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All the right moves

Photo: K. Ananthan

Step it up With Yana Lewis

Y ana Lewis isn't impressed with the western dance scene in India. For her, the ‘filmy' style is a misused art form. Dancers lack in technique. And technique in western dance, as this international ballerina explains, cannot be achieved unless one is trained in classical ballet.

According to Yana, all serious dancers in the West train in classical ballet for more than three years in advanced schools. This, after being trained in this art form at an early age. Yana's way of giving back to a country that enriched her life was by starting her own academy here.

Giving back

“India gave me yoga,” Yana explains.” “I trained under my guru, Shri B.K.S. Iyengar. A visit to India for my guru's 80th birthday made me want to remain in this country. The West has gained a lot from yoga. Opening a dance academy in Bangalore was my way of giving back.” Yana has lived in India for 12 years. And, she has done a lot more than just train in ballet.

Her drive to empower underprivileged children remains close to her heart. Her academy, which has over 500 students, also trains slum children. “These children aren't exposed to a life that can inspire them to dream bigger. They believe that the life they are born into is the one they will continue to live,” she says.

To inspire these children, Yana routinely takes her shows to their door-steps. “It can be at a park, or on the street. It doesn't matter. Often, upon seeing our shows, these children want to join our academy,” she explains.

She also provides these children with dance gear. “Other students aren't aware that they are learning with underprivileged children. My children are trained with equality,” she adds. She wants to fund a portable stage with lights that can be taken to an SOS camp in Shillong!

“We use creative arts as a medium to enable child development,” Yana reveals. Dysfunctional children experience a sea change.

“A child, who isn't performing well in school, begins to realise that through dance he enjoys stories and ideas. He realises that he has in it him to understand what is being taught in school,” she says.

Dedicated students

Many wish to become professional dancers. “Indian students are dedicated. Even if they haven't learnt ballet from an early age, they can master the art form, and reach international standards.” For instance, a 22 year old student trained under Yana for over five years, and is ready to join a vocational dance school of international repute.

Yana also seeks to restore dancers stricken with injury. These include Indian classical dancers. “Indian classical dance is aesthetically similar to ballet. These are just visually different,” she says. “Indian dancers can practise warm-up exercises used by ballet dancers. Dancers don't realise that they misalign their bodies, and by doing so over a long period of time, they can injure themselves. These warm-up exercises give correct alignment,” Yana explains.

Pilates and Callanetics

To enable safe forms of exercise, Yana combines Pilates and Callanetics, meant not just for dancers. “Pilates was initially meant only for dancers and gymnasts. It became popular in the 1990s,” Yana explains.

“Pilates strengthen and lengthen muscles, giving a lean and toned body, unlike the gym, which contracts muscles. Pilates give correct alignment along with correcting wrong technical habits developed by dancers as well as people who do exercises like aerobics,” she says.

Callanetics was developed as an alternative to aerobics. It helps back problems, through small, delicate movements, without straining the joints.

As Yana explains, “people make small mistakes, which can be harmful if left uncorrected. I help individuals with unique sets of concerns, including heart problems, pregnant women, arthritis patients, and others. I try and make the same exercise work for someone with or without injury. I give individual attention. When I feel it is unsafe to teach anyone, I don't,” Yana says. Yana also trains in power yoga, which is for fitter people.

“Power yoga physically pushes you beyond your comfort level,” she explains.

In her 30 years of teaching experience, Yana is proud that she hasn't injured any of her students. She detests the mention of ‘losing weight'. “I advice people to be fit. By following my exercises, you might not lose weight, but will appear leaner and fitter. My students don't drastically change their eating habits, or eat only fruits, nuts and seeds like me. This can only happen over a sustained period of time,” she says.

First of many

Yana believes that her first workshop in Coimbatore at Lifespring Sports Condo has received a good response. She intends toconduct more programs.

She is keen to introduce the city to jazz dance, ballet, and other western dance forms. Equally important are her classes for underprivileged children.

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