Top image: With participants at Arts for the Aging (Image credit: Kayla Lemen Conklin), March 2025​​

Below are some testimonials from participants, caregivers, and program facilitators about my creative aging sessions: 

Participant at the YM&YWHA, Nagle Avenue (December 2025) 
(This learner travels 2 hours each way to come to class). ​

• "Your dance makes me a happier person. 🙏🌹"
• It gives me comfort that , even if I cannot dance it, You are doing  it ! —for yourself— Which is also for  me, for all of us, When it comes to unity of consciousness. Oneness."
  

Program coordinator (Series funded by I'm Still Here)

• "I hope you realize how wonderful the program was for this group. They were all very involved and connected to you, and responded so well to your dance program. You should feel very proud. Thank you for bringing such joy to our program."

Participant, "Shabd: Exploring Words and Bharatanatyam" at Morris Park New York Public Library (December 2025) 

• "I thank you very much for the classes at NYPL . They were wonderful and you made them a delight. I’m glad to have met you too. Poetry was part of my happy childhood memories. They were kind of forgotten and are now coming back. I hope to see you again in future classes at NYPL Morris Park. 

Participant, "Shabd: Exploring Words and Bharatanatyam" at Morris Park New York Public Library (November 2025) 

• "I wanted to share that I have genuinely enjoyed the class. While I was never a fan of poetry before, the visual poetry and the way you conduct the sessions have completely changed my mind. I could do this indefinitely." 

Participant, Arts for the Aging (November 2025)

• "I feel energized and pain-free after the movement workshop."

Participants, "Shabd: Exploring Words and Bharatanatyam" at Morris Park New York Public Library (November 2025) 

• One participant on the poem by William Wordsworth ("I wandered lonely as a cloud") said: "One of my favorite poems! We were taught it in school and at that time, I barely understood it. When I came to America 40 years ago and saw my first daffodils during my first spring here, this is the first thing that came to my mind- and I think of it every year when I spot my first daffodils every spring. Thank you for sharing on this grey and rainy day :)"
• On the sessions in general, "I believe that we are where we are meant to be. You talk about the interconnected of life and I believe in that. I think every life has worth and should be celebrated. I like that we bring that out in our poems and movement.”
• "This program is so informative, innovative and downright enjoyable! Sloka is an incredible, creative teacher!"

Participants at the YM&YWHA, Nagle Avenue (November 2025) on Kamini Dandapani's session on Indian music and dance

• "I had a wonderful time, and thank you for letting me know about it." 
• "Hi Sloka!  Great class with Kamini!  It was a good learning experience!😊  Thanks for the performance honoring my request (of you dancing to Kamini's music)! 😊 It’s very nice and we should do more of them in future! 😊" 
• From Kamini: "Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to share my love for Carnatic music today. I had such a blast. What a great community you have built up - it was truly heartwarming to see."
• "Thank you for the special opportunity you created for us. I loved it, and I loved that you demonstrated. I am always mesmerized by the rhythms that you can do with your body. I see it in the point of view of healing. I enjoyed my friend to attend, and she enjoyed the lecture as well. I felt a bit nostalgic about the ragas - I must learn more."
• "I really enjoyed Kamini's presentation and appreciate her depth and knowledge of Indian classical music and history, as well as your insights into the connection of music and Bharatanatyam. Thanks, Sloka!"
• "I love you. My heart sings when you dance."
• From a regular student: "Thank you for inviting Kamini, and for making this available for us." 
• "Thank- you, dear Sloka.  It was lovely to be with you again and to receive such an excellent introduction to South Indian music."

Participant at Morningside Retirement and Health Services (MRHS) as part of the Innovation grant from I'm Still Here Foundation (November 2025) 
"The work you do knocks at the doors of participants' memories. This, we will take with us even after the session is over. We will sing the lullaby and it will evoke pleasant memories when we are home. You are giving them the gift for rejuvenating moments of life. This is the power of sweetness and precious memories. You do such a great job connecting to everyone’s culture (this remark was to the lullabies and how there are lullabies in all cultures). 

Participant, "Shabd: Exploring Words and Bharatanatyam" at Morris Park New York Public Library (November 2025) 
"I really am enjoying the class! ____________
           ^^  ^^  ^^
(3 bats 🦇 for Halloween, if I recall what you showed us ...)"

Participant at the YM&YWHA, Nagle Avenue (October 2025) 
(This learner travels 2 hours each way to come to class). 

• "I continue to contemplate the storytelling from this dance and the healing which comes from it."

Several supporters on the Innovation grant from I'm Still Here Foundation (October 2025) to work with those that have early/mild dementia

• "Love seeing and hearing about how you are engaging those most disenfranchised in communities with Bhatayanatyam and showing how this art form invigorates and generates pathways of expression, movement, and renewal.You inspire me to moe end cousin. You are relentless and the world is a better place because of it!'
• "So excited to see the joy of dance bringing joy to the care and life of those living with serious illness."
• "Sounds wonderful Sloka, it's so good to see you apply your talent and empathy in so many ways! So proud of you!!" 

​​Audience member testimonials Īkṣaṇa ("Caregiving") at Aaron Davis Hall on Sept 27, 2025

• (To the Bourree Anglaise piece): "On Sunday morning, I woke up with the moment you were walking Jess in my head. That just said it all and was funny as well." 
• (To the Sarabande piece): "It was as if Bach had written it for you, truly translational." 
• "The programs were amazing - exquisite, delightful, surprising, inspiring, and moving. I hope that you and Kylie will be able to present them again throughout the city.🙏❤️🕉️ 

Participant at the YM&YWHA, Nagle Avenue (September 2025) 
(This learner travels 2 hours each way to come to class). 

• "I feel grateful that you exist. Also, I thank your parents and ancestors to have brought you into this world in which you share your beautiful gifts."

​​Audience member testimonials Īkṣaṇa ("Caregiving") at Aaron Davis Hall on Sept 27, 2025

• "Sloka! Oh, it was so beautiful!  Amazing!  We enjoyed it so much!!  You were super and felt so proud of you!  Thank you so much for being in my life! 😀 ❤️ ❤️ ❤️"
• We enjoyed throughly Sloka! You are a fine artist 👌🌹" 
• "The show was very nice  and very engaging.  The added components (of flute and narration) really worked well. Thank you and congratulations." 
• "Omg! It was amazing! We loved it!"
• "The 3 of you worked well. I love the flute and your narrator did a good job."
• To flutist Zara Lawler: "BRAVO!!!! I enjoyed the show  immensely. Wow, every part of the dancer's body is so expressive! The narrator has a beautiful, melodious speaking voice! And your music is heavenly!! You continue to push yourself to learn to do more and more with your flute playing. Masterful!! Thank you for inviting me to an enchanting performance."
• "It was a joy and inspiration to savor your exquisite dancing and creative programming."

Participant at the YM&YWHA, Nagle Avenue (September 2025) 
(This learner travels 2 hours each way to come to class). 
"Thank you, Dearest Teacher. I love the class. You elevate me, us. As my husband would say, "you out-did yourself". I am enjoying learning with you." 

​​Audience members at  Īkṣaṇa ("Caregiving") at Buuni Coffee on Sept 19, 2025

• (On a piece that showed the relationship between the rising sun and the sea), "I could read it, write it, but seeing you dance, I will never forget, and I will tell everyone that the sun is inside me." 
• (On a piece that described the Narmada river), "I feel that as long as I live, there is a place for me, for us by the river."
• "Watching you, I felt like I was dancing."
• "What a beautiful performance. I am always awestruck at your talent ! It's not just the dance, but the way you weave in the background,  facts,  mythology etc is simply amazing!" 
• Your performance was so expressive! Thank you ! ❤️"

Participant at the YM&YWHA, Nagle Avenue (September 2025) 
(This learner travels 2 hours each way to come to class). 
"You are worth it!  Your class was surreal As love and cosmic things always are👏👏👏👏
You  gave us practical rhythms, which I needed to learn exactly. And of course the songs permeated everything we did." 

​​Audience members at  Īkṣaṇa ("Caregiving") at the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood on Sept 7, 2025

• "I felt all the emotions." 
• "I was singing along (to the Tridevi stuti). I lived in Calcutta for 8 years, so the songs brought back my memories."
• "Thank YOU!! The performance was just fantastic, one of your best! Everybody thought so."
• "What a wonderful performance,  Sloka, you outdid yourself if that's even possible! Satish LOVED it! Sheila did too but I was astounded he came!!"
• "Your performance was exquisite, moving, and inspiring, Sloka. From the very first note of music I could feel a sense of the sacred, transmitted over the years . I hope to attend both of your upcoming performances, at Buuni and Aaron Davis Hall. Thanks & blessings!"
• "I found the English and Spanish translations very clear and helpful."
• "Amazing. You are so talented. God has blessed you,👣🐾​"

Victoria Neznansky, Chief Development and Social Services Officer, YM & YWHA and as an audience member at  Īkṣaṇa ("Caregiving") 
"Through your teaching, you bring the joy of dance to our community, offering not only movement and wellness, but also a connection to culture, spirit, and beauty. As a performer, you shared your soul, traditions, and the grace of Indian dance with such artistry and warmth. Your performance left a lasting impression on everyone present, inspiring, and uplifting both participants and staff. Older adults are truly fortunate to learn from you, to be moved by your generosity, and to experience the healing power of dance under your guidance. Thank you for your support, your time, and the light your bring into our community."

​​An audience member at  Īkṣaṇa ("Caregiving") at the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood on Aug 20, 2025
"Namaste, Dear Miss Sloka. What a pleasure seeing your sacred dancing. Seeing you inspired me to consider a change and move to learn (the veena)." 

A supporter on providing narration for Bharatanatyam recitals in Spanish 
"That's phenomenal!!! You are such an inspiration and light!!!!!! Thank you for your relentless spirit, insight, creativity, innovation, knowledge, and wisdom! You are a force!"

Participant: Dr. Chigurupati S Rani (Assistant Professor, Computer Information Systems at BMCC) on the session on sculpture and Bharatanatyam
"It was a very interesting special session, Sloka!  Beautiful vigrahas! Aravind gave a very nice introduction to the temples and the temple carvings!  Everyone enjoyed the lecture and of course, your dance performance!! 😊 💕 "

Director, Joe Mayock Older Adult Center at Independence Plaza (May 2025) 
​"That was the best lecture we've ever had (video above)." ​

Participant, Older Adult Center at Independence Plaza (May 2025)

• ​"I had a wonderful time seeing you dance. I think you noticed that I was smiling all the time. Thank you for making our afternoon happy. You are great. I was smiling because I was enjoying your dancing so much. I loved every movement. Thank you again. I am lucky to have met you. I could use some of those wonderful movement to help my body move better. I am 86 years old! Thank you again."

Participants, Kips Bay NYPL (April 2025) Moving Poetry sessions

• "I really enjoyed the class today. It was quite enlightening and Sloka. You are a delight.”
• “Thank you for your poem gatherings a series where reading/writing in a group/listening to music and movements we replicate watching your lovely dancing poetically with hands - an all around tri-language series. I wish Sloka I could speak in another language, and your name is poetically more than a verse - you hold the Universe of poetry in your being!"
• "I am in awe of your ease". 
• "I found this program very engaging.  I made so many connections."
• "Words were being expressed through body language.  It gave me relaxation and exercise."
• The facilitator Sloka Iyengar was fabulous!  Plus I enjoyed the music and the poetry and the dance and the movement."
• "I loved this so much!"
• "This inspires me to continue on the path of moving, poetry, song and dance."
• I think your joy, your dancing, your intelligence and creativity in collaborating is what is the best plan to thrive in these times."

Participant at the YM&YWHA, Nagle Avenue, Michael Setter (February 2025)
" Thank you for a job well done. Your patience and dedication are incredible. It’s so difficult and so different from what I knew and still I feel I’m making progress. Keep up the great work." 

Caregiver of an individual I work with at The Memory Tree  (January 2025)
"I watched my mother interact with others. which I haven’t seen in a while."

Sarah House, Program Director, Arts for the Aging (December 2024)
"I’m so glad we got to meet and connect in person at the NOAH conference! I learn something new every time we talk and I value the perspective and experience you bring to our faculty. Your melding of the scientific and artistic is at the heart of our mission and rooted in the founding from the first workshops with the National Institutes of Health. Your approach of introducing the cultural context and storytelling
of Bharatanatyam creates a welcoming space for participants to learn something new, create together, and inspires a sense of accomplishment. I’m looking forward to find ways to engage you in upcoming projects either virtually or in-person."

Participant Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (November 2024)
"They are all of love and beauty and part of the cosmos. I have so enjoyed the universal connection that I have experienced in your  teaching. It transcends and combines all (positive) thoughts and beliefs. Producing relaxation and encouragement. The class is ending, but the relationship with what you introduced hasn’t."

Aravind Mallipudi, Hrudayam Art Gallery; Participant Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (November 2024)
"I feel more alive and reconnected to my roots with every ritual and expression of our culture. So Thank You for your class and allowing me to share my own passion and knowledge with our participants."

Logan Hughes; Adult librarian, Baychester NYPL (April 2024)
"I had the privilege to work with Sloka over a two month span. During that time she taught a class of somewhere between 8-12 people the basics of Indian dance, as well as the meaning behind certain symbols and movements. During this time Sloka was an absolute delight to work with. Her students lined up enthusiastically each week for their class and left smiling. Sloka's passion was obvious in both the classroom and in casual conversation. When given the chance to perform, not only her passion, but also her love for and dedication to, Indian dance was demonstrated. This enchanted the audience who applauded her performance and were delighted to have witnessed something they had never seen before. I cannot recommend Sloka enough to anyone lucky enough to have the chance to work with her."

Participants, Baychester NYPL (April 2024)

• "Quite engaging, instrumental to my wellbeing."
• I enjoyed learning the "meaning to the movements of Indian Dance."
• "My most memorable moments were the steps and the meaning of the language".
• "I loved the hand mudras with their accompanying meanings". 
• I love the "mind body connection". 
• "I felt connected and peaceful". 
• "It made me realize that I can make achievements for my benefit when having patient, encouraging people assisting me". 

Participants, India Home (April 2024)

• "Thank you for your patience and generosity."
• "Thank you, Sloka-ji. We are well-trained by now that I think we can perform this piece on stage. You are indeed a very good guru to all of us. Shri guruve namah."
• "Dear Sloka-ji, we appreciate your analytical dance steps and your love of dancing talent and teaching us, which makes for a happy hour. We wish you good luck and hope we may demonstrate some time."
• "Sloka-ji, you are a great teacher and the thought of ending this is saddening." 

Participants, The Creative Center, "Rasas in the Now" (November 2023)

• Asked about the instructor's strengths and weaknesses: "Her genuine passion, care and empathetic listening created a safe an open space to share" and "In any order: Warmth, intelligence, encouragement, openness, personality, intellectual curiosity, talent."
• Asked about "Has the creative process and/or the art form you explored in this workshop bettered your life? If so, * how?": "Absolutely. Made me think deeper about specific feelings and expressing them thru art felt very healing." and "New ways of looking at things. Relating to areas of life that I may not have considered before."

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Participants, Arts for the Aging

• "This program is interesting and fun! The facilitators do a good job of eliciting comments from all participants, and surprisingly, make nice poetry out of those responses." 
  • A participant in the The Body Poetic series. 
• “It’s so nice to be welcomed. You’re keeping me alive with these programs.”
  • - Elizabeth, a participant with Northern Virginia Virtual Center for Active Adults after a Moving Stories workshop. 

Participant at the YM&YWHA, Nagle Avenue, Deanna vonSecondorf (October 2023)

• "At the start of the Indian dance class with Sloka, we learn deep breathing to use our body, mind, and soul to embrace creation and to become one with the universe. We de-stress ourselves. It is an atmosphere of sharing. We laugh and hold each other up with praises. I am 85 years old slow to learn and awkward in my movements. Oops! My balance. I am clumsy, but I do persevere over and over again. In due time with small steps, I do improve. There is more to this dance class than learning steps. I am transported into a magical world of sparkling stars, a forever-changing world. There is a sense of serenity and magical beauty that comes through hand movements. As we move in unison, we become graceful bodies in motion. It is a journey of wonder! It is an awesome and spiritual experience. I also feel a heightened awareness and sensitivity of my surroundings through the dance. At the end of each class, we humble ourselves to pay homage and give respect to our ancestors, teachers, and contemporaries. We say "Namaste". We bow to a greater being. Truly a thrilling experience! In conclusion, this dance class has transformed over my life in body (balance agility), mind (learning something new, increased focus), spirit (feelings of wellbeing, peace, and joy). I am thankful for Sloka as a teacher. Her experience and knowledge of Classical Indian dancing is immeasurable. I also appreciate her steadfast patience." 

Caregiver, Padma Narayanaswamy (June 2023)

• "Talent, Grace, Empathy - these are a few words that come to mind when I think of Sloka.  I met Sloka a year ago performing at the RING garden. While I was surprised to find someone performing Bharatanatyam in a park in NYC, I was planning to just watch a few minutes and head back to my chores, however I found myself riveted to her performance. To say she is talented is a huge understatement!  As we got to know each other and she started teaching seniors at the Y in Inwood, I am so impressed by who she is and what she does.  Her classes at the Y for seniors are amazing and a lot of fun. Bharatanatyam , a very intense art form is broken down by her into simple mudras (hand gestures), foot and hand movements that are easy for anyone to follow and she has a talent in bringing out creativity in everyone!  She is very attuned to the needs of her students who are senior citizens with varying physical capabilities and adapts her teaching to each one's needs in the same class,  so everyone feels comfortable and learns at their pace. She is an inspiration to all, with her  empathy, commitment to her work and sense of humor, and I am privileged to know her!"

Participant, Pauline Roony Yeargan (May 2023)

• "Thank you for the video of your performance of the Ashai Mukham. I enjoyed watching your expressive dancing as well as listening to the voice of the singer and reading the written words which tell the story. Your movements have helped me to better understand the relationship between the Dancer and a Deity as well as the relationship between the Dancer and the Poet. Also the experience of actually performing Classical Indian Dance in your class helps me to better understand my own training in movement in the USA, and the new direction that I am pursuing in my own dancing. I love improvisation between dancers, non dancers, and musicians.  For me Dance is always an unplanned conversation similar to people meeting outdoors and expressing  ideas spontaneously.  

Jordan Reif, Program Manager, Program Manager for the Humanistic Medicine Program in the Office of Student Affairs  (March 2023)

• "Sloka facilitated a 90-minute workshop focusing on Bharatanatyam and rasas for medical students, staff, and faculty. She was extremely welcoming and engaged both people with and without previous experience with Bharatanatyam. Sloka encouraged people to think about the specific intersection between neuroscience and dance, as well as facilitating larger conversations about history, gender, and emotion. Everyone left the space inspired and excited to learn more." 

Jeff Nesler, Director; Coming of Age program at PSS 

• "Please accept my sincere appreciation on behalf of Coming of Age and the PSS staff and Board for yesterday evening’s outstanding presentation and Q&A on Brain Plasticity as We Age. It was exciting to hear the enthusiasm you and the audience shared about neuroplasticity. It seemed practically every possible angle of discussion about the subject arose, and the hour flew by. Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. This was a truly riveting experience." 

Ann Burgunder: Program Director; Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias Family Support Program at NYU

• "Huge thanks for a wonderful program. I began the program doing the movement with you, but then I turned to watching everyone. The whole group was so engaged in the movement and the music and your singing.  It was lovely to feel the calmness that you brought to each person.  You opened up imaginations and memories." 

Participant: Dr. Chigurupati S Rani (Assistant Professor, Computer Information Systems at BMCC)

• "Great fun & joy for all ages! All my life I have been only watching and enjoying the Bharatanatyam dances but never really learned to dance.  I am very happy to say that we, the seniors now have the opportunity to learn the Indian classical dance at the YM&YWHA, Nagle Avenue!  Thanks to Dr. Sloka Iyengar, our dance instructor!  Amazing!  I joined the class in September 2022.  After a little over two months, I feel very comfortable with the steps (mudras)! In the beginning I thought it’s going to be hard because Bharatanatyam is not easy to learn.  But, after two months I feel very comfortable.  I can say I learned a lot of ‘Mudras’ (hand gestures, rhythm with feet, and eye movements) in such a short time!  This is only possible in such a short time because of the wonderful teacher Dr. Sloka Iyengar we have!  Sloka is very enthusiastic, energetic, warm, kind and an amazing person! Dance itself is a great exercise. It teaches you how to balance and coordinate. It’s not very easy to coordinate the movements of hands, feet and the eyes!  We can tell a story with all the gestures/movements!  I definitely recommend it to all ages who come to the Y! Dr. Sloka Iyengar is a scientist and a professional dancer!  She adapted the lessons to suit our abilities.  She is cool, calm, fun and has a lot of patience!  She is very inspirational to all of us!" 

Cindy Perlis, Former Director, UCSF Art for Recovery (If Not Us, Then Who? The Arts, Healthcare & Wellbeing with the Hidden Truths Project)  

• "I kept thinking how beautiful it was to see how your simple hand movements yesterday could so movingly express feelings, birds, the clouds etc  it felt like a visual painting!" 

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Program manager: Charles Markham

• “My name is Charles Markham and I serve as one of the program managers for the Onsite & Special Programs Department at DOROT. We had the good fortune of working with Sloka to lead a workshop series on Classical Indian Dance for our group of older adults. Through Sloka’s clear and concise instruction our participants were able to learn and experience the rich culture and history connected to the classical dance form. Our department’s mission is to offer our constituents global perspectives through engaging programs that cultivate community and a deep respect for people, arts & culture; Sloka’s classes did not fall short of elevating this mission. She is warm and inviting, she brought a wealth of knowledge, and held space for participants to learn, grow, and have fun. The innate connection between storytelling and movement within the Classical Indian Dance form resonated with our community as it allowed them to move but also find their own voice within the practice. We welcome Sloka back to DOROT with open arms anytime because she is not only an experienced, educated, and engaging facilitator but also a wonderful human to work with.”
  
  

Participant: Dr. Elisa de la Roche

• "Sloka brings a new perspective to teaching which includes healing though dance. She uses Bharatanatyam, an Indian dance style, which includes mudras (hand gestures), rhythms with the feet, and storytelling with the hands, eyes and face. Her lessons are inclusive, and most people, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or health condition, can easily access her message, which is the joy of movement, the expressiveness of the hands and face to tell a story, and the music and rhythm of the whole body. Her teaching style is kind, open-minded and non-judgmental, allowing each person to feel valued. Her students come away feeling renewed, joyful, as well as being part of world culture."

Participant: Ms. Carol Schachter 

• "One mother and daughter dressed in ceremonial saris during one of the series,  and there were tears of joy and sorrow at her last episode. I am not embarrassed to say some of those tears were of my own; however, they were tears of joy because I knew I'd be seeing my dear friend again and again. And this is only one tiny aspect of the global outreach Dr. Iyengar employs to give Bharatanatyam immortality and in the process to honor relatives, living and deceased, of her own. This passion is both personal and international."