CHRISSY OHLINGER / Special to the PVT In Chandini Breathwaite's pre-Indian dance class no uniform is required. "We love bright colors in India," said Breathwaite about the vividly clad class. From left are Breathwaite, Jayde Woodworth, Abby Woodworth, Nevaeh Black, Felicity Flory and Nathaniel Molina. Advertisement

Parents want their children to learn balance, coordination, agility and grace in classical dance class.

At the new pre-Indian dance class at Donna's Dance Studio, children learn all of those things, and kids can also learn about a different culture through dance and music.

Kids from 3 to 5 prance around the studio swinging their arms like elephants or peacocks in rhythm to traditional Indian music. The kids mimic different animals using facial expression and movements.

Chandini Breathwaite teaches the children theater and yoga in their dance steps while they all have a great time.

Breathwaite loves working with kids, and it shows in her enthusiasm and patience with the little ones in her classes on Fridays at 3:45 p.m. The pre-Indian dance is before her regular Indian dance class for ages 6-12.

Breathwaite started the new "pre" section last fall with just one child who was trying to go to the big kids' class but was really too small.

"Nevaeh likes the teacher," said Samantha Black, her mom. "She took the summer fun class and didn't want to change teachers."

There are now five regular children in the pre-section of the class. The class size helps to keep things intimate, with lots of interaction between Breathwaite and each student.

Boys can enjoy the class, too. The animal movements are fun for any kid and the dress is casual. "This is fun," said 5-year-old Nathaniel Molina, trying the class for the first time. He wants to come back and do it again.

For Breathwaite, Indian dance and the closely related art of yoga are more than just recreation, they are a lifestyle. She studied Bharata Nytana, a style of traditional dance from Southern India when she traveled to India in 1989. She was attracted to that culture because her father is Indian, although she was born and raised in England.

"She knows more about the culture than I do," says Belisse Woodworth who is East Indian-American and wants her daughter to learn about her heritage.

The dances that Breathwaite teaches the children were originally performed in temples. They act out ancient fables or tales. The dances were used to record and pass along histories or traditional tales from generation to generation.

After studying dance in India, Breathwaite gained teaching practice in various outreach programs in London and later in Los Angles between 1990 and 2003. In 2004 she came with her family to Pahrump.

In addition to dance, she teaches adult yoga sessions at Donna's Dance Studio and at First Move Fitness.