Popra Nakayama is always busy. This morning the Tokyo native, now New York-based performer attended her regular ballet class. Then, right after our talk in a cafe, she says she has to rush off to instruct a dance fitness course. For two years Nakayama has been teaching "PopFit," a course she developed herself that combines different styles and elements from ballet, dance cardio, yoga and Pilates.

"When participating in fitness classes, I always feel there is something that is left out in a single session," she explains. "You can get a more efficient and effective and satisfying workout by combining the different styles."

This, pragmatic approach, it seems, is how Nakayama tackles matters in general: Why not try something new and see how far you can go with it?