Spicy Moves

“Stretching your arm out and moving your shoulders up and down for five minutes at a wedding reception or a baraat,is done by everyone. That is the basic. I am not introducing something new here,I am just telling you to do what you already know for 45 minutes non-stop,so you burn calories,drench yourself in sweat and feel satisfied with a fun workout,” says Jain,who is the pioneer of the Indian workout in the global fitness industry.

She started her career in 1998 and launched her first workout DVD in 2000. Since 2006,Jain has been traveling to different countries to promote and introduce her Masala Bhangra workout. Sharing the inspiration of devising a bhangra version of a heavy duty workout,she says,“Since our family was settled in California,my father was very worried that we would forget or rather disregard our Indian culture. He was enthusiastic about learning new things and taught us to respect the culture of the place we lived in,but he wanted us to keep our ‘Punjabiness’ alive.” She adds that the workout is everything her father taught her to be proud of. Jain lost her father when she was quite young. “That is why I encourage people to workout and keep their hearts healthy and while they are at it,spice it up with bhangra too,” she adds.

The workout requires the host to be continuously dictating commands to be followed and also demonstrating the moves. The 47-year-old does just that with ease. She has incorporated essential elements of strength training,cardio and flexibility into her Masala Bhangra choreography. With easy-to-follow instructions that she announces in a slight American accent,she gets her participants doing the balle balle,with enthusiasm. “The key is to not stop moving. Once the heart rate drops,it needs to be worked up all over again,” she reveals. All set to sign a contract with QVC,a popular telemarketing brand in Japan in June,Jain is excited about making the Japanese do the balle balle.

Jain also designs Masala Bhangra’s line of workout apparel. It consists of loose baggy track pants to give the feel of a patiala and sporty racer backs for women and collared t-shirts for men with the Masala Bhangra logo. The Masala Bhangra workout sessions are hosted by Shalini Bhargava,who is a Masala Bhangra ambassador at JG’s Fitness Center,Mumbai.