SLOKA IYENGAR
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Bharatanatyam for All

The grounded practice of Bharatanatyam

5/19/2025

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The grounded practice of Bharatanatyam

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  
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    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