Just feel the music and let loose — you will soon leave the world behind and start having fun, Diyah tells Umer Nangiana, of her fitness mantra
Thinking of burning excessive calories and bored of monotonous gym routine? Do it the Diyah way, then. It is the fun way of staying on top of your physical fitness while maintaining a healthy and vibrant social life.
It is dancing your way to wellness and joy.
Diyah, an Indian national living in Doha, who prefers to be called by her known single name, is a certified Yoga and Zumba trainer. She has brought the popular dance fitness programme to town in her signature style.
“You do not have to do anything but dance. Just feel the music and let loose — you will soon leave the world behind and start having fun,” Diyah assures you. And the best thing, she says, is that anyone can do it.
“Men and women, whatever your age, shape and ability, you do not have to know how to dance or already be in good shape to start enjoying it, you can just do it,” the Indian Zumba trainer told Community, flush at beginning Zumba fitness sessions for women in Qatar.
“I am thrilled that I can pass on this passion and energy to my students. With the music flowing, you will be literally dancing your way not only to a fitter frame but also out of the stresses of daily life,” says Diyah.
She loves music and has been dancing since her childhood. Music, she asserts, is her passion while dancing is “in my blood”. If you are a movie fan and love eastern dance forms, she can also teach you moves right out of the Bollywood bloc.
However, it was Zumba that Diyah fell in love with the moment she tried it. So inspired and thrilled she was about the unique and different fitness programme that she decided to become a trainer and impart lessons to others so that they could benefit from the same happiness.
“Now, I can keep fit, doing what I love the most — dancing to uplifting, energetic and infectious music,” says the Zumba and Yoga trainer.
Zumba is a dance fitness programme created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto Beto Perez during the 1990s. It involves dance and aerobic elements. Zumba’s choreography incorporates hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo and martial arts.
‘Zumba Fitness’, an organisation that sells Zumba videos and products, does not charge licencing fees from gyms or fitness centres. Since its invention, this form of exercise is so popular among all ages that an estimated 14 million people take weekly Zumba classes in over 140,000 locations across the world.
Zumba sessions are typically about an hour long and taught by instructors licenced by an organisation called Zumba Academy. The exercises include music with fast and slow rhythms as well as resistance training.
The music comes from dance styles such as cumbia, salsa, merengue, mambo, flamenco, chachacha, reggaeton, soca, samba, hip hop music, axé music and tango. There are eight different types of classes for different levels of age and exertion.
Besides others, ‘Zumba Toning’ is a technique for people who do their workouts with toning sticks. It targets the abs, thighs, arms, and other muscles throughout the body.
“It is completely fun in the class, you feel happy when you are performing Zumba,” suggests Diyah. She stakes the claim that she provides the best deals available in Doha for fitness classes, combining both Zumba and Yoga.
Besides giving Zumba and Yoga classes in Al Massa Gym in Al Sadd since February this year, Diyah has also introduced Zumba fitness classes in her own compound in Dar Al Salaam Compound in Abu Hamour. The classes are held twice a week on Tuesday at 6:30pm to 7:30pm and Saturday 10:30am to 11:30am. For a one hour class, Diyah is only charging QR25 per session. For mother and daughters together, it comes to QR40 only.
“The idea is to spread health awareness to a large number of people so I have kept the classes cheap. With Zumba you can burn up to 800 calories in an hour,” says Diyah. More than fifty women from all nationalities, including Egypt, India, Westerners and other Arab countries, have already registered for the classes.
Besides Zumba, she teaches different asana of yoga, which she has learnt from gurus in India and Bahrain.
As a certified yoga instructor, Diyah focuses on “correct body alignment” while teaching different forms including hatha. It is what makes her standout from other trainers, she claims.
“Correct body alignment is very important. Doing a yoga posture wrong for an extended period of time may result in pain in different parts of your body,” cautions Diyah, adding, that at her training sessions, she emphasises more on posturing and body alignment.
Tracing its origins to ancient India, yoga pertains to physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines that help its practitioner attain a state of permanent peace of mind. Over time, the gurus (teachers) have evolved techniques to use them in physical fitness and spiritual wellness regimes.
However, it is always advisable to learn yoga techniques from certified teachers before attempting any. Diyah has been doing it for a long time and has professionally, proven her mettle.
Before moving to Doha three months ago, Diyah has worked in Bahrain as Zumba fitness and Yoga instructor for four years. She used to work for Ritz Carlton, Fitness First, Dessange Paris and Bodyline Gym there.
Diyah also did wedding choreography to her repertoire, including that for the royal family. She has also begun choreography in Doha.
Her secret is mixing fun with the fitness regime, especially conceived to break monotony and move away from tasks that become boring with continuous practice. Besides fun, dance has other benefits. It improves flexibility which is an important part of being healthy, Diyah believes. It also gives a sense of well-being. “Dancing is a social activity. Studies have shown that strong social ties and socialising with friends contribute to high self-esteem and a positive outlook,” reminds Diyah. This, she says, paves the way for many opportunities to meet people. Joining a dance class can increase self-confidence and build social skills.
“Physical activity reduces stress and tension; regular dancing gives an overall sense of well-being,” the Zumba fitness programme guru asserts.
A graduate in Arts Stream from Miranda House (Delhi University), Diyah has successfully completed training courses in Zumba Fitness (2010 and 2013),Yoga Teacher Training (Hatha Yoga) course from The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre India 2009, first level of Yoga Alliance Course (USA) From Fitness First, Bahrain (2009), workshop for Techno gym Training-the-Trainers in Bahrain (June 2009), Basic Aerobics Instructor course, Step Reebok Instructor course, Reebok Stability Ball and workshop for Reebok Core Pilates with Reebok in May 2008.
Endowed with good looks, Diyah also undertook modeling assignments during her stay in Bahrain. She was also the second runner up in May Queen Beauty pageant in 2010. The event is organised by Indian Club in Bahrain every year and all nationalities are open to participate in it.
She has been appointed brand ambassador for Rang Barse, a grand event to celebrate Holi this Friday at the Marriott.
She can be contacted at deeptimahajan82@gmail.com
BELOW:
1) YOGA SESSION: Diyah, second from right, in a yoga class.
2) STYLE IS THE WOMAN: Diyah has made her presence felt, including as a model, right. She also secured the second runner up slot at a pageant in Bahrain.