So you want to get fit – but the thought of pushing back the living-room furniture and following a celebrity DVD workout doesn’t exactly fill you with inspiration. If it’s fitness with fun and a lively beat you’re after, and some adventure and romance thrown in, why not try ‘Bolly-aerobics’?

The British Asian Dance And Fitness Academy in Bradford is offering taster classes for people interested in trying out fitness moves based on Bollywood’s vibrant, colourful song-and-dance numbers.

“It’s good cardio-vascular activity and great for toning,” says principal Salma Zaman. “It’s also fun – we have lots of laughter in the classes – and you’re learning a new skill too.”

Dance and fitness instructor Salma is offering courses in techniques including ‘Bolly-aerobics’ and ‘Bhangra-sise’.

“Anyone can have a go, whatever your shape, size or age,” says Salma. “This is the time of year when we think about starting a new fitness regime, but the thought of going to a gym can be daunting. Gyms can be intimidating places with their own dress code. You feel you need to be fit and toned before you even set foot in a gym!

“But Bollywood dance and exercise routines are lots of fun, in an informal setting, and keep you fit and toned. You learn the latest moves and grooves of Bollywood and Bhangra and keep fit at the same time.”

Salma combines traditional and modern ethnic dance styles from India and Pakistan with Salsa, Turkish bellydancing, ballroom, Latin quick-step and African dancing, incorporating them into a cardio-vascular workout.

“The moves are based on classical Indian dances khatak and bharat-natyam, it’s a ‘masala mix’ of ethnic styles,” she says.

“It’s quite strenuous. After an hour everyone has really worked up a sweat. It gets you physically active, it builds your confidence, improves posture and is a great way of having fun, learning a new skill and making friends.”

Salma says the classes cover the latest trends in modern ethnic dance and include a cardio-vascular activity session.

“It’s good for toning, trimming and body-conditioning,” she says. “We do Bollywood dance (modern Hindi), which offers a real taste of the hustle and bustle of Indian dance. Bollywood dance moves include Arabic arms, Egyptian heads, hip sways and jerks, and intricate travelling steps and movements. It’s a hot dance style, expressed with fusions of classical dance and Western themes.

“We also do Bhangra dance, derived from Indian folk dance which has been modernised and updated as the years have gone by.

“The moves range from traditional Bhangra shoulder and arm movements, ‘travelling steps’ and stomping. It’s a cocktail of Indian culture and history, explored through movement, performed to traditional Bhangra music or funky upbeat rhythms and the dhol (Indian drum).

“And we also do Lollywood Dance, inspired by the Pakistani film industry.

“It involves similar techniques to Bollywood dancing; it’s a fun, exciting dance style with hip circles, shoulder movements, wavy arms and classical steps, movements generally combined with Arabic and western influences. For Lollywood workshops you can choose from a traditional Punjabi dance or an Urdu dance session.”

Salma also teaches Bollywood-style acting. “You can learn Bollywood dancing and acting alongside each other; as well as learning your dance piece, you’re learning the basic techniques and principles of acting in Indian or Pakistani cinema,” she says. “Physical training includes the art of mime, expressing emotion, improvisation, acting the song through the language of dance, facial expressions, body language and hand gestures. It’s great for all-round appreciation of Bollywood as an art form.”

Salma has set up men’s classes following demand. “I felt it was important to set sessions for boys and men as we tend to forget about them, but they’re just as keen,” she says.

The mum-of-two lost 2st in six weeks through Bollywood dancing. She has danced since she was seven and worked with top Bollywood stars.

She danced in a televised Coronation Street pantomime and worked with Gareth Gates and the stars of BBC comedy Goodness Gracious Me in the video for their Comic Relief single Spirit In The Sky.

After completing a performing arts course in Huddersfield, Salma trained to be a dance teacher and fitness instructor, then spent time in Pakistan, learning dance styles of Lollywood, and in Turkey, learning Arabic dancing.

She says the rising popularity of Bollywood in mainstream Western culture has boosted interest. “These days it’s more mainstream than ever. Bollywood films are screened at major cinemas and there are Bollywood routines in movies like The Guru, Bend It Like Beckham and Bride And Prejudice. The appeal is down to the colour, energy, romance and sense of fun,” she says.

Salma, who has visited schools teaching Bollywood and Bhangra dance, says the classes are particularly beneficial for Asian people.

“There’s a high rate of heart disease, diabetes and obesity among some South Asian communities,” she says. “I am offering a fitness programme in a comfortable, relaxed environment. Women can wear shalwar kameez and headscarves, as long as it doesn’t breach health and safety regulations, and their footwear is suitable for dancing.

“I wanted to create workouts for Asian communities to get them more active. But of course anyone can come along and have a go.”

Salma’s Bollywood dance and exercise sessions are aimed at youngsters from three to adults. The classes, ranging from beginners to advanced, are held at the Esporta leisure centre, based in the Odeon building at Thornbury.

For more information, ring Salma on 0797 4008239, e-mail info@salmasbollywoodacademy.

com or visit the website at salmasbollywoodacademy.com