First dance workshop in Bhutan.

We just had the first dance workshop in Bhutan last month. I invited two of my friends who are both dance instructors in Bangkok to come and teach Salsa, Bachata, Hip hop and Jazz (both lyrical) to Bhutanese people and a few foreigners, most of whom had never taken a dance lesson in their lives. It was a two day workshop with each class being three hours long. It turned out that most people found three hours a bit too long and looked tired after 2 hours even though we had a few short breaks in between. But,everyone was tired but happy by the end of the workshop.


Dancing makes me happy. If you've ever been to a salsa club, I'm sure you've noticed how after a song ends and everyone separates from their partners to either sit down to rest or to ask someone for another dance, there is joy on every single face. And it's not just at a salsa club.....have you ever seen someone dancing unhappily? Lol.This is the reason I want to start a dance studio here in Bhutan. I want to share something that makes me happy with everyone else and hopefully many will find a sort of happiness in dancing as I have. We are after all the country of GNH (Gross National Happiness) and I would like this to be my little contribution.


Coming back to the workshop, it was quite hard organizing it and I couldn't have done it without the encouragement from my family and help from my friends to whom I am very grateful. Not many people signed up until the very end so you can imagine how anxious I was. But, it was a success and we were even covered by national TV, a local magazine (coming out in October) and a local radio station.


The next day after the two day workshop, in the evening we organized a free class for underprivileged kids who love to dance. Although I enjoyed the other two days of the workshop for me, personally, the class with the kids was the most special. I think Ken the instructor teaching them the Jazz routine felt the same. They had an eagerness and passion to learn that they didn't rest much at all for three and half hours! That night I went to sleep with a smile on my face after I watched the video of their routine on my phone. :)

Bachata class

Lyrical Hip hop class

Salsa class

The best part about salsa...the twirls!
(only after the dips of course)

The men, ready to salsa.

Lyrical Jazz class. Yes, as dancers we have to stretch.

The class with the kids. :)

Group photo with the kids.

 Not bad, I think for kids with not much exposure and absolutely no training.