Continue reading to learn why and how she views Yoga and Meditation as a complement to Kathak Dance.
How Did Yoga and Meditation Affect Kathak Dance?
The daily practice of Kathak takes us through all eight stages of Yoga namely Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharna, Dhyan and Samadhi. In Kathak, almost the entire scale of the asanas is represented. Finally, we reach a stage when we begin to hear the music within ourselves and completely forget about our surroundings, then when we are on our way to the seventh and eighth stages, will come to the stage of complete meditation. Classic dance Kathak? What distinguishes it from traditional classical dance?
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It makes no difference because Kathak is an ancient classical dance with movements that are difficult to explain and on the other hand, Yoga is also an ancient meditation practice. The combination of these two practices creates Kathak Yoga, a perfect union of mind and body. Every cell and nerve of the body is involved in this formation process. Performing Kathak Yoga also involves a lot of breathing patterns, similar to meditation.
How Yoga Enlightened Classical Indian Dance ‘Kathak’?
Paramita: I have been practicing Kathak Meditation with yoga for over 25 years. I start my day with at least eleven rounds of Surya Namaskar and Pranayama practice.
Pranayama is best seen in Kathak in the dancer’s own practice of ‘padhant’ rhythmic statements right after performing a strenuous energetic rhythmic pattern where a lot of energy has been expended. . One must reread the next rhythmic pattern without any trace of gasping.
How does a dancer or yogi use their bodily skills to bring about healing, happiness, body-soul harmony, and union with the Most High?
Yoga certainly helps channel energy by keeping the body healthy and calming the mind. The use of the breath and the link between breath and movement helps to stay fit while the various pranayama and dhyana breathing techniques make it focused and calm, which is essential for any active person. in the field of art and creativity.
The yogic lifestyle provides abundant energy, puts the mind in a ‘yes’ mode and this positive outlook makes one successful in all endeavors. Personally, I feel that my creativity is honed by Pranayam and Dhyan, not only in dance but also in music. Yoga helps to discover untapped energies and undiscovered talents and above all creates a synchronicity with the supreme power.
How does kathak yoga transform a practitioner’s mental and spiritual health if it is incorporated into the daily sadhana?
I start my day with at least eleven rounds of Surya Namaskar and Pranayama practice. Yoga definitely keeps the body healthy and calms the mind. Using the breath and linking the breath to the movement has helped me practice choreography a lot. Additionally, yoga has improved my mental flexibility and balance over the years. Regular practice helps to develop mental clarity, calmness, alertness, enthusiasm and also increases concentration. My students learn basic asanas as part of their dance training.
Is it correct to state that kathak yoga encourages spiritual pursuits?
Yes, of course, Dance with yoga and meditation or Kathak yoga whatever you want to call it, this is the art of bringing peace or Anandam to the soul created by Lord Shiva.
Kathak Yoga requires a lot of practice. Once you get past this, the journey you are on will bring you into complete harmony with your inner self. While you practice this wonderful art, it acts like meditation in motion. Imagine this, you have put on your ghungroo, the sound attracts you, at the same time, you are singing the tune with the tihais.
The whole time you do this move, you’re in rhythm, and you’re balanced, it’s acting as a unity of body and mind. An hour of Kathak Yoga will help you sweat and flush out toxins from your body, you begin to feel light and this transition brings you to a meditative state and prepares you for healing.
Please share insights from ancient history about Kathak Yoga and Meditation Dance Forms.
Historically, both yoga and classical Indian dance traditions share a common Vedic origin in the ancient texts of Patanjali Yogasutra and Natyashastra, respectively. Their connections range from mudra to mokshya. For both, the body is a temple and the dance/asana is one’s prayer.
Source: IANS
