Sigrid
Today, I feel like I need to dance! And not just any dance—Bollywood dance. That’s right, our guest today not only knows how to move but knows how to move Bollywood-style. Welcome, Shailee!

Shailee
Thank you for the warm welcome! I loved how you introduced Bollywood dance—it really is a special kind of dance, full of expression and emotion. I’m excited to be here.

Sigrid
Since we’re in Germany, where emotions and movement can go into hibernation in winter, your workshops are a beautiful antidote. They really give people energy, help them break through the gray, and feel joy again.

Shailee
Yes, absolutely. I’ve been doing Bollywood workshops in Berlin for almost four years, and winter is when they fill up fastest! The music is energetic, the moves are mood-boosting—and you don’t need to be a professional dancer to join. Bollywood is for everyone. It’s about feeling better, releasing endorphins, and just enjoying yourself.

Dancing for Joy, Not Perfection

Sigrid
That’s such an important point: you don’t have to be perfect—you just have to dance!

Shailee
Exactly! I’ve always catered to beginners. I grew up dancing, but I remember how intimidating some classes were—especially when you didn’t already know the moves. That’s why I created *Smells Like Bolly Spirit*. It’s for people who just want to dance for the *joy* of it. Not to perform. Not to impress. Just to move.

Teaching beginners is actually more challenging—you have to simplify everything. But that’s what makes the space so welcoming. A lot of my students are people who’ve felt excluded or nervous in other classes. Here, they can just have fun, sweat a little, and maybe laugh at themselves along the way.

Shaile’s journey from India to Berlin — via the U.S.

Sigrid
You’ve been in Germany for a while now. How did that journey happen?

Shailee
It’s been almost six years! I’m originally from the western part of India. My husband and I moved to the U.S. for our master’s degrees, but after graduation, we couldn’t get work visas. His company offered the option to move to Europe—and they had an office in Berlin.

I’d never even set foot in Europe before. But I read about Berlin’s creative energy—artists, dancers, musicians—and thought, *this could be the place*. So we took a leap of faith, packed our bags, and moved without ever visiting. It was cold water—literally and figuratively! But now, it’s home.

Cultural Shocks and Cold Dinners

Sigrid
Do you remember your first culture shocks in Berlin?

Shailee
Oh yes. The food! In India, every meal is warm—three times a day. We cook all the time. So arriving in Germany and seeing people eat bread and cheese for dinner? That was a shock. I was like, “I’m sorry, that’s not a meal for me!”

Sigrid
That’s a common theme for us internationals! But you do have great Indian food options here now, right?

Shailee
Yes, thankfully! In the last two years especially, more great places have popped up. I’m not complaining anymore.

How Bollywood Moves You (Literally)

Sigrid
Okay, I need to picture myself in one of your workshops. I know that in Latin America, we move our hips constantly. Is it the same in Bollywood?

Shailee
Yes and no. We use the whole body—hips included—but in a different way than salsa. Bollywood also involves lots of expressive moves, especially with the shoulders! You’ll see that at any Indian wedding.

Sigrid
Ah yes, the famous shoulder shimmy! Is that a stereotype or actually real?

Shailee
Totally real! Especially during the wedding procession, when the groom’s family dances their way to the bride. That move is a must. Everyone knows it!

Sigrid
You once said it was either cricket or movies when you were growing up in India. Was dancing just part of life?

Shailee
Absolutely. Especially for girls. Everyone danced—whether they were good at it or not. We’d watch movies, learn the steps, and just do them at festivals or weddings. It’s embedded in our culture.

Sigrid
Let’s bring in Marlene—our beloved producer and resident German. Marlene, tell us: what’s your relationship to dancing?

Marlene
Honestly, I’m not much of a dancer! It’s not really part of everyday life in Germany. We do have “Tanzschule” in school, where we learn classic dances for prom, but that’s about it.

Sigrid
Has social media changed that for younger Germans?

Marlene
Maybe a little. TikTok dances are popular—but they’re short, like 30 seconds. It’s more about creating content than dancing for joy.

Inside a Bollywood Workshop

Sigrid
Before we wrap up—take us inside one of your workshops. What should we expect?

Shailee
Bollywood is all about choreographies set to specific songs. Each one is different: you might have classical Indian, hip hop, jazz, or folk elements in one routine. It’s a total fusion—and great for your brain, because you’re memorizing a sequence of movements.

Some songs are super fast-paced, which makes Bollywood more high-energy than other styles. It’s not about learning five basic steps—it’s about diving into a full routine and *feeling* the music. That’s what makes it fun, and a little addictive!

Where to Find Shailee

Sigrid
We definitely need to try this out! Where can people find you?

Shailee
I usually run workshops once or twice a month. The best way to find me is on Instagram: @smellslikebollyspirit — it’s a play on “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” You can DM me there or look me up on Google Maps under the same name. I’d love to hear from you, even just to say hi!

Sigrid
Thank you so much for being here, Shailee. I can’t wait to join a class and dance my way through winter.

Shailee
Thank you for having me! This was so much fun—and remember, fun is guaranteed in every workshop.