The art of dance, to its core, is one of the most beautiful self-expressions of human nature. Granted, there are those of us who find it challenging to match the rhythm of the beat, but there remains a soul-stirring spell from the sounds of our favourite genre that we fail to repel, no matter how hard we try. I’m not sure about others, but I’ll dance at any given opportunity, from a little shoulder-shake and shimmy at my office desk to executing choreography from Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” at a wedding reception. A performance art, such as dance, can be graded at a professional level, but it can also help the body sway melodically, relieve stress, or simply be an expression of joy.
One of the better trends of the year, and much needed in Bangkok, has been found in dance workshops, enjoyed by beginners, intermediates, more seasoned choreographers, and those who simply love to dance! According to our community insider, Venesa Daswani (@venesadaswani03 on Instagram), who has conducted a few dance sessions herself, the origin of this hip-shaking trend in Bangkok began with Bobby Singh of DanceFree, who called upon the then-viral sensation, Shehzaan Khan. The latter was known for his Bollywood and commercial-style choreography, which the locals deemed to be successful. In turn, Dharmik Samani and Aadil Khan– famous choreographers from India – also made their presence known through their own visits to the ‘City of Angels’ and their respective dance workshops.
DANCEFREE
A seamless blend of Bollywood and modern commercial moves, Bobby has cultivated a hub for dance lovers through DanceFree, embodying the energy and passion of the art, while bringing in incredible talent from India for consistently new, fun, and engaging experiences.
Follow to dance with @dancefree_bkk.
SHREYA SACHDEV & POOJA PATHELA
The success led dancers Shreya and Pooja to follow suit and bring in talents such as Sanya Hori, hosting their signature styles of a more classical, feminine, and softer touch to each step and overall choreography.
Follow to dance with @shreyadance.melb and @pooja_pathela
ISHAANI DANCES
Choreographer and dance instructor Ishaani (@ishaani.dances) conducts weekly classes teaching foundations in femme and commercial style dance—every Saturday from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. She’s collaborated with talents such as Anvi Shetty, produced the first-ever Desi Hip-Hop pop-up class in Bangkok with Bobby Singh, and, not to mention, has gotten to perform on stage with Diljit Dosanjh.
“Dance has always been about joy and self-expression. Growing up, I never really felt like I had a special “talent” or exciting hobby outside of academics, so dance became that thing that was mine.
I was always fascinated with the stage, and dancing gave me a reason to get on stage without embarrassing myself (for the most part). I am so in love with that feeling. Even today, it’s still something I do purely for fun and passion—it excites me, it makes me feel good, and it’s something that’s become a big part of who I am.
Through dance, I’ve met amazing people, found community, and even a sense of recognition that feels deeply personal. And on a more individual level, whenever I go through long periods of malaise and a loss of my sense of self, going to class grounds me. It reminds me of what I love, reconnects me with myself, and I always leave the room happier than when I walked in.
When it comes to impact, what really lights me up is seeing other people bring their own style and energy into my choreography. Watching someone smile, feel confifident, or just enjoy themselves through something I’ve created is such a powerful and validating experience.
In my classes, I’ve seen people slowly come out of their shells, discover new sides of themselves, and build confidence, and there’s truly nothing more rewarding than that.
The impact I want to leave is simple: to create a space that’s welcoming and non-judgmental, where people can explore dance as a hobby, but more importantly, as a way to fall in love with themselves. I want my classes to be a place where, for an hour or two, people feel lighter, happier, and more connected to who they are. That’s why my branding is built around radiance—yellow, sun-like, flowy symbols—because at its core, what I want to share is light, positivity, and confidence. I want to radiate happiness and confidence, and want for those coming to classes to embody that and pass it along.”
VENESA DASWANI
On a seasonal basis (for now), Venesa hosts workshops that teach hip-hop, commercial, and contemporary styles—a crash course in dance that combines lessons learned from the UK and India.
“Dance, to me, is happiness in its purest form. Whenever I feel stressed or overwhelmed in my day-to-day life, I turn to dance. It’s my reset button, my way of reconnecting with my truest self. In the studio or on stage, I get to express myself freely, to be whoever I want to be without judgment or the weight of societal pressures. Dance has been my constant through both the highs and lows, grounding me while also allowing me to soar.
Beyond personal expression, dance is also about connection. There’s an indescribable magic in collaborating with others who share the same passion. It creates a bond that goes beyond words. Through my workshops and collaborations, I aim to remind people that life is so much bigger than our daily stresses—whether that’s work, social media, money, or personal struggles. That’s why I always encourage my students to put their phones away or switch to “do not disturb” mode during class. For those two hours, the focus is entirely on themselves. I remind them it’s okay to be selfish in that moment—to let go, to be fully present, and to feel the joy that dance can bring.
The impact I want to leave on the community through dance is simple: I want people to walk away with lighter hearts, stronger connections, and the realisation that dance isn’t just movement—it’s freedom, healing, and a reminder that happiness can always be found within.”