Zumba for Happiness & Mental Health by Malay Gandhi

Hello Fitness Magazine encounters numerous ways to fitness and Zumba has always topped the list. Featuring Mr.Malay Gandhi, the editorial team danced their way to shred those calories.

A 5...6….7…. Go!

1. Taking position for introduction

HFM witnessed Malay Gandhi set the tone of the music, and dance with his words in our interview with them. Listening to him, we were struck by this newfound realisation that the performance lies in the eyes of the audience, and if you lean in and look closely, everything around you seem like a dance routine, flapping of the bird’s wings, the rustling of leaves, stepping of feet and perhaps this article too.

2. Initiate steady on the Creative Journey

“I am a simple man, who had a very different talent journey” quotes Malay Gandhi as if silently rising from the stage to perform. His journey started with Shiamak Davar studios, in Mumbai, as the esteemed choreographer was always fascinated by his curious eyes. He’d participate in various local and school-level competitions to create a formation of many good experiences positioned together every time he took the stage.

In 2007-08, he learned how to conduct professional classes, and began classes for college groups. Later he was selected in SPB – Special Potential Batch under Master Marzi, learning under all the best choreographers in the country. He learned Bollywood style, hip hop, contemporary, Shiamak Davar style contemporary, jazz, stage choreography and so much more!

“Choreography is more than learning steps and compact performance. Hence, I don’t just offer budget-based work, but design the entire concept for the stage.”

He has been the choreographer and performance designer of many ladies' groups, school and college groups, and CA groups and even designed Metas Adventist Annual Shows.

3. Swoon to Zumba

“I began focusing on Zumba and aerobics style dancing, where they’d come up on stage, play the music, and does the steps, and the public would follow. I liked it, but couldn’t exactly understand it.”

Zumba entered India in 2011-12

Shiamak Davar flew to Florida for IIFA awards, which is the base for Zumba, and decided to develop a Zumba community in India through Zumba Training Programme. He learned that many artists began practicing Zumba in their fitness routine.

Hence, he researched more on the subject and jumped to Zumba, learning it under Shiamak Davar himself, and becoming a certified Zumba trainer in 2015. He wished to create a Zumba culture in Surat. Initially, people were hesitant about it, for they were unable to vibe with English music. So, they decided to add a jolt of Bollywood songs, Latino-American songs, and aerobics which was very much appreciated and easily adopted

It's fascinating to learn that Zumba is practiced for so many purposes. Sometimes it’s a fun weekend exercise of a rather intense workout week, or for people to burn fat, for the youngsters to just enjoy themselves or heal their mental issues, or for about-to-be-wed’s weight loss routine which will also help them perform better in their Sangeet.

Being a learned dancer of so many art forms, our editor sleekly asked if he has a favourite, to which he replied –“Actually, I can’t choose one because I love to work, so it can be anything. My passion is to design the work I am doing, and that’s my favourite.”

4. Skipping to the professional journey

at Althan, all of which he has developed into talent-based stations.

Taking a pirouette from the routine, Malay Gandhi also told HFM the age group of people attending his classes. He fondly mentions a sixty-two-year-old man who was awarded the title of best student for three consecutive months, where an eighteen year and a thirty-year-old exist too in the same batch!

He along with his team also designed a charity fitness event called Zumbathon on 8th march 2020, at Decathlon, with more than 300 participants. It was an event that brought the entire Zumba community together to do something grand for Zumba, the community, and the women, which was beautifully celebrated in pink attires. They recently saw the successful conduct of Zumbathon 2.

5. Balancing Post Covid

Covid has been a dark period for many, including Malay Gandhi, given he didn’t have work for a year!

After the lockdown was lifted, the first ones to arrive were the people working work-from-home who needed some sort of exercise, or the doctors who wanted to relieve their stresses.

“Fortunately, I have good enough space for around twenty-five people, where only 5 people were dancing. But fortunately, later, more people joined.”

6. Turn to Mental Health

“You know, pre-covid people used to believe that physical health is very important. But after so much, I believe that mental health must be a priority over your physical health because if you are not fit mentally, you can’t really take steps for your physical fitness.”Though Malay Gandhi, for his mental fitness, plays lawn tennis. He also opts to connect with nature by visiting Dumas beach, or going to the garden or terrace. He has 60+ plants, which he meditatively takes care of. He also tries to connect and bond with his family to keep himself sane

7. Reaching out for things he wishes to explore

We asked Malay what he wishes to learn and explore, to which he replied – “all the arts related to dance.” He also wishes to understand more about the trends and technology of today, and the roots of our cultural past, to bring them together, which is the trend of this day.

He gives the example of the movie Bhramastra and cultural Garba in the US, where people now enjoy the fusion of today’s world and one of the pasts with rich culture.

“With this, the culture will expand and so will the events. And someone will be required to manage both, then why not me?”

8. Lines for today’s generation

“Love yourself first, then you’ll be able to love and understand others.”

He also stresses the fact that your work reflects your culture and your country, so work keeping that in mind. This generation is very active, and is busy with a lot of activities, so once in a while, they need to choose themselves and take care of their mental and physical fitness.