by Sasha Reddy
Spend a few minutes with Indu Jagannathan and her children, 17-year-old Varsha and 15-year-old Kedar, and one thing becomes apparent quickly: they genuinely like being around one another. Indu and Varsha bounce off each other effortlessly, finishing thoughts and trading stories. And when Kedar, the quieter of the three, hangs back from the conversation for too long, his sister is quick to pull him back in: “You have anything you want to add, buddy?”
For a family whose days are often packed with school, work, singing lessons, cross-country practice, and a generally head-spinning number of commitments, they have come to appreciate the brief moments when they can catch up and just enjoy quality time together. HAC has become a critical place for them to connect with others, with each other, and with themselves.
The family moved to Delaware from Michigan in 2022, as the world was still normalizing after COVID-19. “We needed to be part of something,” Indu remembers. They joined the HAC almost immediately.
Indu was classically trained in dance growing up, and she’d loved the dance fitness classes at the YMCA back in Michigan, so she naturally gravitated to Zumba and Cardio Dance at HAC. The members who take these classes are tight-knit, but Indu was warmly welcomed into the group. She has leaned on them countless times for recommendations on everything from where to shop to which dentist to see and where to get a good haircut, but she’s most grateful for the instant sense of belonging they gave her. “If we haven’t seen somebody for a couple of weeks, we start, you know, like, ‘Hey, where is this person?’” she says. “The feeling of community, the bonding – that makes a difference.”
Wanting to tone and build strength, Indu eventually began taking Zumba Toning, then Barre, then 5Rounds and Les Mills Shapes. Consistently and deliberately working on her functional strength has been a game-changer. After a heavy snow last winter, she spent nearly two hours clearing icy snow while her husband was out of town – something she feels she truly couldn’t have done before.
Now, four years later, fellow members and instructors alike know Indu for her vibrancy and for encouraging the people around her. She may be oblivious to her own reputation, but to Varsha and Kedar, their mom’s impact is obvious.
“She’s just very energetic in dance classes,” Varsha says. “I feel like Mom’s motivationalist-ness just comes from her being a good person.”
Both siblings participated in HAC’s youth group fit classes when they were younger. These classes are designed to introduce children and teens to exercise in a format similar to most adult group fitness classes, creating a natural transition. Group cycling and circuit training workouts provided a great avenue for Varsha and Kedar to meet new friends in their new state. And while the program did help jump-start their interest in fitness, it is Indu’s passion that has influenced them the most.
When Indu is planning a trip to HAC, she always tries to “drag” the rest of the family with her. No one is obligated to tag along, but her enthusiasm is convincing enough: I’m going to move my body and have fun doing it. Want to come?
Varsha is always happy to accompany Indu to Shapes, but dance classes are her favorite – particularly Vivian Corbit’s. “The soundtrack is amazing, and Ms. Vivi knows who I am,” Varsha says. “It’s a sad day when I have to skip Ms. Vivi’s class.”
More importantly, the classes have brought them closer. “It’s definitely helped me strengthen my relationship [with my mom],” Varsha continues. “Not that it wasn’t strong already, but it’s just another thing that we have in common.”
Kedar may not be a regular class-goer, but he has found his own version of the HAC experience. Like his dad, Balsu, he prefers working out independently on the fitness floor. He runs and loves playing tennis with his friends, and he’s happily noticed the impact of regular workouts on his endurance and sports performance.
Indu thinks the benefits go beyond physical. “[Kedar] loves to get his schoolwork done and all that stuff,” she says, and she’s grateful not to have to badger her son to fulfill his responsibilities. “But sometimes, it comes at the expense of taking care of his body, and it’s all connected.” Kedar is a cross-country athlete for his school, and even though attending practice and meets eats into a lot of his free time, he’s noticeably more perky and clear-headed when he’s juggling both sports and school. Getting out of his room, hitting the gym, and staying active has helped keep his mood high in the off-season.
“If I don’t work out for a few days, I feel sluggish. I’m dragged down,” Indu concurs. Working out doesn’t wear her down; it actually puts more pep in her step. “When I exercise regularly, it’s both mental and physical energy.”
And that energy doesn’t stay at HAC. Indu believes making time for the things that rejuvenate her allows her to bring more happiness home to the people she loves. Her children clearly feel it. Even a car ride to or from the club can become a chance for everyone to catch up and reconnect in the middle of a busy week. “Energy transfers,” she concludes.
Four years after arriving in Delaware looking for a place to belong, we’re glad that this family has found one here.
