SLOKA IYENGAR
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Bharatanatyam for All

Inclusive dance session at Lincoln Center

8/27/2024

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Inclusive dance session at Lincoln Center in July 2024

PictureImage credit: Randy Miles
I was so excited to represent Dance for PD in July 2024 at the The Garden at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center's Summer for the City. It was amazing sharing my love for Bharatanatyam and making it inclusive for all.
Image and video credit for the pictures and videos below: Dance for PD® 

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Performed for a dear friend's 90th birthday party

8/19/2024

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Performed for a dear friend's 90th birthday party 

Picture
Sometimes, the work on creative aging takes interesting forms. A few months ago, through India Home, a dear person reached out to me to learn the Namaskara that she could share in front of her friends and family for her 90th birthday celebration. 
Over the months, we started working together, and she requested me to perform the Nirvana Shatakam, as it is a song close to her heart. The beautiful song is from this source. 

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Session at Sirovich Center for Balanced Living in July 2024

8/5/2024

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Session at the Sirovich Center for Balanced Living in July 2024 

In July 2024, I offered a session at Sirovich Center for Balanced Living; some images below.
Picture credit: Schekira Wilson 
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My paper on Bharatanatyam to ease social loneliness and isolation in older adults is now published!

8/5/2024

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My paper on Bharatanatyam to ease social loneliness and isolation in older adults is now published!

I am so excited to share my work on Bharatanatyam and its impacts to ease loneliness in older adults is published in the journal Critical Public Health. The link is here.

This paper consists of observational data where I propose a novel framework for describing social isolation and loneliness in older adults that includes relationships to their changing bodies and experiences, to history and literature, and to nature and current events. I then summarize that the study of Bharatanatyam enables connections of various kinds, specifically, connection with oneself in oneself, connection to tradition and history and to others, the nature and current events.
Abstract: Older adults worldwide are facing disproportionate levels of isolation and loneliness. The current frameworks for understanding social isolation and loneliness include factors such as the physical and mental health of the individuals, loss of friends and family, level of education, relationships, and the built environment. While these models are useful, they fail to consider the individual experiences of older adults holistically; as an example, they do not include older adults’ relationship with themselves as they navigate the many challenges of life. In this article, I propose a novel framework for describing social isolation and loneliness in older adults that includes relationships to their changing bodies and experiences, to history and literature, and to nature and current events. Considering this revised framework, I summarize my observations as a teaching artist using Bharatanatyam, a 2,000-year-old Indian traditional dance form, in alleviating loneliness and isolation. Outcomes are in the form of qualitative narratives that are thematically united and presented. Given the highly communicative and relational nature of Bharatanatyam, I hypothesize that immersion in Bharatanatyam will enable connections of various kinds. This article describes three ways in which Bharatanatyam is particularly well-suited to build connections; these are 1. Connection with oneself in body, mind, and psyche; 2. Connection to tradition and history and 3. A systematic structure of relating to others, to the nature and environment, and current events.
A few reactions to this paper:
  • "Wow…that was really informative. I think is going to be even more of a problem with the young generations, especially as they age. They have not formed personal relationship skills because of dependence on social media." 
  • "You are so amazing for doing what you do, coming up with an idea where there is hardly any research and turning it into something revolutionary. It really does inspire hope that things can be different." 
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Working on a 7-beat rhythmic pattern at the Y!

8/1/2024

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Working on a 7-beat rhythmic pattern at the Y! 

Students of Bharatanatyam learn a variety of rhythmic patterns and corresponding movements. Here, participants at the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood are working on 7-beat rhythmic pattern (Mishram jaati) providing a fun challenge. Simple rhythms can be so joyful! 
​Picture and video credit: Padma Narayanaswamy
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    Author

    My name is Sloka.  I am a neuroscientist and dancer; you can find more about me here. 

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Last updated: June 13, 2025
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  • About me
    • Profile
    • Service
    • Invited talks and interviews
    • Continuing education
    • Upcoming Public Events
    • Publications
    • Contact me >
      • Ensuring effective collaborations
  • Science
    • Science consulting
    • Global health >
      • Capacity building in global health >
        • Capacity building through leadership
        • Disaster relief
      • Mental health
      • Aging and palliative care
      • Neurological disorders
    • Clinical science
    • Preclinical science
    • Science advocacy >
      • Advocacy activities
      • ABC newsletters
    • Patient communication and advocacy >
      • Patient communication and advocacy (articles)
    • Science education
    • Awards and professional recognition
  • Dance
    • Dance resume >
      • Pictures and videos
      • Community engagement
      • Arts Administration (Biblioteca Madre)
      • SamyuktaNYC
    • Vichaar >
      • Vichaar: Episode 1 transcript
      • Vichaar: Episode 2 transcript
      • Vichaar: testimonials
      • Saṃbhūya
      • The Artful Mind
      • Exploring Early Brain Development through Science and Dance
      • Guru Vandana
    • Bharatanatyam for creative aging >
      • Bharatanatyam for all
      • Bharatanatyam for all: testimonials
      • Bharatanatyam for all: instructional videos
      • For Seniors, By Seniors >
        • Seniors & Financial Decisions
        • Staying Fit As We Age
        • Signs Your Aging Parent Needs Help
        • Embrace the Empty Nest
        • Empty Nesters Seeking Proximity to Their Children
        • The Bumps of a Midlife Crisis
        • Healthy Living for Seniors
        • Forging a Resilient Future
        • Beyond Medicare and Social Security
        • Seniors Living Independently
        • A Harmonious Multigenerational Household
        • Mental Health Boosts
        • Start Your Home-Based Business After Retirement
        • Reclaiming Mental Wellness