Originally a New York native, but now an instructor in Boston, Nicole is featured in this week’s instructor spotlight! Learn more about Nicole’s journey with BollyX in the interview below!
Q: Tell us about yourself – what do you do when you’re not teaching? What are your hobbies? What other formats do you teach? Give us a little on your background.
A: A native New Yorker, I’ve been dancing since I could walk! It’s always been a hobby of mine, but fizzled out while in college. Right when I graduated from school, I discovered Zumba (r) and became an instructor about a year after taking classes. That really helped me to solidify my passion for dance as fitness! Since then, I’ve gotten licensed in Zumba Toning and Zumba Kids (Jr.) and will be getting my Zumba Gold next month! I hope to branch off into other forms of fitness, and BollyX was a great next step for me when I took the training over a year ago. When I’m not teaching, I’m producing a talk show called CityLine at ABC Channel 5, enjoying ‘fine’ wine with my friends, and catching up on popular TV shows. I love traveling, sleeping, and shopping…pretty much all at once if possible.
Q: How would you describe BollyX in one word?
A: In one word, BollyX is FIERCE. The music is bold, and different, the posing is so swag, and I get so pumped shaking my shoulders! I definitely feel like the ultimate rockstar.
Q: What is your favorite part of BollyX class?
A: My favorite part of a BX class is the first Western song, aside from the warmup. Not because it’s a Western song, but because students get to see how Bollywood meets Hollywood. Sometimes, you can see this ‘A-Ha’ moment in their faces, and THEY know they’re in for a great workout!
Q: How has working with BollyX changed you?
A: BollyX has made me a stronger instructor, overall. I’m so much better at pre-cueing and cueing my routines to students, it’s made a difference in all the classes I teach. The need for clarity in a group fitness class is critical, and BollyX has provided me with the resources to become better. I’m also much stronger physically; BollyX can be very high impact, and I always worried I wouldn’t be able to sustain some of the moves. But now, it almost feels second nature, and I’ve used my early concerns of teaching to encourage my students to modify their movement in order to stay safe and build stamina.
Q: How long have you been with BollyX?
A: I became a BollyX instructor in 2014, and hope to continue growing!
Q: What is your favorite BollyX song to teach?
A: My favorite song to teach might just be Dance Basanti. It’s a very low key song, but has amazing opportunities to swag the $&@^% OUT! 🙂
Q: Where do you teach BollyX?
A: I hope to build a strong following as I begin teaching at the Beacon Hill Athletic Club in Brighton. Come find me Wednesdays at 6:15 PM!
To attend one of Nicole’s classes, check out her profile!