I do believe the journey of life, broadens the mind and brightens the spirit if we are ready to acknowledge the unfolding gifts of connections. along the way.
In my journeys across the world earlier, as a Dance Educator teaching and speaking about dance applications and approaches there have been some amazing people both in the dance circuits and otherwise,who I have had very fascinating conversations with…
I want to share a bit here about some of these beautiful people from across the world who I had a chance connect with, nothing planned,yet meeting them was truly soul enriching to say the least.
Would like to begin the first in these series of posts with Emily Berry who is now a dear friend.
Emily, the beautiful intelligent woman with an Indian Soul all the way from New York … who dances with all her heart and soul 🙂
Emily Berry is the Artistic Director of B3W Performance Group, which has performed in the US, England, Greece, and Mexico...
We met in 2014 Greece, while we were representing our own countries at the World Dance Research Congress.
In her own words…
“I strive to create a safe space for students to learn, explore, question, and become independent thinkers and movers. In technique courses, I address each individual student’s unique body in order to help them develop their technique through muscle re-patterning. Students learn anatomical awareness and tools to help them move past road blocks.
In theory, improvisation and composition courses my main goal is to help student’s find their own voice. Creating a judgment free space is essential so students are not afraid to explore new movement possibilities.”
Berry’s choreography has been tackling such issues as race, the glass ceiling, domestic violence, women in prison, and war since 1995.
Today, brought in a beautiful memory of a time when I had an amazing afternoon walk with her, while at the Acropolis museum Athens.
I remember how a shared a common love for all things dance… got us interacting post our dance workshops and rest just fell in place!
We conversed like we have known each other from years ago…
Personally speaking, I have a deep interest in the art of movements, especially the ones that elucidate the flow… perhaps that is why I love dancing but on the other hand I have been equally captivated by the beauty of Tai chi and more so Qi Gong.
The healing energy of movement has often been a subject of deep passion, respect and research for me.
Likewise I am especially fond of the flowing Waltz as well. Since childhood, dancing comes naturally to me but have always found myself grappling to understand why martial art is even necessary.Until much later I started exploring the potency of energy in each of us…through a little introduction into Tai chi as well by conscious choice.
Allow me to present my reflections on this subject in a flow….
In a dance
There is an interconnect
Of emotion and movement
As to emote is to sense
The feeling in the flow…
In dance there is an awareness
Of moving in response
Without anticipation.
As in one step less,
The music moves on
And you are left to improvise
On how to match the steps in rhythm.
Yes, truly to dance is to enjoy the life in the moves.
In martial arts
There is flow too
But a flow that is ever in alertness,
In strategic moves and self defense
The speed and swiftness
In reaction and response.
Martial arts often feels like dance… t
But often the difference
Is between life and death.
Both are connected in the deepest sense and yet distinctive like chalk and cheese.
The intention to dance and to fight…is what differentiates.
We dance to let go, to enjoy this now and celebrate it.
In awareness is a flow that merges in harmony to synch in with now in artistry of the moves
The warrior is fighting for peace for survival against all odds
Not knowing what is the next move but yielding to the now to decipher the countermove and strike.
Here too there is often a display of extreme artistry of motion in accuracy of time.
To learn both, takes dedication and practice in patience.
But most of all is the need for relentless will & passion to persevere .
Yes, there is a dancer in a warrior
And a warrior in the dancer.
Choice rests within you.
Just remember, to dance is to live the moments and explore its most aesthetic potential in the flow… choose not to make dance a fight.
Stay joyful in peace.
To learn martial arts is to get into the arena and survive.
Attack or in self defense with least possible harm to get out of harms way to stay in peace.
Both may have their own relevance in purpose
To negate one is to look at only one half of the circle
Just as much as joy is part of life
Safekeeping the freedom to be
Is equally important in every now…
Do you want to dance in peace
Do you want to fight for peace.
Choice is yours to make
Peace or war!
Is the beguiling beauty of nature
Meant to have its own purpose
Afterall,everything is connected
Nothing is accidental.
However free in abandon we may feel
In this moment, we are bound
By the laws of nature
And its in these tangible connects
In being part of nature
We are deeply disturbed
By the imbalances of nature.
All of animaldom chooses harmonious
Coexistence with natures laws.
Unlike humans who try to outsmart nature and its ways.
Yet nature nourishes and nurtures itself in every now.
Such is the truth of life and living in nature.
High time to evolve with the lessons
nature shares.
Know that there is always a reason
To the way things are…
What we cannot see with our eyes
Nature of nature, emotes through our senses
Leaving the heart imprints,
