatre production in 2019. • Butoh dancer, Kazuo Ohno performed on his 100th anniversary. • …
Anya started learning Bharatanatyam at the age of 6 in Singapore and did her arangetram (solo dance recital) at age 19, six years ago. Now, at 26, she is a lawyer living in Melbourne. She’s a feminist, very political, and hosts the Tuesday Breakfast show on Radio 3CR, focusing on current affairs with an intersectional …
The delicious diversity of multicultural Melbourne has organically shaped many of our fusion classes. One of our most popular classes, Bolly-Heels, is a classic example of East meets West. Here’s a glimpse at what brings some of our non-Indian students to Studio J: Helen – Australian “Years ago I watched a Bollywood movie on SBS …
Five years ago I experienced my first panic attack. My dad passed away. I was going through menopause. And my daughter, now grown up, was moving out of home. And that’s when my health started declining. I got a frozen shoulder and started to experience depression. I went to doctors, chiropractors, tried everything, but nothing …
‘The women who break down barriers, are the ones who ignore limits.’ Recently, while introducing a beginner class to the magic of the ‘Thumka’, (my all-time favourite Bollywood move – the hip shake), I stumbled upon a shocking social conditioning. This is what my students had to say: “All my life I’ve been told NOT …
Recently I gave an acquaintance a lift in my 12-year old (and very beaten up) Mazda 3. On the way there, she gently asked “so…is this your second car?” She didn’t seem convinced when I explained that no, it’s my only car, but it’s so much fun to drive… oh and that I also rent …
‘Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.’ This has been a big year for Studio J. In October we celebrated our two-year birthday. I feel proud and grateful towards each and every person who walks through our door. Studio J is focused on adult learning, and that itself can be …
People over-estimate what they can achieve in one year, but underestimate what they can achieve in ten years. When I look at Jaya, and her journey over the past twenty years, I fully understand what this means. The subtle magic of always moving forward, one joyful step at a time. And consistently building – relationships, …
Rohaana, a pharmacist in her early 20’s, signed up for a class at Studio J in July 2018. But the desire to enrol had first creeped up on her in 2016. So why did it take her so long to follow through? Like many of us, she had a number of valid reasons (excuses!) – …
“Hello darling” is how Ruby greeted me the first time I met her. My first reaction at seeing this beautiful Sri Lankan woman was, “You don’t look seventy-two!” She laughed and said, “Dance keeps me young darling.” Ruby has been ‘Bollywood-ing’ for thirty-two years. She started by teaching Bollywood dance to kids at an orphanage …
We reckon we have some pretty fabulous students at Studio J who are doing some amazing work of their own! We’ll be featuring a student in each newsletter, and we couldn’t think of anyone better for our first – Hella Ibrahim! Hella has been with us since we first opened doors 2 years ago and …
Studio J Founder & Director, Jaya Karan, recently opened up about the pressures of running a small business in the arts world. The messages of support were incredible and deeply appreciated. There were many who shared similar stories of their own and we decided to give back a little something of our own. We offered …
Our advanced level Bharatanatyam students recently performed interstate at the “Shakti Women’s Empowerment Festival”, organised by teacher, Govind Pillai, from Karma Dance.
Simply gorgeous inside & out, a brilliant dancer, an adored teacher, an inspiring team member, Studio J talks to Gerard Pigg to shed some light on this enigma!
When the yoga teacher kept yammering away about practicing non-attachment and how to brreeeathe, I knew it was time for a change. Other than walking the dogs, yoga was my main form of exercise. I needed to mix things up a bit. To balance out the precise movements and life advice served up in yoga …
This month we continue our “Get To Know Our Teachers” series with Jaya Karan. Jaya is founder of Studio J, director of Sapphire Dance, and has an alternate career as a physiotherapist. We speak with Jaya about how Studio J came to life and how she balances being a dancerpreneur with family life.
Studio J is having it’s first ever OPEN DAY! Join us on Sunday 6 May for a whole day of workshops and teacher demonstrations! Only $10 to try as many styles as you like, redeemable when you sign up for any Term 3 course! Book tickets via https://www.trybooking.com/VGYH. Full program below:
Studio J is thrilled to introduce our first Artist Residency program with Sunil Shanker, a theatre director & actor from Karachi, Pakistan!
Rose, in her late 60’s, walks into the studio, carrying a couple of bags. She looks radiant. “I’m going out afterwards, so I’ve brought a change of clothes”, she explains gently. “It’ll take me about ten minutes to change afterwards, I hope that’s ok?”
Carrier walks staggeringly slowly, with Burden resting gracefully on his back. His legs quiver as he tries to maintain balance, walking diagonally across the stage. Carrier falls down. Exhausted. Burden is unrelenting.
In the first of our “Get To Know Our Teachers” series, we interview the multi-talented Parvyn. An accomplished singer and dancer, Parvyn has a thriving career in multiple projects including fronting the cult band The Bombay Royale.
Ever listened to Bhangra music? It’s a challenge to keep yourself still. The infectious rhythm of the dhol crosses all cultures, ages and backgrounds.
When I opened Studio J a few months ago, I expected the usual questions from new students – what to wear, how much does it cost, how to enrol etc. But instead, what I heard the most was “I’ve never danced before, is your class ok for beginners?” And behind that question was the unspoken …
