There is something PRICELESS about being able to take a day untainted by routine and just slip through a gap in time. Spending just one day in Sonoma, among the gentle roll of the green hills, the hints of spring in the air and the delicious sunshine.
We indulged a bit by staying at this beautiful place called Cottage Inn and Spa. My FAVORITE thing was the fountain in the center, where in the evening flames simmered through glass pieces, while the water continued to flow underneath. I also loved the outdoor courtyard with its beautiful sculptures, plants and comfy seating. The designer was a ROMANTIC, no doubt about that! All the lights in the room could be dimmed, there was an in-room jacuzzi, and candles everywhere. There was a little T.V with some movies and a boombox with a collection of cds. And a heated mattress which can heat just one side of the bed which is awesome because I like to be TOASTED, and Hash, definitely not.
We went to Bartholomew winery which was nestled in the midst of the hills and it was fun to just hang there. I preferred the wines at Roche and Charles Creek, though they were in downtown so nowhere as picturesque. It was a fabulous day enhanced by sun-soaked skies and colorful blossoms, punctuated every so often with wine tasting (also cheese and olive oil tasting!) We woke up early on Sunday to find a basket of fresh baked goodies outside our door. Hash made coffee and then after a stroll through town, it was time to go.
It was a PERFECT day. It is nice to have a prolonged, luxurious holiday but small tidbits of time, in the midst of daily chaos, are MUCH needed. A week later, drenched in work, I am reminiscing...
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
A tribute to my students
My students and their parents constantly shower me with appreciation but I haven't had a chance to tell them how IMPORTANT they are to me. This is for them.
There are days when I am exhausted, overworked and life has poured unusual amounts of insanity into my plate. And I really feel like I cannot get through class, but the moment I walk into the studio and start conducting the warm up, EVERYTHING falls into place. I love the energy, enthusiasm and the willingness to learn that greets me every time I walk in.
Over the years, I have seen students walk in who say "I have never danced before. Is that ok?" And I always say "that's what I am here for." Someone once said that the "limits are only in your IMAGINATION." I have learnt to believe it. I have seen students grow and blossom and with every session they become stronger dancers, better performers. I am not very liberal with praise and often have a reputation of being a strict and demanding teacher when it comes to the junior/teen age group. That is because I want them to constantly push themselves, but every time a session ends, I feel a tremendous sense of pride. And when they are on stage, they always SHINE. And sometimes I don't say anything because words fail me.
The kids are a different story altogether. They have a question for everything, an explanation for everything. They always bring a smile to my face. Often when I try to teach a step, they come up with INCREDIBLE imagery to describe a movement. I teach them how to dance but in the process learn so much more. Parents often talk about how its hard for kids to adjust to another instructor but the feeling is MUTUAL! It is really hard for us to give up our classes. I still drive an hour to Evergreen because I am so attached to my classes. And I know its the same for so many other MSDC instructors.
At the same time, I want to thank the students for their faith in me and for registering quarter after quarter and believing in my ability to teach them something more, challenge them in a different way, draw out something new from them. Ravi Shekar and Shobha Kunder have been with me since the first class I taught with Naach and then with Mona; a journey of 3 yrs. My Pleasanton juniors Akanksha, Saumya, Ankitha & Saloni have been there for every performance quarter, also for 3 yrs. There are so many more who have been with me EVERY quarter since they began and that really means so much.
This is just for all my students to know that I feel honored and humbled, and to thank them for their loyalty and love. Got to LOVE being a teacher!
There are days when I am exhausted, overworked and life has poured unusual amounts of insanity into my plate. And I really feel like I cannot get through class, but the moment I walk into the studio and start conducting the warm up, EVERYTHING falls into place. I love the energy, enthusiasm and the willingness to learn that greets me every time I walk in.
Over the years, I have seen students walk in who say "I have never danced before. Is that ok?" And I always say "that's what I am here for." Someone once said that the "limits are only in your IMAGINATION." I have learnt to believe it. I have seen students grow and blossom and with every session they become stronger dancers, better performers. I am not very liberal with praise and often have a reputation of being a strict and demanding teacher when it comes to the junior/teen age group. That is because I want them to constantly push themselves, but every time a session ends, I feel a tremendous sense of pride. And when they are on stage, they always SHINE. And sometimes I don't say anything because words fail me.
The kids are a different story altogether. They have a question for everything, an explanation for everything. They always bring a smile to my face. Often when I try to teach a step, they come up with INCREDIBLE imagery to describe a movement. I teach them how to dance but in the process learn so much more. Parents often talk about how its hard for kids to adjust to another instructor but the feeling is MUTUAL! It is really hard for us to give up our classes. I still drive an hour to Evergreen because I am so attached to my classes. And I know its the same for so many other MSDC instructors.
At the same time, I want to thank the students for their faith in me and for registering quarter after quarter and believing in my ability to teach them something more, challenge them in a different way, draw out something new from them. Ravi Shekar and Shobha Kunder have been with me since the first class I taught with Naach and then with Mona; a journey of 3 yrs. My Pleasanton juniors Akanksha, Saumya, Ankitha & Saloni have been there for every performance quarter, also for 3 yrs. There are so many more who have been with me EVERY quarter since they began and that really means so much.
This is just for all my students to know that I feel honored and humbled, and to thank them for their loyalty and love. Got to LOVE being a teacher!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Dance Business
So I always think of dance as an art but as one tries to make a living out of it, at some level it does become a business. But it is still dance. Its about being in the moment, experiencing something special and SHARING that experience.
As I am gradually learning, grant writing, marketing and knowing how to talk and write about one's work is essential. Joe Landini, who runs The Garage in San Francisco, once said to me that "the more you are successful at doing what you do, the more time you need to spend away from it." That is so so TRUE. I had my first home season last year and I spent less time in the studio than I did on my computer. But even as we strive to get more students, audiences, funds, what drives the process is passion and commitment.
I think an environment where one is competing but in the process, enabling and supporting one another exists, such has been my experience in the SF Bay Area community. There are some stunning dancers who dance with me, who also choreograph their own work, dance for other artists and sometimes we are showcasing our choreography in the same festivals. I think that is freaking AMAZING! And its so much fun to feed off each others' energies and ideas.
On the flip side, I have had some really BIZARRE experiences as well. People claiming credit for stuff they haven't done, joining one company and then soliciting their students and teachers to join their own, and other UNETHICAL stuff that I cannot even begin to describe. But when I look at them I don't see artists, and they are definitely not driven by their love for dance.
I think that as artists we have to learn to market ourselves, but not at the cost of our art. Else, what is the point? We may as well quit and take up a career that actually pays!
As I am gradually learning, grant writing, marketing and knowing how to talk and write about one's work is essential. Joe Landini, who runs The Garage in San Francisco, once said to me that "the more you are successful at doing what you do, the more time you need to spend away from it." That is so so TRUE. I had my first home season last year and I spent less time in the studio than I did on my computer. But even as we strive to get more students, audiences, funds, what drives the process is passion and commitment.
I think an environment where one is competing but in the process, enabling and supporting one another exists, such has been my experience in the SF Bay Area community. There are some stunning dancers who dance with me, who also choreograph their own work, dance for other artists and sometimes we are showcasing our choreography in the same festivals. I think that is freaking AMAZING! And its so much fun to feed off each others' energies and ideas.
On the flip side, I have had some really BIZARRE experiences as well. People claiming credit for stuff they haven't done, joining one company and then soliciting their students and teachers to join their own, and other UNETHICAL stuff that I cannot even begin to describe. But when I look at them I don't see artists, and they are definitely not driven by their love for dance.
I think that as artists we have to learn to market ourselves, but not at the cost of our art. Else, what is the point? We may as well quit and take up a career that actually pays!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Finding Balance
I remember, when I started learning dance, people would always keep talking about FINDING CENTER. Finding that point where you push down through your feet, reach up from the top of your head, extend and lengthen and lo and behold! you achieve balance!
Photographer: Rob Kunkle
Easier said than done. Much like life. That is one of my goals for this year. Balancing choreography and performance, teaching and learning, dance and other aspects of my life. Every day I try. Sometimes I fail, sometimes succeed. But I try to do it with a sense of calm, which does not come easily. TRY is the keyword.
Teaching about 14hrs a week, spending a few (or a lot of) hrs. in rehearsal, taking class (which I want to do a lot more of), doing other non-dance stuff which supports the dance stuff, I come home quite exhausted and usually with zero inclination to research, mail, cook, clean, or all the other things I should be doing. Sometimes I even become a social recluse. I am oblivious to what is happening in the world and am often jolted awake by Facebook statuses.
Then I go an a MANIC spree catching up on everything and realize that once again something is getting left out. Emails slipping through gaps, applications getting dangerously close to deadlines, me getting seriously close to exhaustion. Then a reevaluation of everything and a new beginning.
Photographer: Rob Kunkle
These are a few of my goals for the year: take more dance classes, practice more yoga, BREATHE, read more and in a more balanced manner (usually a book can keep me riveted to an extent that I forget to eat, sleep and move). Cook more (don't think it will become a passion, but maybe a habit), wake up earlier, less CAFFEINE, spend more quality time with friends and family, less negative energy, try and have our place look more habitable, STRESS less, be willing to let go, write more, and just try and be a better dancer, better teacher, better PERSON.
Finding balance does not happen. Just like one doesn't ever become a dancer. One is constantly BECOMING; it is a process. I may never find it. But I will get closer.
Photographer: Rob Kunkle
Teaching about 14hrs a week, spending a few (or a lot of) hrs. in rehearsal, taking class (which I want to do a lot more of), doing other non-dance stuff which supports the dance stuff, I come home quite exhausted and usually with zero inclination to research, mail, cook, clean, or all the other things I should be doing. Sometimes I even become a social recluse. I am oblivious to what is happening in the world and am often jolted awake by Facebook statuses.
Then I go an a MANIC spree catching up on everything and realize that once again something is getting left out. Emails slipping through gaps, applications getting dangerously close to deadlines, me getting seriously close to exhaustion. Then a reevaluation of everything and a new beginning.
Photographer: Rob Kunkle
These are a few of my goals for the year: take more dance classes, practice more yoga, BREATHE, read more and in a more balanced manner (usually a book can keep me riveted to an extent that I forget to eat, sleep and move). Cook more (don't think it will become a passion, but maybe a habit), wake up earlier, less CAFFEINE, spend more quality time with friends and family, less negative energy, try and have our place look more habitable, STRESS less, be willing to let go, write more, and just try and be a better dancer, better teacher, better PERSON.Finding balance does not happen. Just like one doesn't ever become a dancer. One is constantly BECOMING; it is a process. I may never find it. But I will get closer.
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