We had a great session at the Epiphany Library, where we explored Bharatanatyam and created a group poem inspired by Tagore's The Same Stream of Life. 

My stream of life (Group poem).. 

flows
forward 
with contentment 
as a creative adventure 
enjoyment
enveloped in peace 
surprises 
make like water 
path of least resistance. 

Image credit: Shannon Alessandroni 

Description of the virtual talk to be held on February 26, 2026 (link to register here)
Join us for a unique and enriching session with Sloka Iyengar as she unpacks the many layers of Bharatanatyam — not just as a classical dance form, but as a complete sensory and cognitive experience.

Sloka will introduce key elements of Bharatanatyam, including hand gestures (hastas), emotions and expressions (rasa), rhythm (tala), music, and storytelling, and explain how these come together to create meaning for both the performer and the viewer. She will then take us a step further, sharing fascinating insights into the complex processes in the brain that enable movement, expression, rhythm, and interpretation in this art form.In the final part of the session, we will move together. Using a poem by the celebrated Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, Sloka will guide participants in co-creating movement, making the experience accessible, expressive, and joyful.

Sloka will also speak about how she integrates visual and literary arts into her practice, and how Bharatanatyam has become a powerful medium for creative aging. This session is ideal for anyone interested in dance, culture, neuroscience, or simply exploring new ways of experiencing movement and meaning — no prior dance experience required. 
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"The Silver Talkies Club is a group of warm, young-at-heart and spirited older adults. Silver Talkies Club makes it easy for members to stay active, unlock new experiences and make new friends -- all in a warm and welcoming group setting with like-minded silvers. We will be one of your biggest supporters throughout your journey with us." 

Testimonials: 

• "It was fabulous! You're such a beautiful dancer. And the presentation made me reflect on how I'd like to ground my clinical practice. Love the integration of art and science! 🩷 Also it was so cool that you got people to dance! 🩷" ​
• "This is so incredible. Bharatanaytam should be part of every single older adult center!"

It's been such a pleasure working with awesome librarians and patrons at the Francis Martin Branch of the New York Public Library in the Bronx. I especially loved the intergenerational setting! 
Below are some images from a session on February 10, 2026 (PC: Jariel Jacobs)

March 2026: For The Creative Center's training institute for teaching artists, I will lead a session on my work with Bharatanatyam and creative aging. Participants will learn the benefits of movement, specifically dance, for the brain and body. I will introduce Bharatnatyam – a dance form that consists of a codified vocabulary of hand gestures and expressions and a strong narrative focus. I will show how I have adapted this 2,000-year-old dance form for different settings and for those with varied mobility and share reflections on cultural humility while using traditional art forms like Bharatanatyam. We will also try a short piece together! Link to the Training Institute here. ​

With over 45 participants, the session was a great success. A few testimonials: 

• "Such an engaging presentation!" 
• "I love the focus on gaze, facial expression, and gesture and how intricate each movement is but also adaptable to contemporary context and stories."
• ""I love the rhythms done through hands and feet and then having participants listen in the world for different rhythms."

On traditional art forms, I asked what comes to mind when thinking of traditional and indigenous systems of knowledge:

• Storytelling
• Cooking
• I used to weave because I learned it from my native American friend
• Book binding
• I used to dance Ballet folklorico, which is definitely influenced by Spanish colonization
• I think of art forms that have been passed down over generations
• Gardening
• Embroidery
• Quilting
• Hip hop dance
• I wonder about what it means to use these traditions in non-traditional contexts
• Theatre
• Attached to a place and culture
• Generational
• Chant circles
• Felt making
• Athletics
• Paper weaving
• Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show
• "The teaching of traditional and indigenous arts cannot necessarily be done in a classroom setting."

On February 9th 2026, I look forward to being at Queensbridge-Riis Senior Center in Long Island City for a Bharatanatyam workshop with older adults. This event is in collaboration with Dances for a Variable Population. 

We will explore hand gestures, facial expressions, percussive movement, melody, and rhythm, and then bring them all together to co-create a piece together. All the movements we will explore can be done seated on a chair, standing up, or even just with your hands! Find the joy of expression, movement, music, and storytelling in Bharatanatyam. All activities are adaptable to all abilities!


Here's more information about Dances for a Variable Population:
"​Experience the joy of movement and community through our Movement Speaks® classes. Designed for older adults of all abilities, these classes promote creativity, health, and connection."

Some images and videos from the session below (PC: Sylvia Luna)  

We get together every Sunday to celebrate Bharatanatyam and our community at the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood. Today, many learners showed up despite it being extremely cold, and I am thankful to them for their discipline and participation. 

Last May, as part of The Memory Tree,, we received a grant from I'm Still Here Foundation. This project was completed successfully late in 2025, and brought movement, art, and cultural expression to individuals living with early-stage Alzheimer’s through the support of the I’m Still Here Foundation’s 2025 Innovation Grant. 
Through eight weeks of dance and creative arts, participants experienced meaningful connection, joy, and memory activation — with 100% satisfaction reported. One participant shared:“The work you do knocks at the doors of participants’ memories.” Another reflected: “You are giving us the gift of rejuvenating moments of life… This is the power of sweetness and precious memories.”
A few images below (PC: Elizabeth Fine) 

We had a great time with Kylie Madhav at the session "A love letter to Tamil" at the Y. She talked about the history of the language, its evolution, and how it is spoken in various parts of the world. Participants had question about the history of the language in Sri Lanka, Tamil as a living spoken language, and the syllables used in Tamil. She talked about the South Indian states and each of the languages spoken in them. 
Below are some images and a short video: 

In May of 2025, as part of The Memory Tree, we were funded by the "I'm Still Here Foundation" for a project for seniors experiencing early-stage Alzheimer’s disease who live in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) in New York City. This program was the first to systematically use Bharatanatyam in those with dementia. I worked with art therapist Mary Safai to present 8 sessions, at the end of which, we had a party! Flyers for the program and party below; also included is an image from the party (PC: Elizabeth Fine).