Top image: With flutist Zara Lawler (Flute on its Feet) at the Higher Ground Festival in NYC
Reflections on the production Vichaar
Dr. Pramod Suratkar
Reflections on the keynote presentation using Bharatanatyam to talk about early brain development at the Parents as Teachers International Conference (PATCON'22)
The presentation can be found here.
Thanks for sharing your article on caregiving with focus on parents caring for children and its implication on how this interaction can impact neural connections and network on both the parent or caregiver and the child the care receiver. I like the way you demonstrate the link between art and its impact on the brain. I think ultimately caregiving from parents to children and its mutual impact on the brain, can be extended to caring among any two mutual interactions, children and elders, people and pets, caring for people in need, people in love, or even for some caring for art or inanimate objects, as long as it is triggered by genuine love for it. The plasticity and elasticity of brain, as you have pointed out, is malleable from any input be it caregiving, Love or even something totally opposite of it..."
Reflections on the keynote presentation using Bharatanatyam to talk about early brain development at the Parents as Teachers International Conference (PATCON'22)
The presentation can be found here.
Thanks for sharing your article on caregiving with focus on parents caring for children and its implication on how this interaction can impact neural connections and network on both the parent or caregiver and the child the care receiver. I like the way you demonstrate the link between art and its impact on the brain. I think ultimately caregiving from parents to children and its mutual impact on the brain, can be extended to caring among any two mutual interactions, children and elders, people and pets, caring for people in need, people in love, or even for some caring for art or inanimate objects, as long as it is triggered by genuine love for it. The plasticity and elasticity of brain, as you have pointed out, is malleable from any input be it caregiving, Love or even something totally opposite of it..."
Scientist: Madhavan Narayanan, PhD (Assistant Professor at Benedictine University, IL)
"What the renowned British neurologist Oliver Sacks did for music, science and medicine is what Dr. Sloka, a neurobiologist by training, is attempting to do through Vichaar for dance and neuroscience. In an age where technology and access to resources have made us sedentary, Vichaar’s exploration and exposition of the connection between intention, movement, expression and its connection with brain states, could enthuse more people into picking up dance of one form or another and embark on a journey of their own. Dr. Sloka, who is an out of the box thinker, is constantly exploring interesting topics and is looking for ways to benefit society. Overall, I am excited for the journey we all are about to go on with Vichaar."
"What the renowned British neurologist Oliver Sacks did for music, science and medicine is what Dr. Sloka, a neurobiologist by training, is attempting to do through Vichaar for dance and neuroscience. In an age where technology and access to resources have made us sedentary, Vichaar’s exploration and exposition of the connection between intention, movement, expression and its connection with brain states, could enthuse more people into picking up dance of one form or another and embark on a journey of their own. Dr. Sloka, who is an out of the box thinker, is constantly exploring interesting topics and is looking for ways to benefit society. Overall, I am excited for the journey we all are about to go on with Vichaar."
Reflections on the "Song and Dance of Neurons"
The presentation can be found here.
Dr. Shweta Karambelkar
Sloka gave an absolutely breathtaking performance at the STEMpeers 2022 conference in Philadelphia!
I loved her performance thoroughly. Although the stage at the conference venue was clearly more suited for a conference presentation than a classical Bharatanatyam dance performance, Sloka's energy and engaging facial expressions more than made up for it! If anything, it further underlined her message that science and art can co-exist in the same physical space, just as they can do in our brains.
I was almost moved to tears by her expressions during a part of her performance in which she portrays a mother eagerly awaiting her child's return from school and delighting when that finally happens.
It was a beautiful coming together of art, science, womanhood, and so much more. As a female scientist myself with an extreme love for art, I feel super proud of girls like Sloka who constantly push the envelope! I wish her all the best for everything!
The presentation can be found here.
Dr. Shweta Karambelkar
Sloka gave an absolutely breathtaking performance at the STEMpeers 2022 conference in Philadelphia!
I loved her performance thoroughly. Although the stage at the conference venue was clearly more suited for a conference presentation than a classical Bharatanatyam dance performance, Sloka's energy and engaging facial expressions more than made up for it! If anything, it further underlined her message that science and art can co-exist in the same physical space, just as they can do in our brains.
I was almost moved to tears by her expressions during a part of her performance in which she portrays a mother eagerly awaiting her child's return from school and delighting when that finally happens.
It was a beautiful coming together of art, science, womanhood, and so much more. As a female scientist myself with an extreme love for art, I feel super proud of girls like Sloka who constantly push the envelope! I wish her all the best for everything!
Reflections on the keynote presentation using Bharatanatyam to talk about early brain development at the Parents as Teachers International Conference (PATCON'22)
The presentation can be found here.
The presentation can be found here.
Constance Gully, President and CEO, Parents as Teachers
"Sloka’s presentation was masterful; weaving neuroscience and dance into a flowing conversation made the content very accessible. And beautiful. What struck me most was the concept of ‘parent/caregiver instinct’ as a capacity we all carry, but one that requires unleashing. This is particularly important to help practitioners recognize that all of us—despite whatever trauma or doubts or disconnects we may carry—have the capacity to parent, if provided the right, strengths-based supports."
Alison Gee, MPH; Vice President of Government and Community Engagement, Parents as Teachers
"Dr. Sloka Iyengar not only understands neuroscience, but she also brings brain development to life through dance and stories. Carefully describing what each movement in her Bharatanatyam dance symbolizes, she performs stories of parenting, child development, connection, and joy. I think I would have paid more attention in science class if it would have included the arts!"
"Sloka’s presentation was masterful; weaving neuroscience and dance into a flowing conversation made the content very accessible. And beautiful. What struck me most was the concept of ‘parent/caregiver instinct’ as a capacity we all carry, but one that requires unleashing. This is particularly important to help practitioners recognize that all of us—despite whatever trauma or doubts or disconnects we may carry—have the capacity to parent, if provided the right, strengths-based supports."
Alison Gee, MPH; Vice President of Government and Community Engagement, Parents as Teachers
"Dr. Sloka Iyengar not only understands neuroscience, but she also brings brain development to life through dance and stories. Carefully describing what each movement in her Bharatanatyam dance symbolizes, she performs stories of parenting, child development, connection, and joy. I think I would have paid more attention in science class if it would have included the arts!"