I tried to register for Ajna during NY Dance Week but it was full, so they emailed me a free pass which I ended up redeeming a few months later. I went for the Bollywood & Bhangra class on a Wednesday night at Pearl Studios. It was taught by a girl subbing for Minila (I don't remember her name, but she was awesome). It was also a really small class - only three of us that night. The first thirty minutes was such a workout, lots of jumping around and cardio doing basic Bhangra moves. Bring water because you will definitely work up a sweat. The second half was focused on learning some brief choreography. We learned maybe only thirty seconds of the song, so it would've been cool if the overall class was longer so we could learn more. I enjoyed the class though, it was definitely a fun and different kind of workout! read more

Working with the team at Ajna Dance was amazing. I'm a wedding planner and my clients tasked me with finding authentic Indian dancers and they selected Ajna Dance from a list of other options. We were not disappointed. The couple was amazed with their performance and the guests were thoroughly entertained. I would definitely recommend them for performances for any special event. read more

We booked a private class for my sister's bachelorette through Ajna Dance. They were quick to respond and offered several studio locations for the private. It was perfection!!! Ramita was upbeat and fun. She was prepared with warmups and choreography for us to learn. Not all of us are dancers... but everyone enjoyed it and nailed the choreography. Definitely an experience we will remember!! read more

Minila Shah choreographed and taught dances for my wedding and it was amazing. Not only did she teach me and my groomsmen (who do NOT have dance skills..lol) how to do a coordinated and complex routine, but she had my wife and I integrate another dance into it! It was such a hit at the wedding! Although I didn't have much 'Bollywood dance' experience Minila was a great teacher, was able to teach in a way that was easy and really fun. I was able to catch on quickly and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I think the most important part is that she knows how to TEACH, not just how to dance. She makes it fun and spends enough time to have you learn the moves. I highly recommend Ajna Dance. You won't be disappointed. read more

Took this class with my girl friend and I have to say I really enjoyed the first portion of it. Although the class was late in getting started, we did a lot of traditional moves but with a cardio slant to it. It was nonstop movement and I was sweating. When I sweat I feel like I'm burning calories, and that's what I go to dance classes to do. However, the second half of the class we did a choreographed dance that was very stop and go and my heart rate wasn't really up for the last 30 mins. Also, the instructor spent a lot of time recalling the movements so we spent a lot of time just watching. I'm not sure if she had intended to teach us that choreography that night but that was a little bit of a bummer. I wish we could have just done what we did the first half of class the entire way through or that the choreography would have been a bit simpler so that it would be easy to break down/learn/and actually spent time dancing. I would consider joining the class for a longer time if they allowed students to do performances though every quarter or something. That's be really fun! read more

We booked a private class for my bachelorette party to perform at my wedding and Laamia was great! She shared the choreo beforehand and was very receptive to feedback. We had an amazing time and can't wait to perform the dance we learned! read more

If only I could mark more than five stars. That's how awesome this is! I've been taking classes with Minila Shah and Ajna Dance for several months now and I am loving it!!! She is a fantastic teacher with great energy and infectious enthusiasm that comes through from class start to finish. She comes up with these great choreographed routines that are fun yet challenging and she breaks down the steps so that even the most movement-challenged person can pick it up quite easily. If you are looking for a way to channel your inner Bollywood star, maybe pick up a few new moves for that upcoming party, and get a great workout at the same time, then Ajna is definitely the way to go! read more

LOVE these classes! Super easy to follow, a lot of fun and a great workout! I've been to a couple classes led by Minila and she is supremely talented. But more importantly for attending a class or looking for a teacher she is really patient, easy to follow, great at breaking down things and has amazing energy. I highly recommend checking out a class...you will get addicted! read more

Ajna Dance is a great new company in NY founded by Minila Shah! The Bollywood dance classes at Ajna are super fun, high energy, amazingly choreographed, and a healthy dose of cardio. Minila's love of dance is apparent in her enthusiasm to teach and share dance with others. I've taken several classes around NY with various choreographers. Hands down...Bollywood classes with Minila are the best! If you love to dance, find a way to include her classes into your regular work-out routine! read more

I love dancing and I must say that ajna is the best place to learn...I am looking forward to attend more Bollywood dancing classes...

We booked a private class for a bachelorette party and it was fantastic. Our teacher had her work cut out for her as we are certainly not graceful, but she was was incredibly helpful, patient and fun. Everyone had a great time, and we are going to perform the routine at the wedding! It was a great activity and I highly recommend it. read more

My husband and I (who have no bollywood dance experience) were looking to surprise my family with a small performance at my brother's wedding. She helped us put together a great routine that had everyone on their feet while we performed. She helped with music selection and choreographed the entire thing. She was patient, thoughtful, and obviously very talented. She knew our skill level and taught us accordingly and both my husband and I felt very comfortable learning from her. She's also very fun and easy to interact with which made the classes something we looked forward to. I would definitely recommend working with her. read more

I can't believe I haven't yet reviewed my favorite dance workout ever. I have been taking Ajnadance classes when I can for around two years, and I never tire of it. It's the perfect extracurricular if you have a high stress job, because you can't be angry or depressed when you're doing a Bollywood dance routine. It's physically impossible. Embrace the cheesiness, smile, and shake your head side to side! Minila is a great teacher with a sense of humor, and a creative choreographer. She almost never repeats a routine. I like the 440 Studios class because the room is pretty big and the AC decent. The first half hour is cardio focused, and we dance continuously and try to follow along the best we can. There is always at least one really sweaty Bhangra song with a lot of kicks.The second half of the class is spent learning a Bollywood routine of about a minute in length or so. Minila also teaches classical Indian dance, so she sometimes works a little bit of that in, which is interesting. The class is usually a pretty even mix of regulars and those new to the ways of Bollywood dance. I am not about to get cast in a Bollywood movie anytime soon, but this class is primarily about having fun and not about drilling choreo till it's perfect. Whether you're a dancer or not, you will most definitely have a good time. read more

I've only tried the semi-classical class, and it's pretty good. It's hard to find drop-in training for classical Indian dance, so I appreciate Ajna's existence. The room they have classes in is really small but it's usually not crowded. read more

I am a Program Coordinator at a well-known non-profit agency, South Asian Youth Action! (SAYA!) I coordinated a dance trip with Minila for my program participants. Minila was great with connecting with the teenagers. She started off with an icebreaker to learn more about the girls' culture, interest, and passion. Minila then spoke about her education background, change in career: from business, to dance instructor, to now dance instructor AND Founder & Director of Ajna Dance company! The girls and I were inspired from hearing her story. As requested by my youths, Minila taught the girls some fun Bhangra and modern Bollywood dance moves. She broke down the steps so clearly that even the girls who claimed that they "can't dance", got it. She also performed one of her recent choreographed dance, which was truly beautiful. She empowered the girls to explore their interests and choose a career that they are really passionate about. The girls had so much fun that they requested to have another dance trip/dance workshop with Minila. If you're looking to learn classical or modern Indian dance, or a fun and good workout, then I highly recommend Ajna Dance Studio. =) read more

Devi was a great dance instructor. She was very patient and kind. We had busy schedules to try to squeeze in dance practice and she worked with us to get our sessions in. Very skilled at dance and most of all, skilled at teaching. We definitely recommend Devi for anyone's dance lessons. read more

GREAT studio and Minila was excellent. I went there on a field trip with a girls' group. Minila was so kind and informative. She taught several different types of dances and even did a mini performance for us! Her connection to the history of the dances showcases her passion and respect for the dances she teaches. CHECK HER OUT! read more

I auditioned for the performing group at Ajna last year. I was told to practice two dances and that I would need to perform them at the audition. I was emailed by the head of Ajna that there was a change of plans at that I should come on the day that she teaches her class. When I arrived at the class, I felt judged immediately - I was looked up and down. I was told that I did not need to show the two dances that I practiced but rather should follow the choreography that her younger students were learning in the class. I felt bad that I had practiced hours to prepare for the audition beforehand. I left the class and then got a call from the head of Ajna. She told me that I wasn't good enough to be on the team. When I asked her for feedback, she told me that she didn't have much feedback because she wasn't watching me dance. I know that I was judged on my appearance and the way I carried myself more than my dance ability. I am happy to say that I have found another performance group who did not treat me with the same disrespect that Ajna did. read more

Minila did an awesome job of choreographing a Bollywood themed routine for my company's dance competition. As we learned the routine she explained the movements really well and went through everything slowly. It was easy to learn, and a lot of fun when we got the hang of it. The actual performance was a blast, and we won! read more

Ajna Dance offers awesome Bollywood dance classes in NYC. I did a drop in class. Minila taught my class, and she has such a great energy. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, (I grew up dancing, but have never done Bollywood.) It was so much fun and a great workout! Loved the music, loved the choreography, loved Ajna Dance!! read more

We hired Minila to choreo and teach our corporate consulting offices a Bollywood dance for a competition against our other offices. She had such great energy and was able to make 60+ consultants look like they knew what they were doing by breaking down all of the moves for even the most awkward of movers. It takes a great teacher to be able to make a bunch of people who sit at desks all day look coordinated, especially considering she taught 2 offices while only being able to visit one and taught the others through video conference and videos. When the two offices came together to perform for the first time, it was clear that her instruction had made us look great. As you can imagine, a group like this may not think that dancing of any kind would be fun, but we all got up there, did our performance really well and had an amazing time! Not only did we have a great time and look fabulous.... we won the dance competition against the 3 other global offices :) Thanks so much for all of your time, hard work and inspiring energy! We had so much fun and you made us look great! read more

I used Minila for a private bollywood dance class with my colleagues. Minila was great! We practiced and performed a choreographed routine. It was easy to follow and perfect for some team bonding. I was initially nervous since the group was co-ed, but the guys enjoyed the performance as much as the gals! read more

Minila and Ajna Dance are professional, fun, innovative and so very talented in the art of dance. Thank you for supporting Kula Kamala Foundation and for helping make the evening one that wont be forgotten. The attendees are still raving! read more

Ajna dance is wonderful! I have become a regular at the Tuesday drop-in Bollywood class and I can't get enough---I wish I could take it everyday! First of all, Minila is amazing! She is full of energy and always smiling and encouraging. The class begins with about 20 minutes straight of follow-along Bollywood style dance moves that she has crafted into an incredible cardio workout! The second half of class is devoted to learning choreography (there's something new and exciting each week). It's face-paced, but Minila does such a good job demonstrating and explaining each move that everyone learns incredibly quickly. I could not recommend Ajna Dance more highly. I encourage everyone--dancers or not--to come give it a try, and I promise you will have an amazing time and leave energized (I am always so pumped from class and I struggle to get to sleep on Tuesdays). read more