"Passing on the Passion"- Classically Trained Bharatanatyam Dancer | 20+ Years of Dance Experience Bollywood Dance • Modern Classical Dance • Fitness Expert guidance. Personal attention.

Find out more about Monika

• At what age did you start this sport? Tell us about this time or moment in your life.

  I started at the age of 3, when I began learning Bharatanatyam in India. I've always seen dance as a sport. It takes stamina, strength, discipline and years of practice. I trained for 8 years and earned my Senior Diploma in Advanced Classical Indian Dance, and that foundation is still the base of everything I do today.

• What are your favourite sports: those that you practice at a high level, a simple hobby, and a sport that you'd still like to discover?

  Dance is my high-level sport, from classical Bharatanatyam to Bollywood, which I teach with a fusion of contemporary and hip-hop styles, along with dance fitness and cardio for adults. As a hobby, I love badminton and play whenever I get free time. A fun fact: I only learned cycling about two years ago, and I absolutely love it! I ride along the park connectors and East Coast Park, and I even took part in the OCBC Cycle event. The feeling is hard to put into words.
  
  The sport I'd still like to discover is swimming. I actually started as a kid, around 8 years old, going with my brother. When he stopped, I stopped too, and never went back. Now that I'm an adult, it's next on my to-do list!

• What gives you the motivation and passion to pursue your sport?

  My motivation really comes from within. Dance has been part of my life since I was 3, and it's something I never want to pause. I just want to keep going, keep learning and keep growing. My students add to that drive too. Seeing their transformation, the before and after, makes me so proud. Dance has given me so much confidence and happiness, and I'm a happy-go-lucky person with a smile on my face, which I try to pass on to everyone I meet and teach.

• Do you have a sporting achievement that you're particularly proud of?

  My first big achievement was completing my Senior Diploma in Bharatanatyam. Over the years, I've performed on stage many times, in school and professionally, and received a number of awards and certificates, including a Best Dancer award at a program during my early career. Even the small ones make me proud.

• How have your achievements and challenges made you a better sportsperson?

  Classical training taught me patience. Some movements take months to master, so I understand how students feel when something doesn't come easily. Moving to a new country and starting my dance journey again from scratch taught me resilience and adaptability. Today I'm a more empathetic teacher because I've experienced both the hard work and the reward.

• If you had to go for a jog with a famous athlete, who would you choose? And what questions would you ask them?

  Virat Kohli, my favourite cricketer! I really admire how he completely transformed his fitness and became one of the fittest athletes in the world through pure discipline. I'd ask him how he stays motivated to train every single day, how he handles pressure when the whole country/world is watching, and what helps him bounce back after a tough match. I'd also want to know if he could keep up with a Bollywood dance warm-up, and of course, I wouldn't leave without a selfie!☺️

• How do you help people stay motivated?

  I always tell my students: don't think you're not doing well just because the first class felt hard. Facing your fears and learning from mistakes is challenging, but one difficult session doesn't decide how you'll do in the next ones. With dance, the more you practise, the better you become, and the stronger your foundation grows. I keep my batches small and personal, so I can encourage every student and celebrate their progress along the way.

• What makes you a Superprof in sports?

  I bring a strong classical foundation from Bharatanatyam, which I've been practising since age 3, together with the fun and energy of Bollywood dance. So my students learn proper technique while still enjoying every class. I teach kids, teenagers and adults, including dance, fitness and cardio, and I also assist with dance teaching in schools. My classes are small so every student gets personal attention. Most of all, I genuinely love what I do, and my students feel that energy.