SATURDAY JUNE 27 / 10:00 > 12:00 PM / MARTINA MEENAKSHI ARGADA / $30 / Register union2yoga@hotmail.com
During the workshop you will be offered an introduction to the Mudra, hand gesture, used in Indian Classical dance, (BharataNatyam style) and a prominent part of the dancer’s vocabulary.
Each Mudra has a specific effect on the practitioner, can influence the energy of your physical, emotional and spiritual body.
Then you will be offered an introduction to the Aasana (a Sanskrit word which means “sitting down”. Yogasana are known in English as “yoga postures”). Asana open the energy channels, chakras and psychic centers of the body while increasing the flexibility of the spine, strengthening the bones and stimulating the circulatory and immune systems.
Along with proper breathing or pranayama, asana and mudra also calms the mind and reduces stress. So you will learn the Mudra and the equivalent Asana, (for example Ardha chandra, “half moon”, you will learn the Mudra and the equivalent Asana, and so on Ardha Padma, “half lotus”, Matsya,”fish” Kurma,”tortoise”…etc.)
Mudra along with asana are employed statically in the meditation and dynamically in Natya practice of Hinduism.
MARTINA MEENAKSHI ARGADA
Martina started training as a Classical Dancer at the early age of 6.
Then she continued her artistic studies with Maddalena Scardi in Travirovesce, Contemporary Dance Company: http://www.kreadanza.com/crbst_16.html
In 2005, she attended various workshops in Indian classical dance, Bharata Natyam style, with Usha Ragavan (http://www.usharaghavan.com/) and continued her studies for six years at Ragavan’s center Kalasagara in Rome.
From 2011 to 2013, she took classes with Indian Classical dancer Tiziana Leucci in Rome: http://ceias.ehess.fr/index.php?1780
In 2013, she moved to India to pursue her studies with prestigious Indian teachers and choreographers.
She spent one year studying the Kuchipudi dance, another style of Indian Classic dance, at the famous Kerala Kalamandalam University for Art and Culture in Kerala (http://www.kalamandalam.org/) with Indian Classical Dancer C.N.Raja Lakshmi.
Speaking of Martina, she said: “She has an exquisite Abhinaya” (Expressive techniques used to convey a theme, mood or idea. Etymologically it derives from Sanscrit abhi “towards” + ni “carry,” so literally “carry towards,” means the Art of Expression that lead the audience towards a sentiment, a Rasa).
She also developed her skills with Indian dancer Mary John Kalatharangini with whom she also did live performances in 2013: http://www.kalatharangini.com/english/html/mary.html
In Dec. 2014 and Jan. 2015 she improved her Kuchipudi style with Vijayanthi Kashi, teacher, dancer and choreographer at the “Shambavi dance school” in Bangalore: http://www.vyjayanthikashi.com/ The famous Kuchipudi exponent Vijayanthi Kashi said about her:
“She is talented…she spreads deep emotions which shine through her performances and reveals a grace and a refined harmony in her body movements”.