She quotes the core credo of natyashastra to drive home the point. “Yatho hasta thatho drishti, yatho drishti thatho manah, yatho manah thatho bhaava, yatho bhaava thatho rasa (where the hands go the eyes follow, where the eyes go the mind follows, where the mind goes emotions follow, where the emotion is sentiment is created). Dance integrates mudras that offer various benefits.
For example, the karatari mudra (scissor gesture), is a hand gesture that cuts through mental noise and finds clarity in our thoughts, especially during times of stress,” says Bhavani. Prithvi mudra (resembling a peacock) improves stamina, quick healing of wounds, increases mental stability and reduces fatigue. Incidentally, Dubai-based Odissi dance exponent Vonita Singh has suggested some specific mudras to help Parkinson’s patients overcome mobility issues and mental stress.
Bhavani also believes the dance mudras are prime tools for ambidexterity enhancement. “It involves movements on both the right and left sides, fostering proficiency in using both brain hemispheres and enhancing overall life skills,” she says, adding, “Whenever I feel sick, I find myself the right dance with the right mudra and practice it,” says Bhavani. A win-win when your passion is also your medicine.
