Founded by fitness entrepreneur Sarina Jain, this workout consists of a rousing blend of bhangra dancing, Bollywood moves, and lively songs. In addition to establishing Masala Bhangra classes nationwide from California to NY, Jain has made eight bollywood-inspired workout videos over her 20-year career in fitness, and has a dedicated following due both to her personal charisma and the intensity and exuberance of her workout. Anu Athri, a current studentof Jain’s, had heard about bhangra and Bollywood workouts but was skeptical at first. Jain’s energy, she says, kept her coming back. “She’s taken those steps and made it a really good workout,” Athri says. But importantly, she makes sure to keep the class upbeat and fun: “She doesn’t just make you do steps,” says Athri. “She really brings out the celebrative spirit of the dance.” The workout itself consists of nonstop movement designed to raise the heart rate and keep it up for the duration of class. Jain breaks down a series of bhangra and Bollywood-style dance moves, and then sequences them into a routine which is slowly added onto throughout the class. In addition to burning a hefty amount of calories, you can also learn some moves to bust out at your next wedding!

“Get the South Asian people moving – that’s the key, because South Asians in general do not work out. It’s not in our culture at all,” says Jain, who cites the passing of her father as the driving force behind her decision to meld her fitness knowledge with South Asian culture and music. This year, her workout celebrates its 10^th anniversary and its popularity has exploded, even among non- South Asians. In Latin America, as the face of Nestlé fitness, Jain has her workout DVDs in 2.6 million cereal boxes and is reaching thousands of households. She is expanding, teaching master classes and training instructors overseas. “Masala Bhangra is very popular is Japan right now,” Jain says. “I have so many instructors in Japan, and they love our culture!” Luckily for us, Sahelis, we don’t have to travel that far to get our bhangra fix! Jain herself teaches eighteen classes in NYC throughout the week, at various NYSC and Crunch gyms and the Alvin Ailey studios. Check out the schedule here.

Founded five years ago by dancers Priya Pandya and Kajal Mehta, DhoonyaDance has grown to encompass a wide range of offerings and classes in New York, D.C., Virginia and Maryland. For the beginner, a Bollybasics class is recommended; here students learn footwork, shoulder and arm moves, and put them together into a dance routine of bhangra moves and bollywood flair. The new DhoonyaFIT class, which began in NYC in June, evolved based on student feedback. A more intense, cardiovascular version of the Bollybasics class, it is designed with fitness and weight loss in mind. One student who has been coming since DhoonyaFIT’s inception praises Pandya’s patience and gentleness, especially with first-timers. “The fitness class is intense!” she says. “I can feel changes in my body, in my stamina.” Stamina is one thing you’ll wish you had more of as you follow movement after consecutive movement, without pause, as Pandya or other teachers lead you on encouragingly. Nonstop motion ensures heart rate elevation and great fat burn, while swiveling moves target the abs and obliques, lunges work the thighs and glutes, and pushups and crunches at the end of the class round out the workout. Expect to be sucking wind thoughout, but the payoff is worth it, with students happily flushed and sweating at the end of the class. Merely the sight of the lithe bodies of Dhoonya’s teachers jumping effortlessly from one movement to the next is inspiration enough to keep coming back. If it works for them, Sahelis, then it will work for us!

There’s more: Dhoonya also offers classes for kids, in Chelsea and Caroll Gardens, BK. The curriculum is based on age groups, with an eye towards cultural immersion: kids learn the basic concepts of rhythm but also the meaning of various Hindi words and how they relate to the song and dance. As if that weren’t awesome enough, Dhoonya also has a performance company, which dances at various public and private events, galas, and weddings. And if you’re looking for a chance to bust a move like these pros, you can: private and custom classes are offered for individuals and couples to wedding parties of a dozen or more, where you can learn a piece of choreography to perform at your event. Impress your guests with your new body and your new moves! Check out Dhoonya’s offerings here.

For those looking for a little less workout and a little more choreography, BollywoodFunkNYC offers an array of fusion classes to those hankering to learn some music-video-worthy moves. Founder Ayesha Khanna trained at the renowned Danceworx Performing Arts Academy in New Delhi and danced in many megahit bollywood videos, including “Dhoom Machale,” before moving to NYC and opening the school in 2007. The BollywoodFunkNYC dance company, comprised of dancers of all backgrounds, is making a name for itself, with performances at venues such as the South Street Seaport Diwali festival and the Fred Astaire Awards ceremony. Impressively, they were the first bollywood dance group invited by MTV to compete in their hit show, America’s Best Dance Crew!

Classes are taught by company members, who train under Khanna for a long time, learning her signature style and choreography. The dance style of these classes is very contemporary, a blend of jazz, hip-hop and funk to the latest and hottest bollywood songs. The Basic Beginner level is perfect for those with no previous dance training; a single routine is learned and practiced over the course of five weeks. Advanced Beginner and by-audition-only Intermediate levels are better suited for those with previous dance experience, while Hip-hop Hungama, a purely hip-hop class set to bollywood tracks, is open to all levels.

Check out the class schedule here. Sign up now and get ready to start dancing like a bollywood star!

Be Informed

With breast cancer now affecting one in eight women in the United States, it is not a surprise that this disease has hit many of us close to home.  One of the biggest risk factors for breast cancer is family history.  Even though one can’t prevent genetics from affecting your odds on getting breast cancer, there are many lifestyle modifications you can start to make to decrease your risk.

By limiting your fat intake and maintaining a healthy weight, you can significantly lower your risk of obtaining breast cancer, as well as other diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.   Alcohol has also been linked to the development of breast cancer, and several organizations are now recommending women to limit their alcohol consumption to one drink per day or less.   Exercise also helps, as several studies have shown that at least 30 minutes per day (including walking) can significantly lower a woman’s risk. 

Exercise

If you’ve been thinking about getting in shape before the winter, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer comes to New York City on October 16^th and is a great way to get some exercise. Participants walk over two days for almost 40 miles, raising money for the Avon foundation that supports research, increasing access to treatment and the medically underserved. Join thousands of men and women in raising millions of dollars for this cause (and burn hundreds of calories!). http://www.avonwalk.org/new-york/

Relax

If you are thinking about getting a massage this month, the Peninsula Hotel’s Spa by ESPA is offering a “Pink Treatment”. If you book a 60 minute “Think Pink” Holistic Massage, you will also receive a complimentary ESPA Pink Hair and Scalp Mud application during your session.  The spa will also make a $5 donation to the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” program. Call (212) 903-3910 or email spapny@peninsula.com to make a reservation

Eat

Love to eat dessert but never found a good enough excuse? Several restaurants have joined in the fight against breast cancer by participating in the American Cancer Society’s “Be an EpiCUREan” campaign to raise money to fight breast cancer. Each restaurant is offering a pink item on the menu and proceeds from the sale of that item will be donated to the American Cancer Society. For example, check out North Square for delicious strawberry mousse and Landmarc Tribeca for cotton candy. Check out the website http://www.cancer.org/InYourArea/Eastern/AreaHighlights/epicurean?ssDomainNum=5c38e88&print=true for more participating restaurants in your neighborhood.

Drink

If you are a happy hour enthusiast, check out the “Drink for Pink” party at The Pierre in their Two E Bar/Lounge on October 7^th. From 7-9 PM you can enjoy drinks from their Pink Drink Menu, and all proceeds will go to the Libby Ross Breast Cancer Foundation. If two hours doesn’t seem long enough, don’t fret, the party will kick off at 9 PM when DJ Brian Christopher starts spinning.  http://www.thelibbyrossfoundation.com/  for details.

Shop

Love to shop but can’t stand the guilt? This month, many companies are donating proceeds from their sales to breast cancer research. For example, the Breast Cancer Awareness Boutique that benefits the Young Survivors Coalition has partnered up with several retailers. Check out http://www.youngsurvival.org/en/news-and-events/bcam2010/  for a list of items from brands such as Mission Skincare, Afterglow Mineral Cosmetics and SwitchFlops.

 October is a chance for you to raise breast cancer awareness to your family, friends and your community. Most importantly however, don’t forget to take care of your own breast health. Practice healthy living by making better lifestyle choices and make sure you see your doctor to find out when you are supposed to start screening. And don’t forget to do self breast exams every month! For more information visit: www.breastcancer.org

Summer may be over but wedding season is still in its prime.  CitySaheli got a glimpse of what some of our favorite makeup artists have been doing and the pictures speak for themselves—Va Va Va Voom!! From au natural to dramatic bold looks, these blushing brides definitely make a statement.  All of the artists featured worked with their brides to create “the look” they were dreaming of for their big days.   

CitySaheli would like to thank the artists for their contributions to this article.  They include Lilly Rivera of BridalGal, Karuna Chani of KC-Makeup, Ayesha of Singhar and Sonia Mansoor. 

BridalGal, Lilly Rivera

Bridalgal offered CitySaheli some great before and after shots.  Owner and makeup artist Lilly Rivera wanted to showcase some of her most natural look brides and some more classic Bollywood looks. 

One of Lilly’s most dramatic transformations is shown below and was captured by Sandeep of  http://www.bestphotog.com.

Bridalgal can create dramatic and natural looks that are stunning as shown below. These are personal shots from Rivera herself.

Karuna Chani, KC-Makeup

Karuna Chani of KC Makeup definitely achieved some unique looks with her brides.  She has worked with runway beauties to create the most dramatic looks and has brought these fresh runway looks to brides.

The name of the look below is Bronze Goddess. This bride requested a vintage inspired look with a modern twist for her makeup. Instead of using the typical yellow gold eye shadow and heavy kohl eye liner to emphasize the eyes, Karuna opted to use bronze shades with a touch of shimmer for a more updated look.  False lashes add an extra a dose of glamour that any bride can appreciate. Makeup was done by Karuna Chani, hair was done by Sanjana for KC Makeup and photography is courtesy of Ian Cuttler. 

The second look from KC Makeup is a high contrast, high impact look.  This bride had selected a beautiful and elaborate lengha for her wedding day and KC Makeup wanted to create a look that complimented her outfit without being overpowering.  Typically many Indian brides make the mistake of pairing over-the-top outfits with over-the-top makeup.  For maximum impact Karuna and the bride decided to contrast the lengha with a very natural look.  The result is subtle and classy bringing out the natural beauty of the bride.  Makeup was done by Karuna, hair was done by Jason Spark and photography is courtesy of Jay Seth.

Ayesha, Singhar

Ayesha of Singhar loves working with eyes to tell different stories.  This summer she showcased different looks to accentuate each bride’s beauty.  The look below is old hollywood glamour. The eyes are smoky yet not over done to keep the summer month in mind. Cheek bones are prominent with a touch of bronzer. Red lips give a very red carpet look and the hair is teased in a bouffant style up do. The look is finished with flowers in the hair.  Hair and makeup was done by Ayesha and photography is courtesy of House of Talent Studios. 

Pastels are popular during the summer. Ayesha’s second look emphasizes the usage of pastels and lighter colors.  Here eyes are dark with the rest of the face in neutral colors. Lavendar is used on the cheeks and eyes. Airbrush with a tint of concealer is used to give it a very glowy look.  Photography courtesy of House of Talent Studios.

Sonia Mansoor, SoniaMansoor

 Sonia Mansoor also shared some beautiful looks with us.  Located in Manhattan, Sonia worked with different colors to create very beautiful looks for her brides.  The first look is all about shimmer.   Sonia loves the look on the eyes and cheek. Gold is the ‘desi’ girl’s best friend. The hint of gold on the lower waterline gives basic black a break while drawing out the lashes.

Metallic Violet shadow is a favorite trend from Versace’s spring 2010 show. The look below is ‘customized’ for the turquoise and purple bridal lehnga and the intricate diamond earrings. The lashes make a statement of their own for the modern bride who wants to sparkle.

For more information on the looks shown above please use this contact information:

BridalGal – http://bridalgal.com/
KC Makeup – http://www.kc-makeup.com
Singhar-http://www.singhar.com/
Sonia Mansoor- http://soniamansoor.com/

-          Anything creamy definitely increases the count by a range of 150 to 315 calories! It can be on the low end if low fat or nonfat milk is used, however any type of cream or butter can increase calories significantly. Yes, that sauce in Chicken Makhani is to die for, but it’s also very high in calories, high in fat, and just as bad as the white sauce smothered over that chicken and rice plate from the corner stand!

-          Vegetables have very few calories, generally anywhere from 5 to 30 calories per serving. Stick with your healthy veggies that make mouth-watering meals such as spinach, squash, cauliflower, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, green beans, eggplant, okra, turnips, bitternut squash, cabbage, tomatoes, etc. Be sure not to chop the veggies into too small pieces because increased number of exposed surfaces to the atmosphere can can lower nutritional value. Overcooking them can also lessen nutritional value, so keep an eye on the stove!

-          Be wary of high starch foods such as white rice and potatoes. Potatoes contain a minimum of 200 calories per serving! So next time you make aloo gobi, go easy on the aloo!  Experiment with brown rice as a healthier alternative to white rice.

-          Rotis, naan, and paranthas are staples of an Indian meal; however, their preparation can significantly vary the calorie count. . If cooked in ghee or butter, these savory breads could be very high in calories, which can be as high as 300 calories.  Nix the ghee or butter and the calorie count can be as low as 60 to 100 calories.  Instead of tandoori naan, order the tandoori roti; think of it as ordering an all-wheat thin crust instead of pan style pizza.   Also ask the restaurant to not use egg in preparation to lower the calories and fat. 

-          If you are calorie counting, deep fried appetizers are an obvious no-no. You can still enjoy those samosas but a healthier alternative is baking them instead of frying. You could cut down 150 calories per serving by doing so.

-          Lentils and beans are extremely healthy for you: low in calories and high in protein, iron, fiber and B vitamins. One serving of cooked lentils is less than 100 calories. So eating Mom’s daal is definitely ok in our books, but if the word “makhani” accompanies the dish name, you may want to think twice.  Ask the restaurant if they are using any butter or cream to prepare the daal you are ordering. 

-          Bet you didn’t know it, but vegetable oil is actually high in saturated fats. Stick with canola, corn, or olive oil. Yes, olive oil! Although you generally see it used in American or Italian cuisine, you’d be surprised at how well it works with Indian food!

-          For those of you with a sweet tooth, Indian sweets contain an abnormally high amount of sugar. Gulab Jamun contains 17 ounces of sugar for 18-20 portions. 1 tablespoon equals ½ an ounce of sugar. Needless to say, that equals a lot of saturated fat which is definitely not good for you.

Bon Appétit Sahelis!

 Cupping was originally used to heal internal disease and respiratory problems; the Greeks used it to restore balance in the body’s four “humors” or elements; blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Today it is practiced at certain acupuncture centers to help fatigue, stress, migraines, stomach pains, and coughs.

The cupping practitioner will either heat up a plastic or glass cup, or reduce the oxygen inside the cup. The cup is then placed on the back, neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and stomach. The heated or oxygen-free cup acts as a vacuum, sucking up the skin as the blood flows up to the skin, stimulating the blood and sucking out toxins.

The cups are usually left between 5-10 minutes and may leave marks, but they will normally disappear within a few days. The idea of cupping is to get rid of excess blood and increase blood flow. The benefits are said to be similar to those of a deep tissue or shiatsu massage. A treatment cost about $100 for 60 minutes. To get a referral, contact the Acupuncture Society of New York.

Nothing says bikini-ready like a toned and sculpted waistline.  Classes that focus on your core—from the top of your abs down to your thighs—are popping up all over the city and gaining fast popularity.  Different combinations of Pilates, core-strengthening, and even yoga all work towards the same goal: a strong and toned center combined with a long and lean figure. We tried three of the most popular classes and have the lowdown on what you can expect (and how sore you’ll be the next day!)

Physique 57

Ask Kelly Ripa her fitness secret and she’ll give complete credit to Physique 57.  Combining interval training with Pilates and barre work, founder Tanya Becker has created a fitness system that takes strength and flexibility training to an entirely new level. Be prepared to sweat! Set to high-energy music, and with nearly no rest in between exercises, you will work during every minute of the 57-minute class.

Why you’ll love it: Thigh dancing is without a doubt the most entertaining part of the class—check out this video of Anderson Cooper giving it a try.  You’ll laugh your way to a smaller butt!

More information, including studio locations and cost is available here.

Core Fusion

For Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp, the husband-wife duo who created the Core Fusion technique, increasing strength and flexibility is a complete mind and body experience.  Incorporating principles of yoga and meditation into a rigorous core-strengthening workout, these classes have a slower pace to them. But that doesn’t mean they’re any less intense! Be ready for an hour-long class that works your muscles to exhaustion and follows it up with a series of stretches to create a long, lean look.

Why you’ll love it: The mind-body combination means you’ll get a high-impact workout, but leave class refreshed and feeling a little more Zen.

More information, including studio locations and cost is available here.

Nalini Method

The Nalini Method takes traditional core strengthening and adds an Eastern twist. Founder Rupa Mehta teaches many of the classes herself, providing personal-trainer-like attention to each member of the class. The bare studio is emblematic of Mehta’s focus on results instead of presentation. Unlike other classes, be prepared to use resistance bands and ankle weights to increase the intensity of the workout.

Why you’ll love it: The smaller classes get you personal attention to ensure you have the proper form and technique. Mehta’s targeted focus on different muscle groups also means you work nearly every muscle in your body for a complete full-body workout.

More information, including studio locations and cost is available here.

CitySaheli asked health expert Anita Mirchandani for the healthy picnic treats she loves.  She provided us with the following traditional South Asian favorites, each with a modern and healthy twist!

Chicken Tikka Wrap
Take 1 medium sized whole-wheat wrap. Top each slice with chicken tikka pieces. To make chicken tikka, cut boneless, skinless chicken breast into cubes, marinate for a minimum of 4 hours in nonfat yogurt, red chili, a pinch of salt, curry powder, 1 teaspoon garlic and 1-2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger and bake for 24-30 minutes (until tender yet cooked). For the best results, marinate overnight.  Add shredded lettuce, chopped red onions, and a teaspoon of spicy brown mustard.

Sweet Potato Chaat
To make this delicious mix, you need to buy a packet of sev (thin, crispy pieces that you put on top of the main ingredients) as well as a sweet chutney also known as bhel chutney. Mix chickpeas, chopped sweet potato (boiled and cooked), chopped red onion, bhel chutney and nonfat yogurt. The yogurt should be mixed with a 1 tablespoon milk, 1 teaspoon sugar, 2 teaspoons chaat masala (you can purchase this as a packet) and a pinch of salt to make it a thinner consistency than yogurt.  Sprinkle the sev on top.

Moong Salad
Boil Moong dal (small, olive green colored). Once cooked, drain and mix with pinch of salt, chopped onion and 2 teaspoons of fresh lime juice.  Add chaat masala to taste.

Spinach Patties
In a saucepan, cook spinach, shredded carrots, grated onions, finely chopped potatoes, 2 tablespoons chaana dal (a type of legume you can find at Indian grocery stores), and chopped tomato in 2 tablespoons water.  Add a pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon each of freshly grated garlic and ginger, 1 teaspoon each of tumeric, curry powder and fresh cumin. Cook until all the ingredients are mushy and until the dal is soft as well. Turn the heat off and use a hand-mixer to combine the ingredients more finely. Add breadcrumbs to the mixture and then combine until the ingredients are dry. Make whatever size patties you desire and grill in a pan with a teaspoon of olive oil. Serve with ketchup or make a sandwich out of the patties!

Chutney Sandwich
Take 2 slices of whole wheat bread, spread 1-2 tablespoons mint chutney on each slice, add a slice of provolone or swiss cheese, sliced cucumber and sliced tomato with a sprinkle of garlic salt and black pepper.

The furnishings within our homes and offices, and some of the materials used in the construction of buildings, can emit chemicals such as formaldehyde (found in foam insulation, carpet, paints, plywood, glues, grocery bags and more), benzene (found in inks, detergents, plastics/rubber, synthetic fibers and more), and trichloroethylene (used in dry cleaning/carpet cleaning, adhesives, paint removers, etc).  Not to mention the carbon dioxide we exhale with every breath we take!  

What can we do to clean the air we breathe without buying fancy air purifying machines within our homes?  Hit up your local flower district or nursery and buy some PLANTS, PLANTS, PLANTS!  Not only do plants turn carbon dioxide into oxygen (something we all learned in elementary science), but NASA researchers have found that there are specific plants that actually filter out other harmful toxins as well!

CitySaheli has put together a list of the top air purifying plants to help you create a green, clean and natural indoor living space for yourself.  As a rule of thumb, keep one 6 inch potted plant per 100 sq. feet of indoor living space.

Top 15 Air Purifying Plants

1. English Ivy

2. Golden Pothos

3.  Peace Lily

4.  Palms (Bamboo, Dwarf Date, Lady, Areca)

5.  Dracaena (red-edged, cornstalk, janet craig, warneck)

6.  Mother-in-law’s Tongue

7.  Gerbera Daisy

8.  Boston Fern

9.  Corn Plant

10.  Spider Plant

11.  Weeping Fig

12.  Philodendron (heartleaf, selloum, elephant ear)

13.  Chrysanthemum

14.  Chinese Evergreen

15.  Marginata

*** Before purchasing any plants be sure to thoroughly research them, as some may be poisonous if consumed and therefore should not be placed in homes with children and/or pets.

The environmentally friendly restaurant publishes the food’s ingredients along with a chart comparing how much CO2e emissions you would have been created by a more standard option. The idea is quite simple; livestock production causes a lot of greenhouse emissions, not to mention water pollution and land degradation, so by going vegetarian – if only on your lunch break – you can help save the planet a lot of energy!

Otarian’s menu is fairly vast and most of its items would make for the perfect lunch. CitySaheli tried and approved the curried apple and parsnip soup, but Otarian also offers a roasted tomato consommé and a pea and spinach potage. Otarian’s burgers are as big as they are tasty; CitySaheli munched on the Portobello mushroom burger and its healthy, egg-free dressing was a treat! 

For those who prefer a wrap or a simple salad there are a wide variety of healthy options like the avocado, tomato and mozzarella mix, the vegetable couscous, the toasted burrito, the spiced coconut curry, and a spicy potato side dish. The vegetable Biryani, however, consisted mainly of white rice with fewer veggies than we would have liked. For dessert try the delicious choc o mousse, or go for the apple crumble or panna cotta o berry. 

Otarian opened two restaurants in New York City in 2010 and London also houses two branches. The restaurant makes an effort to keep its design environmental friendly; most of the material inside the eatery is recycled and sustainable so you can enjoy a sustainable snack in a green setting!  

154 Bleecker Street, New York, NY
Tel: (212) 614 6834

947 Eighth Ave, New York, NY
Tel: (212) 489 3270

Most essential oils can be added to a cream and applied directly to the skin or put in bath oils and enjoyed while bathing. You can also add a few drops to your laundry liquids, hair treatments, and massage oils. Most health stores carry a wide variety of essential oils and Wholefoods offers a large selection of oils along with a simple user guide.

CitySaheli has hand-picked a few essential oils to get you started:

Basil: Improves concentration.
Bergamot: Helps cleanse oily skin.

Cedarwood: Prevents oily hair.
Chamomile: Eases anxiety and headaches.
Cypress: Enhances relaxation.

Eucalyptus: Eases jet lag.

Frankincense: Helps aged skin.

Geranium: Eases anxiety.
Grapefruit: Boosts confidence.

Jasmine: Stimulates creativity.

Lavender: Alleviates stress and promotes healthy skin.
Lemon: Offers an energizing boost.

Neroli: Helps improve dry skin.

Palmarosa: Uplifts the spirit.
Peppermint: Revitalizes the spirit.

Ravensara: Cleanses the body.

Sandalwood: Prevents dry hair.
Spikenard: Calms nerves.