In today’s world, where everyone is busy in their chores, facing obstacles, and running along with the clock. And before we even realize it, we lose ourselves! Though it is not impossible to repossess yourselves, there are various ways to discover yourself again.
The story we have for you guys is about one such person who succeeded in the quest of finding the horizon! Meet Pooja Dedhia, 22. An aspiring psychologist from Mumbai, whose soul exists to spread the joy of dance! A dancer by profession and an excellent choreographer. Her clients love her for all the efforts and passion she puts into teaching them. Her clients range from cute little angels to old adults and not even a single client/student of hers cannot admire her!
The most delightful way to do that is a three-letter word: ‘ART!’ May it be painting, sketching, writing, singing, or dance. Every form of art is the best way to explore and express oneself. Dance is the most graceful, most beautiful, and most expressive form of art. It is a creation of nature itself and is omnipresent. It is justice to every emotion, and it symbolizes joy, sorrow, and even anger! We are often stuck in the past or worried about the future, but dance lets us live the present. It allows people to feel their souls.
Dance is the hidden language of the soul! — Martha Graham
Losing yourselves in the hustle of life and reconnecting with yourself are the two polarities in between which most people switch from time to time. And some people find the beautiful horizon between these polarities by making art as their profession. They don’t have to worry about switching between losing themselves and reconnecting themselves as:
‘Dance is the way where we find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time!’
Ms. Pooja Dedhia loves to spread the joy of dancing and thus she takes dance classes, conducts workshops, is a professional choreographer, and also takes Sangeet assignments. Pooja also owns a YouTube channel ‘Pooja Dedhia’ where she flaunts her skills as she moves gracefully along the beats. Let’s hear from Pooja how this voyage in the ocean of dance has been!
First steps into dancing:
When did Pooja Dedhia enter dancing?
‘Honestly, my journey in dance has started ever since I was a child. I remember my mom telling me I started dancing when I was too small and I would just dance anywhere. As in whenever I used to hear music, I would just sway around with the beats. I used to be in western dance and Bollywood dancing, dance classes, and everything during my childhood days.
Back then, I used to get offers for kids modeling, so I used to do that as well. After some time, I shifted from Bollywood dancing to classical dancing. I joined Bharatnatyam classes, and I completed all my education in Bharatnatyam around my 9th standard. The professional skills and grace that are necessary for every dancer, in my case it come from Bharatnatyam.
After the completion of my Bharatnatyam journey, I took a break from dancing until college, as it was a crucial period of academics. After I entered college, dance was back in my life. I took part in various events in my college, such as flash mobs, annual tests, dance competitions. After I shifted my college to Vivekananda college, Chembur, as I entered Degree college I became the cultural head of the annual event called ‘Psychedelia’ where I handled the dance and other cultural aspects. That is when I went further into it.
The professional aspect of my journey started when I was in the first year of my college degree. That is when I received an offer to choreograph and handle the nursery school’s annual event. Missing an opportunity is not something I believe in, so I went with the flow. So during this event, I choreographed various dances for children, their parents, and teachers as well, and trained them. After that event, everyone was glad with the choreography and the parents asked me to take regular dance classes for their kids. So I started taking dance classes for the kids in the same nursery school and that is how it began.
Entering the YouTube world:
What was the idea behind starting a YouTube channel?
To be very honest, YouTube was never a plan at all or even being consistent on YouTube! I used to post my dance content on Instagram regularly. So the parents of the kids I used to teach wanted to view my content, but since they were not on Instagram and I am not on Facebook, so there emerged an issue. And so, there came a solution, which was a YouTube channel named ‘Pooja Dedhia.’
I started posting my dance videos on YouTube, but I never had or had any plans of growing it as a channel or even being consistent, though I intend to be consistent. So it has always been just a place where people who know me and want to watch my video, just like the parents of my students, could watch it. So there was never a promotion agenda behind it.
But now that I am getting familiar with the platform, I’ve realized that it is a great platform to spread your wings and to be known, so I think I’ll more consistent and bring more and better content on YouTube as well.
A good thought can make your day!
A thought with which Pooja starts her day?
So basically, what I do is every night I plan my day ahead before going to bed. So I am perfectly aware of what I am going to do tomorrow and thus it sets my mind on the thoughts as well. I believe in starting a day perfect in every sense. So, in the morning, I get up, do my daily chores, eat sufficiently, and then I am all set for the scheduled day!
The thoughts that my day begins with and revolves around are, ‘Is my day productive enough?’ I enjoy being productive as much as possible. You know what the flow state does, right? I enjoy being in that flow state!
Productive to the core!
How do you keep yourself productive in these times?
I like to be in that constant productive state, so being productive has never been an issue for me. Of course, times, when I am sick, are exceptions. I have no issues with being productive, even in these times. Because what I believe is that situations might differ, but there is always a way through it. So in these lockdown times, I thought that it’s ok if the doors are closed, I will look for a window. And thus, the virtual window became the medium. Although the offline medium suits them best, and it’s tough to teach dance through this virtual medium, with practice and experience, it’s not impossible!
The Obstacle course!
What were the hurdles you came across during this journey?
So the most basic hurdle which I faced was the balancing act. Balancing between my studies and dance has always been a tough job. Since I am a psychology student, missing the lectures is not something I can afford. It has always been that I had to sacrifice the time that I wanted to invest in dance. And because of that, I have missed many opportunities that dance has brought to me.
It feels like dance could have offered me much more if it weren’t for psychology. Also, sometimes it would have been a tough job to keep my time to study due to dance. But with time, I learned to manage my time and thus could create that balance that was required.
Another hurdle is that I am not at all a business-minded person and therefore I have a tough time with all the promotional stuff and being consistent enough to set my roots firmly in the online platforms. I feel like it is necessary for me to excel in it.
Also, another hurdle I feel is the family support. I mean, it’s not that my family doesn’t support me with my dance. They simply are against the idea of me coming home late. They get worked up and used to become restless initially since I used to come back around 12 am or 1 am. What happens basically is that I take Sangeet assignments as well, so these functions ideally start in the evening and end late.
So the client usually expects me to stay back till the function is over. So they would be awake until I didn’t reach home. They would worry all the time. I think that somewhere they are correct as well. The society we live in is still not that safe for women, so yeah. But I would love it if they could understand my side and support me with it.
Welcome to the Classroom!
An insider on Pooja’s classes and workshops:
The classes we have are for different age groups. Before covid, it was much more fun to both teach and to just practically be with my students, especially my kids. But since this lockdown thing has happened, we have switched to online mode, but much of the same. I also used to teach dance and also quilling in summer and winter camps before the covid times.
As for the workshops, I base them on the festivals and the trends going on. So if it is Navratri, I will compose the workshops of Garba and Raas, or dance, based on Bollywood songs related to Navratri. The song selection depends on my students. We select a song by the majority and then I choreograph a dance on that song and then organize a workshop on it. So then whoever wants to join can join
Sneak peek into workshops!
What goes in Pooja’s mind while planning a workshop?
So the first that goes into mind type of choreography that has to be done, like easy, intermediate, etc. And it solely based this decision on what my target audience is. So if the workshop is being designed for kids, then the choreography is of a simple level. If it is for adults and if they have been into a dance for quite a long time, then the level goes up.
So then I choreograph a dance and create a short video on it, just like a trailer, including what they are going to learn in this workshop, and then upload it. The most basic aspect of the workshop is to earn money. So that goes into my mind as well, about what the charges will be, etc. It again comes to how much the clients will pay and also if it is an outdoor workshop, then I also have to cover the expenses of the studio and stuff. I also offer private classes as well.
Inspiring Inspiration!
Pooja’s dance inspires many people! What is Pooja’s inspiration?
I am glad that people love my work and get inspired, though I feel that I’ve just started and I have a lot to learn, so it’s a big thing when someone says that they get inspired by my videos. But there is definitely a long way to go!
What inspires me, you ask? Well, there is just one simple answer: dance! Dance is something that inspires me throughout, even for dancing. There won’t be a day when I haven’t danced. Also, I watch dance videos of various dancers on Instagram and watching their videos always keeps me pushing, filling me with the motivation to accomplish and learn more and more.
I am blessed with very cute inspirations. My students, these kids are not just my students, they are my friends! They call me anytime, we chill together, they invite me to their birthday parties. My sangeet clients too, turn into my family and that vibe, that connection keeps me going!
The horizon in practice!
Being an aspiring psychologist and an aficionado of dance, ever thought of a fusion between them?
Yes! That is exactly on my mind! We know this as dance therapy. I am about to learn dance therapy a few months from now. Also, after learning dance therapy, I want to compile something that would include dance and psychology and put forth a new creation! I am clear in my mind that I am not even a single bit for the 9 to 5 job, so I always want to create something and keep going!
Speaking of Accomplishments!
Award and achievements.
I have completed my Bharatnatyam and have a professional degree. I have learned various dance forms professionally.
As for awards, I have taken part in various competitions, both intra- and inter-school and college levels, and I have many awards for these events.
Coping with the new normal!
How was the lockdown time for Pooja? How did she adapt in this current time?
Before the lockdown happened, I wasn’t much into this virtual media. I wasn’t much into Instagram with dancing and stuff. But after this happened, it gave me an opportunity to explore the virtual mediums. Back then, the audience and the students I had were the local ones. People around me and from the nearby localities. But as the classes and workshops etc. moved to the virtual window, I had this amazing opportunity to have clients from various places and even from outside India.
Even from India, people joined from various places, such as Goa, Kashmir. So that was an amazing experience. Also, as the rent part of taking classes went down, the earnings went up. But also, the Sangeet clients were down to the minimum. So yeah, it was good and bad but was manageable.
The Significance of Dance!
What meaning do dances hold to Pooja’s life?
Well, DANCE IS LIFE! I can’t live even a single day without dancing. Even if it was not my profession, I would have always continued dancing.
Forward in Future:
What does Pooja have in her mind for the future?
Nothing such as a concrete plan with my YouTube or so. Although I intend to own a studio in the next 5 – 7 years. I’m looking forward to the creation of the fusion of Psychology and Dance!
Other than that, the idea is to embrace whatever comes my way!
Passion aside from profession!
Apart from dance, what other hobbies does pooja possess?
Apart from dancing, I love to paint, I sing, I am a professional Mehndi artist as well. I learned it from the Bollywood Mehndi Queen–Veena Nagraj. Also with passion, how can I forget to mention Psychology!
The insight that the experience brings along!
What difference these years of experience has made in Pooja’s life?
I have something to lean on! Dance is something that made me financially independent and has made a vast difference as I don’t have to keep looking for a job since I am not at all up for a 9 to 5! Also, it has gifted me with a bond to treasure! The kids are in love and they always hold a special place in my life.
The social bond that we share is the most special thing for me! When it’s my birthday, they will make my day special with all the gifts and love! They would wish me on every festival, and even on Valentine’s day, and always excited about my videos, and also they get worried if I don’t keep classes like when it’s my exams. So then everyone will shower with ‘Ma’am, ma’am, are you fine?’ So that’s really sweet of them!
Word of Wisdom:
I strongly believe that a person is a source of their own happiness! Situations might differ, but the way you look at it is your choice! ‘Consistent actions will create consistent results!’ This quote is something I live my life with. I also have it labeled in my room.
To people who love dancing and are into it from the heart. Learning is throughout! There is no end to it. Dance is like an ocean of never-ending possibilities. Professional training is always the best option, but it’s not the only option. You can explore it yourself. The internet has resolved the problems with financial issues. Dedication and passion are the only things you need to keep going!
We can’t always choose the music that life plays for us. But we can always choose how we dance to it!
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