Bharatanatyam (South Indian Temple Dance)
with Special Guest from South India Shyamala
Bharata Natyam (also known as Devadasi Sadir) is the Sacred Temple Dance of South India. It is an embodied expression of love and devotion for the divine. For 2,000 years these dances have been given as worship (puja) by women called Devadasis (Servants of the Divine). This dance incorporates yoga in its ancient movements and deep prayer. The stomping foot movements are designed to stimulate pressure points in the dancer's feet. Bharata Natyam's embodied prayer is a shared communion between the dancer, the witness and the Divine. It is a powerful, deep and beautifully balanced celebration of body, mind and spirit.
"These dances possess the unique ability to stir the spirit, excite the mind, reveal truth and celebrate the divine."
Bharatanatyam is arobic physical exercise, increasing blood circulation. The dancer's whole endocrine system is activated with stimulation of acupressure points in the feet, also improving the physical health. In addition, bharatanatyam will give you more concentration, due to the coordination taught. Shyamala's particular dance style uses yogic patterns, with movements all in opening lines. This ancient temple dance is transcendental in nature, with the ability to send the dancer beyond his/her own body. With Shyamala's unique dance instruction students will gain an overall deeper understanding of themselves - body and soul.
Srimati Shyamala is a master of the Balasaraswati lineage of Devadasi Sadir. She is known for her extraordinarily beautiful abhinaya (storytelling), precision in technique and sincere devotion. Shyamala started dancing at the age of seven and at the age of fourteen began her studies with the legendary dance master Srimati T. Balasaraswati. She received her 'Diploma of Proficiency' and had her Arangetram (ceremonial first performance) in 1978. Shyamala has been teaching, performing and lecturing extensively since that time. She has an extraordinary skill for sharing the sublime depth and beauty of the temple arts of South India. She is the director of The Koothambalam School of Traditional Bharata Natyam in Chennai, India.
4 Class series:
Friday June 13 6:30-8:30pm,
Saturday June 14 1:30-3:0pm
Friday June 20 6:30-8:30pm
Saturday June 21 1:30-3:30pm
$149 before May 15,
$199 after May 15
Limited Space Secure Online Registration
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On July 12, 2008 two thousand people will participate in the Camp Moomba Yogathon & Blissfest to raise funds for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. The much needed funds raised from this event will help send a child to summer camp for an experience of a lifetime!
Participants collect pledges prior to the event they convene to practice 108 minutes of yoga in the largest outdoor yoga class in Vancouver. UBC Thunderbird Stadium will host Western Canada’s largest gathering of yoga instructors, yoga students, health and wellness professionals, and regular folks who share our passion for love and bliss! This event has quickly become Vancouver’s most anticipated annual yoga event and is already in its 6th year. But wait... it’s not just about yoga, there’s a Blissfest Marketplace (a showcase of sustainable consumer products, clothing, services and delicacies), a fashion show, and musical performances by Eileen Rothe and the Ghost Brothers! You get all of this and more for a $20 donation!
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