Bring out the dancer in you !

Just a casual conversation  with a dear friend on Facebook threw open a facet of her innate personality … she loves to watch others dance and probably would love to learn too … but may be a complex of how it might  be perceived, or so has kept her from trying … She also believes she has two left feet …

 Well this is a notion held by a large number of people, who may be basically shy or introverted by  nature  , or  even perfectionists , or  who have some conditional experiences that makes them uncomfortable in daring to dance ….

 We went about talking as to how this can be helped …. here are…

SOME SIMPLE YET PROFOUND MOVEMENTS THAT  CAN HELP AS STARTERS ….

A few things to remember:

It’s important to give yourself permission to begin movements ,in whatever way u think best...a bow in prayer, a call out to yourself, or simply  start off with watching the dance of your breath in passive awareness … and feel energized with your in breath and with every out breath sense the release of that which needs to go  …respect begins at home!

Sense , observe and feel one with any  movement  that you make … accepting the strange and the beautiful, the harmonious and the shaky moves … as part of the same source and believe there is a reason why they are what they are .

Take your time … there is no rush to prove anything so go with what works for you.

Preparation:

Allocate a time and place for yourself in the day at home.Clear the space and rearrange some furniture so that you have some moving space, without any obstructions. Option to have a mirror in front is totally yours as and when you want to allow it to happen …. Mirrors reflect our actions so it helps to have one as a silent guide.

Make sure to remove jewellery, watches that may obstruct movement….& avoid  chewing gum as it is distracting.

As you begin   moving on your feet it’s better to wear cotton socks …for ease and flow of movement and preferably wear stretchable or loose clothes that don’t restrict body movements.

Remember the first time need not be the last time … just don’t give up … as with everything else  practise dancing from the heart and soul and be open to the changes in the flow ….

With every movement we create energy in the room/space we are practicing. Each session is different … sometimes exhausting, energizing, calming, stimulating, etc.  depending on a number of factors .  Try to be receptive and accepting of that energy. 

Aim:

 To find yourself as you dance … accepting yourself as you  create expressions through movements … Sensing the Power of letting go & the Power of Dancing as you move .

 Take yourself a little less seriously ... Enjoy Yourself !
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My friend questioned me about how to actually start dancing … having shared endless conversations completely whimsical or tremendously uplifting with her over the years I know her, I simply wanted to reach out to her and remind her …..how much she has already moved with  her unique experiences dancing through the tunes of life …. how many movements she already has explored in silent rapture and conscious presence , how many times she has been supportive , constructive , connective ,caring , loving , giving, tender, gentle, corrective, in her movements  towards the ones she cared… people like me…. Well it was time to gently remind her of her own innate creative flows….

Dance to your own tunes …

Depending on what suits your mood at the moment , let yourself hear some tune, that vibrates with the inner you … knowing her soft and gentle nature ,I suggested some soothing music to be played in the background without being too overbearing . Since she was wondering how to begin … I suggested her to sit down and allow just her fingers , then her hand and then the arms to begin to move with the music …. .just yielding, flowing , as she felt like from the depth of her soul.

    Neutralizing the rest of the body  allow the ease of tension of perception of the body with just the hands in front of the person  as they move.. one could draw a circle with each individual hand .trace a pattern , write their names in cursive , using the pace and flow that seems right for them  .... many who don't physically dance much in the open are self conscious of their physical body .... So its important to be gradual in the movements . Once the hands start getting comfortable to move from an inner calling of the rhythm...its time to allow the sway of the shoulders  or even  allow the foot to take a step ahead ....soon the rest of body joins the dance gradually ...as you allow and acknowledge the presence of the creative dancer in you ....

 

 Movements may seem shaky and erratic at first and as you persevere you begin to see the changes …The movement starts getting connected with the inner you and you begin to merge with the tune and the movement …. After all  there is a teacher in you for the disciple in you!
Savvy

Life Skills: Beyond the Dance Floor.....

Dancing develops an intelligent and aware body and sensible and savvy minds too. Dancing after all  is so much more than mere imitation and mirroring, infact it is a start to an endless journey of discoveries about the self and the world and the realms in between. As I started sharing my skills in Latin & Ballroom dance movements I realized that its more about aligning and integrating your body and mind than anything else … understanding placement helps to move with what you are capable of so what results is an awareness of an expansion in ones capabilities in the process…. 

Learning dance should be unbridled joy in movement not about the old school  patterns of forced turnouts , hyper flexing your muscles to injury perhaps as one grows older…its definitely an organic approach to not muscle in  at the body but to coax it to mold to all its capable of and therein lies the joy  of learning to dance! This can only happen when the training is done with awareness of what’s happening inside the body at every given time. Empowering the body and mind with a deep understanding of one’s anatomy and integrating the learning in a socio-psychological perspective unique to every learner is the need of the movement. 

Have always believed that partner dancing abilities extend much beyond the performances and stage shows or even just social dancing. In fact as the focus towards the form and learning strengthens, certain amazing traits develop in most good dancers and stay on with them for the rest of their lives. With further practice these traits evolve further with the years and distinguish them from non-dancers.

 You may find that may be a dancer may not have the latest software skills but if you are looking at preciseness, punctuality, confidence, poise and presentation, empathy, passion, and structured creativity in your employee, look no further beyond a good dancer as they walk all the talk and that’s a win win situation with grit , determination and healthy mind and body to boot.

Dancing with a partner can develop empathetic awareness, compassion,synchronicity, balance, perception, respect along with time management skills and even  personal hygiene awareness ,relationship management  to name a few! What more many dancers are equipped with great leadership skills that are able to strategize beforehand as they have learned to envision a larger picture or at a macro level.

 And besides these qualities  I believe that one of most important trait as a dancer is their ability to be in a  positive frame of mind enough to look at every dance , as fresh and new and being able to give the person in front of them undivided attention, which itself is of immense value to another being !

Savvy Raj 

Life is a dance … you dance as you go !

Music is a dance of notes

Song is the dance of sound

Writing is the dance of words

Loving is the dance of the hearts

 Hurting is the dance of pain

Thoughts are the dance of our mind

 Seeing is the dance of vision

 War is the dance of hatred

Peace is dance of happiness

Happiness is the dance of joy

 Joy is the dance of life.

Sport is the dance of game

Game is the dance at play.

Reading is the dance of the eyes

Sketching is the dance of the pencil

Drawing is a dance of the pen

 Painting is a dance of the colours

Sculpting is the dance of chisel

Waves are the dance of the ocean
Fluidity is the dance of the water

Waterfall is the dance of the rapids
Rain is the dance of the clouds

Flight is the dance of birds
 Steadiness is the dance of equilibrium


Confusion is the dance of doubts
Clarity is the dance of foresight
Calmth is the dance of balance

Composure is the dance of equanimity


Exaggeration is the dance of deceit

Simplicity is the dance of truth

Rays are the dance of the sun

Stars are the dance in the night sky




Dreams are the dance of ideas

Moods are the dance of the moon

Clouds are the dance of the sky

 Flexibility is the dance of movement

Awareness is the dance of consciousness

 Consciousness is the dance of wisdom

 Wisdom is the dance of enlightenment

 Enlightenment is the dance of contentment

 Contentment is the dance of grace

 Gratitude is the dance of pure bliss

 Bliss is the dance of the soul

 Have a dancing soul!

Savvy Raj

Attract a Perfectly Positive Life !

 

                                

                        Living in the now is a perfectly positive life indeed! How can that happen?

 Well simply put , you must let that happen by going with the flow and yet again with a developed awareness of things around you. Feel every moment blossoming into the next than just getting overtly entangled in that moment.Many beautiful moments are lost because the self is too busy worrying about what was and what will happen instead of being in the moment that is and enjoyably so!

There is nothing that is totally perfect life maybe but there is always scope for the better!

 Finding joys in the simple things of life is perfection personified because it means you are able to sift through the pain  and find happiness no matter how or what the circumstances are . Many of us have yet to master this considerably simple act in our lives. We all  have the memory left in us to be so since we were children ,... cos children are happy because they are able to see the simple things of life as they are without over analyzing and creating complex duality of thoughts  for themselves. So somewhere in us we all have the power of happiness and simplicity which at times are covered by layers of shielding that become weapons of self destruction  of our positive possibilities.As a  result it creates a build up of negativity and blockages in our systems making sickness and ill health a repeating pattern  in our lives.

  

 When we channelize our thoughts , actions and deeds to a more higher plane of consciousness instead of the mundane ,the healing white light envelops us increasing our immunity , and our ability to see and accept life's, infinite spectrum of colors with unconditional joy !

Any of us can  manifest a perfectly  positive life by being more flexible, understanding , receiving, sharing ,open & giving without holding back . 

 Some  behavioral shifts to consider are

 1: Avoid Sarcasm & Criticism in thoughts words and action

 2:If you are in a state of anger and negativity, pause and turn your attention to focus on your own breathing.

 3:Do try to act compassionately starting with a single deed a day  :A kind thought leads to an act of kindness and creates a chain of positiveness. This is Self healing and Self Empowering.

 4:Share your knowledge without boundaries Being a giver after all makes  you a stronger person

These are great attitudes to develop if we are to live a fuller, richer  and  a successful life....

Savvy Raj

The space between the steps

The space between the steps

Just like music is also in the spaces between the notes,  there is dancing in the spaces between the steps ..... Its only when we become aware of the value of spaces between the  thoughts that we can truly reflect and revel and dance with ease through our lives. 

The pinnacle of access to our realization of the creative entities at work  would actually be in the silence , in the intentions, in an emotional journey of profound fulfillment.

 The trick is to find that point of immense creative surge and be able to nurture it . 

Rest and activity go together just as much as night and day... And like the yin and the yang , there  must be pauses in between the breathes , an inaction in between the action , which will heighten the clarity , purity , and the intensity of that which is evolving .

Its disheartening  that our world has become so hyperactive . Multitasking has become the order of the day  . people spend time having dinner in front of televisions , reading is done with music, and  mobile phones calls cuts through a real conversation. So much has there been an abuse of our bodies and mind that we truly have forgotten the importance of non activity .. The silence between your actions or movements  are the bridge to our totally  conscious experience and more so the greater your awareness the greater the potency of the action itself . 

Dancing distresses the body mind and spirit holistically . Taking a moment to value the steps you dance together , valuing the music  you are dancing to, appreciating this moment& appreciating the partner you have in this moment will only cultivate the value for oneself and will help in centering oneself deeper in the action with a joyful heart and soul.

 When you Dance if you still your thoughts to  simply learn to flow with the partner , the atmosphere ,the music you will undoubtedly enliven yourself in the process and what you have is a beautiful dance of togetherness bridging the spaces between the steps with a conscious awareness ...... And that is  when dancing feels like a miracle that's happening!

Few more thoughts in the flow....

Start the day with a  few minutes of silence and observing the breath  

Take time to pause and watch a natural scenery view and try to be one with it . .. May be  a sunrise , a sunset, a beach view watching the waves , the stars in the sky , the moon , the sky , or a rose or any flower or potted  plant , tree in your garden . 

 Have moments where you are free of your cellphone , tv , computer, 

any electronic appliances  

Make a point of actually listening and understanding  as others speak and allow other to speak as much as yourself .

 And also  accept every moment in the life you have now and cherish it for what it is ....Cultivating  an attitude of gratitude :)

Savvy Raj 
danceconcepts@rediffmail.com

A DANCING SOUL:A DANCING HEART

A DANCING  SOUL:A DANCING HEART

There is something endearing about dancing with a partner, it’s the power to attract another magnetically and charmingly interact with another’s energy and spirit through dance movement.

A prerequisite to dancing well is one’s ability to take an emotional journey and open oneself and to share and connect to another’s energies .This is what engages the audience and keeps them enthralled. It’s beyond the physicality of steps, patterns, touch, or even the right dance hold or dance frame. It’s in the ability to dance with space, time, yet in complete awareness of one another heart of movement.

 I had an opportunity to experience this just the other day when I witnessed all of this and more in  Rohini  (my mother’s friend actually)  a family friend of many years . I have known her to be a simple religious and a happy go lucky person who also may have been through much personal turmoil like so many others but yet has managed a cheerful disposition  every time I met her.

 Her  characteristic sunny nature would never give away the strife behind the smile. The occasion was her 25 th wedding anniversary  that I got invited to , and as we reached the venue  the couple were at the dais, very understated , a picture of simplicity & composure.
The evening took off , with all their close friends  having some wonderful and touching things to say about them both . I had passed on the mike at that time ,as I guess, I  hadn't collected my thoughts to speak all of the sudden .

There was a small dance floor  which soon got filled up with people who were initially hesitant  As the music filled the air   many more of us started getting into the groove.and dancing . And then I saw her , it was her in her element ,dancing from her heart and soul . it was fantastic to see her energetic dancing in full display for the world to see , Her ever calm and composed husband  seemed mesmerized by all the fun moves she did . In fact everyone was charmed by her passion and for that moment I realized just then that her joyful dancing soul had peeped out from the depths of it all.

 Kudos to her for keeping the spirit of dancing alive in her through all these years .God bless!

 Dancing from the heart always counts more than perfection of steps. And that’s the ultimate challenge… To keep the mind open,ready, receptive, giving and simple enough to ….

Dare to step out of comfort zones.

 My salute to this dancing soul !

Savvy Raj

All is well within ... when I am in the Now

All is well within ... when I am in the Now

I simplify my thoughts, to be present in the moment enough to enjoy them.

I dwell in this moment so that I can smile in my breathing and this is the only truth for me …

At the heart of my being I know I have all that I may need,to be all that I can be …. All is well within.

The truth is not chanced upon by search and research alone but by fair introspection and non-judgemental contemplation.

But to reach where I am headed I must value time enough,to be present in the now and share love enough, to nourish and sustain the soul that I dwell in.

Savvy 

Between friends....

 Between friends....

Hey this one's for you :

Between friends … not for us the bondages of time, space or and superficiality or distance … thoughts are words unspoken but heard joyously without distraction. The simple presence of a friend is always welcome, never intrusive; thereby an answer to our unspoken needs without questions. It’s at times a validation of all that we stand for and often enough maybe just a forethought thrown in wisely in our direction which would be wise to be paid a heed to. A confidence builder, a care giver, a mutual thought processor, a symbiotic thinker, a common goal sharer, a wisdom enricher, a mood uplifter an energy booster, a health facilitator, a friend is so much and so much more … endless conversations completely whimsical, utterly important, at times all that’s the simple need of the moment .

 In all ….having the privilege of a good friend is a conscious movement towards light and all that’s bright … Cheers to the good friend who manifests in our life and makes our living fine!


Just wrote it now and thought it should be be shared to with the ones it came from ...love ... For the spirit and joy and the inner awakenings that Diwali signifies...Happy Diwali... Lets celebrate the inner light in each of us !  

Savvy

Art of Letting Go & Living the Moment!

Art of Letting Go & Living the Moment!

Consciousness and Awareness lights the fire of the mind and then it heats the liquidity of the body and moves up as steam towards universal consciousness. One must be lucky to have a teacher one can believe in to take you through the journey of realization.  The path is our own but it helps follow the understandings of those who have been there .Great spiritual masters keep talking of the attitude of letting go. This kind of understanding is definitely a wise way to handle crisis and will come to an evolving mind and if this is inculcated many of the so called life’s difficulties seem only a gusty breeze that passes one by for sure….

 So how does one understand how to go about it? Simple by understanding one’s own breathing patterns. If   observed, we cannot hold on to our breath longer than required. It has to go its way. Similarly we cannot hold on to our dear life, as that too shall pass. If that is the case why do we need to hold on to unpleasant emotions that we experienced way way back and let it come in the way of a beautiful life.   Our life is limitless and expansive if we want it to be, so let’s make sure not to curb it, with pent up negative emotions. Let it go, forgive the mistakes and yes forget them too, cos they have passed you by a long time ago, they are not reality as long as you don’t let them visit you in your thoughts.  If they happen to come, be aware they are not worth indulging your time in and release them consciously, instead of being overcome by them. . Letting go of a negative thought can be equated with a whiff of unpleasant breath you want to clear yourself from, a smoky environment that you feel suffocated in so much that you want to escape from, horrible nightmare that you want to awaken from, a bad bruise that you want to heal from ….

The process is not daunting as one thinks it to be. There were two friends who unfortunately fell into a bad patch. One nursed a grudge silently for many years, without voicing it out, however it was burning her deep within. The other was may be aware of it but chose to let the thought pass and went on with her life normally without worries and negativity spoiling her present moment... Who do you think lived her life, and who just existed? Simply put overt retention of bad memories is failing to enjoy the present moment and in turn ending up losing it to time

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Begin each day with a smile and by believing you are healthy.

Spend some time even 5 minutes in silent inner reflection.

Observe your breath   developing a witness attitude initially

Everyday send positive thoughts to someone you think needs a bit of positivity.

 Believe in the infinite power the Energy and its potentiality.

Be alive to every moment and its immense possibilities

Attend to yourself and make the best of all that you are

Celebrate the success that you are and do believe that life is beautiful!

It all turns out Just Wonderful For Sure!

Savvy

Handle stress wisely!

Handle stress wisely!

 Is it only me or there are more of you out there who are at times challenged by these moments I would call ‘ what if ‘… if only I had done this , if only I had said that, if only I had the sense  to think this way and so on and so forth…..!!!

The main reason I feel these feelings occur is that when we are faced with a trying situation for e.g. sometimes some of us buckle under the pressure, maybe to conform with the norm or worry about what is the ideal way to behave that we don’t focus on what is necessary for the moment and fail to capitalize on our strengths.

 A few of us feel threatened enough to attack the offender or be brutal enough verbally or physically and regret later about our lack of discretion and control.

 Still others who are so numbed by what is happening end up being dumbfounded that they don’t know what struck them... And there are those who are quite indifferent to the situation so much that you wonder if they are human at all only to realise later that there is an emotionally charged outburst long after the stressful event.

 Basically when one is feeling pressured or during extreme stress of a new situation with a feeling of being pushed to a wall , we need to be aware of it , but the force of what is coming must be cleverly deflected from our path and neutralised  . If only this learning is valued, taught and applied many of us will be much happier souls. This means we must learn to be present in the moment, for which we first need to develop a keen sense of balance and control in all areas of our life. In thoughts words and deeds. This in itself is a powerful tool to calm a person enough to handle any so called crisis. When we are in a state of balance we are clearer in what we want and our existing resources.

This opens up possibilities of channelling the strengths of our resources positively to the common good of all.

Daily we could simply strive to imbibe at least some of these in our lives…..

 To reduce our impulsive reactions

To balance our needs and expectations

To conquer our ego but value ourselves

To focus on the present moment

 To cleanse the mind by thought awareness

 To cleanse the body by healing movements

 To learn to be patient and develop perseverance

 To understand the importance of equanimity and composure

 To control anger and other sensory indulgences

 To be kind and generous and open minded and tolerant

 To believe in equality

 To conquer our unnecessary fears and inhibitions

 To live our lives lovingly, completely being in every moment of it without passing it up for another time!

 To develop a sense of respect for self and equally respect another.

Finally to be grateful for all that we have at this moment…..When we have the grace of gratefulness we will possibly be more balanced and composed to deal with situations wisely and life’s moments will be turn to be positively enriching experiences.

Savvy Raj