HOW TO PRACTICE BHARATHANATYAM AT HOME : TIPS AND TRICKS
- Vajra Balaji
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
Bharatanatyam is a beautiful and ancient classical Indian dance form that requires discipline, dedication, and consistent practice. While attending classes with a Guru is essential, practicing at home is equally important for strengthening your technique, improving your stamina, and refining your movements. Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most of your Bharatanatyam practice at home.
1. Create Your Dedicated Practice Space
First and foremost, designate a specific area in your home for your dance practice. This space should be free from clutter and have enough room for you to perform all your movements, including extensions and jumps.
Flooring: A smooth, hard floor is ideal. The best can be a wooden flooring as it is scientifically good in absorbing the vibrations.
ü Shock absorption & vibration control
ü Resonance & sound quality
ü Safety & comfort
ü Spring effect when layered properly
By contrast:
Concrete: Very harsh, causes injuries over time.
Marble/Granite: Slippery and doesn’t absorb vibrations well.
Vinyl over concrete: Softer than stone, but doesn’t give the same resonance or warmth as wood.
Mirror: A full-length mirror is your best friend. It allows you to check your posture, hand gestures (mudras), and foot positions (adavus) and make real-time corrections.
Music System: Invest in a good quality speaker or headphones. Having clear music is crucial for maintaining rhythm (tala) and timing.
2. Warm-Up and Cool-Down are Non-Negotiable
Just like any physical activity, warming up is vital to prepare your muscles and prevent injuries.
Warm-Up: Start with gentle stretches for your neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, waist, and ankles. Perform some basic cardio exercises like jogging in place or jumping jacks to get your heart rate up.
A reference link for the warm up routine is attached, and this includes the warm up required in all 3 levels (samam, araimandi & muzhumandi)
Cool-Down: After your practice, cool down with slow, deep stretches to release muscle tension. This will help with flexibility and reduce muscle soreness the next day.
3. Focus on the Fundamentals
Even if you’re an experienced dancer, going back to basics is always a good idea.
Adavus (Basic Steps): Practice your adavus daily. Focus on getting the perfect posture (araimandi), clear foot sounds (tattukazhis), and precise hand movements.
Stamina: Practice your adavus in different speeds (slow, medium, and fast) to build stamina and control.
Balance: Work on balancing exercises. Holding the araimandi position for extended periods, or practicing in half-toe, will strengthen your core and leg muscles.
4. Master the Details
Bharatanatyam is all about precision and expression. Use your home practice to focus on these finer aspects.
Hand Gestures (Mudras): Practice your mudras until they feel natural. You can use flashcards or charts to memorize the different hasta mudras and their meanings.
Facial Expressions (Abhinaya): Stand in front of the mirror and practice expressing different emotions (rasas) like joy, anger, or sadness. You can also practice lip-syncing to recorded verses of a song.
Rhythm (Tala): Use a metronome or a tala app to practice your steps with a consistent rhythm. Clap along to your practice music to internalize the beats.
5. Choreography and Practice
Once you've warmed up and gone through your fundamentals, it's time to practice your routines.
Memorization: Break down your dance piece into smaller sections. Practice each section until you can do it without thinking.
Visualisation: Close your eyes and visualize the entire choreography. This mental practice can be as effective as physical practice in solidifying the steps in your mind.
Filming Yourself: Record your practice sessions on your phone. Watching yourself dance can give you a different perspective, helping you spot mistakes and areas for improvement that you might not notice in the mirror.
6. Listen to Music Actively
Beyond just practicing to your dance pieces, take time to listen to Bharatanatyam music actively.
Instrumentals: Listen to the different instruments like the mridangam, flute, or violin. Try to identify the tala and raga of the piece.
Lyrics: Understand the meaning of the songs you are dancing to. This will help you express the emotions and narrative of the piece more authentically.
7. Stay Consistent and Patient
The key to progress is consistency. Set aside a specific time each day for your practice, even if it's just for 30 minutes. Be patient with yourself; Bharatanatyam is a journey, not a race. Celebrate small victories, whether it's perfecting a difficult step or improving your stamina.
By incorporating these tips into your routine, your home practice will become a rewarding and effective supplement to your formal classes, helping you grow as a Bharatanatyam dancer. Happy practicing!
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