Embodied rhythm with Sattriya Awaken Your Sense of Rhythm Through Dance and Feldenkrais

This unique workshop offers an in-depth exploration of rhythm through two complementary approaches: the classical Indian dance Sattriya and the Feldenkrais method. Sattriya is much more than just a dance – it is a sacred art form over 500 years old, blending movement, music, and recitation. Originating from the monasteries of Assam, it revolves around complex rhythmic cycles (tala), modal melodies (ragas), and the khôl, a traditional drum that interacts with every gesture. Each movement is born from the rhythm, creating a subtle fusion between the body and the sound’s pulse. The Feldenkrais method, on the other hand, is a somatic approach that enhances body awareness through gentle and precise movement explorations. By releasing tension and refining sensory perception, this practice reveals new possibilities in gesture, improves fluidity of movement, and nurtures a deep listening to the body.

• Dancers and performers looking to refine their sense of rhythm and enhance their physical expression.
• Musicians and singers eager to explore rhythm through movement and deepen their bodily connection to music.
• Practitioners of somatic disciplines (yoga, Feldenkrais, Tai Chi, etc.) seeking to integrate a new rhythmic dimension into their practice.
• Interdisciplinary artists interested in blending the tradition of Sattriya dance with modern somatic approaches.
• Lovers of culture and traditional arts drawn to discovering classical Indian dance and its deep ties to music and spirituality.
• Anyone seeking greater body awareness through rhythm, regardless of their artistic background.

1. Develop a Fine-Tuned Sense of Rhythm in the Body
By working with rhythmic cycles (tala), the khôl (traditional drum), and ragas, you will learn to feel rhythm from within, allowing it to guide your gestures and inhabit your body.

2. Gain Fluidity and Precision in Your Movements
Through Feldenkrais explorations, you will dissolve tension, improve coordination, and refine your movement, making each gesture more natural and harmonious.

3. Create a Deep Connection Between Movement and Musicality
By integrating the principles of Sattriya, you will develop the ability to translate music and rhythm into vibrant dance, where every part of the body becomes an instrument.

4. Cultivate Grounded and Expressive Presence
This workshop will help you enhance your stage presence by teaching you to fully inhabit each moment with simple yet powerful movements, supported by deep rhythmic awareness.

5. Expand Your Artistic Vocabulary
Immersing yourself in Sattriya introduces you to a rich and nuanced art form that will nurture creativity and attention to detail, adding new layers to your artistic practice.

6. Improve Listening and Responsiveness
The complex rhythms of Sattriya will encourage you to develop sharper listening skills and refine your ability to respond with agility and precision to musical variations.

This workshop focuses on deeply feeling rhythm through the body, moving beyond mere intellectual understanding.

You will explore how music, dance, and theatrical expression intertwine in Sattriya, where every gesture emerges from rhythm and tells a story. Through rhythmic cycles (tala), the resonances of the khôl (sacred drum), and ragas, you will learn to let rhythm pass through your body, fostering an intimate connection between movement and music.

Rooted in mythology and spiritual narratives, Sattriya invites an expressive journey where each posture and sequence holds meaning. Alongside this, somatic explorations inspired by the Feldenkrais method will refine your body awareness, helping you form new connections and cultivate fluid, embodied movement.

This workshop is an invitation to experience rhythm, to listen with your entire being, and to allow a grounded, authentic artistic presence to emerge.

1. Welcome and Introduction
Presentation of the workshop, facilitators, and the practice framework.

2. Awakening the Body and Sensory Awareness Through Movement
Somatic explorations (Feldenkrais) to refine body perception and prepare the senses for rhythmic awareness.

3. Rhythmic Foundations of Sattriya
Introduction to talas, ragas, and the khôl. Learning basic rhythmic patterns and their connection to movement.

4. Movement and Rhythm: Body Dialogue
Exploration of Sattriya postures and sequences, integrating rhythmic cycles with physical expression.

5. Deepening Rhythmic Sensation
Working with more complex sequences to experience rhythm in a fully embodied and vibrational way.

6. Musical Integration of Rhythm in Dance
Dancing in dialogue with live music, synchronizing movement with breath and musical pulse.

7. Sharing and Closing
Collective reflection, sharing of experiences, and perspectives for continuing the practice.

What is Expected:
• Curiosity and openness to explore a new approach to rhythm and movement.
• Physical engagement – a desire to experience rhythm through the body, beyond just intellectual understanding.
• Willingness to listen – readiness to slow down, refine sensations, and embrace subtle practices.

Not Required:
• Prior experience in Sattriya dance or Feldenkrais.
• Being a professional dancer or musician.