--- title: "My Kathak Riyaaz: Professional Dance Training & Technique" description: "Explore my personal Kathak riyaaz practice sessions. Learn about Kathak technique, Taal, and Abhinay through my expert-led workshops and classes." canonical: https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak/kathak-workshops/my-solo-riyaaz-the-daily-practice last_updated: 2026-02-09 --- # My Kathak Riyaaz: A Daily Practice Tribe Verified · Practicing traditional Kathak in Mumbai By [Pooja Pant](https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak) · Online workshops via Zoom & In-person across India · ₹2,200 per participant (estimate) Part of [Kathak Workshops](https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak/kathak-workshops). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak/kathak-workshops/gallery) Riyaaz is my lifelong sadhana. This is a peek into the raw, unfiltered hours I spend exploring complex talas and refining my technique before the lights go up on stage. ## Photos and videos - [Video: This is my `riyaaz` of a very old, difficult, and beautiful traditional `paran aamad` in 13 matras. It's a treasure I had the privilege of learning, with the speed increasing through five different `layas` (tempos).](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d63d6b46-6789-4d1f-b01f-443f49568351) - [Video: Practicing spins in eight different directions in double speed. This is from my piece 'Samanvay' set to 11 matras, an exercise in control, balance, and spatial awareness.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/470cb416-8f8c-4f1e-8480-d65c85a46c49) - [Video: A fun point of view video showing what the world looks like to me when I'm taking spins. While I focus on a single spot to keep my balance, the camera captures the blur of movement.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/92db6415-16b0-4261-9520-a469ee6983d7) - [Video: A clip from my personal `riyaaz` session, practicing intricate footwork patterns and `chakkars`. This daily practice is essential for building stamina, speed, and clarity in every movement.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e3b7fa99-bf1d-494a-8ddc-1953c6f0f016) - [Video: Part of my `riyaaz` focusing on `gatnikas` in 17 matras (Taal Shikar). These are graceful, stylized walks and turns that add a layer of elegance to a Kathak performance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e44472b3-8aa5-4c8d-a38d-65a7271f15c3) - [Video: A solo practice session working on a piece set to Taal Dhamaar, a rhythmic cycle of 14 beats. This `taal` has a majestic and dignified quality that is beautiful to explore through dance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a701ce62-4732-4133-9549-dfba34063a5f) - [Video: A solo practice of a piece in Taal Shikar, a cycle of 17 beats. Exploring these uncommon `taals` is a challenging yet rewarding part of my `riyaaz`.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4bcd3a0e-2670-4200-93c7-f17cb24428ee) - [Video: A throwback video from one of my practice sessions. Every `riyaaz` is a chance to reconnect with the fundamentals and push my own boundaries as a dancer.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cd21a8c5-30f0-4fb0-94f0-5d58efbbc84a) ## About My Solo Riyaaz: The Daily Practice When I work on chakkars, I often struggle with spotting and balance, just like any student. It takes constant, deliberate repetition, sometimes doing the same movement for an hour, to find that single moment of grace. This process is not about reaching perfection; it is about building the stamina and clarity that makes the art form come alive. Kathak is more than just performance. It is a constant dialogue between the dancer and the rhythm. My riyaaz is where the real work happens, away from the stage and the applause. Whether I am deconstructing a traditional paran in 13 matras or testing my balance with spins in eight directions, these sessions are focused on the grit behind the grace. ### Why this practice matters I often get questions about how to improve speed or clarity in footwork. The answer is always in the fundamentals. I spend hours working on Nritta (pure dance), focusing on the mechanics of each movement. For example, exploring uncommon cycles like Taal Shikar (17 beats) or Taal Dhamaar (14 beats) forces me to rethink my approach to space and time. It is not always pretty. Sometimes I wobble, my feet get tired, and I have to stop to rethink the entire composition. That is simply the nature of the art. ### My approach to Kathak training I believe that every student, regardless of level, needs to understand the 'why' behind the movement. In my online and in-person workshops, we replicate this environment. We focus on: * **Sawal-Jawab:** This is a crucial part of our training. You ask, I explain. We break down complex movements into smaller, manageable parts. * **Technical Drills:** From the mechanics of your chakkars to the clarity of your tatkar, we work on the specific physical issues that hold you back. * **Expression (Abhinay):** Understanding the soul of a Thumri or the character archetype is just as important as the footwork. If you have been struggling with your practice or simply want to understand the foundations of Kathak, this is where we start. ## About Pooja Pant I am Pooja Pant. For me, dance is a lifelong practice, and I am still learning every single day. I love helping students find their own rhythm, whether we are working on basic technique or deep-diving into complex traditional compositions. [See all of Pooja Pant's services](https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak) ## More from Kathak Workshops by Pooja Pant - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak/kathak-workshops/featured) - [Online Kathak Workshops](https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak/kathak-workshops/online-kathak-workshops) - [In-Person Intensives](https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak/kathak-workshops/in-person-intensives) - [On Stage: Performances & Collaborations](https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak/kathak-workshops/on-stage-performances-collaborations) - [In the Studio: Company Rehearsals](https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak/kathak-workshops/in-the-studio-company-rehearsals) ## More services by Pooja Pant - [Choreography Services](https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak/choreography-services) - [Kathak Performances](https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak/kathak-performances) - [Kathak Classes](https://mytribe.in/pooja_pant_kathak/kathak-classes) ## Similar work from other experts - [Kathak Riyaaz & Creative Explorations](https://mytribe.in/eshanisathe.kathak/choreography-performance-services/riyaaz-creative-explorations) by Eshani Sathe · Choreography & Performance Services · Takes projects in Mumbai, Pune, and across India - [Inside the Riyaz: My Daily Tabla Sadhana](https://mytribe.in/debjitpatitundi/live-tabla-performance/rehearsals-riyaz-the-daily-sadhana) by Debjit Patitundi · Live Tabla Performance · Available for performances across India - [Kathak Practice and Choreography Sessions](https://mytribe.in/sharatprabhath/kathak-dance-classes/inside-the-studio-practice-choreography) by Sharat Prabhath · Kathak Dance Classes · Classes in Jayanagar, Indiranagar, Banashankari & Online - [Sitar Riyaz and Practice Sessions](https://mytribe.in/soumitra_thakur/sitar-performances/the-sadhana-practice-riyaz-and-studio-sessions) by Soumitra Thakur · Sitar Performances · Travels for performances across Delhi NCR and India - [Kathak Solo and Group Choreographies](https://mytribe.in/sattvatischoolofdance/kathak-dance-classes-workshops/my-artistry-solo-group-choreographies) by Sohini Karanth · Kathak Dance Classes & Workshops · Classes at 3 locations in Bengaluru & Online - [Riyaz & Sadhana: My Daily Practice](https://mytribe.in/shubhrodeep.pathak/live-sitar-performance/riyaz-sadhana-my-daily-practice) by Shubhrodeep Pathak · Live Sitar Performance · Travels for live performances across Delhi NCR and pan-India ## Book To book Pooja Pant, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20looking%20for%20Kathak%20Workshops%20by%20Pooja%20Pant.) 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