When you love deeply
You begin to respect life
In all forms that you see
You revere the omnipresence
You wonder about abundance in awe
Your life becomes more meaningful
For there is so much more to understand
About Life in the living
You become more present in the moment
Every now has immense potential
And you begin to live than simply exist
Live life lovingly!
Savvy
Have share this beautiful song earlier in another context.
But here the song emotes to me…
In these curated clips of tangos shown to time with this beautiful song I share my reflections…on the dance form Tango.
Born in the dark alleys of Argentina
The stark truth emerges of murky beginnings in the 18th century
Frequented mostly by slaves,immigrants in the ports of Buneos Aires and even Uruguay.
There were even bans on many of these tango musical gatherings.
The dance form began with countless influences of European and native culture.
Argentine Tango is both energetic and enigmatic
It has the strength and soul to show.
Equally exotic and evocative
Intriguing and beguiling
The lead and follow is beyond genders
For connection is beyond the physicality
For beside the passion play plain to see,
There is something quite alluring & attractive in the movements.
Two people apparently moving as one
The footwork entices and enthralls
The feet move with a mind all their own
But articulating a drama through the feet.
Slow, steady or sharp and staccato movements
Each pair of feet, teasing the other
Challenging into a seemingly deadly duel of the feet.
Hitting all the right notes
Never missing a beat
Never stepping unto another
Except for a flip a dip or a show stopping lift thrown in.
If you want to see the drama of life and living,
Watch the synergy of energy playing
In a soulful yet spirited tango of two dancers.
There is rivetting romance,
Yet strikingly serious and sombre in notion.
Depths of emotion & unbridled passion
Emanating in an artistry of motion.
Today there are so many versions of the Tango
Off shoots and diverse cultural interpretations.
That created new interpretations of the way the dance is danced.
In hold, in form, in stance and in steps. That it’s almost untraceable.
Tango today is alluring as ever with dark days remaining just a history.
Yet retaining the mystery and appeal, Captivating with its intensity.
The connects so rooted in the embrace and hold, that makes the fancy footwork so effortless.
Tango truly speaks eloquently more than ever before…
Savvy
Why learn to dance?
Because it eases you out of yourself.
Sometimes in the throes of life and living
A tough hand is dealt with
And as you fumble through
You realize how constricted you are
Your sense of being is somewhat lost
Your funny bone misplaced
You forget to live life
And your moments start to matter less
Life feels drab
Your body feels dense
Your movements drag
And your thoughts feel dull.
In these moments where life is truly trying …
It’s great to give dance a try.
Consider trying to move from where you are
Step up a little and rock a bit
Feel the swing in your heartbeats
And sense your spirits soar
Dance on and step to the tunes of life
And who knows?
You find you love life all over again.
Savvy
Life is a dance …
Be inspired to dance.
A little everyday.
To move to unshackle
The unnecessary, let go of tensions
Ease into align the body and mind
Inculcate a loving spirit.
Learn to relax and enjoy life!
Every little reminder
That helps us to get up and move
Helps us to be happier souls .
Every step can make a difference.
Take a step… dance on to life!
Savvy
And here is song just for you
To kickstart a move…
I dont know about you …but I feel
Better when I am dancing!
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
A personal mantra…
Live the life you love and love the life you live!
What happens to you when you embody love…
You realise your self worth in awareness
You start to give and receive in gratitude
You gradually become a kinder human being…
Your actions gradually turn compassionate.
Your respect for life increases leaps and bound.
You value the power of love in life at large.
You begin to see the larger picture
You know you are born for a purpose.
Your movements become life affirming
Your positivity spreads beyond yourself
You begin to generate joy and thrive in goodwill and gratitude.
You begin to see the meaning in celebrating life and living in the now.
Savvy
What makes the dancer dance?
There is a invisible pull of passion
That speaks to the dancing soul
In no uncertain words
That the realm to create is within you
In the draw of movements
Is the pure fascination
Of sensing feeling and knowing
The pulsating dance of energy
As the dancer emotes through movements
Waxing in eloquence and ease
For the viewers at large
There is another story waiting to be told
Blurred in the sidelines those memories
Of passionate, perseverance and focus
Of dedicated determination and dare
Of trustful knowing…
Of the strength of belief
That every move made
And the steps taken
Is with utter faith & grounding.
Every muscle in the body flows
Through the symphony of movements. To move to the music in harmony
Tuned in the divinity of expression.
Savvy Raj
Member International Dance Council
UNESCO
A great piece of choreography and cinematography from the movie Shall we Dance.
Watch the sensous swivels and the tantalising twirls of tango and be mesmerized by the lead pair of Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez.
I love the line she says to him…
‘Be this alive!’…
Savvy
💙💖💙
Titled: Unshackled…An Artwork By Savvy Raj
Born free we truly are, but we learn to evolve, to move beyond the soul cages of our own being!
When we learn to appreciate the freedom that is ours for the taking, we realize its value in deep gratitude!
“Do not do this… Do not do that…” often these are the words that are entrenched in our brains in the name of effective and good rearing.
We are told for goodness sake to avoid disappointments at all costs and to stay away from failure. Often our programming is tracked for success without a doubt.
Superb indeed! A mindful way of being that acknowledges the good and disregards the bad.
Great, then where is the issue? There should be none at all! However, the reverse is the case, and often as well!
For example, a child very lovingly brought up has to experience and grow in a world of dualities.
There are all kinds of people that make up this world and varied experiences to be had in this journey of life. Preparation of exigencies is thus a necessity after all.
Acceptance and Adaptability
This is the key that we mould from within as we evolve towards unlocking the secrets to a successful life.
Dealing with what must be dealt
Bending in the flow where it is necessary
Standing up for something or someone you care
Steering through a crisis that shows up without notice
All these take nerves of steel and resilience. And never forget to smile from the heart and all of your being.
Life is like that — a taste of bitter and sweet, all spiced with the nicest surprises yet tinged with necessary learnings along the way.
Freedom is being who you are
Everything alive has a right to be all that they manifest with the uniqueness of their thoughts. There is always room for expansion while accepting another as they choose to be.
Self-imposed restrictions may be a discipline necessary for one to learn, while for another it may stifle them if forced in even small measures. Caged by its own thoughts, the soul of the being needs to set itself free from limiting self-reflections to a spectrum of colours beyond.
Break free from the soul cages of convictions that hold you in chains of restrictions and evolve with your resurrection.
Remember, the world is as free as you want it to be. Just take care that along the way, another’s joy you do not steal.
In the acceptance of the free-spiritedness of another being, there is the unshackled lightness of your own being!
Remember you are born free
To be all that you choose to be!
Savvy
To dance is to acknowledge the living you at this moment
In every move, the heart and mind is looped in joyousness
In every flight is the beauty of lightness.
To dance is to realize
The sensation of living
And to energize the self
As well as the surroundings
With this gift of life!
Savvy
Every moment matters
As every moment is dancing
In the potency of the now,
Pulsing and vibrating
With life in the movements.
Stillness is but a dance
In the dynamics of the flow.
In betwixt and in between
Pause, rest and action.
This now has reflections
Of both past reminiscences
And future possibilities
Wrapped up in its being.
What you see in this now,
What you intend in this now,
What you choose in this now
Is what you receive in this now.
In every now
Simply care to
Think well, choose well and do well.
Do the best you can. Because you can!
Savvy
As a Ballroom & Latin dance educator, many students have asked me what my favourite dance style is…
It is said that each style is like a language. Personally, I also think of different dance styles as having a “mood” that goes with them. I guess it’s not surprising that I do like lots of “happy” or “joyous” styles of dance. But I really do like the variety of dances for the variety of moods and it’s amazing ability in bringing a sense of balance. If I was stuck to dancing in one style, I would probably get bored after a while (I know that sounds strange). But it’s one of the reasons I really like dancing a variety of dances.
The Tango (for its intensity and passion at play as much as its fancy footwork)
And dancing the Waltz (for the heady glide, the rise and fall and its romantic sway).
Love the Rumba for it certainly is the dance of love… the song Everyday I love you, immediately comes to mind. But this performance by Slavik and Karina is quite riveting.
Happen to like the Cha cha for its stylish moves as much as its teasing spirit …that kind of speaks, this is my move … now, what’s yours?
I love the Jive for its lively spirit. You can truly never be sad after a little Jive/ Swing and Rock and roll. What say? At least it has always been a happy dance for me.
Really fond of it as much as the Samba for its lively bounce, so full of joyfulness.
Then of course comes the Foxtrot that feels like a wonderful conversation a dialogue between the steps
I also like the Merengue with its simple marching steps and executing many inter-looping turns almost feeling like a pretzel.
And how can I leave the Bachata for its engaging sensuality as those dancing hips don’t lie, they say it all and much much more…
Dances are so many and styling makes it even more unique.
In fact, I enjoy all these dances and more for their unique expressions – just one style would get boring.
The trick is to flow with the music and your partner whatever the dance and partake in the pleasure of dancing together in the now.
To actually be able to enjoy dancing to the varied music styles that would be a real treat. All the more reasons to learn and train in more than just one dance style :))
Do share your thoughts on dance and if you love to dance, what your favourite style of dance is…
I would be glad to learn and read more.
Savvy
Savvy Raj 