“I was sad because my son was going through a tough time. But now I am little relaxed and in the present.”
“After feeling hopeless for a few days, I feel like applying for a job.”
“I was feeling low and forced myself to attend this session. I am quite charged and lively now.”
I was regretting not able to do a certain upper body exercise today. Now no regrets. Just determination to try again tomorrow.”
These are some of the ‘end of the session’ responses from the participants of Dance Movement Therapy Workshop by Disha Sampat – organised by The Hugging Club Of India to celebrate the Pride Month.
When HCI approached Disha for a Pro Bono workshop, she was more than happy. In fact, excited enough to crack relevant theme : I Soul – A Journey To Self. She was dedicated enough to restrict the workshop to only 15 people – so that she can give personal attention and each one can benefit and take away something to reflect…
Starting the session with a bang – Disha held our attention immediately with a brilliant insight – Consider anger, hurt and other negative emotions as guests at your home. Let them sit and settle down. Serve them refreshments and then tell them to leave. But if you just push them out at the doorstep – they won’t leave.
And then the best part began – Aao Dance Kare. Beginning with just one part of our body to shaking every part, Disha made us move and how! On a foot tapping number, we danced with joy. Some of us, after ages. But no worries if we looked funny or had two left leg. We danced with a duppatta or scarf not bothered if it was girly or manly. Right or wrong. Over the top or miniscule. We just danced bringing out our emotions and feelings on thoughtfully picked words by Disha. In the end we drew, scribbled, photoshopped our responses. And paused and reflected on our thoughts. And of course, it was therapeutic.
Thanks Disha for making us dance with gay abandon in the Pride Month. If it was so much fun online, I wonder how it would feel like in person.
– Report by Umang Sheth