• Table of Contents
  • Be the Dwelling Place of God by Swami Veda Bharati
  • Understanding the Mind by Swami Rama
  • Intensive Silence Retreat by Manon van den Berge
  • A New Center Is Born by Patricija Kos
  • Swami Ritavan in Budapest by Puskás Kata Szidónia
  • Shavasana Retreat in March
  • Dance Workshop in February
  • Two New Books
  • Dear Yoga Mentor, My Question Is…
  • AHYMSIN Board: September 2016 by Rabindra Sahu
  • Stomaji’s Visit in Athens by Sofia Foteina
  • Jelle Grupstra’s Center by Stephen Parker (Stoma)t
  • An Unexpected Blossoming by Joachim Volger
  • Northern California Silence Retreat by Maryon Maass
  • Workshops in Greece by Stephen Parker (Stoma)
  • Around the Globe Facebook Sharings
  • 2016 Events and Beyond
  • Full Moon Meditation Dates
  • Location of our SRSG ashram
• AHYMSIN Newsletter Archive

Dance Workshop in February

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Dr. Prakriti Bhaskar will teach “The Dance of Transformation,” an Indian Classical Dance intensive workshop for body, breath and mind awareness 22nd - 28th February 2017 at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG), in Rishikesh, India.

Prakriti has written:

“In India, both the spiritual and artistic disciplines are intimately connected. The artistic traditions were pathways designed to lead one to a subtle experience of Aesthetic Bliss (RASA-ANANDA) that arises in the silence of the witnessing mind. In the yogic traditions the ‘witnessing mind’ is a prerequisite for DHYANA - the very foundation of the HIMALAYAN TRADITION of YOGA MEDITATION.

“Camouflaged in the very ornate fabric of Indian Classical Dance is a powerful mind - body discipline for developing a heightened state of Awareness & Mindfulness. The artistic process becomes a process of Self - Engagement, Self - Refinement & Self - Discovery.

“Indian Dance is steeped in Devotion (BHAKTI), Practice (SADHANA) & Mindfulness (DHYANA) - the 3 pillars of any spiritual discipline.

“The workshop explores the key elements of Indian Classical Dance - MOVEMENT, RHYTHM AND EXPRESSIONS as powerful tools for refining the Body, Mind and Emotions.”

Sessions

The ashram daily schedule will be interspersed with workshop sessions.

Practical sessions will include:

• Technique (Bharata Natyam)
• Introduction to Concept of Rhythm (Tala)
• Emotion (Bhava) in Indian Dance.

Theory sessions will include:

• Recitation and study of shlokas from the 13th century dance-text Abhinaya Darpanam,
• History and philosophy of indian classical dance and yogic perspective,
• Hindu mythology and iconography.

Post dinner sessions will include:

• Screening of Swami Veda's lectures on art and culture
• Dance films with an interactive question session.

Participants

There is no age bar. No prior training is required. Need to wear an Indian outfit, preferably Salwar Khameez for practical sessions.

Dr. Prakriti Bhaskar

Dr. Prakriti Bhaskar, an initiate in our tradition, is a distinguished dancer, teacher and choreographer. She has been involved with Indian classical dance for most her life – close to 4 decades! Dance is her sadhana. In 2012, Prakriti was fortunate to have met Swami Veda Bharati ji and was initiated into the Himalayan Tradition of Yoga Meditation.

Prakriti believes that it was the grace and guidance of Swamiji that deepened her understanding of dance and unveiled many subtle aspects and insights as a yogic practice. Her experience reaffirmed her belief that dance is a spiritual discipline – a powerful meditative and transformative process.

Prakriti has trained under 3 of the most distinguished dance gurus: Guru Raghavan Nair, Guru Kadhirvellu Pillai and Guru Adyar K Lakshman. Her meticulous training under these masters has helped her evolve into a mature artiste with a highly creative mind and aesthetic sensibility. Prakriti has a doctorate in Bharata Natyam and specializes in Cross Rhythmic choreography. She is based in Mumbai where she trains students in this magnificent dance form. She also loves to travel sharing her experience and insights on dance a joyful and self- refining process with people from all walks of life, different cultures and background.