Yogacharini Devasena Bhavanani's talk at the International Yoga Festival 2020 by Pondicherry Government Tourism Department at Pondicherry, India.

1. Managing Emotional Health
Through Navarasa of
Natya Yoga
Yogacharini Smt. DEVASENA BHAVANANI
BPA, ADY, MA (Samskrutam)
General Secretary and Head Deptt of Natyam
Yoganjali Natyalayam & ICYER, Pondicherry
www.rishiculture.in

2. INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCES
Sangeet Natak Akademi, recognizes EIGHT
distinctive traditional dances as Indian Classical
Dances.
These are:
 Bharatanatyam- TN
 Kathak- UP
 Kathakali- Kerala
 Kuchipudi- AP
 Manipuri-Manipur
 Mohiniyattam -Kerala
 Odissi –Odisha
 Sattriya -Assam

4. BHARATANATYAM
 Seamless blend of nritta & nritya (natyam)
Nritta is rhythmic movement of the body in
dance. It does not express any emotion.
Nritya comprises Abhinaya, depicting Rasa
(sentimental) and Bhava (mood) expressed
through the eyes, hands and facial
movements.
BHA, RA, TA = Bhava – Raaga - Taala

5.  Abhinaya : “Abhi” means “towards” – with root
“Ni” meaning “to lead”- (audience & performer)
towards a particular state of being /feeling.
 Four aspects namely:
 Aangika: expression through body (sharira),
face (mukha) and movement (cheshta).
 Vachika: through words, literature and drama;
 Aahaarya: through decorations of make-up,
jewellery & costumes
 Saathvika: acting out and manifesting different
state of the mind & feelings.

6. “angikam bhuvanam yasya vachicam
sarva vangmayam aharyam chandra
taradi tam vande satvikam shivam”
We bow to Him the benevolent One, whose limbs
are the world, whose song and poetry are the
essence of all language, and who is adorned with
the moon and the stars.

7. CULTIVATING HEALTHY EMOTIONS
• Emotions are very powerful
• Especially so in children.
• We need to focus on :
• Emotional health
• Emotional intelligence
• Emotional balance

9. NAVARASA- Evoking Nine Emotional Attitudes
 Shringara (erotic love),
 Haasya (humour &
laughter),
 Karuna (compassion),
 Roudra (anger),
• Veera (heroism),
• Bhaya (fearful terror),
• Bheebatsa (disgust),
• Adbhuta (awe) and
• Shanta (peacefulness).
• Emotional catharsis – cleansing negative aspects of
emotions and sublimation for higher emotions of Divine
Bhakti.
• A type of psychological preventive therapy – helps develop

10. • “Love” is a major
issue in the teens
• They have no idea
what the emotions
are doing.
• Conscious expression
through dance gives
a healthy outlet
• Prevents many
problems

11. • Laughter is the “Best
Medicine”
• We connect to the
universe through
Manipura Chakra
that is related to the
solar plexus
• This helps us to feel
at “Ease”.
• Hakara Kriya is a
good way to do so

12. • Compassion and
empathy are very
important humane
qualities.
• Enables expression of
a compassionate
“feeling for another
being” in a selfless
manner.

13. • ஆத்திரக்காரனுக்கு புத்தி
மட்டு !
• This enables the
children to “let off
steam” in a healthy
and protected
environment.
• A simple way for
anger management.

14. • Gives a sense of
positive self-esteem
• Instills courage
• Develops capacity to
face challenges of life
• Veerasana is a useful
tool in this regard.

15. • Abinivesha Klesha is
the “root source” of
all fear.
• Helps children to
get rid of anxieties
and phobias.
• They learn to
manage and
overcome fear
better.

16. • Dwesha Klesha is the
source of dislike.
• The expression of this
Rasa enables the
children to “let go” of
their dislikes and
hence become more
balanced emotionally
and mentally.
• They learn to respond
rather than react.

17. • Life is the biggest
miracle!
• When we can feel a
sense of AWE, we
realize how blessed
we are to be born
human.
• Instills gratitude and
reverence for life.
• When our “breath is
taken away” by awe,
we get a glimpse of
Kevala Kumbhaka.

18. • When all other
emotions have been
dealt with in a
constructive manner,
we can experience a
sense of true peace
and ease within our
self.
• This is the peak of
the Rasa Anubhava,
the experience of the
Navarasas.

19. A SAFE AND HEALTHY SPACE
 Suppressed and repressed emotions lead to psycho-
somatic diseases
 Children need to have a “safe space” to express their
emotions freely with fear
 At Yoganjali Natyalayam we have created a healthy
and safe space.
 They can express themselves without judgment or any
negative repercussions.
 They are encouraged to be the best version of
themselves.

21.  May we strive to keep the purity of our great
cultural heritage intact through the great art of
Natya that enables us to fulfill our Dharma in a
most refined, pleasing, enjoyable, dignified,
beautiful and joyful manner and attain that final
union with the Supreme Self.

22. Thank
You