I recently met one of India’s leading dance choreographers, who made memorable dance ballets in the 1970s and the 80s. But when I met him last week after almost 20 years over dinner, I was completely shocked. The bubbly, cheerful and fun loving person that he was when I had met him in 1980’s, had turned into a depressed soul. It saddens me to write this piece today, but I pray that he gets out of his depression and welcomes life with a big smile and a tight hug, just the way he did back then.
For a creative person, the mind is always thinking and brimming with new ideas and to add more there is work of putting thoughts into reality. Some dancers and choreographers even have to arrange and put the entire event together, with stage, lights, costumes and sponsors. With so much running in the mind of a dancer, do you think you have you gotten too serious about life and your passion for dance? If that is the case, it is time to relax a little. It is time for you to laugh and smile and look at the lighter side life and especially dance. Remember the fun dance drama you did in the initial stage of your life, all the parties you had with your friends during your struggling days. This will surely bring a smile and some laughter back into your life.
Although the idea that laughter improves health has been around for centuries, the modern therapeutic use of humour originated in the 1970s when American journalist Norman Cousins documented laughing as a major curative factor during his prolonged ailment. He stated that 10 minutes of laughing gave him two hours of drug-free relief from pain. Cousins was laughed at then, but today science seems to have proved him right. A good sense of humour means all is well.
As a performer we do humour acts many a times, so what is humour? Humour consists of laughter (the physiological component), wit (the cognitive component), and mirth (the emotional component). Humour can actually change our feelings, thoughts, behaviours and biochemistry. It is a perfect self-care tool to cope with stress. We know that there is a connection between stress and high blood pressure, muscle tension, suppressed immunity and other diseases. Now studies have proven that laughter is the perfect antidote for stress. So while stress is inevitable in life, it doesn’t have to take a physiological toll on us. You just need a good belly laugh to drive it away.
Split your sides
Besides its psychological benefits, laughter gives your body direct boost too. In fact, it has been found that intense and regular laughter increases the flow of oxygen through your body.
A study conducted in the US had one group of people watching a funny video, while another group watched a documentary. Afterwards, both groups were tested and those who had watched the comedy had higher levels of immunoglobulin A — substance found in saliva and the first defence the body has against viruses and bacteria. Laughter provides exercise too. Hearty laughter can burn calories equivalent to several minutes on the rowing machine.
And here’s the clincher. Laughter can make you look younger. It tones facial muscles and leads to an increase of blood supply to the area, which nourishes facial skin.
Make it a habit
No one believes that laughter can cure a disease all by itself. But it can be used to strengthen both the mind and the body. Create a laughter first aid kit with humorous videos, books and cartoons and use it when you want to feel better. Or join a laughter club. Make laughter a priority. After all, it is free.
I feel many a time to reach out to the world and convey the dance through our movements, we dancers forget to live life to the fullest. We get so busy in creating and researching about dance that life starts to look serious and we in turn loose who we are. Yes, we have the talent of dance that God has gifted us with, but at the same time we should not forget that we are human beings too, we need to let go and not let work pressure stress us. Do you remember the hit Bollywood film title Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara? Well, just believe in this title and dance to enjoy and relax and not to create stress for oneself.
I hope that the legendary choreographer and dancer will read this article and start life afresh and dance to entertain with smiles. I am sure the applause in the auditorium and the appreciation from people and his fans will make him a lively dancer once again.