Anger is like a storm rising up from the bottom of your consciousness. When you feel it coming, turn your focus to your breath. Thich Nhat Hanh
Healing through breathing…
Here is one of the many techniques that can be practiced in awareness.
Box breathing
A Breathing technique to destress an agitated and tense mind to calm state and improve the mood.
A good practice for all and especially for those with depression, anxiety disorder and PTSD managing pains and insomnia.
The technique is simple and very effective.
1. Sit upright & Start with exhaling air out of your mouth slowly counting 1to 4.
2. Hold for four counts
3. Inhale deeply filling air section by section till it reaches the lungs & abdomen for four counts through your nose.
4.Again hold for four counts
5. Exhale for four counts from the abdomen and lungs slowly.
As a beginner choose a quiet place to begin this mindful practice. You can start by repeating for four times in one setting. Initially it is advisable to gradually take it up. In case you feel a little dizzy go back to your regular breathing and build it again.
The slow breathing and holding is the most important aspect which activates the para sympathetic system and thus helps reduce stress.
You can practice box breathing couple of sets in a day as needed to calm down.
As a dancer, I often use my dance education and experiences by associating concepts and find it helps me understand and evolve in the many life challenges and relate to the changing world.
In a world where almost everyone is interfacing with ChatGPT and AI and finding new and improved ways of prompting for application of technology for every day use, I find some relevant associations here with partner dancing and technology.
Dancing & Prompting has a lot in common A dance with a partner is an action and response More than a reaction. Likewise in today’s world every day is a dance with AI and our prompts are nothing but inputs towards an intelligent response than just a reaction. The better the input the better the output. Here I want to share a few thoughts for starters Dancing with a partner is about being in tandem, one leading the way and one following without anticipation Likewise prompting is about giving clear directions without ambiguity. To dance is to set and hold the frame In a good prompt setting the context and format helps to streamline the output.
In a dance the music sets the movements of the dance… And in a prompt sharing the example of what it feels like helps clearer and relevant output.
In a dance a leader can evaluate as you go which steps will work with which partner. Assessing the dance space available helps in evaluating the flow. For there are no second moves… Whatever you do decides the dance flow… And you are free to improvise your self as you go along
Likewise in prompts evaluation helps check what is working and tweaking it gives better quality output.
When a dancer is a professional Dancing a single step may feel fluid but in breaking down the steps it’s easier to understand the flow. In prompting dividing the steps well into multiple steps connected to a certain goal will give desired results.
Be it a dance with partner or with words for AI when you have a clear intention and purpose and are able to communicate what you want and where you want to reach, in easily understable and suitable way not only will you reach your destination You will enjoy the journey!
Speaking of intentions, I intended to find some time to try something new today. I created this digital art using an app. It’s truly amazing! So many ways to express your creativity!
What do you think of it?
Adapting to the changing world requires keeping up with the times, doing the things you love and loving what you do… And most of all living life lovingly!
Every beat of the heart matters Every heartfelt intention makes a difference. Every moment of time is precious. Every blissful heart knows!
Do you sense love for yourself Do you feel respect for yourself Do you feel your sense of self esteem
Do you feel a sense of self worth
What is your self worth tied to? Is it your education Your fancy degrees Your knowledge Your partner? Or your beauty? Your abilities? Is it to your achievements? Your skills? Your bank balance? Or is it to your designation Your children Your home? Your cars? Your phone?
If you have answered yes honestly to any of the above please think again Work on your independence Free your mind free your heart Free yourself from chains Practice unshackling Try to detach your self worth From material things. Others cannot always be around We are born as unique beings We are complete in every way No one can latch on to us Nor should we latch on to another Self awareness is crucial For true self confidence Self Confidence creates self esteem Self esteem develops self worth Value the life you have Understand your truth Explore your potential You are worthy.
And just like that, come s along a moment with heartfelt words, that makes you grateful for the life lived.
Every moment is full of possibilities Every thing you choose to do Leaves impressions in the sands of time. Stay true to being you… Life turns memorable.
Have taught many people to dance in my life.And yet…
I remember this student well, as well as all the workshops I conducted. It was a decade or more ago when I taught some Corporate Jive Workshops to a creative set of Designers. We stayed connected over the years on FB and LinkedIn. We wished each other occasionally on birthdays and celebrations. That’s all … Unril I happened to really notice the love this student had for bikes and I sent a simple message of best wishes and safe travels… And voila I get this message today that for sure makes my day! A lesson here… Stay connected . Be interested & reach out and express appreciation for things others do.. Celebrate life .. Trust life to deliver the very best! It often does! Let go expectations! Great things happen quite unexpectedly! And most of all, never underestimate the power of dance and music …. ✨✨
Unconference, the word piqued my curiosity for a while until I checked it up on the internet, only to find that the idea has gained tremendous momentum across the globe.
The idea of un-structuring the ingrained structure seemed interesting to say the least, in creating spaces and possibilities to honour the learning.
Suffice to say recently, when I came across an Unconference event in the local newspaper I decided I must make a visit.
The venue of this Unconference was the well known Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts in Pune. I reached just in time for the proceedings to untold.
A customary registration ensued and I was greeted by a few volunteers with a relaxed warm and welcoming attitude. Clearly, the Unconference had started right there.
The word Conference kind of stiffens people up. There is a formal attitude, a thick air of competition to perform at their very best. There are fees and strict rules to adhere to. There are super busy organisers scurrying through and tension is writ large on their faces and their bodies as well are stressed out with expectations of the outcome of the event. Suited men and women whizz through looking super important. And yes there would be a Chief Guest of honour and a coterie of important people who need VIP handling… Adherence to their whims and fancies and most importantly their speeches which may or may not be of interest to any. But all must endure as to get up and leave is an offence to the speaker.
On the contrary here, there was a prevalent free-spirited feeling in the first place that all were in it together. The sense of community always takes time to build so I stood in that room with a small group of people waiting for the (informal introductory practice,) the opening circle.
The Opening Circle :
Someone from the group had taken an initiative to design a pretty pattern made of flowers in the centre of the space and light a lamp there.
A few introductory rounds later which turned out to be icebreakers with a few games to let loose and get into the flow.
There was a board set up with a mention of few rooms and a time slot to boot. The participants were encouraged to choose to attend or conduct workshops or just wander around and network.
A few people got up to mention their workshops and claim their slot. On a moment’s impulse although I was not exactly in the right attire for a dance workshop I simply decided to go with the flow and offered a Dance connection workshop by me.
Encouraged by a decent number of participants I let the moment take the lead. As I began teaching I witnessed the flow of the energy in the exchange.
I spoke about the dance, hold, frame and positioning and started introducing them to partner dancing and some basic steps. Bit by bit people shed inhibitions as they were getting tuned into the moves.
The moment strangers began to hold hands and face one another… for many, there was harmony to be found in the mirror imaging. For after all the lead and follow were simply an extension of each other dancing as one unit.
The energy in the room turned up a notch with the Achy Breaky Heart country cha sounds of Billy Ray Cyrus for company.
All started sensing the tuning in to the rhthymic expression of music & movement with their partners at that moment.
After the dance workshop I asked what they felt in that moment and here is what they shared immediately…
When you are exhausted and tired and you want to revive your mood play on
Music is therapeutic and the healing nature of sound energy can be tuned into to change your mood & manage emotions and lift your spirits.
Take some time to create an upbeat playlist that perks you up and engerizes you and get up from your chair to move arounda bit.
Take a short walk every once in a while. with some great music for company..It will bring a spring in your step and smile in your heart.
In fact for every part of the day, you can have a playlist of your own choice. Take time to create yours… if you haven’t already and do listen… The right music makes a powerful difference.
In the bowing is a prayer answered
In the kneeling to the cosmic connects
Acknowledge the grace that’s revered
And the blessings that protects
Sense the touch of the angels around
Feel the flow of divinity in the haloed healing light abound…
Embrace the moments in silence and serenity.
Savvy
Artwork Titled- ‘Blessings’ Painting by Savvy Raj
My painting ‘Blessings’, came to me almost as a flow… It spoke much to me as I brushed in serenity-of-silence with the colours it was as if it was meant to manifest itself and all along I sensed I was simply a channel.
Shine your light The light of you That comes through you Your truth in your voice Your speech in your words Your work, your authenticity Your moves, your way Step into your light Step into your place Fill it with all of you For none can fill this space There is no other quite like you For you are unique In your own way Shine on.
Savvy Raj 
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