History

Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiiji invented and taught Kaos’ikii on Sept 8,1978 in Patna (India).This yoga dance exercise was especially given for women for their physical, psychic and spiritual development as an alternative to Ta’n’d’ava, which is prohibited to women.

Meaning

Kaośikii is “the dance of mind expansion”. “Kośa” means “layers” [of the mind and the inner self]. In yogic philosophy, Kaos’ikii Shakti is the transcendental cosmic operative energy representing the causal matrix and first cause of creation. Kaoshikii dance is intended to give a sublime expression to subtler psycho-spiritual potentialities. That’s why this dance is considered to have immense value in the psychic and spiritual strata of human life. Incidentally, it also has innumerable physiological benefits and serves as a therapeutic aid in scores of instances. Since Mysticism is an unending endeavor to link the finite with the infinite, Kaos’ikii could also be called a mystical dance exercise.

System of Dancing

According to the Indo-Aryan custom (commonly called simply “Aryan”) there are certain special techniques for moving different parts of the body that follow a particular system. The heel of the foot is related to the sound tá, the ball of the foot to the sound dhiin, and the toes to the sound dhae. In the kaos’ikii dance all three are utilized to some extent. In contrast, in the táńd́ava dance tá is utilized more than dhiin [and dhae is not utilized at all].⁽¹Steps:

1. Caller says Ready and the dancer begins by raising their folded hands directly overhead, in a vertical position. The upper part of the body is kept straight from the waist to the finger tips, with the arms straight at the elbows and the middle fingers always touching.
2. Caller leads by saying: Dhiin Dhiin Dhiin Dhiin Dhiin (in later rounds it is replaced by Baba Nam Baba Ke Valam).The body is first bent three times to the right and then two times back to the original position (upright).The movements start with the right toe touching backwards behind the left heel. With each step (foot movement), there is a corresponding arm movement. The lower part of the body keeps rhythm with the arm movements by stepping to right, left, right, left and so on touching the toe or ball of the foot to the ground behind the heel of the other foot. As the dance gathers momentum, it is more convenient to touch the ground with the ball of the foot.
3. Caller says: Dhiin Dhiin Dhiin Dhiin Dhiin (in later rounds it will be replaced by Baba Nam Baba Ke Valam). The movements are repeated now with arms bending to the left in a similar fashion as in step 2.
4. Caller says: Dhiin Dhiin Dhiin (in later rounds it is replaced by Baba Nam Baba). The next step takes the arms first straight out in front, then straight down, touching the right toe of the foot and then bringing them straight upright once more.
5. Caller says Dhiin Dhiin Dhiin (in later rounds it is replaced by Baba Nam Baba)This step takes the arms backwards in two stages and then returns them back to the original position in one stroke.
6. Caller says Ta’ Ta’ (in later rounds it is replaced by Ke Valam) This is the final part of each dance-exercise round and is performed by vigorously stepping two times in place, stamping the heels firmly on the ground (right foot first and left foot in the end).
7. This way the dance can be repeated starting again with the right ball of the foot going behind the heel of the left foot for the next round in the same rhythm of baba nam baba ke valam...baba nam baba ke valam...baba nam baba… baba nam baba...ke..valam.

Symbolism of Mudras Used

Dance expresses inner psychic feelings through chanda (rhythm) and mudrá (specialized gestures), without the help of language or words. In occidental dance, there is more beauty in rhythm. But oriental dance utilizes both rhythm and mudrá. In kaos’ikii, the two hands when upraised and folded together represent, “Now I am trying to establish a link with Supreme Consciousness.” Both hands bending to the right indicate, “I know the right way to request.” The bending of the body should be at a 45° angular projection. The leftward movement represents, “I know how to fulfill its demands.” The movement of bending in front suggests complete surrender. The backward bending represents, “I am ready to face all troubles that may come,” The last tá, tá represents, “O Lord, I repeat Your Cosmic rhythm” The spirit of touching the earth with toe-tip also has certain significance. In the words of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiiji, “You are on this earth. You are to do all worldly duties, all psychic duties, all spiritual duties, but your [[pressure]] on the Earth should be minimum. You should give least pressure on the Earth so that the Earth may not think you are a liability to the Earth. Be an asset. So, by touching the Earth with this portion [the toe tip], you are giving minimum pressure.” A mudrá expresses bháva (ideation) without creating any sound. There are more than 12,000 mudrás. How do these mudrás originate? According to Yoga philosophy, the source of all sound is Paráshakti, which is such a vast entity that it cannot be explained in words.Madhyama Shakti, Vaekharii Shakti. Dyotamána Shakti and Shrutigocara translate the mental action (ectoplasmic expressions) into words. The characteristic of dance is to use mudrás to give expression to Shrutigochara Shakti, without the help of words.

Therapeutic Value of Kaos’ikii

Kaośikii, like Ta’n’d’ava, is more of a physical exercise, than a form of dance for entertainment. It is considered a sort of panacea for almost all female diseases, and for many male diseases in younger boys. It is a medicine for most liver diseases for both men and women. It ensures safe deliveries for women, and also checks the advent of old age. It is a medicinal exercise. It was intended to have a very good effect on physical body, on mind and on the spirit. Kaos’ikii dance is widely proclaimed as a medicine for twenty-two diseases**1. It exercises all the glands and limbs from head to foot. 2. It increases longevity. 3. It makes for easy delivery. 4. The spine will become flexible. 5. Arthritis of the spine, neck, waist and other joints will be removed. 6. Gout in the spine, neck, hands and waist will be lost. 7. The mind becomes strong and sharp. 8. Irregularities in menstruation will be cured. 9. Glandular secretions will become regulated. 10. Troubles in the bladder and urethra will be cured. 11. It gives control over the limbs. 12. It adds charm and shine to the face and skin. 13. It removes wrinkles. 14. It removes lethargy. 15. It cures insomnia. 16. It cures hysteria. 17. Fear complexes will be removed. 18. Hopelessness will be lost. 19. It helps in self-expression and develops one’s potentiality. 20. Spinal pain, piles, hernia, hydrocele in men, nervous pain, and nervous disability will be cured. 21. It cures kidney and gall bladder troubles, gastric trouble, dyspepsia, acidity, dysentery, syphilis, gonorrhea, obesity, thinness and liver diseases. 22. It increases the capacity to work until 75-80 years of age.
It is found that human beings are sometimes affected by various diseases; and frequently they are faced with various difficulties with respect to their sa’dhaná (meditation). These impediments many or may not be major. For instance, small diseases like liver trouble may cause problems from time to time, and to remove these types of hindrances, the Kaoshikii dance has been invented. The mudras in Yogic dances are primarily meant to first of all vibrate the ectoplasmic- stuff (cittánu) which in turn is concentrated at a certain point touching the point of the soul, where Supreme Consciousness’ resides in microcosm. As for the benefits, Kaos’ikii is as important as Ta’n’d’ava. Kaos’ikii encourages women to overcome complexes and strengthens the nerves; men can also perform it. Kaos’ikii is beneficial for the entire body from head to toe. It keeps the spine flexible, reduces unnecessary body fat and promotes regular menstruation. By reducing pain during delivery, it eases child birth. Depending on the individual; it can be danced even during menstruation and until the sixth month of pregnancy. Kaos’ikii also increases longevity, keeping the body fit even until the age of 80. It stimulates the heart and circulatory system and creates suppleness in the joints, knees, hips, spine, and shoulders. Kaoshikii is thus an invaluable health practice, especially for women, for it develops strength, flexibility and endurance, and by its stimulating effect on the spine and nervous system, it strengthens and sharpens the mind as well.

Kaos’ikii Competitions & Public performances

Kaośikii is beneficial for both men and women. Competition in ta’n’d’ava and kaos’ikii is very good and encouraging. There should be competitions wherever there are Ananda Margiis. There should be competitions even where there are no Ananda Margiis. There is no harm in it; rather it is beneficial in all respects. According to Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiiji, “In spiritual congregations, táńd́ava and kaośikii dances should also be performed.”

Dress

Everything in this universe is characterized by certain colours. Knowingly or unknowingly human beings are attracted by different colours. When the human mind becomes strong enough not to be affected by any colour, it is called vaerágya [renunciation]. Certain colours such as green and chocolate brown are very pleasing to the human eye. These two colours have been prescribed for those dancing the kaos’ikii dance. Chocolate blouse and green sa’rii is the prescribed dress for women. Chocolate sleeveless under-shirt and green-colour shorts is the prescribed dress for men.

Mantra Used

It is the natural wont of the mind to take the shape of its object of meditation. If the object of worship is crude, say money or any crude thing, the mind takes the shape of that crude thing in the course of time. Hence the proverb “As you think so you become. That is why a siddha mantra is used in this dance exercise. "Ba’ba’ Nam Kevalam" mantra implies that Supreme Consciousness alone is everything. “Love is All there Is.” The "Kevalam" portion of the mantra is to be repeated as Ke + valam, not Kev+alam because Ke means "in the expressed world" and vala means "to cover"..Kevalam means Only the Parama Purusha (Supreme Consciousness) which is keeping the entire universe covered. Only the name of the Supreme, none else.