Dance your way to fitness
Hyderabad: In these times when physical and emotional stress are slowly becoming part of daily life, ever thought about Kuchipudi as a way to relax? Though it may sound strange to include this Indian classical dance in exercise regimes, this is exactly what Dr Surabhi Lakshmi Sarada, a well-known Kuchipudi dance exponent based in Hyderabad […]
Hyderabad: In these times when physical and emotional stress are slowly becoming part of daily life, ever thought about Kuchipudi as a way to relax?
Though it may sound strange to include this Indian classical dance in exercise regimes, this is exactly what Dr Surabhi Lakshmi Sarada, a well-known Kuchipudi dance exponent based in Hyderabad has been doing with her students for the last 10 years at her Surabhi Academy of Performing Arts.
Talking about her experiments and observations with traditional dance movements as a form of exercise, she says Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam or other traditional dances are seen by the people as complex dance forms.
“And only those, who are passionate about classical dances learn them. But the same dance movements are good in burning calories, to improve concentration levels, enhance relaxation and manage physical and emotional stresses,” she says.
For those who have an issue with weight and are aged below 30 years, Surabhi Lakshmi has designed vigorous dance movements. Besides burning calories, her students also learn concentration and managing emotional well-being.
“For the older ones, between 30 and 60 years, the method is to give them a few subtle movements. The focus is mainly on keeping them relaxed and over time, weight and mental stress come down,” she says.
All her dancing techniques are designed keeping in mind the learner’s age, gender, stamina, concentration level, emotional health and fitness levels and the time they can give to learn dance.
“While dancing, their concentration remains on their hand and feet movements and the rhythm, which makes them forget their daily problems. Dancing like other exercises, help in releasing happy hormones,” says Surabhi Lakshmi, adding that there was no other better example than actor Hema Malini, who looks charming even at the age of 72.
With the pandemic affecting people, both mentally and physically, dancing was a sure way to reduce emotional stress, she asserts.
“Many movements of traditional dance are similar to Yoga. In fact, Bharata Muni wrote ‘Natyashastra’ much before Patanjali’s ‘Yoga Sutras,’ so it is widely believed that Yoga was born out of classical dance forms,” points out Dr Surabhi Lakshmi, who has an experience of 35 years as a dancer and has performed on various national and international stages.
She is also a well-recognized face on DD, Saptagiri and is a theatre artist as well apart from teaching Kuchipudi in government schools. For her versatility, she has received about 65 awards so far.
“Classical dance is not just meant for women and children. Anyone can learn it. And I want to prove that apart from its aesthetic and cultural importance, dance is a science as well. Dancing can be a way to stay fit for people of all ages, shapes and sizes with its wide range of physical and mental benefits,” she adds.
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