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STEP BY STEP: Priti Kochar. PIC/PRADEEP DHIVAR

For three years, Priti Kochar (28) has been juggling two distinct professions with equal ease and elan.
She works as a dentist at her clinic at Seven Bungalows, Andheri, from morning to evening, and then hits a dance studio, Pulse, as a belly dance instructor.

Kochar grew up in Saudi Arabia and was passionate about belly dancing even as a teenager. She said, “When I came to Mumbai in 2003, I saw belly dancing was a craze here. I taught my friend some moves, and in 2005 got an offer to teach at Pulse.” Kochar, who graduated from A B Shetty College in Mangalore in 2002, set up her clinic the same year.

On work

One profession can be stressful enough, but for Kochar juggling two is just a way of life. She said, “It is physically tiring, but at the end of the day, I’m satisfied that I am making something out of my life.”

She added, “I thought I could only meet difficult patients, but some students make my life miserable. I have learnt to stay calm.”

On dancing

“Belly dancing is a classical dance of the Middle East, it is sensual and that is why people take notice of it. Belly dancing is about muscle control and it not just about shaking the body,” said Kochar.

She feels good about being one of the first belly dance instructors in the city, but is disheartened when people doubt if she knows enough because she is an Indian.

“When music plays, steps spontaneously fall into place in my mind. It is my dream to choreograph a Bollywood number some day,” she said.

PICK ONE

When asked to pick one preferred profession, she said, “If I knew the answer I’d be doing just one of them. Dancing gives me a high and my work as a dentist provides me the right balance.”

So you want to be a belly dancer

Be confident and love your body the way it is.

Remember, you are dancing for yourself and not to entertain someone.

Always warm up before you start. Begin with slow moves before moving onto intense steps.

Practice regularly