Reflection: The Spirit of Adi Shakti

As I look back on the days spent at Adi Shakti, I am struck by how transformative they were—not just for my body as a dancer but for my spirit as a seeker. Those nine days were more than a residency; they were an immersion into something profound, a sacred dialogue between discipline and creativity, pain and joy, exhaustion and exhilaration. Each moment, from the grueling practice sessions to the quiet reflections, became a step toward discovering something deeper within myself.

What stood out most was the way we, as a group, grew together. Through the shared aches, the fleeting moments of doubt, and the quiet triumphs, we forged bonds that transcended the studio. Bijayni’s teaching was not just about movement; it was about opening ourselves to a tradition that holds wisdom far greater than what can be expressed through words or steps. Her faith in us pushed us to give more than we thought possible, and in doing so, we found new reservoirs of strength, creativity, and resilience.

These days reminded me that dance is not just an art form—it is a way of being. It requires not just physical stamina but a surrender of ego, a willingness to embrace vulnerability, and the courage to keep moving forward despite pain, doubt, or fear. In those moments of exhaustion, I felt the essence of rasa—the joy, the devotion, the transcendence that breaks through the limitations of the body and reaches into something eternal.

As we packed our bags and left Adi Shakti, I knew that we were leaving with more than just new choreography. We were leaving with a piece of that sacred energy—a reminder of what it means to be fully present, fully alive, and fully committed to something larger than ourselves. It was a gift, a blessing, and a profound experience that will continue to shape not only how I dance but how I live.