Why the Unknown?

Why do we dwell in the quest of happiness only?

Why are we not content within and keep wanting for some more?

Why to run behind the unknown nestling in the future?

Why the zeal to believe that every dark tunnel has a light of hope at the end?        Why so hasty to heal ?  

How about settling for what we have at the moment and counting our blessings?

How about acknowledging the courage we behold to take the journey through a dark tunnel?

How about halting for a moment to absorb the vivid offerings we already have from life and not drag ourselves to something unknown?

Why not see the darkness first and then run for some light?

Why the need for healing and not the beauty of pain itself?

Why escape and not confront?

Why wear masks of discomfort and pretend joy?

Why not carry a brave heart to accept life as it comes?

It's all in us, within thy mind.

We limit ourselves to standards, to rigid norms of the unknown, the society?!

An outcome of our fears,and insecurities?!

But why?!

Fear not I say!

Fake not I plead!

Rise! I command!

For yourself. 

Embrace thy pain in love.

Touch the fear in faith.

Uproot the doubts,

Spare the gain.

You need not know the unknown,

For you have seeds of today to be sown.

Believe, I say!

In yourself for once,

For the moment for once,

For the journey for once.

Stay with time.

Don't run, don't bleed.

Just breathe.

For you will pave through,

All that comes your way.

Faith, hope, fear, guilt...

Give not a name.

It's you who define, it's you whose efforts go in vein.

Thereby, stay!

Speak not, share not.

Just feel.

Its you and the world.

No give no take.

But Accept.

As time flows, as the story unfolds.

Don't question but experience.

Come what may, just behold!

This is you,

Feeling, enjoying, sensing and breathing.

Stay I say! Don't move.

Beautiful is this, not tomorrow.

Life is this, not yesterday.

Moment is this, undefined and pure.

Not an inch more to assure.

This is life, this is cure.

A warm abode, both deep and secure.

November 18^th 2016

“Dance : the poetry of the mind and the body”

“A sound mind rests in a sound body”, a very familiar quote. But how many of us have holistically applied this in our lives? How many of us have been mindful enough to know how our body feels? How many of us have truly explored the limits of our body aesthetics? These are some vital queries that often emerge when we get deep into the realm of the relationship between the human body and the human mind.

If we minutely observe the validity of the relationship between the mind and the body, it prevails throughout in our ancient history. From ‘Shyamans’ trying to release evil spirits through movement and rhythm, to the circular movements performed by the ‘Sufi cult’ which believed in the connection of the soul and body through dance. Even the Hindu mythological character ‘Lord Shiva’ is known for his ‘Rudra’ avatar (form) when he engages in ‘Tandav Nritya’(dance of aggression) as a release to the emotion ‘anger’. Yoga which is rooted in the Indian culture highlights different body aesthetics which entwines both the body and mind together. In recent times, there is a sudden upsurge for the school of ‘Expressive art therapies’ that cater to needs of Psychophysical wellbeing. One of such emerging fields especially in India is the field of ‘Dance Movement Therapy’. It has its origin from the Western countries. In the year 1942, Marian Chace from United States pioneered ‘Dance Movement Therapy” (DMT). Later, American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) was established in 1966 as a platform to serve in the field of mental health where DMT was itself considered as a form of ‘Psychotherapy’. According to ADTA, ‘dance therapy’ can be defined as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further facilitate the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the individual”.

India being a developing nation has seen changes in its work culture and lifestyle from past few years due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Be it the work culture or the education system, the phenomenon is that of excessive monotony. This throws light on various emerging health concerns in both physical and psychological contexts. Tripura Kashyap, one of the pioneers of DMT in India has revolutionized the therapeutic aspects of dance throughout the nation. Her venture called ‘Creative Movement therapy Association of India’ is a renowned organization known for its expertise in providing somatic and psychological needs to the society and also provides training courses in and around Indian states.

I have been a small part of this journey which allowed me to widen my area of expertise in ‘dance therapy’ to masses. The primary psychological aspects that the Dance therapy workshop focuses on are based on the demand of a specific population. Some important components are Physical (body awareness, coordination, rhythm development, reduction of motor restlessness, release physical blocks, modification of movement qualities, Gross motor development, liberate from stereotypical movement, enhances imitation skills), Mental (Attention, decision making, memory, spatial intelligence, increasing cognition),Emotional (expression of feelings, building emotional intelligence, having impulse control, acceptance of others emotions, development of empathy, reducing anxiety) and Social (awareness of others, eye contact, leadership qualities, trust building, socially appropriate behavior, adaptability). There are mainly five primary stages in the session; Stage 1 includes an introduction which includes warm ups, games and opening rituals, Stage 2 involves exploration by taking risks, playing with movement, limits potentials and the therapist observes what the client wants. Stage 3 is about expression and communication which stems from experiences, collaborations between group members, deeper movement sessions and trust building, Stage 4 is the resolution phase which is verbal, solution focused and deals with talk therapy and finally Stage 5 includes integration of DMT sessions to real life.

DMT has been used on various populations in India like on corporate employees catering to needs of ‘occupational stress’ and emotional intelligence, with women groups to regulate emotions, releasing vivid forms of emotions through body movement and sculpting. Apart from this, DMT does not mark any limitation to any specific criterion of population only. It is meant for men and women from any age group, it can be conducted in hospitals, schools, support groups, rehabilitation centers and mobility training centers. In some places it can be used as a primary or support therapy mainly with children with Autism for reduction of psychomotor stereotypies,  people with Mood and Stress related disorders where DMT focuses on identification of primary emotions and expression in an appropriate manner , Schizophrenia through integration of body movement and mindful awareness, Mental Retardation through sculpting and imitation, etc.

Expressive art therapy is a new emerging field in India and it has been holistically accepted by people from all walks of life and also has psychotherapeutic properties which have been identified by the American Psychological Association (APA). It has a promising future in our country and people are coming forward to apply it in their regular lifestyles. It caters to widespread areas of psychological wellbeing. Like Weisbrod, 1972 rightly said “When all body parts are organized and integrated, the body is like an orchestra”. Thereby, it should be widely accepted and popularised for the holistic growth of the Indian population.

Nikita Hazarika

August 29th, 2016