Anindra Siqueira tumbles down into the House of Wow to tell you what it’s like beyond the looking glass
If you’re looking for a space where you can have a peppy workout, there’s nothing as intriguing as House of Wow. Nestled in Bandra, near St Stanislaus School and Saint Joseph’s Convent High School, the underground studio is a nice place for your regular Zumba workout or yoga session. But, Riddhi Gupta, the lively and zestful owner of House of Wow, tells us that they host other events too, such as Masala Bhangra and Kathak, as well as poetry readings and Western dance sessions such as urban and old school hip hop. And they’ve even had a community lunch. We visited the niche studio to take a look at what it offers.
Built in a basement, House of Wow boasts an area of 1,100 square feet, but this includes a waiting area and a neatly cordoned-off cabin. The main studio — where the events are hosted — is a roomy 750 square foot space, with spring board teak wood flooring. This natural floor, Riddhi tells us, gives you a good bounce while pumping to heavy beats, but it’s also suited for a variety of classical and Western dance forms.
A mirror spans an entire wall of the studio, lending a larger feel to the room. But, that’s not all it does. It adds a nice touch to a dance studio; we see the logic — dance instructors get a good view of their students, even when facing away from them, and students can follow along with the instructor’s movements. When I walked in, I thought the mirror was specifically for ballet, but Riddhi explains that it’s good for other dance forms as well.
And the studio isn’t just a space to work out. It’s a work of art in itself, complete with an eye-catching fireplace and wall hangings. The decor gives the place a sort of a Victorian feel. This makes it a good choice for art performances (like the poetry reading that we mentioned earlier).
Personally, I liked House of Wow for its exuberance. I know that’s not a term generally associated with buildings or (as in this case) studios, but step in and you can feel the energy bouncing off the walls. If you’re looking for a way to describe House of Wow, think Alice in Wonderland meets the energy of a Richard Simmons’ workout session, minus the Mad Hatter and a 60-something man telling you how great you look in spandex.
It’s definitely a unique space, and I certainly haven’t seen anything like it in Mumbai. A peppy, lively space for anything from a Zumba workout to a classical dance session, House of Wow is an interesting niche, rabbit-hole-style studio in Bandra’s shopping district that you should check out.
Where House of Wow, 10, Natraj Building, Hill road, Opposite St Stanislaus School, Bandra (w)
Contact 9930246031