Savvy Raj

Live Life Lovingly!


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Ripples in time

Our thought vibrations create a change, even a single one
Make sure to think well!
Words create waves, even a single word
Make sure it is positive!
Actions create ripples even a single deed
Make sure it’s well intended!

Songs carry resonances afar, even a single tune
Make sure it plays from a loving heart
Whatever you feel, sense and do
Is never only restricted to you.

The vibrations carry on afar
In ways we may not know
It changes the world
In every moment in time
Make sure to feel responsible
You make a difference
Make sure it is a good one!
Savvy


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Bring out the dancer in you!

Happy International Dance Day!

A true incident in dedication!

Just a casual conversation with a dear friend on Facebook threw open a facet of her innate personality, she loves to watch others dance and probably would love to learn too, but may be a complex of how it might be perceived, or so has kept her from trying. She also believes she has two left feet…

Well this is a notion held by many people, who may be basically shy or introverted by nature, or even perfectionists , or perhaps have some conditional experiences that makes them uncomfortable in daring to dance.

We went about talking as to how this can be helped.

Some simple yet profound movements that can help as starters.

A few things to remember:
It’s important to give yourself permission to begin movements, in whatever way you think best… a bow in prayer, a call out to yourself, or simply start with watching the dance of your breath in passive awareness and feel energized, with your in-breath and with every out-breath sense the release of that which needs to go …respect begins at home!

Sense, observe and feel one with any movement that you make, accepting the strange and the beautiful, the harmonious and the shaky moves … as part of the same source and believe there is a reason why they are what they are .

Take your time! There is no rush to prove anything so go with what works for you.

Preparation:

Allocate a time and place for yourself in the day at home. Clear the space and rearrange some furniture so that you have some moving space, without any obstructions. Option to have a mirror in front is totally yours as and when you want to allow it to happen. Mirrors reflect our actions so it helps to have one as a silent guide.

Make sure to remove jewellery, watches that may obstruct movement & avoid chewing gum as it is distracting.

As you begin moving on your feet it’s better to wear cotton socks for ease and flow of movement and preferably wear stretchable or loose clothes that don’t restrict body movements.

Remember the first time need not be the last time, just don’t give up! As with everything else, practise dancing from the heart and soul and be open to the changes in the flow.

With every movement we create energy in the room or space we are practicing. Each session is different. Sometimes exhausting, energizing, calming, stimulating, etc depending on a number of factors . Try to be receptive and accepting of that energy.

Aim:

To find yourself as you dance, accepting yourself as you create expressions through movements. Sensing the power of letting go & the power of Dancing as you move.

Take yourself a little less seriously. Enjoy Yourself!

My friend questioned me about how to actually start dancing. Having shared endless conversations completely whimsical or tremendously uplifting with her over the years I know her, I simply wanted to reach out to her and remind her, how much she has already moved with her unique experiences, dancing through the tunes of life. How many movements she already has explored in silent rapture and conscious presence. And how many times she has been supportive, constructive, connective ,caring, loving, giving, tender, gentle & corrective in her movements towards the ones she cared. People like me! Well it was time to gently remind her of her own innate creative flows…

Dance to your own tunes.

Depending on what suits your mood at the moment, let yourself hear some tune, that vibrates with the inner you. Knowing her soft and gentle nature, I suggested some soothing music to be played in the background without it being too overbearing. Since she was wondering how to begin… I suggested her to sit down and allow just her fingers, then her hand and then the arms to begin to move with the music, just yielding, flowing as she felt like from the depth of her soul.

Neutralizing the rest of the body allows the ease of tension of perceptions. With just the hands in front of the person as they move, one could draw a circle with each individual hand. trace a simple pattern, write their names in cursive , using the pace and flow that seems right for them. Many who don’t physically dance much in the open are self- conscious of their physical body. So its important to be gradual in the movements. Once the hands start getting comfortable to move from an inner calling of the rhythm, it’s time to allow the sway of the shoulders or even allow the foot to take a step ahead.

Soon the rest of body joins the dance gradually as you allow and acknowledge the presence of the creative dancer in you.

Movements may seem shaky and erratic at first and as you persevere you begin to see the changes.The movement starts getting connected with the inner you and you begin to merge with the tune and the movement.

After all there is a teacher in you for the disciple in you!

Savvy Raj

Member International Dance Council

UNESCO

http://www.danceconcepts.in


4 Comments

Purpose of Creativity

Is there a purpose
To creativity?
For creativity fulfils itself.
In it’s own doing.

Art is the pathway for creativity
To unleash its potential of possibilities.
Tapping into it’s own understandings.
In the flow, shaping and forming…

Creativity flourishes in the freedom
To do, to be, to voice, to express
Without fear or favour
And yet to create is a responsiblity.

To hold the pieces together.
To give meaning to expression
As it makes thoughts tangible
It holds answers to questions.

In hope for innovations in posterity
Of solutions in probability
In the knowing every facet of creativity
Is just as unique as its creator.

Savvy


10 Comments

Flowing in harmony

Flowing along is a sign of strength

Misconstrued to be a weakness

It is an instrument in awareness

Of awakening to the potential.

In respecting the harmony in nature

There is so much to understand

In the path of non resistance

In letting go doubts & fear of the worst.

To thrive in the flow of possibilities.

In between the pressure of momentum

In between the dance of forces

Occurs the buoyancy of being

A self adjusted neutrality

A Flow in harmony.

Steer away from impulsive resistance

Whatever you resist persists

Yes while resistance is natural in life

Resistance may create tension

Yet it can be a signal of change

In channelling this very resistance.

In allowing to let go completely

Soon tension eases in the flow

In perseverance & patience.

In response than reaction

Creating positive transmutation.

In thoughts words and deeds

Sifting & sailing through your perspectives

Till harmony becomes you.

Savvy


8 Comments

On discernment

Discernment is a spiritual gift
As humanity stands perplexed
At times in the paradoxes of life
Confounded by challenges.

In the throes of confusion.
An ability to figure things out.
A clarity of purpose and reason.
An act of perception of the obscure.

An ability to be insighted and comprehend.
A sifting through to make sense of it all
Acknowledging the spirit of the soul
Meeting through both the head and the heart.

Discernment is a wonderful tool
In intervention than in criticism.
For the gift is an ability to distinguish
The truth, in the facades that may appear.
In understanding the real and unreal
The truths and the untruths
And everything in between.

When seen with dispassionate eyes
Beyond the mirrored existence
Shifting perspectives in the making.
Yet knowing simply all as parts of the same source.
Savvy


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Engaging with this now!

Knowledge speaks

Wisdom listens.

Almost to invisibility in subtlety

Humility blends

And becomes nothingness.

Transporting the self to spaces beyond

Transcending what seems impossible.

Sensing the vibration in between

And living life in every now!

Knowing the value in the ordinary

Letting the unnecessary go

Being alive to the present

Acknowledging everything that is as it is

Engaging with this now intensely!

Savvy


8 Comments

An invitation to dance…

A good dancer invites you on a journey

You choose to flow along if you wish

Never in compulsion but in emulsion

Of the spirit of the moves

In unison from the heart of the art

In emulation of the joy of the dance

That frees you into acknowledging

The rhythm within so divine.

Listening to the melody in reverance

Tuning to the beat of the distant drums

Movements in momentous vibrance

Then all is harmony in the symphony.

Savvy


8 Comments

Life and living

Yesterday evening as I went out walking I couldnt help notice the stark reality that stares at us . In people around us!

Often find there are more grim faces out in the world with tension written all over in their body language.

A serious disposition, drooping shoulders downward or vacant gaze, clenched teeth or fist , tight jaw. People think twice before smiling or making eye contact.

Or on the other extreme… every one these days seems more connected to their mobiles than ever. And when they are asked to come back to reality there is a gap in awareness. People are overwhelmed by this divide that is happening all around us.

Life need not be overwhelming all the time. Perhaps a few personal perspectives need a shift.

Life and living

Life is easier when

  • You make friends with your past.
  • You realize you create happiness.
  • You stop your overthinking.
  • You realize time heals it all.
  • You live and let live.
  • Your avoid passing judgements.
  • You begin to start smiling more.

Would be happy to hear more of what makes life easier for you…Do feel free to share of what you think can make life easy!

Savvy


2 Comments

Stairway beckons

A picture that is open to so many interesting interpretations…

Is this a stairway to heaven
The path that sets you free
Steps that lead the way
To the light of eternal truth

Your life is given to you
A knowing is bestowed upon you
In hope that you will seek
And find the truth of your being.
All answers are within you
To sense and understand
Life is both hell and heaven if you wish.
All it needs is a stairway to the within.

In the rigours of life and living
Find those moments that move you beyond simply existing!
Search not the whole world over
In confusion and chaos over the emerging illusions.
For in all the facade of perceptions
The truth is simple and visible
If you choose to actually notice.

Seek if you must
The truth of your own life.
The purpose of your own being.
Choose to be responsible.
To acknowledge the wonder you are
Make friends with your inner self.
Treat it with care and consideration
Align your thoughts and action.
You will soon find within yourself
The stairway to the heaven in you!

Savvy


16 Comments

Soul Signature

Creativity abounds
Artist delivers
Critiques interpret
Art flourishes.

Every piece of art is a creative signature
Of the soul of the artist
Artworks retain its interpretation within
As they leave the chamber of creation.

Once the art is set free and open
Making it visible and vulnerable
To reviews, critiques or applause
It is open to manifold interpretations.

The inference is never complete
Nor is it free of judgements in assumptions
For how can it be so?
It is nature of art to manifest counter views.

These very varied interpretations
Give life to the art
For as new meaning is born
The art flourishes in its wake.

Savvy Raj


3 Comments

Why Practice Matters?

Why Practice Matters?

Learning any skill requires disciplined and repeated practice. Skill Development is an art itself .

Without the effort of practice , skills cannot improve or sustain.

While practice may not make every person perfect it will certainly better them gradually.

Practice makes you learn until you start to work instinctively.

To reach the level of an expert, practical training is a progressive module which creates challenges as you go along. Every stage a bit tougher than the earlier one.

What is important to remember is that practice is not only necessary but it is necessary to practice efficiently and effectively.

Does practise makes it perfect?

Practice is to engage and rehearse repeatedly in order to perfect a skill to mastery , but not all who practice acheive the level of an expert even with structured and deliberate practice standards in place . So we can safely say practice makes one better gradually.

A consistent practice of any talent or skill will begin to show results for sure. It could be tangible jump or it could be a little step according to the amount to time, focus and energy given to practice. In time the results could be exponential in its rewards as well.

Practice can be truly rewarding and a great source of confidence.But practice needs not only consistency but also determination in perseverance.

A few tips to improve and implement a practice routine..

Be ready to self reflect so as understand why you are motivated to continue practicing.

Be willing to develop the learners mindset and maintain it.

Be mindful of your behavioral changes as you improve and work on it positively to sustain you.

Be engaged proactively to adjust your practice levels as per requirement.

Be focused to set short and long term goals and work on achieving them.

Most of all…

Continuity of practice is important after achieving a set goal…

Keep your practice going!

Savvy


12 Comments

The things I like…

Every little moment of life is a celebration when you care to value it!

So today on my birthday here is my wish for you all!

And yes, here is a list of my reflections on the simple things I truly like...
Seems endless!

I like ….

The old world charm of an elegant Foxtrot

The magic in gliding to a whirling Waltz

The tantalising passion of a Tango

The sizzling chemistry in a Rumba

The gay abandon of a Samba

The freedom and gaiety of a Jive

The spiritedness and fun of Swing

The stylish charms of the Cha Cha cha

The sensuality and speed of Salsa

The teasing hips moving to a Bachata

The synergy of a march in a Merengue

The flamboyant frills of a Flamenco.

I like it all and more

And yet most of all I like the simple joy of dancing naturally.

I like…

The touch of pen to paper

The flow of colour on canvas

The smell of a brand new book

The joy of reading and writing

The rhythm of rhyming stanzas

The soulfulness of a profound poem


I like …

The smiling eyes of a happy child

In the joy of holding a present unopened

The caring ways of friends so dear

The warmth of a genuine smile.

I like…

The peace in every mindful moment acknowledged…

The morning walk on a sandy beach

The gentle waves embracing my feet

The smell of the first rain invigorating a patch of earth

The fragrance of jasmine flowers

The whiff of warm enchanting woods

The chirping of birds in the trees nearby

The caress of a breeze so cool

The chill of winters day

The twinkling of the stars on a clear night sky

The passion play of a full moons day

The dancing lights of twilight

The shimmering moonlight on a tranquil lake

The magic of morning break at dawn

The enthralling evening shadows playing at dusk

The enchantment and rapture of a saxophone

The twang and elan of a accoustic guitar

I like…

The smell of fresh ground coffee waiting to be sipped

The aroma of baked goodies out from a hot oven

The melt in the mouth bite of a dutch truffle cake

The steaming cup of cheer on a cold winters day

The tinge of warmth of ginger

The spice n flavour of aromatic cinnamon

The chewy goodness of an oats and raisin cookie

The quench of thirst from a pure glass of water

I like it all and so much more…

Yes there is so much in life to like and love

The list is endless! And I am pretty sure it is the same with you :))

‘This is a mindful and gratefulness practise that I do every once in a while …. What we like may be very unique and may change with time, but that is not as important as acknowledging it . Gradually we learn to see the bliss in the blessings.

To acknowledge the simple pleasures of life and living is to know its worth .

Try to make your own list … adding as you go along and you will soon have so much to be thankful for that you learn to live like this moment is completely worth it and never take a moment of life for granted.’

Savvy


6 Comments

Just a dance every day!

An old student from years ago, and a doctor by profession sent this forward below on the benefits of dance today, saying he saw this and remembered me. I was truly touched.🙂

Yes my years spent teaching dancing have been truly rewarding and continues to enrich creatively in every moment .

I remembered writing and conducting workshops on this very subject of dance application and health enrichments many years ago and had called it’ Just a dance every day’!

Glad to share it here with great joy… And I thank my student & dear Doctor friend for remembering me after all these years.

Dancing has the ability to change the inner you for the better with external movements. MRI Scans shows that the same neurons are fired when you watch some one else dance , as it would if you are dancing yourself .

Dancing also fosters empathy, elevates mood and has the power to spread smiles….making people experience emotions which they may have never felt possible too.

In a study conducted in Italy on cardiac patients who took waltz classes not only did they develop healthier arteries,and reducing of blockages , but also reported to be in much better spirit than those who took exercise classes like cycling and treadmill..

The expressive aspect of dance releases pent up emotion and is godsend for those who find it difficult to communicate verbally.

As actions at times speaks louder than words dancers can simply bring out what they want to say in the movements.Thus dancing restores the equilibrium of the mind and body .

Dancing with a partner makes you think beyond yourself and empathise with another. Everyday if you are able to get some time to dance a bit, its a beautiful holistic way that helps in paving the way to a happy healthy, healing harmonious you.

Savvy Raj

www.danceconcepts.in


2 Comments

Unifying in the Circle of Life


The static and the dynamic are both a dance of stillness and movement in the river of time.
There is both the overlay of stillness in the movements .
And the underlying movements in the stillness.


Imagination traverses far
Moving dimensions
Mirroring and blending
Adapting and creating
Both the invisible and visible
Energy in the stillness
Energy in the motion
Orcherstrated in the flow

In the duality is the oneness
And the rhythms of life and living.
All unifying in the circle of life

Savvy