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Home > Lifestyle News > Culture News > Article > The art of Flying Low

The art of Flying Low

Updated on: 11 December,2014 07:27 AM IST  | 
Hassan M Kamal |

A new Contemporary dance workshop will teach Mumbaikars how to move with the floor, literally

The art of Flying Low

Mumbai Guide, Shruti Maria Datar, contemporary dance workshop, contemporary dance, Twins Dance Art Studios, Vallabh Baug lane, Ghatkopar

Many years ago, dancer David Zambrano was told that he might never dance again. The long hours of practice had affected his middle arches so much that he could not stand up on his own. But Zambrano was not the kind to give up. He continued moving on crutches, and used his understanding of body movements and free time to develop a technique that helped strengthen his arches, and bring him back to dancing.


Shruti Datar
Shruti Maria Datar during a performance

The technique, referred to as the Flying Low, uses simple movement patterns that involve breathing, speed and the release of energy through the body in order to activate a deeper relationship between the floor and the dancer, moving on and off the ground more efficiently by maintaining a centred state.

Now, one of his students, Shruti Maria Datar, is conducting a special five-day Contemporary dance workshop based on the technique, starting from December 15. “The focus is on understanding one’s body and building a strong relationship between the environment, air and the floor,” says Datar.

Get floored
Datar, who studied the technique under Zambrano for a year in Brussels, Belgium informs that in this technique, participants stand together and move together, in a cohesive manner, thus creating a web.

Explaining the benefits of the technique, Datar informs that Flying Low works on the core muscles (stomach muscles) and improves the agility and spatial awareness of a practitioner. “All of these movements help strengthen the skeletal structure and improve a dancer’s alertness and spatial awareness. The best thing about the technique is that it can be used for both small as well as large spaces,” she adds.

However, the technique can be challenging, especially for those without any background in activities that involve movement. “Flying Low involves many challenging movements. There are specific movements for feet, hands, hips and other body parts. Therefore, a background in dancing or martial arts is preferred,” she reminds. However, Datar informs that those without any movement background can still join the dance workshop at the beginners’ class that will be conducted simultaneously.



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