Sunday, May 08, 2011

Bharatanatyam Dance Performance at The Yoga Shala in Winter Park Florida

Jaan R. Freeman’s Bharata Natyam

(South Indian Classical Dance Program)

Saturday, May 14th, 2011

6:00-7:30pm

Join The Yoga Shala in an unforgettable evening of Classical Indian Dance Elegance, Rhythm, Tradition, Expression, Mastery, and Storytelling

General Admission: $20 advance sale
$16 senior/students w/valid ID

Jaan R. Freeman

(Founding/Artistic Director of Dakshina Palli, Inc. NYC)

Mr. freeman has been studying bharatanatyam in the T. Balasaraswati Sampradaya since 1995. He has been studying in the USA, India and Montreal. Freeman is a disciple of Smt. Nandini Ramani and Smt. Priyamvada Sankar, both senior disciples of T. Balasaraswati. Mr. Freeman had his bharatanatyam arangetram (graduation) in 2005 at the historical Henry Street Settlement Playhouse Theater in N.Y. Freeman has performed Bharata Natyam at various venues and Temples throughout the US and was invited to perform for Dance Theater of Harlem’s Open House hosted by Arthur Mitchell and legendary Actress Ruby Dee. Freeman comes to Indian dance as a modern dancer who has performed and choreographed for the past 20 years in the USA. He has performed at the Kennedy Center, BAM, Lied Center of Nebraska, Madras Music Academy, NJPAC, Asia Society and Carnegie Hall among other celebrated venues. Freeman performed with the modern dance companies of The Martha Graham Ensemble, Battery Dance Company, Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, Murray Louis and Dance Consort: Genius of Charles Weidman among other troops. Abroad, Freeman has taught modern dance in every major city in India since 1997 and many of his students perform with major companies throughout Europe. He has toured Sri Lanka, Poland and India. Freeman was in the original 1995 production of “Purush: Expressions of Man” which highlighted male dancers from India and the USA and was in the 1997 tour of “Songs of Tagore”, both presented by the Battery Dance Company. Mr. Freeman is currently touring with his solo bharata natyam program through out the United States. His program has reached San Francisco, Charleston- SC, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Rochester, Arlington- Massachusetts, Portland- Maine and Kentucky.

Friday, May 06, 2011

Using Yoga to help with Cancer Side Effects

Surprising complement: Using yoga to help with cancer side effects

Many people take advantage of yoga sessions merely for exercise purposes these days, but another group is finding completely different advantages in using yoga. Cancer and terminal illness patients have begun using yoga as a way to not only alleviate some of the physical symptoms of traditional therapy, but also reap some of the benefits on the mental side of things.

While much of the research in yoga and cancer has involved breast cancer patients, a number of other patients are experiencing the benefits as well. Yoga has quickly become popular in the medical community because it combines both physical and mental benefits for the body. Another reason these patients have been investing time in yoga during their treatment process is because it can be done in different styles and at different times at their convenience. Some patients take advantage of short sessions daily, while others may use hour long sessions once a week.

The physical benefits of yoga are very similar to the reason that people use it as an exercise routine. Yoga not only helps these patients to get into shape, but it can also help alleviate some of the pain and physical side effects of treatment like chemotherapy. Common side effects of chemo include pain and nausea, both of which have been proven to go down with routine yoga use during the treatment process. Arthritis patients have even been known to open up their flexibility and range of motion through use of yoga.

From a mental aspect, the use of yoga for cancer patients can be extremely vital. Because yoga can be used as meditation and for tranquility, it allows cancer patients to shut off their minds temporarily and reduce stress levels. A great example of this involves mesothelioma patients. This is a type of cancer in the lungs that occurs from asbestos exposure and has very short life expectancy rates. These patients are able to use yoga as a way to forget about their outlook and severe diagnosis, while accessing the mind.

Yoga will likely continue to grow with terminal illness patients in the coming years because of this combination of physical and mental benefits. More research is expected to continue on exploring the benefits of using yoga, which should make it even more popular within the medical and scientific communities.

Article compliments of Krista Peterson

If you or anyone you know is a cancer patient please let them know about about Yoga Bear It is a national non-profit organization with volunteer staff that works to get free yoga to cancer patients.

The Yoga Shala is in partnership with Yoga Bear and we offer free yoga classes to all cancer patients. Please spread the word and help those you care about find the amazing benefits that yoga can offer them. If you would like more information about classes for cancer patients at The Yoga Shala please call 407-506-4626.