Radhika Merchant loves Bharatanatyam! Know health benefits of the dance form | XpertsReviews.com

All eyes are on Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, the soon-to-be-wed couple whose pre-wedding festivities have been underway for almost a year. Radhika Merchant’s dazzling smile has been the centre of attention, right from the moment she performed her first solo Bharatanatyam or arangetram performance in June 2022. The bride-to-be is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, like her soon-to-be mother-in-law Nita Ambani, who continues to practice the dance form even today. While this oldest form of dance sounds very elegant, did you know that it also has physical, mental and spiritual health benefits?

Bharatanatyam is one of the most difficult Indian dances and requires a lot of perseverance and commitment. It has many health benefits like muscle strengthening, endurance and balance, as well as improved cognitive abilities. Hence, this dance form requires considerable training and perseverance. Radhika Merchant trained for eight years, under her mentor Guru Bhavan Thakar of Shree Nibha Arts dance academy in Mumbai, before her arangetram.

The History of Bharatanatyam

One of the oldest dance forms in India, Bharatanatyam originated in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu, India, nearly 2,000 years ago. It has also spawned many other dance forms over the years. Initially, it was practiced in Hindu temples in South India and flourished in the region. The hallmarks of Bharatnatyam are intricate footwork, as well as gestures such as nrita, nritya, and natya. The basic position of the dance includes a squat-like formation, with an upright torso. You balance yourself while moving your hands as well as your legs.

Health Benefits of Bharatnatyam

Here are some of the benefits of Bharatanatyam for physical and mental health, according to Bharatanatyam artist Sophia Salingaros.

1. Good cardio workout

Bharatanatyam is a rigorous dance that is proven to be an excellent cardio workout. The movements provide the same benefits as aerobic training. A study published in the journal Non-drug therapy TMR The cardiovascular endurance levels of Bharatnatyam dancers were assessed. It was found that the aerobic capacity of the dancers, compared to non-dancers, was significantly higher. The increased intensity of performance also helped improve fitness levels.

2. Good for flexibility

Bharatanatyam is ideal for improving dancers’ posture and flexibility. A study published in Faculty of Physiotherapy Bulletin The study suggests that Bharatanatyam requires dancers to hold their postures for a long time. This places a lot of physical demands on the body. The study analyzed 40 female Bharatanatyam dancers aged 18 to 30 years and 40 non-dancer women of the same age.

3. Increases endurance

Just like any other high-performance exercise program, Bharatanatyam also increases endurance. A study published in International Journal of Physiology, Nutrition and Physical Educationanalyzed the muscular strength of Bharatanatyam dancers. It was found that dancers needed to have optimum muscular strength to perform well. At the end of the study, it was observed that dancers were able to perform more push-ups than non-dancers and dancers had better muscular strength in lower and upper limbs compared to non-dancers.

4. Helps maintain balance

Bharatanatyam requires you to balance in a squat-like position for an extended period of time. It requires specific footwork and body rotations to achieve beautiful postures. A study published in Journal of the Society of Physiotherapists of Indiastated that balance is the pillar of the dance form. It was observed that Bharatnatyam dancers exhibited better balance than their non-dancing counterparts of the same age and gender.

5. Improves concentration

Bharatnatyam can help improve dancers’ cognitive abilities, such as concentration and memory, according to a study published at the International Conference on Indian Ergonomics SocietyIndian classical dances like Bharatanatyam require some memorization. It has been observed that Kathak, another form of Indian classical dance, as well as Bharatanatyam dancers have reported better cognitive abilities than non-dancers.

What should one remember before starting Bharatnatyam?

Like any other physical exercise, Bharatnatyam also requires a warm-up session before starting. A warm-up session will prepare your body for what lies ahead. It helps in regulating your breathing rate. This helps in increasing your heart rate and improves blood circulation. This helps in relaxing your muscles and you are ready to start. This warm-up leads to fewer injuries while performing the dance form.

Start with some stretches and focus on your breathing. You can do this on a yoga mat instead of on the cold floor. Surya namaskar is a great way to stretch well before Bharatanatyam, and 5 to 10 of them should do the trick. Remember that as a Bharatanatyam dancer, you need to stretch your lower back, Achilles tendon, and arches. You should also stretch your hamstrings, quads, and calves.

How many years does it take to become a Bharatanatyam dancer?

The answer depends on the level of perfection you want to achieve in this dance form. However, it may take at least 5-6 years to learn the dance completely and perform it in front of other people. Apart from time, one also needs a passion and love for this dance form.

It is also important to remember that it is important to be consistent. Regular practice of this dance form will help you master it.