Savvy Raj

There is something endearing about dancing with a partner, it’s the power to magnetically and charmingly interact with another’s energy and spirit through dance movement.

A prerequisite to dancing well is one’s ability to take an emotional journey and open oneself and to share and connect to another’s energies . This is what engages the audience and keeps them enthralled as much as the dancers themselves. It’s beyond the physicality of steps, patterns, touch, or even the overt precision of dance techniques. It’s in the ability to dance with space, time, yet in complete awareness of one another’s heart of the movement.

I had an opportunity to experience this just the other day when I witnessed all of this and more in a family friend of many years . I have known her to be a conventional simple ,religious and a happy go lucky person who had been through much personal turmoil, probably like so many people… but yet has managed a cheerful disposition every time I met her.

Her characteristic sunny nature would never give away the strife behind the smile. The occasion was her 25th wedding anniversary that I got invited to , and as we reached the venue the couple were at the dais, very understated , a picture of simplicity and composure.

The evening took off, with all their close friends having some wonderful and touching things to say about them both. There was a small but beautiful dance floor which soon got filled up with people who were initially hesitant. As the music filled the air many more of us started getting into the groove and dancing.
And then I saw her, there she was … in her element, dancing with all her heart and soul. It was fantastic to see her energetic dancing in full display for the all to see . Her ever calm and composed husband seemed mesmerized by all the fun moves she did . In fact everyone was charmed by her passion and just then for that moment I knew that her joyful dancing soul had peeped out from the depths of it all.

Kudos to her for keeping the spirit of dancing alive within her through all these years … .God bless!

Dancing from the heart always counts more than perfection of steps. And that’s the ultimate challenge…

To keep the mind open, ready, receptive, giving and simple enough to ….

Dare to step out of comfort zones.

My salute to this dancing soul !

Savvy Raj

Here is a true story

Personally as a Creative Movement Educator and a Dance Trainer using Ballroom and Latin dances to improve health and well-being in our Dance for Wellness programs it has been an enriching experience watching the learners revel in the simple joys of movement . I have witnessed complete shifts in self esteem, confidence and agility among learners of all ages.But to cite a very recent instance …there is a small group of senior learners at one of my workshops who are gradually changing their mental makeup to being extremely enthusiastic about life and learning to dance . When I had first met up with them , I remember them huddled in chairs, quite apprehensive and some of them unsure about their ability to learn dancing . But today they have a spring in their step , glint in their eyes and a smile on their lips as they Swing and Cha Cha to their hearts content . And guess what… they love to dance the Merengue and Bachata too and are waiting to learn some more.So happy to have had the opportunity to make a difference in their lives .

I still remember that Sunday morning about four years ago when I was almost through with teaching a Waltz class and I saw this slender,elderly elegant woman walking in and standing quietly, keenly watching the students who were practicing their steps from the sidelines. She was waiting to speak to me ….
In that first moment of contact instinctively I knew there was an instant connection.. I gave her a listening ear and noticed she spoke softly and clearly . She said she was heading a group of Senior citizens she would like me to come over and meet the group and also teach them to dance . Her request seemed just right up my alley as I had been intending to conduct some workshops for seniors myself but hadn’t had the opportunity yet . This seemed as if my intentions were slowly finding a way to fulfillment . We fixed up that I would come over and meet them the following Monday at the local church where they all meet up for their weekly meeting . This I came to know later,was the only activity they had together every week . The first time I met them they were a group with lots of concerns. They heard me patiently and asked a lot of questions , ranging from whether they would be able to learn at all as most of them were well over sixties and seventies or so .They also mentioned that though they have danced earlier in their lives , they don’t remember much .Some said they know all there is to know ,a few others brought out their health issues which were bothering them so much that they cant possibly exercise let alone dance , some questioned what is the point of learning to dance … Well to be frank I had an interesting and enjoyable time clearing their doubts and addressing their concerns . I knew most of their concerns were common to most people at their age in India.I spoke to them addressing each of their concerns , mentioning instances of my own intention of wanting to work with a group of Seniors, .The initially reluctant let their defenses down and an interactive session followed , where I got some understanding of them and they of me . It was one of those fulfilling days a wonderful memory now which I hold close to my heart .Though at the end all they said was that they will get back to me in some time…. somehow as I drove back home that evening I knew in my heart we were all certainly going to meet again in time . Soon enough in a week or so I got a call from the lady who initiated it all saying that they need some time for permissions to use the same space of the church for the dance lessons . And that was that … nothing happened . Meanwhile I continued with my Dance workshops , and facilitated training’s of corporate clients . I would remember that meeting once in a while but left it to time to decide the outcome of that meeting ..

A few years passed and I was returning back after finishing a children’s workshop in Chennai when I received her call again . Her clear and determined voice was cheerful and hopeful . She said she had two things to say , the seniors have agreed to join in and the church had given them the space to go ahead with the classes . Fantastic …. I knew in my heart it was no coincidence that it happened at all . After all the connects that we established that day were just moving to affirming itself !
Well I got Godspeed on my side this time around … things moved on smoothly and we were well into rolling out the first class of Swing Dancing and more .Today as I write this its been six months and more.Dancing together they say they have realized the values of the human connection and the strength of community . They mention to me how they eagerly wait for their dance workshops .They speak of how dance steps into their lives , in moments of loneliness and makes them positive and alive again. They know dancing now is so much more about valuing that equal partnership between the leader and the follower and that the bonds of the dance floor leaves lasting and empowering impressions in their hearts and lives .

This experience has left me even more confident about my beliefs :Cultivate Patience. Dream selflessly… Positive things are waiting to unfold if only we continue to dream our unique dream and believe in it ! All you need is the strength of intention and the dreams realizes itself , just trust in the process ! And do what you do with all your heart ! Like minded people will arrive somehow and help you actualize it !

In this endeavor I take this opportunity to express my deep sense of appreciation to some of my dear students who assist me at the workshops who take time out to be with me at these sessions and I know they share with me equally the joys of making a positive difference in people’s lives.
If you have been reading this , and are looking for creative ways or have ideas to make a difference positively in and around you ,do contact me wherever you are ….cos who knows what Magic we are meant to weave together 🙂

Savvy Raj

The motto …”Behave with others as you would want them behave with you ”is a great way to live life developing a reflective and compassionate attitude and is essential to evolving ones being. The very purpose of life’s experiences is to transform for the better, however our perspectives are often the manifest of our experiences…

A strong focus towards career and finances is no doubt important as well as necessary for life but extending beyond the self is about caring to see beyond the illusions of limited existence. Every birth is a manifestation of hope love and care for life itself …. to live denying it with overtly materialistic motives amounts to nothing at all … as in the end none can ever carry their hoardings and ferry it across. Materialistic life must give way to a more meaningful existence …that’s the way of life as it goes .

The most successful people on earth care about their journey than just the incentives…they enjoy their learning and sharing despite their obstacles because they look out to adding meaning to their lives.
As we respect life and value it enough to care for it , gradually there is the realization that we are never alone .. and that being self centered never works.

Life is meant to be lived with love and care not just to exist in contraction and fear of being wrong or wronged.

       If we truly care to see there are intricate webs of activity happening  around us in every blade of grass, in every single dew drop as  much as in us ! As life dances it’s unique dance…. we just need to be more expansive as well as accepting… After all just one heartfelt kind and caring word can often turn around someones entire day !

                                                                                                                                – Savvy Raj