When movement becomes a method to bring about self-awareness

The session aims to teach how one can use their body as a tool for discovery by combining various dance forms and yoga, and is being organised by Samana Art Movement founded by Karunya Srinivasan. Through different disciplines — visual art, movement, poetry, music, theatre and performance — the movement module will help an individual connect with themselves as well as meet others. “We are offering this six-weekend movement module for adults to play, experiment, explore and engage with the ‘process of moving’ in new ways. By using the body as a tool for discovery, we enter into a relationship of self-awareness,” says Karunya.

The classes will draw from practices of yoga and dance but the emphasis will be on getting in touch with an individual’s quality of movement that every person innately possesses. “There will be structure but also the freedom to play and explore around it. Sushmitha and I will be conducting classes — we will be bringing our own movement quality and experience to create sessions that will focus on different movement practices,” shares Karunya.

Karunya’s movement experience will impart training in Bharatanatyam, Indian contemporary and Latin dance styles to the participants, while Sushmitha is a certified yoga instructor who uses ‘stories from the mat’ to teach the philosophy of self-awareness through fitness. The duo’s intention is also to make art more accessible for people.  Shares the latter, “The module is suitable for both beginners and professionals to support their movement practices and gain more insight into their quality of movement. Through this, we are helping people get a better understanding of their body in terms of how it functions and moves,” she adds.

Another city-based expert who practices and teaches self-awareness through movement is Robyn. She has completed her teacher training programme in yoga and meditation from the Krishnamacharya Healing Yoga Foundation and uses yoga to help people understand their bodies better. “Being mindful of movement through gentle yoga stretches and breathing practices helps promote focus and relaxation — this helps improve physical and mental health,” shares the expert.

She draws upon all of yoga’s tools, including asana (postures), pranayama (breathing practices) and dhyana (meditation), to teach movement practices. “Exercises that incorporate yoga poses, breathing and meditation practices have been found to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (aka, the relaxation response). Studies have also shown that yoga — or any other form of art and movement for that matter — can decrease inflammation, increase attention and self-regulation, as well as promote overall health and well-being,” she adds.