For Pooja Thakkar, dance is the joy of movement and the heart of life.
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Now, the professional dancer is helping to bolster the physical and mental health of aged care residents in the state's North through Bollywood-inspired movements.
With qualifications in semi-classical and Bollywood dancing from India, Thakkar has recently established her own dance studio called Bollywood Beats at Youngtown.
She has also been sharing her skills with residents at Prospect Vale's Tyler Village and May Shaw at Swansea.
The classes are all in an effort to improve balance and coordination among residents and to bring some extra joy and colour into their lives.
With experience teaching dance to people aged five to 85 years old, Thakkar said the benefits of Bollywood dancing - based around the popular Indian film genre - were endless for people of all ages.
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"Dancing is a fantastic way to make exercise entertaining, and engage your loved one in a new daily routine," she said.
"Dancing bolsters physical and mental health by helping to prevent falls, improve posture and flexibility, lift mood and ease anxiety.
"It's also a fun activity that sharpens the mind, increases aerobic power and strength, builds social bonds, and can reduce pain and stiffness."
Born in India, Thakkar has been teaching Bollywood dancing for the past eight years.
She said she decided to move to Launceston from Queensland with her husband in 2017 after falling in love with the Apple Isle.
"We came to holiday here and then we decided it was a really nice place to stay," she said.
"So we decided to settle in Tasmania."
As part of the Bollywood Beats experience, Thakkar leads participants through a range of different head, neck and body movements.
Depending on their ability, the classes are aimed at increasing relaxation and the overall happiness of participants.
She said the response to classes in aged care facilities had so far been fantastic, with more and more people starting to open themselves up to a new challenge.
"Many people don't know about this type of dance ... I just want to help spread it everywhere," she said.
"It's something different and there is lots of happy songs for people to laugh along to and enjoy.
"Anybody can dance ... you don't need particular shoes or a dress code.
"You just come along and enjoy the beats."
For more information about Bollywood Beats, email poojathakkar182@gmail.com.
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Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
