Doonya NYC

I came here for the first time for Natasha’s Bollywood dance class. She separated the class into 14 different sections, such as legs, high cardio, Bollywood fun, abs, etc. Super smiley and encouraging, she made me feel comfortable even when I was slow to pick up on some of the dance sequences. The regulars for the class all took spots in the front row, while us newbies gravitated towards the back. It worked out well this way because when the music got louder and we couldn’t necessarily hear the instructor, I could still follow along.
I was more challenged than I anticipated! We did a lot of squats as well as a 2 minute plank that I was not expecting. Great workout!

I just left my first class at Doonya and am drenched!
Needless to say, you definitely work up a sweat. Make sure to bring a towel as the facility doesn’t have any but I believe you can purchase them.
The gist of it: super fun and EXACTLY the kind of cardio dance class I was looking for.
This class is perfect for novice dancers and those getting back into working out. For me, the latter applied. I have some dance training but suffered an injury last year and haven’t danced in awhile so I needed a class that was a good boost of confident. This was it! But for those of you fearful of dance classes bc you’re afraid you’ll suck, this is a great welcoming judgment free class. Everyone is just there to have fun.
My first class was with Natasha on Sunday and she was really nice and upbeat. The routines were simple and repetitive but I think could be a good but not deterring challenge for new dancers. Bc they repeat a lot you eventually get the hang of it. The music was so lively and awesome and you’ll end up moving and shaking even if you don’t get the moves.
So why the four stars? For me I know I’ll return for a couple more months, but once that rolls around, I think I’d look for a more challenging class. If you are looking for something that will continually change your body I don’t think this is it. This is a great supplemental class to other toning or lifting or more intense workouts. But if you are in need of a fun carefree workout to blow off some steam, this is it!

I did this through ClassPass as I was looking for something low impact (relative to boxing) which I needed to take a break from.
I love dancing and Bollywood, so I figured what the heck and took this class. I was so much fun, and a great workout in a non judgmental atmosphere. There were people who I could tell had been taking the class for a while, a few out of shape people and first timers. I doesn’t matter your fitness level you can scale the moves to fit how much of a workout you want. The caveat is no matter what you do you will end up sweating (a lot) with a smile on your face as you dance your way through the class to awesome music.

OMG! I don’t know where to start. I have been to Doonya few times. My last visit was for the Garba workshop with Rohan.
He is the best. What a graceful dancer he is. I love dancing with him. He breaks the dance step into simpler steps so it is easier to follow. Great attitude and energy!!!
I would highly recommend Doonya to anyone who wants to get familiar with bollywood dance moves and plus it is a great workout.
I want Doonya to have a garba workshop that should run for atleast four weeks before navratri. I hope they implement it for next Navratri.
Cheers!

I like the classes especially with Rohan. Took with other teachers and they def not as burn as him.
The studio is well light, nice and cool.
I think it’s great for alternative dance cardio but won’t burn as much as Simone or dancebody

Priya Iyer is a fierce teacher!
I’ve taken her class and absolutely love it! She makes you work real hard while grooving to great music! She keeps class energy up and doesn’t let you slack!
Doonya is a fabulous workout! I definitely feel super accomplished and work up a sweat by the end of each class. It’s fun and totally different from any other aerobic type class I’ve taken. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to get outside his/​her comfort zone because it moves your body to new dance moves that the average person probably hasn’t done before. So much fun!!!

So amazing! I started coming here since I had purchased a five-​class Groupon. I figured the best way to get a sense of the place is to go at different times, days and with different instructors. Each time I go I feel welcomed. The other classmates are friendly and there isn’t a sense of judgement, that I’ve experienced in other gyms.
Doonya is a full body work, that is not only cardio intensive but also helps with flexibility and strength. I have yet to go and not sweat buckets — disclaimer, bring a spare shirt. But it leaves you feeling good about yourself. So much in fact I’ve signed up for 10 more classes!
Beware of their class pass policy. I advise to NOT get more than a five class pass in case your circumstances changes (ie lose a job, move out of the area, etc). I was able to get my 10 class pass extended one month more by pure luck. For anyone else you need a note from your doctor indicating the reason why you need a refund, extension, etc.

Spring’s finally here, and if you are looking for something new to try in terms of fitness, you should give Doonya a try.
I came here on a whim with one of my coworkers. A few days ago as I walked by her desk, she was showing the Doonya website to another coworker. I was being my nosy self and asked them what they were looking at, «What’s that?» My colleague said that it was a Bollywood theme workout.
I have been looking for a Bollywood place to try out. So on a whim, I just went with her that same day, wearing my work jeans & exercising bare foot. In a way I feel like I had been tricked into going to work out with her. Though that’s not a bad thing is it?
The location and exercise studios are very clean and everyone was very nice. I took a class called Flow with Priya. The classes are sort of themed to Bollywood dancing, but it is more than that. I did the warm ups with the rest of the class, and then I did yoga and strengthening. The class was 1 hour and I was sweating profusely!
Since I signed up for a beginner’s package I decided to try the other classes. They are all pretty easy to follow along to, and it is a lot of fun getting both strength training and dancing. Who wouldn’t be happy working out with Bollywood music? With just 1 Doonya class you can burn anywhere between 600 – 900 calories.
After taking 3 classes I felt really good and energized. I had thyroid surgery 6 months ago and have since felt very tired and sluggish. I have not felt this energized for a long time, after these Doonya classes I feel much better.
I’m not sure what kind of magic they have here, but these classes are a lot of fun and will work you until you sweat. Plus you get that added advantage of feeling energized, this is very important to me.
At this location they have changing rooms and serve ice water, the set up is very nice. They keep a very clean bathroom but they don’t have a shower, this may be an issue for some of you, but full disclosure right? I recommend you try this spot out if you are looking for a new way to sweat while having fun!

So much fun! I don’t typically do dance classes but found this through class pass and wanted to give it a shot. I loved the Doonya Turbo class and the instructor so much — definitely a challenge but so much fun!

I love this place. The instructors are so caring and energetic.
And they kick your ass.
You’ll like it.

I’ll try to keep this brief although I could say a million great things.
I lost 15 pounds doing Doonya and had fun doing it. You can burn up to 800 calories in one 60 minute class if you’re giving it 100% (my friend wore a heart rate monitor to prove it).
Their class times are incredibly convenient and their instructors are all super sweet/​knowledgeable/​upbeat.
There is absolutely no pressure to look good/​coordinated while you’re dancing — I had no bollywood dance experience but that has only made it more fun.
Doonya is really a community of people who want to have fun through fitness. Please do yourself a favor and give it a try!
And one last thing, guys do take this class too!

A friend of mine had kept telling me that Bollywood classes are a real workout. Fun but real. I finally decided to use my ClassPass to try out Doonya and I was not disappointed.
The unit is on the smaller side, while the studio itself is the perfect size for class. When you first get off the elevator, you either have to remove your outside shoes (you can do these workouts barefoot, if you wish) or you can wipe them down with provided spray and paper towels. The studio has a «clean shoe» policy. They are quick to sign you in and show you the small waiting area (where the 2 changing rooms are), as well as the one restroom (out by the elevator). There are no lockers so you keep your belongings inside the studio on shelves.
Rohan was my instructor for the cardio and abs class. He was fantastic. He has an uplifting personality and he’s funny! However, he will put you to work and he does correct your form, especially during the floor exercises. My planks sucked (ugh!) but my downward dog push-​ups were good and I got the hang of the choreography pretty quick. The dance part feels quick but you’ll be sweating by the time it wraps up. It’s amazing how many lunges and squats can be incorporated into a dance routine.
Overall, this is a great studio and don’t be afraid if you lack rhythm. It’s all about having fun and learning something new.

Despite having 2 left feet, I find myself drawn to Doonya’s super fun «Bollywood» dance/​cardio classes! Although learning the choreography can be intimidating as a beginner, just go with the flow, forget about looking ridiculous, and you’ll enjoy yourself while burning those calories. You’ll certainly work up a good sweat — although there’s no shower facilities, the Shobha rose body wipes in the changing rooms are a nice amenity to have post-​workout.
As others have stated, Rohan is an awesome and energetic instructor but you might want to sample a few classes to find whose style fits your preference the best.
If you’re not a first row person, def budget a little extra time to snag a good (safe) position :)

OK So I was very skeptical going into this class because most «Bollywood» themed classes have just not lived up to the expectation.
The studio: Spacious, beautiful with windows all around, nice floor so it’s easy to dance in
The instructor: ROHAN is the best, he’s all high energy and very encouraging. He also breaks down movements very well. Basically this review is based on how amazing of an instructor he is.
The class: Cardio based, great range of different workouts to target muscle groups. The music is AWESOME and made me want to keep dancing. I also liked that I had a mixture of cardio/​pilates/​dance.
I was also lucky that all the times I went were not a peak-​hour timings, so I had max like 6 people in the class, BUT I’m not sure if I would have liked this place so much if I had a different instructor (there were some instructors in my class that didn’t seem too impressive). Not too sure about the pricing, tried it through ClassPass but was told there are packages and into-​pricing available.

For anyone who is curious about Bollywood dance, Doonya offers a very accessible way to learn the basics while getting a solid workout. Absolute beginners can learn a lot, and it seems that hard-​core Bollywood fans enjoy the experience as well. Worth a try for those who want to add some diversity into their fitness regimen!

Doonya is my favorite thing/​place on this EARTH — and that is no exaggeration.
All of the staff members are super friendly and welcoming. I’m always greeted with a smile and enjoy chatting before class. I used to go to Doonya classes at another studio (before this one opened) and they were always fun but nothing compares to the energy of the Doonya studio. There’s a real sense of community there which I feel makes the classes all the more enjoyable. I feel like the instructors really care about the students and their progress and are always available to answer questions.
I also love the fact that, while being a workout, Doonya is really playful. On Valentine’s Day we did a class where, throughout the different songs and dances, we told a story — a Bollywood romance, of course! IT WAS AMAZING! Everyone was smiling and laughing AND getting a great workout.
Some folks have mentioned the floor being slick — for me this took a little getting used to but I think it’s actually been really helpful for my knees. Some songs have turns and twists and I noticed that at the other studio, which had more grip on the floor — maybe too much– it would sometimes cause pain in my knees if I wasn’t able to completely move the right way but this floor allows me to get the full rotation I need to avoid injury.
In terms of the classes, there are lots of offerings now which has been fun to try! I’ve done the signature workout — which i love for all the sass, turbo which is the HIT version of Doonya and AAL. You can really get a full body workout staggering these classes. I’ve definitely noticed a big change in my body since I started and especially now that I’ve tried more of the classes.
All in all, I can’t say enough good things about this place. If you come you’ll probably see me there!

I’ve been a committed DO-​er since 2011. It truly is a total body workout, combining the aerobics of male bhangra (think lots of arms in the air!) with the artistry of traditional women’s Indian dance styles. I’m so proud of the founders, Priya and Kajal, for bringing it from start-​up to its own dance studio on the way to being a Bollywood fitness empire…
Things to know– every instructor is a little different. Find one that works best for you– some are more intense with fitness, some bring a little more artistry in to it.
Doonya has been on and off of Classpass. Currently ON!

I recently took an Abs, Arms & Legs class with Manisha, who is the sweetest instructor ever. Even though I’m not the most coordinated person, I take a lot of dance fitness classes because they’re the most fun for me. This particular class wasn’t so much dance-​based as their others but I’m looking forward to trying more of what Doonya has to offer!
My favorite part of the class was the arms segment. We didn’t use weights but Manisha led us through a Tracy Anderson-​esque sequence that really had my arms burning by the end! I didn’t feel so much of a burn during the legs segment though.
The music makes this class so much fun. It’s so nice to find a fitness option that doesn’t blast EDM for an hour. I agree with other reviews saying the steps are fairly easy to learn!

Doonya is where I channel my inner Bollywood star. (I’m the one in my friend group who embarrassingly busts out dance moves whenever «Jai Ho» comes on.)
AND I am the most uncoordinated person I know, but I still manage to have a fantastic time (and great workout) every time I come to Doonya! I’ve taken a few classes with Ronan, and he is an amazing, fun instructor. He dances 99% of the time so you can follow along and he breaks down the choreography into smaller segments that are easy to learn.
The turbo class is a more intense with plenty of burpees and push ups thrown in between. The music is always on point (or should I say… on fleek.) I’m still sore from class two days ago!
It gets crowded, as others reviewers have mentioned, but everyone is still able to find a spot. It’s actually not as crowded as other dance studios I’ve been to. The energy is great — everyone is cheering and sweating and laughing the whole time. Definitely check it out!

Take this class only if you really really like people, as in people sweating on you, kicking you in the head when you’re doing pushups, hitting you in the face with their arms and stepping on your feet as you dance — and this is not a one way street, my friend, you in turn are giving it right back to them. That about sums up my whole experience at Doonya, because it was that crowded. There were probably about 30 people crammed into a space for 15 – 20 people max. I get that space is a luxury in New York and sometimes you end up in class with less room than you’d like, but in this situation it was difficult to do all the moves, not to mention totally unsafe.
It’s unfortunate because the music was actually really good and the bhangra inspired moves were really fun. The instructor, Rohan, had a lot of energy and broke down the dance sequence before each song. I could see this being a really great class if there was a limit put on the number of attendees. I did go to the Saturday morning class. Perhaps the overcrowding is not as bad on the weekdays, but with all the great dance cardio classes in the city, I’m not inclined to give Doonya another try anytime soon.