“In everything you do, simply work at developing love and compassion until they have become a fundamental part of you.” - Patrul Rinpoche
ABHIVYAKTI
Finding ways to express ourselves through Kathak Dance
Think of a mother with no arms, whose child is being swept away by a river. How unbearable the anguish of such a mother would be. Her love for her child is so intense, but as she cannot use her arms she cannot catch hold of him.
“What can I do now? What can I do?” She asks herself. Her only thought is to find some means of saving him. Her heart breaking, she runs along after him, weeping.
In exactly the same way, all beings of the three worlds are being carried away by the river of suffering to drown in the ocean of Samsara. However unbearable the compassion we feel, we have no means of saving them from their suffering. “What can I do now?” “What can I do?”
Moved by the profound essence of this story by Patrul Rinpoche, Abhivyakti has been designed as a 7-day workshop where the participants and the facilitator collectively create conditions for each one of us to be able to express our hearts and acknowledge the feelings and emotions that may arise in the process. Abhivyakti is an immersive workshop designed to seamlessly blend themes emerging from Buddhism and other philosophical traditions with technical elements of Kathak.
WORKSHOP FOCUS AREAS
Each workshop is designed and focused around a theme that encompasses broader concepts of compassion, faith, kindness, love, non-duality, and self expression. The workshop has been designed to be a safe space to truly discover, express, receive and nurture innate human traits such as compassion within oneself and others.
In order to achieve this, sessions on meditation and contemplation allow participants to reflect on philosophical teachings relating to the theme, while sharing circles and activities will nudge participants to function as a holistic community - truly embodying acts of kindness, love and compassion.
FRAMEWORK
We will be having a variety of sessions in the workshop such as:
-
Guided Meditation: to center our mind and body into the present moment
-
Observing Silence: to connect to our deeper self and just to be
-
Light Exercises: to awaken different parts of our body
-
Kathak Sessions: as a medium to explore, express and heal mind and body
-
Group Activities: to expand our horizons while learning from each other’s experiences
-
Contemplation: to relate our learnings with life
-
Sharing Circles: to reflect and build empathy within while listening to others
-
Choreography on chosen theme: to receive reminders and inspiration while expanding our hearts for all beings
-
Stage Performance: to share our experiences with the larger group
TECHNICAL ASPECTS
The workshop will delve into the intricacies of rhythm, exploring the taals (rhythmic cycles) and their significance in Kathak. Participants will also immerse themselves in the storytelling aspect of Kathak, understanding how expressions and gestures convey narratives.
Moreover, sessions will focus on the nuances of Abhinaya (emotive storytelling), delving into its essence to deepen the connection between movement and emotion. Additionally, the workshop will provide insights into the cultural and historical context of Kathak, offering a holistic understanding of this classical dance form.
A FEW GENERAL GUIDELINES :
-
Please note that the workshop is not about giving any teachings or commentary on the theme.
-
No prior training or experience in classical dance is needed to join the workshop.
-
The workshop is open to people of all genders. Anyone who wishes to explore Kathak is welcome to join.
