What was movement like in my childhood?

Movement like in my childhood…

In those days, movement was anything that would allow me to jump, run, swim, & glide. In those moments of play, I felt like I could defy gravity & soar through the air. As a child, I wasn’t aware of the limitations of the mortal body or the boundaries of the world. Needless to say, every day was an opportunity for adventure, fueled by insatiable curiosity. Whether it’s climbing a tree, running through fields, clashing of swings, swinging high into the sky, or riding a bicycle, jumping off a cliff, movement has been an integral part of my childhood. This was the story until I wasn’t enrolled in my Bharatanatyam Dance class in Sulur, Tamil Nadu.

I had so much of energy inside me that, my mother determinedly thought of enrolling me to a dance class, that would channelize my energy. There, I began with basic fundamentals of movement for 2 years straight. Slowly experiencing the sensation of physical freedom & weightlessness in those basic repetitive movements in the class. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that dance class became my second home under my first Guru Shona, where exploring the world of dance was not only important but had become a thing for me no matter what my school academics held. Needless to say, my Guru was actually building the backbone of this artform.

Soon I realized this was my calling. I would embark on mini expeditions in the dance class, setting out hidden corners of my heart & venturing into the wild forest within me through dance. Through the regime of repetitive fundamentals of Bharatanatyam & chanting of Shlokas, I was learning some core life lessons. I discovered the joy of pushing my limits, the satisfaction of believing a step to be produced accurately, & the significance of perseverance. These regular dance classes & the movements not only helped me develop my physical abilities but also somehow was shaping my character at the mere age of 6 years. As a child, I wasn’t aware of the impact, the movement had on my development. It was simply a natural part of my daily life, an instinctual response to the world around me. But looking back, I can see how those movements of play, of dance, of play in dance & exploration molded me into the person I am today.

While the demands of the adulthood may have shifted my focus from the carefree movement of my childhood, I still cherish those moments. They serve as a reminder to stay connected to my body, embracing curiosity, rejuvenating the trueness to my roots and finding the joy in the simple act of moving. So, even if my ways in which I experience movement may have changed, the spirit of exploration and the desire for physical activity continue to shape my conscience & influence my life in different folds.