Even during the early stages of an Odissi dancers training she tries to attune herself to the spiritual dimensions of the art, using the dance as a means for inner development. She respects, honours and protects her body as a sacred temple, discovering with each meaningful step her own power as a divine dancer – a Goddess of the Earth.
Odissi Dance is the oldest known form of temple dance On Earth. It is highly scientific and metaphysical. There is a meaning behind each and every move that evokes divine communion.
“As she dances with all her love, pure body, fire and devotion, she resonates barefoot with mother earth, purifies the space where she is physically, emotionally and mentally, raising consciousness and vibrations for whomsoever sees her.” – Annapurna
Indian classical dance represents an ancient way of expressing devotion. It is a form of spiritual practice and offering. For children, youth and adults classical dance training positively channels the mind and body, develops balance, courage, confidence and joy for learning and growth into happy, positive and confident self.
In Studio Six Week Intro Sessions: $108
One Month Intensive 15 Hour Course: $225
Dance and Yoga Classes in Kaslo
Odissi Dance Benefits
Increased love, care, devotion, commitment, ability to express one’s deepest sentiments and feelings, increased memory, alertness, strength, flexibility, grace, breath depth, body – mind awareness, balance of left/right halves of body, masculine and feminine balance within, coordination, happiness, joy from learning dance as a new language, improved posture, muscle tone and memory, alleviation of muscle aches and pains, improved circulation, respect to the body as a sacred space and home to the divine self / soul, connection to The Divine and Sacred Feminine energy, compassionate love for humanity and all creation.
Cultivate, embody and radiate all the divine qualities that are naturally awakened within the heart of every dancer as his/her commitment and understanding of this ancient devotional art form deepens and grows with love.
Sheena is trained in classical ballet, jazz and tap. She studied and practiced these dance styles for 15 years before vinyasa flow yoga, yoga trance dance, free-form dance and movement meditation / yoga therapy came into her life. Sheena is a certified tap and jazz dance teacher since 1999. Currently her focus is on teaching and performing Odissi Dance. She was visiting India annually to train under the guidance, discipline and wisdom of her teachers and is encouraged by them to practice, perform and teach between journeys. For more information about current schedule, classes and workshops please visit: odissidevotionaldance.com
Sheena distills her yoga training, western dance background, and Indian classical dance experience into techniques for yogic study to assist students of this ancient temple dance form in achieving an empowering, transformational and deeply satisfying practice for Body, Mind, Spirit and Soul.
“Thank-you to all the classical Indian dancers, my teachers and all gurus of these ancient dance traditions, thank-you to all that came before me! Thank-you for your inspiration, knowledge, hard work, dedication, discipline, wisdom and loving devotion to your art. Thank-you for showing a way to the embodiment of art as Sadhana.”
– Sheena
Body is a temple, discover the divine dancer within.
Odissi is one of the seven types of Indian Classical Dance.
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