The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Now, `snake dance' to reduce tension, aid weight loss

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 28, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Now, `snake dance' to reduce tension, aid weight loss

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: After exhibiting the therapeutical benefits of classical dance movements and gestures at international medical conferences for the past few years, bank officer turned dance therapist A.V. Satyanarayana, claims the "snake dance" can help tackle obesity, now diagnosed both a health risk and an occupational health hazard.

Demonstrating the dance movements at the recent conference on Integrated Value Education sponsored by UNESCO and Art of Living Foundation, Mr. Satyanarayana tried to show how weight loss and better posture were possible by practising dance movements vigorously.

"The snake dance movements are fluid, sweeping and circular. The whole body is involved and besides reducing body fat and weight, those who dance gain in terms of better flexibility and mobility," he says.

The expressions of a range of emotions from anger to joy, releases toxins from the body and relaxes the mind, he explains. The twisting movements activate inner organs and in the body, bring about better muscle control. They are like a rotational exercise with the added advantage of moving to the rhythm of music. "Since the movements of the dance imitate the uncoiling and swaying of a snake, the arms, torso and neck contract and expand and nervous tension is released and body and mind gradually begin to relax and unwind.

This is a bonus apart from losing weight, for many suffering from extreme stress," he said.

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