Kaoshikii Nrtya - The Dance of Mind Expansion

Baba was still in Bankipur jail, when Didis Vanii & Niruttara asked about Tandava for sisters, Didi Vanii asked, "Can sisters do Tandava"? BABA answered, "You see, biology does not want. I want but biology does not want." Later Baba replied to another sister that when HE comes out, HE will teach a dance for sisters that will have all the good effects of Tandava but not its bad effects.

The kaośikii dance involves rhythmic symmetrical movements of both sides of the body and as such muscles on both sides of the body are worked equally. Central to the execution of this dance from the mechanical viewpoint is the platforms that are being offered by the muscles surrounding the lumbopelvic region and the neck. Platforms infer that there exists a stable base provided by the contraction of the muscles in these regions. Once the platforms are in place, the upper and lower extremities will be able to perform the respective movements more efficiently and effectively.

The tandava dance involves fast ballistic joint motions and high force generation in the lower extremity muscles. Certain jumps in tandava are used in plyometrics like the tuck jump, heel to butt jump and squat jump. Plyometrics is a type of training to increase power, strength and speed in movement. These jumps are quick powerful movements involving an eccentric contraction immediately followed by a powerful concentric contraction. This sequence is referred to as stretch - shortening cycle (SSC). Muscles have a spring-like property where energy can be stored and transferred.

[This is the third and final in a three part series on therapeutic benefits of yogic dances. The first part dealt with kaos’ikii dance which was invented by Shrii Shrii Anandamurtijii on September 6, 1978. In the second part, we discussed Ta’n’d’ava- another yogic dance originally invented by Shiva and which Shrii Shrii Anandamurtijii revived it as a compulsory dance exercise for men. In this final part, we discuss a yogic-spiritual dance called Kiirtan or Lalita Ma’rmika.

[This is the second in a three part series on therapeutic benefits of yogic dances. The first part dealt with kaoś́ikii dance, which was invented by Shrii Shrii Anandamurtijii on September 6, 1978. In the second part, we discuss another yogic dance exercise called Táń́dava.]

Táń́dava Revisited

[This is the first in a three part series on the therapeutic benefits of yogic dance exercises. This part deals with Kaośikii (pronounced as Kao-shi-kii) dance. This unique yogic dance-exercise was invented by Yoga Master Shrii Shrii Anandamurtijii- the founder of an international socio-spiritual movement called Ananda Ma’rga]

Among yoga dances, the oldest is the well-known Tandava, attributed to Shiva- the propounder of Svar-Shastra and many other esoteric yogic practices. This dance is recommended only for men (because it tends to increase male hormones, it is not recommended for women). It makes men more virile and courageous, helps overcome fear complexes and has been acclaimed as one of the best physical exercise for the brain.