I am so excited to announce that as part of The Memory Tree, my project has been awarded an "Innovation Grant" from the I'm Still Here Foundation. This work titled "Activating the Mind-Body Connection with Eastern Dance & Art" will engage seniors experiencing early-stage Alzheimer’s disease who live at two Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs): Morningside Gardens in Harlem and River Terrace in Washington Heights. 
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​At each project site, we will provide two 90-minute sessions per month, including an introduction to Bharatanatyam and a culminating event featuring a performance by participants and an exhibit of their artwork. Following 45 minutes focused on dance, participants will engage in a 45-minute session of visual artmaking, creating hand sculptures and other pieces reflecting their dance movements.  At each project site, we will provide two 90-minute sessions per month, including an introduction to Bharatanatyam and a culminating event featuring a performance by participants and an exhibit of their artwork. Following 45 minutes focused on dance, participants will engage in a 45-minute session of visual artmaking, creating hand sculptures and other pieces reflecting their dance movements. 

"I'm Still Here Foundation (ISH) empowers individuals living with dementia to thrive through advocacy and programs that foster connections in arts, culture, and community."

My gurus always emphasize that Bharatanatyam is more than movement. Maheshwari Amma helps me pay attention to the pleats of my sari, the floor, the way we announce pieces, how we enter and exit the stage, and the way we show up for class. As a practice where we dance barefoot, Bharatanatyam is a grounded practice and keeps us aware of our dynamic relationship with the earth. 

Recently, at the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood, our regular room was in use, so we decided to dance outside, since the weather was so nice. This time allowed us to discuss specific details, e.g. the difference in the feeling of our feet and legs when we dance on different surfaces. We discussed the quality of different surfaces as "unforgiving" (concrete), "elastic" (wood), and "soft" (grass and soil).

We have been learning the poem Mangalam where we seek for balance in natural elements, between us, and within us. Being outside was a special experience in this regard as well, as we could experience the sun, breeze, and sky, some of the natural elements the poem talks about. 

Below is a video of learners doing a simple movement pattern in a circle and singing.
​Dancers (L to R): Deanna vanSecondorf, Marshall Douglas, Michael Setter, CS Rani, Sloka Iyengar  

Inherent in the study of Bharatanatyam is the study of rhythm. With participants at YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood, we have worked on many kinds of rhythmic patterns. Learning these patterns illustrates the modular nature of Bharatanatyam. This dance form  also provides the possibility of doing the steps in various formations, giving rise to beautiful imagery. The one below reminded us of a flower unfurling.  

Pedagogically, Bharatanatyam provides a way to use simple elements to give an achievable challenge alongside beauty and expression. We have studied the 7-beat rhythmic pattern (Mishram jaati) - check out its video here. Now, we are learning a 5-beat rhythmic pattern (Khanda jaati). 
​Dancers: Deanna vanSecondorf, Marshall Douglas, Michael Setter, CS Rani, Sloka Iyengar  

I had the pleasure of working with participants at the Independence Plaza Older Adult Center in Tribeca in NYC.  After a short demo, I talked about the benefits of dance in brain health, and then led the group through collective movement (some pictures below): 
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A participant said ​"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."

Image credit for pictures above: Joseph Mayock