Learning Objectives

• Engage with dance and the arts as a source of emotional well-being.
• Collaborate effectively with peers in group dance creation.
• Recite hasta shlokas with corresponding hand gestures, demonstrating coordination and understanding.
• Explore the communicative power of hastas as a form of expression.
• Express emotions (bhāvas) through movement and facial expressions.
• Create a sign language using hastas learned in previous grades.
• Enact everyday sentences using only hastas to communicate ideas clearly.
• Express various emotions through dance, utilizing breath, postures, and movements.
• Choreograph a dance based on a song that evokes strong feelings.
• Participate in activities that promote emotional healing through dance.

Chapter 12: Dance for Well-Being

Learning Outcomes

• Engages with dance and the arts as a source of emotional well-being, recognizing their therapeutic and healing potential.
• Collaborates effectively with peers, contributing ideas and offering support in the process of group dance creation.
• Makes a conscious effort to recite hasta shlokas with corresponding hand gestures, demonstrating coordination and understanding of their meaning.
• Shows interest in exploring the communicative power of hastas as a form of expression and symbolic sign language in dance.
• Feels confident and comfortable expressing emotions (bhāvas) through movement and facial expressions.

Expressing Emotions Through Dance

• Bhāva: The first thought or instant feeling when something happens.
• Emotions expressed through dance can lead to healing and empathy.
• Example: Watching an emotional performance can evoke tears or smiles due to the powerful expression of feelings.

Activities

Activity 12.4: Dance of Motivation (Utsāha Bhāva)

• Choose a song based on patriotism and choreograph a dance.

Activity 12.2: The Language of Silence

• In Storytelling: Use hastas to enact a situation without words.
• In Communication: Enact daily sentences using only hastas.

Activity 12.5: Dance to Express the Eight Emotions

• Recall and express various emotions through dance, such as:
  • Rati Bhāva: Feeling loved (Shringāra Rasa)
  • Hāsa Bhāva: Laughter (Hāsya Rasa)
  • Utsāha Bhāva: Courage (Veera Rasa)
  • Bhaya Bhāva: Fear (Bhayānaka Rasa)
  • Shoka Bhāva: Disgust (Karuna Rasa)
  • Krodha Bhāva: Anger (Raudra Rasa)
  • Jugupsa Bhāva: Disgust (Bibhatsa Rasa)
  • Vismaya Bhāva: Amazement (Adbhuta Rasa)

Activity 12.6: Dance from the Heart

• Perform a dance expressing a chosen mood or emotion, using elements like breath, postures, and movements.

Activity 12.7: Dance Choreography

• Compose and perform a dance to a song that resonates emotionally.

Communicating Through Dance

• Asamyuta Hastas: Single-hand gestures.
• Samyuta Hastas: Combined hand gestures.
• Example Shlokas from Abhinaya Darpanam describing various hastas.

Emotional Healing Through Dance

• Dance can heal both physically and emotionally, aiding in emotional expression and relief.
• Movement therapy is used by psychologists and physiotherapists for emotional well-being.