By Rachel Grundner
The room fell silent as the entrancing beats of a tabla replaced the once vibrant sounds of nervous giggling. We waited in anticipation as our teachers, decorated in ornate traditional Indian dresses, began to demonstrate their elegant movement. With gentle guidance, we were encouraged to follow. At first, our movements were slow and rigid. It was noticeable that each of us were working hard to hide our inner child’s yearning to release creativity. Saba, one of our teachers, paused as she lightly scanned the room with her nurturing eyes.
“This is B’indya Yoga,” she said, “There are no rules. Do not be intimidated and do not be so serious! Just. Have. Fun.”
And with that, the giggling returned as we surrendered to our innate need for childlike adventure.
What is B’indya Yoga? According to Saba Haider and Gayathri Raghavan, it is a celebration that combines the movement of dance, the intimacy of yoga and the reflection of meditation to help connect with the true Self. The two local yoga teachers have developed a practice that ties the ancient traditions of yoga with the modern movements of Bollywood dance.
“We forget that it is OK to smile and giggle in your own yoga practice,” says Raghavan. “Many times we end up rigid, as we are always striving for perfection. There is nothing wrong with that, but I think when it comes to a fusion like dance and yoga, you start with the dance and forget everything else. When we release our own inner dancer, we express happiness and joy. The fact that it may be a completely new experience does not inhibit us, but rather we are able to surrender to the freedom of expression that it offers.”
Both dance and yoga have been used as forms of therapy for thousands of years, whether in communal ceremonies or, as in the West, at your local studio, treatment center or health club. Dance has been shown to boost mood more than exercise alone, according to Psychology Today. In another study at the University of London, researchers found that dancing significantly reduced anxiety.
Recognizing that yoga can sometimes be seen as intimidating and serious—or only for those with a specific body structure or flexibility, Raghavan and Haider try to make yoga and dancing accessible and enjoyable. Their goal is to help students on their paths to self-discovery and renewal while enjoying the mental, physical and even spiritual benefits of movement.
“Like the lotus,” Raghavan says, “we occasionally find ourselves in the ‘mud’ of life. From there, it is hard to see through the murky water. However, there is sunshine waiting to greet you on the other side. Bollywood yoga provides the movement to navigate through this perceived murkiness. It inspires your own lotus to arise from you, to seek that sunshine and to spread the happiness.”
For more information on B’indya Yoga, visit aranyayoga.net
Rachel Grundner is a certified yoga teacher and owner of The Yogi Within: A Traveling Yoga Studio in Naperville, IL. Learn more at yoganaperville.com.
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