International Yoga Day: Odissi exponent Surupa Sen on how dance and yoga nourish the body and the mind
'Run! Run faster and you will get there quicker!', is all we hear and do in our lives. We are constantly surrounded by the demand to cope no matter how. On the other end of the spectrum, our ancient practices teach us to be still.
Yoga and classical dance are both indigenous traditions of India that seek the same goal — to be aware of the breath and let the praana guide every action. To engage both the body and the mind to act at once for a holistic experience. The ancient practices suggest that we pause to engage deeply with life, and compassionately with ourselves.
Yoga enables the mind-body balance that help us make better choices for living.
Dancers are complex movement artistes. They have to be contortionists, martial artists, poets, story tellers and sculptors all at once. They do not just bring an idea to life when they dance but create life itself in each moment. As a dancer, my body changes every moment to adhere to a complexly shifting mind. From the slightest quiver of a lip and the fleeting angle of the eye to the gentle tremble of a finger, all come together to express a single nuanced emotion.
.
For a dancer, the body is a living instrument. If my body must go to places that my mind seeks in its imagination, I must train to stretch its potential so that I may inhabit those boundless worlds. Thus when the body, mind and spirit come together, we have reached our goal.
Martha Graham, the great contemporary dancer and choreographer said, 'I am a dancer. I believe we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living'.
In the pursuit of excellence, for the past 35 years that I have lived the life of a dancer at Nrityagram, yoga and other kinds of cross-training has been integrated into our daily schedule. For years now, we have studied and developed body kinetics that combine different perspectives of training to specifically nourish and inform the Odissi body. In my initial years as a student, I found a lacuna in the application of yoga practice to the lines of alignment within which the Odissi dancer must function. Most practitioners of yoga may not be dancers or necessarily understand the forces acting on a dancer's body. I felt this to be the central reason for the injuries I faced as a dancer. I therefore attempted to understand on my own through research and study ways to heal myself and to ensure that none who trained with me would suffer the same damage. Choosing selectively from different forms of body work, we created a curriculum that would enhance our potential as performers.
At Nrityagram, the dancers begin their day with a walk or run, then clean the gurukul spaces, followed by body conditioning exercises. Each day is a different model that must respond to the body's need for that particular day. In order to do that, the dancers must first prepare their mind so that it assimilates the body's needs ensuring the right choice of exercises to better their practice for that day. Each bone and muscle must be oxygenated and lubricated to sufficiently deliver at the highest level. Once this preparation is complete, a further warm-up is done in class before the rigour of complex dance vocabulary is undertaken. After many hours on the dance floor, we allow the body time to de-stress with stretches that are suited for each dancer to recover as quickly as possible.
Nrityagram has been at the very forefront of establishing the idea that the longevity of a dance career depends on the adequate protection and respect we must give to and have for our bodies. Both choreographically and as performers, we have pushed our abilities to render new dimensions of skill in the classical dance world. This, in turn, has inspired artistes to explore new and more efficient ways of working both in Odissi and other dance styles.
Dance traditions in India have been handed down through generations of artistes. As we gaze at the dancing figures on temple walls, we seek what they have — both yogic stillness and flexible body. Yoga and dance together can help us achieve this.
Though AI and bots have entered the human space and threaten to do all that we can, it cannot for now express what the dancer's body can. Until then, let us continue to nourish this extraordinary instrument called the human body through yoga and dance.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
International Yoga Day: Odissi exponent Surupa Sen on how dance and yoga nourish the body and the mind
'Run! Run faster and you will get there quicker!', is all we hear and do in our lives. We are constantly surrounded by the demand to cope no matter how. On the other end of the spectrum, our ancient practices teach us to be still. Yoga and classical dance are both indigenous traditions of India that seek the same goal — to be aware of the breath and let the praana guide every action. To engage both the body and the mind to act at once for a holistic experience. The ancient practices suggest that we pause to engage deeply with life, and compassionately with ourselves. Yoga enables the mind-body balance that help us make better choices for living. Dancers are complex movement artistes. They have to be contortionists, martial artists, poets, story tellers and sculptors all at once. They do not just bring an idea to life when they dance but create life itself in each moment. As a dancer, my body changes every moment to adhere to a complexly shifting mind. From the slightest quiver of a lip and the fleeting angle of the eye to the gentle tremble of a finger, all come together to express a single nuanced emotion. . For a dancer, the body is a living instrument. If my body must go to places that my mind seeks in its imagination, I must train to stretch its potential so that I may inhabit those boundless worlds. Thus when the body, mind and spirit come together, we have reached our goal. Martha Graham, the great contemporary dancer and choreographer said, 'I am a dancer. I believe we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living'. In the pursuit of excellence, for the past 35 years that I have lived the life of a dancer at Nrityagram, yoga and other kinds of cross-training has been integrated into our daily schedule. For years now, we have studied and developed body kinetics that combine different perspectives of training to specifically nourish and inform the Odissi body. In my initial years as a student, I found a lacuna in the application of yoga practice to the lines of alignment within which the Odissi dancer must function. Most practitioners of yoga may not be dancers or necessarily understand the forces acting on a dancer's body. I felt this to be the central reason for the injuries I faced as a dancer. I therefore attempted to understand on my own through research and study ways to heal myself and to ensure that none who trained with me would suffer the same damage. Choosing selectively from different forms of body work, we created a curriculum that would enhance our potential as performers. At Nrityagram, the dancers begin their day with a walk or run, then clean the gurukul spaces, followed by body conditioning exercises. Each day is a different model that must respond to the body's need for that particular day. In order to do that, the dancers must first prepare their mind so that it assimilates the body's needs ensuring the right choice of exercises to better their practice for that day. Each bone and muscle must be oxygenated and lubricated to sufficiently deliver at the highest level. Once this preparation is complete, a further warm-up is done in class before the rigour of complex dance vocabulary is undertaken. After many hours on the dance floor, we allow the body time to de-stress with stretches that are suited for each dancer to recover as quickly as possible. Nrityagram has been at the very forefront of establishing the idea that the longevity of a dance career depends on the adequate protection and respect we must give to and have for our bodies. Both choreographically and as performers, we have pushed our abilities to render new dimensions of skill in the classical dance world. This, in turn, has inspired artistes to explore new and more efficient ways of working both in Odissi and other dance styles. Dance traditions in India have been handed down through generations of artistes. As we gaze at the dancing figures on temple walls, we seek what they have — both yogic stillness and flexible body. Yoga and dance together can help us achieve this. Though AI and bots have entered the human space and threaten to do all that we can, it cannot for now express what the dancer's body can. Until then, let us continue to nourish this extraordinary instrument called the human body through yoga and dance.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
HT City Delhi Junction: Catch It Live on 18 June 2025
What: NSD's Summer Theatre Festival 2025 | Laila Majnu — Hindi Play Where: Abhimanch Auditorium, National School of Drama (NSD), Bahawalpur House, Bhagwandas Road, Mandi House When: June 18 Timing: 7pm Entry: Nearest Metro Station: Mandi House (Blue & Violet Lines) What: Fête de la Musique | David Walters Live Where: The Piano Man, Eldeco Centre, Block A, Shivalik Colony, Malviya Nagar When: June 18 Timing: 8.30pm Entry: Nearest Metro Station: Malviya Nagar (Yellow Line) What: Summer Edition – An Exhibition of Contemporary Art Where: Shridharani Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam, 205 Tansen Marg When: June 16 to 23 Timing: 11am to 8pm Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: Mandi House (Blue & Violet Lines) What: 24th Barabati Nrutyotsaba ft Geeta Mahalik & group (Odissi), Sasmita Panda & Sugyani Mohapatra (Odissi duet), Jayprabha Menon & group (Mohiniyattam), Odissi Nrutya Mandal (Odissi) Where: The Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road When: June 18 Timing: 7pm Entry: Nearest Metro Station: JLN Stadium (Violet Line) What: Usool Band Live Where: Studio XO Bar, Trilium Avenue, Sector 29, Gurugram When: June 18 Timing: 9.30pm Entry: Nearest Metro Station: Millennium City Centre Gurugram (Yellow Line) What: Gaurav Kapoor Live Where: The Laugh Store, CyberHub, DLF Phase II, Sector 24, Gurugram When: June 18 Timing: 9.45pm Entry: Nearest Metro Station: Phase 2 (Rapid Metro) What: National Trans Employment Mela 2025 Where: The LaLiT New Delhi, Barakhamba, Connaught Place When: June 18 Timing: Noon onwards Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: Barakhamba (Blue Line) What: The Flea Where: The Plaza, Select CityWalk, Saket When: June 18 to 22 Timing: 3pm to 10pm Entry: Free Nearest Metro Station: Malviya Nagar (Yellow Line)
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Dona Ganguly conducts first Indian Classical Dance workshop at Cambridge
The historic halls of Jesus College, University of Cambridge, resonated with the timeless rhythm of Indian Classical Dance recently, as Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly conducted the university's first-ever workshop dedicated to this ancient art form. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Marking a significant milestone in the cultural history of Cambridge, the event brought together students, academics, and art enthusiasts for an immersive introduction to Odissi, one of India's eight recognized classical dance styles. Participants were guided through the fundamental movements, expressions, and philosophies of the form, gaining insight into its spiritual roots and rich 2,000-year-old heritage. The workshop drew a diverse audience, many of whom were experiencing Indian classical dance for the first time. Emphasizing inclusivity and cultural appreciation, the event welcomed individuals from all backgrounds, with no prior dance experience required. On this occasion, Donasaid, 'To share the legacy of Odissi at the University of Cambridge is both an honour and a deeply emotional experience. This dance form is not just movement, it is meditation, devotion, and storytelling. I am heartened to see such enthusiastic participation and openness to Indian culture here. This exchange goes beyond performance, it builds bridges of understanding through art.' The initiative reflects a growing global interest in Indian classical traditions and underscores Cambridge's commitment to cultural diversity and global engagement. Organizers hope this will be the first of many such events, inspiring deeper exploration of Indian performing arts within academic spaces. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The workshop was met with overwhelming positivity, with attendees expressing admiration for both the beauty of the dance and the warmth of Ganguly's teaching. Plans are already being discussed for future collaborations and expanded programming related to Indian cultural arts.
