ZULEIKHA'S BLOG

News from Delhi- Out in the field with CanSupport & the Hope Project

2012-02-27T17:45:00.005-07:00

Dear Friends of The Storydancer Project:

I write this after having made many home visits to people known as “palliative care cancer patients” --- patients who are receiving care to provide relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of cancer. I find myself moved from the depths of my heart. Many of these people are practicing simple and gentle exercises from our new training program with counselors in the CanSupport Home Care Teams. Each Home Care Team consists of a doctor, nurse, trained counselor and driver. Each team is situated in a part of Delhi (an enormous city), and visits patients in their homes all day, every day.

practicing the Relaxation Therapeutic Exercises

visiting CanSupport patients at home

The Storydancer Project has been in partnership with the organization CanSupport for some time. Each year, we have added another type of program to the foundation we have created together.

Over the last few years, with the support of Dr. Ambika, Director of the Home Care Team Program, I have been visiting the patients with the Home Care Teams. From these visits with the patients and their families, I have been moved to create a set of exercises that for now are called "Relaxation Therapeutic Exercises - A palliative care initiative in stress relief for cancer patients and their families.” The look on people's faces when we do these simple “shanti” or “peaceful” exercises is so surprising to us all: smiles break out and joy permeates the atmosphere.

Last week I had a great opportunity to bring the TAKE A MINUTE™ Core Wellness Exercises to some very poor communities, thanks to a new team at the Hope Project. The Project sold their big bus, which couldn't fit through the narrow lanes of Delhi, and now have a Mobile Health Van, with custom built-in shelves to hold supplies. The van travels to poor outlying areas of Delhi four days a week, with a team comprised of a doctor, two social workers, and a driver (who also assists the doctor). They offer vitamins, basic medicines, and simple health care as well as counseling. I have always wanted to conduct a training program with the Hope Project to do the TAKE A MINUTE™ exercises with the women and children they serve, and now, this year, I have the chance to start this with the group that goes out in the Mobile Health Van.

The other day, we traveled to two communities. The first one was on the edge of land covered with garbage.

Kala, one of the Mobile Health Van social workers, has worked at The Hope Project since I have been coming here. She took part in the original training of the simple exercises we developed, and she has known of my idea to serve the women and girls here by inspiring greater health and wellness.

Today, as we went into this area, Kala went around and told ladies that I could share exercises that would help with their aches and pains. And there, on the edge of the garbage, we began.

The women smiled, and said they felt the circulation of energy in their bodies, and liked what we were doing. Lots of children came around to watch, so after working with the women for some time, I took the children down to a flat area, where cars were periodically zooming back and forth, and we did simple jumping exercises that I have done with children in other places.

working with the girls...

...and the boys

We laughed and laughed, and had such a good time. It was so very dusty --- if you saw their bare feet and dusty hair and the dirt everywhere, you might find yourself asking, "Can this really make a difference?” What I find is that we can't fix the circumstances these women and children are living in, but we can add elements that help bring out the joy. Exercising and moving together brings a lot of laughter, and also gives the women some new ideas of self-care.

Seeing the sparkle in a little girl’s eyes as she shyly asks “exercise?” or witnessing a moment of calm in a woman caring for her family living in one room…I know something good is taking place.

Take a Minute for your life, and see.

All the best,

Zuleikha

www.storydancer.com, www.thestorydancerproject.org

KOLKATA, INDIA - JANUARY 2012

2012-01-24T18:29:00.004-07:00

"Peace Buzz"- Zuleikha with Kolkata high-school girls performing "Dance Peace"

So much to tell about. It's been too hard to write every day. For one week of work, it seems like I’ve been here for weeks. I am part of the “Teach Peace to Reach Peace” project in the American Center, a collaboration of Fulbright alumni.

Part of this was “Dance Peace,” a collaborative performance by me, flutist Steve Gorn, and girls from six city high schools in Kolkata. We presented “Dance Peace” on Friday January 20th at the American Center.

(Zuleikha and Steve Gorn in back row center right)

I have been going to schools for 6 days, and working with high school and middle school students, from 50-125 at a time. Each school is very different. What impressed me was the openness that the girls brought to the sessions. After jumping and skipping we discussed how they felt in body and mind. Many reported feeling "refreshed, calm, with more energy."

The subject is “peace.” This is so interesting, as I have been working from the inquiry “what is the feeling of peace in the body?” Mind and feeling. In schools where there is time, I have done a whole program of some Take A Minute (TAM) exercises, then skipping, running and jumping, then sitting in partners and learning to listen while someone speaks, and then switching roles. The questions they were asked to speak about were something like: “What surprised you about today's session? What is something you noticed? What is something you enjoyed that we did together?”

They have been coming up with very articulate answers about the depth of awareness they felt from the exercises. One 15-year old girl looked at me, eyes wide, and commented that her mind felt so free, so open, and she really liked it!

These sessions are a good springboard for talking about self-care, world peace and how we can relate to each other as human beings. This has led to great laughter, discussions and dialogue on the virtues and difficulties of East and West. We have talked about posture in working on computers and wondered if and when we ever really relax. I asked them how they relax. Most said talk on the phone, listen to music, or sleep; some said to talk with mother. Most agreed that life is not very relaxing.

I showed them an exercise where we imagined dumping our problems into the earth and using them as compost, after which most girls reported feeling lighter. I have worked with many groups of teachers, showing the same things.

The fact is, everyone needs the Take A Minute practice, and many have expressed how this is not something they have learned how to do in schools of the East or West. Someone could send me on a world tour and I could spend an hour or two at each place with groups of teachers, and it would good. I am serious about this. Teachers, nurses, doctors, and many others who are using TAM regularly are getting great results.

My days are long, the jumping is ferocious, and the laughter in every place is so welcoming. The girls in the high schools turn into little children. They are hilarious and they are so loud in laughter. One feels that they haven't gotten a chance to let down. I believe this is true. Most of the time we use sports for this, but to move about freely takes some learning and containment, and as you can see from the pix, it is really welcomed by the students.

Teach Peace to Reach Peace Program in the schools

Every day since I have been in Kolkata, I spend half a day with high school girls in the Peace program, and the afternoon/evening time with the daughters of the sex workers, as they are called here. In order to create this program, TSP formed a new partnership with New Light Center. I first came here last year, when I met Urmi Basur, the Executive Director and Founder of New Light through Sohini Das from the American Center, and ended up doing several programs at the Center. This is when the idea for a pilot training program for the college-age girls was born.

This year I have been doing the training with the college girls in the evenings at the Hogar Meridional-Soma Memorial Girls Home. This many-storied building houses 32 young girls at risk of being trafficked and abused. They have been removed from the red light district of Kalighat to the safety of this residential home in South Kolkata with the consent and cooperation of their mothers. Each day I have to get there, which takes a long time from just about anywhere. A cab or car has to bring me to the cinema as a landmark, and then to the Park Regent Police Station. Then the dispatcher calls the home, and the girls or someone comes to meet me, and we walk together to the home.

I meet the college girls here, as it is a safe place for us to conduct the training of Core Wellness and Movement Arts. There are seven girls in this training. They live in a house together, (the Sonar Tori Shelter) with a guardian, and they all participate in keeping the house, cooking, washing, etc.

Working with them has been an inspiring experience. Our space is small, and the joy is big. In fact, the younger girls who live at Soma, pre-teens, have been gathering to watch, so I started another class after the trainings, each evening, so that they can move, too. We are in the first phase of the training, which involves doing the free movement and the Take A Minute exercises. I think they can do this with the younger girls, and it will take some time. Everyone is so busy going to school, and yet there is that feeling of joy that erupts when we all do this movement together. I have brought music from different places in the world, which sounds fun and free, and so everyone is enjoying the bouncing around together.

Moving freely at Soma - trainees in the new TSP/New Light Center Pilot Program

More to say about this situation, as the depths are more sad, some days.

Everyone in the world dances, and has ways of moving that are natural to the culture. What we are focusing on here in this training comes from the Core Wellness exercises I have developed in Take A Minute for your Life, combined with our simple Movement Arts work in creative expression. When we started, there was a lot of laughter and nervousness, and small movement. Now the girls move about with more freedom and they can explore inside the container of music for quite some time. It is a pleasure and there seems to be a cultivation of well-being. Smiles abound.

Last night we did an exercise of plucking a fruit or light from the Happiness Tree in the stars, and spreading it all around. Then we spontaneously decided to create invisible costumes with this feeling. A kind of pleasure of grace and self-respect began to emerge in the movement.

It is such a thrill to share something like this. I have the feeling that we are all getting our cells washed in the joy of movement. It is not just “dancing around,” yet there is child-like quality to the practice. What comes of it, as we finish each evening, is a lightness of being. It is a hard thing to describe. Amidst the trials of life, a kind of spontaneous clarity of freedom emerges, and we all know that we are touching something of true nature.

The Young Women Trainees of Sonar Tori Shelter with Zuleikha


High-school girls' shoes with their names in them outside of the classroom

News from Zuleikha and The Storydancer Project!

2011-08-30T14:45:00.002-06:00

BUY PEACE IS IN MY HEART CD NOW

Dear Friends,

I am so excited to tell you about the new music CD we have just finished. It is called Peace Is In My Heart, and features three of my own songs as we practice them at The Hope Project in Delhi, India, with girls of the higher grades. We were finally able to record these songs together in March.

In May, I suffered the shock of a car accident, and during the healing process I have been working on the rendering of these recordings. The result is a beautiful product that I believe brings a fresh feeling of hope and lightness of being. Though the three songs presented are not very long, they are arranged in such a way that you can put any of them on a loop and enjoy an uplifting atmosphere of joy while you go about your day.

The first song, which I call the “Joy Song,” has no words. When it came to me, it was in a melody sequence, and so I began to teach it with the sounds "la la la la," like singing can be. It took hold in the Hope Project School, and though it was the girls of the upper class who recorded it with me, many students in the entire school now know and love this melody.

The second and title song, "Peace Is In My Heart," was first composed after the 2004 tsunami, when I was working with orphan girls in Sri Lanka. Many girls had lost their parents in the civil war, and then suffered further in the aftermath of the tsunami. I was wondering what kind of song would be good to sing, and this one came to me. At first I thought perhaps it was incorrect to sing about peace when all around us was suffering, terror and sorrow. Somehow my need to be connected inside my own body during this work brought the song forth. We added gestures to it, and it became a theme song for the work in Sri Lanka. That year I went to Delhi directly from Sri Lanka to work in the Hope Project School. I spoke at one of the girls' assembly programs and told them about the girls in Sri Lanka, and sang this song. The Hope Project School girls wanted to learn it. Over time, and with the help of the Hindi teacher and other teachers, we made a version in the Hindi language. You can hear both of the languages together in this recording. When we sing it for guests to the school, we often add the gestures.

The third song, "My Heart Is Raining Stars," is a song I wrote many years ago, when I was having a hard time. One night I sat down to sing, with my harmonium, and this is what came out. The girls liked it, so we learned it together. They wanted to sing in English. We have learned other songs together, and so far, these are the ones that have been recorded in a good way to share with you.

This CD represents a facet of the work The Storydancer Project does with The Hope Project. The proceeds from the CD project will go to benefit on-site TSP/Hope Project programs, including Core Wellness exercise, girls leadership and self-care programs. These collaborative ongoing programs are part of efforts to develop a healthy community in the Nizamuddin Basti, a poverty-stricken area located around the tombs and famous Sufi shrines of great human beings who sought to teach humanity about goodness and well being.

Please share this with your friends, and help us to continue in these good works!

All the Best,

Zuleikha

Blog Before Leaving India

2011-03-15T16:13:00.002-06:00

Hope Project - Just for the fun of it!

Recently, I was out with one of the CanSupport Home Care Teams and we were visiting eight patients. That day, I was wondering how I could continue doing this work---visiting countless sick people and poor families, and exercising and jumping around with so many street children. Then I thought again of all those anonymous people throughout the world who every single day help and serve others. And Ghandi: “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” Love wins!

As part of The Storydancer Project’s work with the Hope Project Health Clinic and community women, I met a woman who took me to an upstairs guest room in her joint-family home in the Nizamuddin Basti. A joint-family home is one where the bride has moved into her husband's family home, and lives there most probably with his mother and father, brother/s and their families, and some other close relatives. The house, connected rooms, or connected apartments (depending on the situation) can be quite large, and filled with running children, working uncles, fathers, sons and brothers, and many grown daughters, nieces, mothers and aunties.

We entered a beautifully and unusually painted room. "This is our guest room," I was told. After a few minutes, women of different ages and sizes began to enter, hearing there was a woman who would teach exercise to them. We locked the door from the inside so we would have the comfort to exercise without worrying about the entrance of “anyone who shouldn't!”

The first time, about twelve women came. Since then the numbers have remained pretty much the same, which is wonderful. The participants are all related in some way or another. We have lots of embarrassed laughter, which often happens at the onset of these sessions. After a few minutes of trying various movements, the questions usually come out: “Can you show me how to lose weight? I want to reduce,” “I have shoulder pains,” etc. I have taken to starting these sessions with women and girls by giving a little talk with pantomime, which makes everyone laugh.

I tell them that we women and girls are watching out for all of the world's children, and it takes a lot of energy. Everyone nods, laughs, and nods again. I remind everyone that if we don't take proper care of ourselves, we won't be able to be helpful to the children. We have to have some exercise and eat well. Again everyone nods. I am happy we can all share something simple and accessible in an area where life is hard, dusty, and often difficult. There is not much time for any kind of self-reflection, let alone the luxury of spas, gyms or free time. I have developed ways to incorporate the simple core wellness exercises that I am so keen about into the midst of our daily lives. I imitate tasks such as cooking and cleaning and show how these can be broken up with a stretch or several repetitions of beneficial movement. Some of the women have begun to exercise from seeing it on television or hearing about it from a friend, so I get them to be leaders. This way, when I leave, there will be a way for them to continue, which they very much want to do.

International Women's Day

This week completes the first part of TSP Partnership Training Program for six counselors of CanSupport in the Relaxation Therapeutic Health Exercises: An Initiative in Palliative Care Practice for Cancer Patients and Their Families©. We have completed many Home Care Team visits. In the first round, the counselors observed the way the exercises work, and the approach with the patients. In the second round of visits, the counselors practiced directly with the patients. We include discussion, and group work to practice and study together, continuing in the team spirit that CanSupport so successfully models.

Last weekend I went to Bubhaneshwar to teach a leadership training for students at Ravenshaw University. As in Kolkata, the subject was Leadership Training Skills: The Body as Template. This was something new, and we had a lot of fun. Professors from different departments joined in as well.

On the Saturday night following the training, I was invited to give a performance. It was a wonderful experience. I generally get pretty nervous before performances, and this was no exception. In India, when an audience appreciates a move or sequence, they applaud. I had to keep my concentration, as this happened a lot---perhaps they were not sure how to respond, so the applause was something everyone did know!

We got up very early the next morning to travel for several hours to The Sun Temple, an ancient site. A magnificent structure with many kinds of carvings, including temple dancers and elephants, it is designed so that the sun’s rays pass through several sets of doorways, from high above to the ground level. It continues to amaze me how well thought out these beautiful temple structures are, and how long they have lasted.

There is a lot more to share, but it will have to wait until I return, as this year's work here is coming to a close. I see that many more people of all ages and walks of life are engaging in the gifts of stretching, and participating in the model of our TAKE A MINUTE programs. This makes me very happy!

I am glad to have had the chance to share some of these experiences in the blog fashion of our times. I want to thank Chara Nelson and Susan Skeele of The Storydancer Project (TSP), for without their expertise, this material would stay inside of a folder somewhere! Also a happy “thank you” to all of the TSP facilitators working in the schools---it is wonderful that the active message of connected learning is flourishing in Santa Fe and now in other places in the world.

As it is said:

"May all beings never be separated from the Great Joy that is beyond suffering!"

To all of you who support these projects, we are deeply grateful. Please don't forget to tell your friends about our work. We are always interested in your ideas and inspirations on how we can better serve in the world.

And most of all, don’t forget to "TAKE A MINUTE.”

All the Best,

Zuleikha

India, 2011

www.storydancer.com, www.thestorydancerproject.org

News from Delhi - The Hope Project and CanSupport

2011-02-16T11:53:00.001-07:00

Home Care Territory

Dear Friends of The Storydancer Project,  

Greetings to you all.

I've been working in Delhi since writing the last blog. So many scenes have presented themselves since then. Thank goodness for small cameras, which give me the clues to tell more stories!  

We are seeing Earth changes, country changes, people grappling with food prices, and people needing food. I feel lucky to be here, where I can be of some little use. As one of the nurses I traveled with this week said in reference to our work together, "With such little effort you can give so much, and what a difference it makes!"  

I am sitting at a local "veg" outdoor restaurant stand having a bit to eat---a delicious dish made from mustard greens and chilies, with maize rotis, a flatbread made with corn flour and ghee (clarified butter). This is a northern Punjabi dish. It is “warming food," although the weather is now getting warmer. When I arrived in Delhi, the capital of India, the air was really cold. I wore about five layers, as the places I visit are all outdoors, and without heat.  

So much happens in a week. I don't know why, but one day here feels like about five days. So by the end of the week, time is streaming by, and I am busy keeping up with wherever I happen to be working.   

You may recall that our non-profit organization, The Storydancer Project, partners with various other organizations. This is a wonderful way to enter into collaborations inside of communities and to have the opportunity to be in connection with people we serve. In Delhi we have many years of ongoing relationships with two main organizations: The Hope Project Charitable Trust, and CanSupport. These two organizations serve many women, girls, children and families, all over Delhi. Every day I teach training programs for both organizations.  

Support Afternoon

THE HOPE PROJECT
On the day that I visit The Hope Project, as it is commonly referred to, I walk there from my guesthouse, early in the morning. This gives me a chance to get in the rhythm of the day, see all kinds of people, and mainly, get out of my thinking head into being. Walking is a great way to do this. When we walk and breathe in rhythm, it tunes the living instrument of our being. As written in previous blogs and on our website (www.thestorydancerproject.org), The Hope Project is located inside of the Nizamuddin Basti. A basti is a kind of village inside of the city. There are many bastis. This basti is very well known, as it is an old one, situated around the dargahs, or Sufi shrines, of the well-known and beloved Sufi mystics Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusro. It is primarily a Muslim community. Around the corner from their dargahs is the dargah of Hazrat Inayat Khan. He is another beloved Sufi mystic who is known for bringing a message of spiritual liberty, love, harmony and beauty to the western world in 1910. The Hope Project is founded in his name, and is situated in this area of the basti.   

The Storydancer Project, in partnership with The Hope Project, is bringing exercise and wellness trainings to many of the ongoing programs inside of The Hope Project. I start my day with a class of younger children who spend a lot of time on the street and are learning how to come to school. We do exercises based on the Take A Minute exercises I have developed, and we end the session with singing. They love it and so do I. Next, I spend several hours in the Health Clinic. Working with doctors in the morning clinic, I have set up my sheet-frame office. The doctor sees a woman patient, and then sends her "around the corner of the clinic" to me. I show her how to work with her body through simple exercises that relieve aches and pains. These exercises are not cures for the disease. They bring a kind of relief, and lots of laughter. For the most part, women in this basti have never done any exercise. They are surprised and happy to find out that their neck pains and spondylitis aches lessen. Knee pains and lower backaches get touched with the energy of their own circulation. When someone starts to feel better, she usually asks me about the subject of losing weight. This is a sure sign that things are moving in a good direction!  

Rabia Song

A new facet of this year's training program involves teaching at the Women's Vocational Training program. I am working with young women being trained in beauty college skills, and those learning stitching and embroidery work. At the beginning of the classes, everyone is quite shy, and as we go, they too want to learn more and take off weight. We laugh a lot. This particular training is inside the vocational classes, so that the women can see how to change their fixed sitting positions throughout the day, and lessen the backaches that come with their new vocational skills. This new program is an example of the way our partnership works. The woman I created this with is a longtime social worker with Hope, and has taken me on many expeditions throughout the community as we seek to uncover the best ways to get this essential experiential information to the women themselves. 

CanSupport Leg Stretch

CANSUPPORT

On alternate days, I go out with the Home Care Teams inside of CanSupport. CanSupport is the creation of a wonderful woman named Harmala Gupta, who wanted those without resources suffering in the palliative stages of cancer to be able to receive free home care. It is a marvelous program. A home care team, consisting of a doctor, a nurse, and a counselor, go out each day in a car from their branch office into the surrounding communities to see many patients. There are now many branch offices with home care teams serving patients and their families throughout Delhi.

Training

Over the last few years, I have been training different groups inside of CanSupport in Self Care and Care for the Caregiver classes. This has taken place through the Adult Day Care program, the Childrens' Day Care program, and working with parents of the children with cancer in this program. I have also taught at the Foundation Course for Nurses. At each stage, I have been humbled and touched by the love and care that is ongoing in this exceptional group of skilled doctors, nurses, and counselors. In the last few years, I have been working with the nurses, and going with the teams as they enter the homes of those suffering with cancer. I have worked with the family members, and also worked with nurses in their own self care throughout the day.  

Thank You Wash

Team Spirit

Last year, I began working with the families of the patients, and the patients themselves. Sometimes the work is in stress relief, and other times, it is in adaptations of exercises that give the patients a kind of relaxation, or as I have started saying here, "shanti exercises" (peaceful exercises). All of the movements done with patients are adaptations from the Take A Minute exercises I have developed, designed to work in a simple way. I have recently been teaching these adaptations to a group of counselors who work with the teams. This is our first Pilot Counselor Training Program. It is very exciting to be a part of the teams, and to learn first hand how this can actually work.  

There is so much to share about being here: the food, the beautiful music, the never-ending fabric parades that you can see everywhere. But I realize the most important thing for me is seeing people catch the spirit of the core wellness program---a little stretch through the body touches the heart, and a little light shared through the eyes goes a long way!

I could write on and on, there is so much more to share with you, but the sun is setting, and it is time to prepare for the new week ahead. Thank you for your interest in the work of The Storydancer Project. Please tell your friends about us, and let us know your ideas for sharing this work. Don't forget to "Take A Minute" for yourselves, and be very well.  

Zuleikha

www.storydancer.com, www.thestorydancerproject.org

Keeping Up, Letting Go, Doing Good

2011-01-22T19:21:00.012-07:00

When I was sitting in the Paris airport en route to India to continue in the ever new work of the Storydancer Project, approaching the new year, I noticed in my early morning teatime that my mind was entertaining these three subjects: Keeping Up, Letting Go, Doing Good.

It started with trying to figure out how to create more with what I have been given. I'm not talking about money, though that is nice too. I was thinking about the body, movement and well-being. I was thinking about how it is so simple to drop into the physical, yet our minds do anything to avoid it, or we do it as kind of prescription. Feeling into the joints as we move them instead of manipulating a mechanical copy is way more pleasing, good for the body as a whole, and satisfying. This type of satisfaction creates a good outlook, which can generate creative thoughts and new ideas.

Zuleikha working with children of "sex workers"

Working at New Light Center, Kolkata
Went into Kali-Ghat, the district where the famous Kali Temple is. The surrounding area is very poor. I was invited to come meet the director, Urmi Basur, and conduct a session with the kids. These are the children of “sex workers,” as they are referred to here, or prostitutes. I saw some of these women, so very beautiful as they appear. One only has to look into the area and the situation to understand the difficult circumstances they live in.

My workshop was set up by Sohini Das, Cultural Affairs Specialist for The American Center, in conjunction with The State Department. I was accompanied by Sohini and her fellow program officer, Sameek. We drove to the area, and entered the project by walking down the familiar narrow lanes that surround this neighborhood. (Familiar in the sense that, throughout many cities in India, these kinds of poor areas have very narrow gullies to walk through.) Kali-Ghat is around a very famous temple, so there are many stalls selling all kinds of spiritual photographs of the Divine Mother, Kali, offerings to bring into the temple, cloths, beads, and other materials.

Walking up narrow stairs, we arrived at the center. There was a quite large narrow room, laid out with some carpets, and many children seated on the floor, in rows. They looked excited, and I certainly was! I met various teachers and community leaders there, and the director, who seemed like a long lost cousin! Someone was going to introduce me, and there seemed to be guests and volunteers of different nationalities: a young woman lawyer from New York, a woman from Scotland, a physical therapist from Czech Republic, a college student from Connecticut getting her degree in working with children in other countries. There was so much commotion with meeting each other that I just started by using counting in Bengali. It is very similar to Hindi counting, which I know. I am not afraid to make mistakes in this, and they always correct me, and we were off and running, so to speak, me with about 50 kids!

Later I found out that no one could quite ascertain how I was doing this without any help, and how I built the session. They said things like, “you seemed to have them in your pocket,” and “you built each sequence so beautifully on the one before.” I honestly didn’t set out to build anything. At the start, I want to engage the energy and beings of these beauties. I know that they like to have fun, and I know simple ways to do this.

That being said, there is a method in the madness. I do understand the way the joints have to be opened up, and have, over time and through situations like this, developed fun ways to do this. Unfortunately, at this place, we couldn’t jump too much, as it disturbed the people downstairs. They need to jump, run, and move---it clears the body and the mind, and lets the spirit feel a kind of freedom. Well, as it goes, for me, if one door closes, another opens, and so I found ways of moving with them that gave a similar feeling, without disturbing the downstairs occupants!

Zuleikha and the Girls

Towards the end of the session, I separated the boys from the girls- there just wasn’t enough room to get everyone going, and also, boys like to have their own time, and girls do too.

We ended the session with some movements from the Chinese exercises based on the Tiger, practiced for “cleaning the blood in the heart.” They really liked it, and we had a lot of fun.

Some teachers were watching, and one man expressed surprise at what he called “your patience not to yell at the children.” I laughed. I told him that I had experienced several quite ferocious dance teachers in my life, and that I didn’t want to follow in their footsteps in the way they taught their students. I also expressed to him that there are ways to teach that create a fun and open learning atmosphere, and that I am always experimenting with this. Because of his questions and other teachers’ interest, I will return to give a teacher training next week.

Zuleikha with Urmi Basur, Director of New Light

Then I had a meeting with the director. She is filled with energy, and very forward thinking, and developing many programs for these children. On Friday I will teach, and then she will take me over to the “Girls’ Home” where many girls live, provided with protection and education. More on that later.

Zuleikha and the Girls 2

Since writing this opening blog on work at the New Light Center, I have worked with these children, teenagers and college students several more times. It has been very inspiring. Much more to write about, and I will do my best to continue in the midst of the work itself.
Gentle or vigorous movements, music or silence---experiment to see what happens when we begin with our own expression without first "having to know what we will do."
Try it, you might like it!

- Zuleikha

www.storydancer.com, www.thestorydancerproject.org

Greetings and Performance Announcement from Kolkata, India

2011-01-14T09:20:00.003-07:00

Happy New Year!

I have arrived in India, in the city of Kolkata.
Many people think of this as "Calcutta," and it became well known to many of us through the work of Mother Theresa. Kolkata is also known for being the home of the great poet Rabindrinath Tagore, mystic and visionary of modern India. Many cities in India have taken back their original names, Kolkata being one of them.

The American Center in Kolkata is presenting a performance event of my work. I am very excited about this! Some time ago in Santa Fe, I was introduced by a mutual friend to a visiting Fullbright English teacher from Kolkata. Not only was she teaching English at the Monte Del Sol Charter School, she taught dance as well. She now works with The American Center.

As well as presenting a performance, I am giving several kinds of workshops for young adults and children in creative movement, wellness, and youth leadership, as well as several teacher trainings in renewal, self-care and taking these ideas into the classroom. I will be writing more about all of these things in time.

Here is an announcement for the performance in Kolkata, India:

THE U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL, KOLKATA

CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO

A whirlwind of spirit, rhythm and dance

BY INSPIRATIONAL PERFORMANCE ARTIST AND STORY DANCER

ZULEIKHA

AT THE AMERICAN CENTER, 38A Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata 700071

Thursday, January 13, 2011, 5.30 – 7.30 P.M.

PROGRAM

5.30 pm: Introduction by Chad P. Cummins, Director, American Center

5.35 – 6.45 pm: Performance

6.45 – 7:15 pm: Questions and Answers

7.15 pm: Refreshments

RSVP BY JANUARY 11, 2011: 3984-6392 or dassx@state.gov

Please note that car parking is not available in and around the American Center

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inspirational performance artist and storydancer, Zuleikha transports her audiences with stories of nature, world lore and life itself. Zuleikha uplifts theater audiences with her very funny, soul-stirring solo performances and collaborates with world musicians and poets, including the late African drum master Baba Olatungi, jazz guitarist Bruce Dunlap, cellist David Darling, vocalist/instrumentalist Jai Uttal, world percussionist Glen Velez, composer/cellist Eugene Friesen, avant-garde composer/pianist Terry Riley, and poet and translator of Rumi, Coleman Barks. Zuleikha is the Founder and Executive Director of The Storydancer Project. The Storydancer Project is a non-profit, international artistic health resource organization bringing awareness of health and body through movement, exercise, rhythm, melody and story to those in the world challenged by life’s circumstances.  

www.storydancer.com, www.thestorydancerproject.org

Zuleikha in the Wings: Take a Minute this Holiday Season

2010-12-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

As we head into the Winter Solstice, or the Darkest Night of the Year, I have been noticing how fast we seem to be going, as we crunch our activities into shorter and shorter periods of daylight. As everyone scurries around, catching up and pulling things together for whatever gatherings are going on, it is an excellent opportunity to "TAKE A MINUTE."

We ride on the wheel of nature. Each winter cycle, we await the time when the light increases again as we visit family and friends, take time in solitude, or just wonder "what we are doing here" in these strangely profound times. For myself, I find now and then I am bombarded by feelings and overwhelming tasks, thoughts and the vast unknown. When I stop for just a moment, have a real stretch, and try one of the exercises inside of the "TAKE A MINUTE" Book/DVD, I feel there is more inside space with which to deal with whatever seems to be coming at me.

Before you eat the delicious treats being offered, "TAKE A MINUTE" for a stretch.
When communication doesn't seem to be working, "TAKE A MINUTE" in the "Thank You Moment."
After dealing with some family matters, when the fuse of tolerance feels limited, "TAKE A MINUTE" to open the system and try "Sky Listening."

Just when overwhelm sets in, if I can remember to shift the gears and open from the inside out, my body feels a kind of relief, and my mind feels more spacious. At the same time, my heart-space opens, and I can be present in the midst of the apparent chaos. You may think I am saying this because I am a dancer, and so it is easier for me to "Take A Minute" of stretching. However, this is not necessarily the case! My mind has as much resistance as anyone's, and the lazy days of winter can overtake my energy in a short time. If I can just start one little stretch, it seems to open up my mind, which leads to a pleasing feeling in the body, and I am home free. It needn't be athletic; just a minute with any one of these simple and safe exercises may open the heart door and make the day a little more fun.

TAKE A MINUTE, THE BOOK AND DVD can be a great present for a friend, a family member, or someone with whom you want to share the fun of new-found energy.

May the Dawn of the New Light be with you all ~ surprise yourself and "TAKE A MINUTE" ~ you might like it!

Enjoy feeling good,

Zuleikha

www.storydancer.com, www.thestorydancerproject.org

2010-11-30T07:57:00.000-07:00

Interview on KSFR

Mary Charlotte interviews Zuleikha and Coleman Barks, poet and Rumi Tranlator on KSFR at 8 AM Tuesday 11/30 on KSFR Santa Fe 101.1 FM. Also podcast on the KSFR website http://www.ksfr.org/

DEC 1, 7:30 LENSIC - THE RUMI CONCERT

2010-11-22T16:59:00.003-07:00

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1 7:30PM

LENSIC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - SANTA FE

THE RUMI CONCERT

POETRY, MUSIC DANCE, STORY, HUMOR
DRAWN FROM THE 13TH C. MYSTIC & POET RUMI

COLEMAN BARKS - poet & translator of Rumi

ZULEIKHA - storydancer

DAVID DARLING - maverick cello

GLEN VELEZ - world percussion

Not to be missed!

A stunning performance from the heart

The Rumi Concert returns to Santa Fe

A remarkable ensemble of innovative artists: poet and translator of the popular Rumi poetry Coleman Barks, Grammy-Award winning cellist David Darling, iconic world percussionist Glen Velez and internationally acclaimed Storydancer Zuleikha.

One night only!

December 1, 7:30 pm

Lensic Performing Arts Center

$30 - $75

ticketssantafe.org

505 988-1234

ZULEIKHA IN THE WINGS

Ah, The Rumi Concert!

   The first Rumi Concert I performed with Coleman Barks was at Elliot Bay Bookstore in Seattle. After growing up in contemporary western dance, I went on to study classical dance from India. I was also interested in other ancient forms. Through these different streams of classical dance, I had learned about the work of dancing poetry through deep feeling. There are some ways of dancing a line of poetry over and over again, and each time picking up on another nuance of the meaning. Of course a singer would extemporize in song, and musician in playing the melody. For me, understanding the feeling of movement combined with words came naturally. I asked Coleman if he would let me try it with Rumi's poetry. I had been studying Rumi before I learned of Coleman's translations and always loved the depth of heart expression that Rumi brought to the world. Coleman's translations have opened the door of the heart in the west. They are in a meter, or rhythm of the way poetry flows, that is used in the western world. He has brought the essence of the wisdom teaching into the time we live in. We are so fortunate!
    Our first performance was Coleman standing on a kind of box-like platform, and myself standing on an identical one just beside him. We were in the basement, where all of the poetry readings took place. There were a lot of chairs around for the audience. I had a chair in the front of the audience, next to my box platform, Coleman began reading the poems of Rumi. When I felt a connection, I would stand up and move, on the little platform and then at the close of the poem, I would sit down. It was our first collaboration. I remember it was really fun, deeply moving, and there was a kind of ease.
    It has continued….
    Coleman has performed with The Paul Winter Consort, several times, and I have performed with cellist David Darling, and drummer, Glen Velez in other circumstances, so it was natural to collaborate. We have created many Rumi Concerts together, in different places in the USA and Canada. Sometimes we added different musicians other than or in addition to Glen and David. One of the earliest collaborations was in Santa Fe. I worked with the The Jung Institute to put on two evenings of The Rumi Concert at The Armory for the Arts. Since then we have also used the St. Francis Auditorium, The James A. Little Theater, and The Lensic, becoming a regular Santa Fe event. The Rumi Concert was co-sponsored by Scherer Academy for several years, with the proceeds going to help in the field of complementary care for cancer patients.
   One year we asked the audience to bring non-perishable food and we donated it to shelters for the homeless. Another year we gave partial proceeds to a soup kitchen. For these benefits, I have referred to The Rumi Concert as 'double feasting:’ the people who come get a feast of poetry, music, dance, story, and humor, and net proceeds give the nourishment of support to others in need.

This year's concert will help to benefit the Santa Fe community children. Net proceeds will go to the "What's In A Story" program, a creative supplemental literacy wellness program currently taking place in five Santa Fe's Elementary schools. What’s in a Story is a program of The Storydancer Project, our non-profit artistic health resource organization. The Storydancer Project raises the money and gives this program free of charge to the schools we serve. This bilingual program is implemented by TSP trained facilitators and currently reaches over 1000+ Santa Fe elementary school students.
It’s always amazing to me the way The Rumi Concert collaboration works. We meet, go over the program we have decided upon, and then, once the concert begins, it has it's own life. Everyone has practiced and are as ready as we can be, and then this “Love” feeling comes into the performance space, and we all seem to ‘come home’ together. When Robert Bly gave Coleman Barks the charge to 'set free from their cages', Rumi’s poetry into English, the benefits have rolled out over the lands. Rumi’s words remind us of the Love we all want to live in:

"Come, Come, whoever you are,
This caravan is not of despair.
Even though you have broken your vows ten thousand times,
Still, come again, come!
Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving,
Come!"
-Rumi

    When I first read the words, ‘even though you have broken your vows ten thousand times, still, come!’ I was astonished that ‘even though we have screwed up in our lives so many times, we are still welcome.'   I wrote a song to those words, and it helps me to keep walking.
    I think everyone who reads Rumi finds something to relate to, some wisdom kernel which opens up the insight of the heart. The Rumi Concerts reflect this transcendent longing and create a live connection between the players and the audience to come into the heart house together.
    We hope you will join us,

DECEMBER 1, 2010

7:30 PM

LENSIC PERFORMNG ARTS CENTER
505-988-1234
ticketssantafe.org

www.storydancer.com & www.thestorydancerproject.org

ZULEIKHA RECEIVES MEDIA AWARD!

2010-11-15T03:26:00.000-07:00

IMAGES & VOICES OF HOPE

2010 IVOH AWARD OF APPRECIATION

PHOTO (left to right): IVOH President-Roberta Baskin, Treasurer-Jacqueline Cambata, Award Winner-Zuleikha, Founder & Director - Judy Rodgers, and Managing Team, Meredith Porte

IMAGES & VOICES OF HOPE PRESTIGIOUS MEDIA AWARD OF APPRECIATION IS GIVEN TO ZULEIKHA INTERNATIONAL PERFORMER, TEACHER & HUMANITARIAN FOR "INFUSING THE ART OF DANCE WITH THE GIFTS OF HEALING, UNDERSTANDING AND LOVE OF LIFE," THROUGH HER OUTSTANDING WORK IN THE WORLD PROMOTING POSITIVE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE.
Images and Voices of Hope (IVOH), a non-profit organization promoting global dialogue, is dedicated to strengthening the role of media as agents of world benefit. Hundreds of journalists and media people attend the IVOH Summit to participate in dialogue about the media and its impact on our world and to give recognition to the annual IVOH Award of Appreciation winners.

ZULEIKHA IN THE WINGS

RECEIVING THE IVOH AWARD

It was such a wonderful surprise to be nominated for the Images & Voices of Hope (IVOH) 2010 Award of Appreciation. Several of the IVOH Board members attended the very moving 100th anniversary tribute to Florence Nightingale in the Washington National Cathedral in April and saw my dance offering. After I was notified of this honor of being a nominee, with each phone call came the kind words of enthusiasm, "it's such a special conference, you will love it! We can't explain it, come!"

IVOH is an organization made up of individuals who work in media in inspiring ways, i.e. “images and voices of hope.” There were people from media departments of universities, public broadcasting, radio, newspaper, and Internet. There were many kinds of presentations in concise periods of time … so much good will and innovation.

We met in a large group and heard speakers with unique visual accompaniments. We learned about the many ways stories are being shared and told -- reporting, presenting, selling, all to bring awareness and connection. Of course, not all topics were love and light. Yet the ways of exposing difficulties and showing concern were inspiring.

   On the second evening, I was invited to share about my work to the whole Summit Conference. I danced a masked piece invoking the Tara, Mother of Compassion, juxtaposed with a gospel song with the lyrics: "Ain't no one knows, at sunrise, how the day will end." I spoke about some of the work I have been inspired to do and my mentors, and then danced a story. The story had many funny parts but ended asking the listeners to practice the noble task of caring for the garden of their hearts. While I prepared for the final piece, they watched a digital slide presentation highlighting the work of our non-profit organization, The Storydancer Project, the vehicle through which I have been able to try many forms of sharing joy and enlivenment in the midst those who live with difficulty. I closed with the last piece that is for me a kind of dessert, "The Butterfly Tea Ceremony" a whirling piece that I dedicated to greater love.
    It was after my presentation that I really met those in attendance, and our hearts and minds connected, and it was at this time that I was informed I was to receive this auspicious award. It's a humbling thing. I'm a dancer who wants others to feel better, and some simple and clear ways of sharing this have come to my attention through my own practice and working with others who have experienced great suffering.
    I am grateful to IVOH for inviting me and for this recognition that I received as a symbol to have the strength to, as Rumi says, "Keep Walking." I want to add a special thanks to those on the nominating committee and board of IVOH who helped so much in making my award possible: IVOH President, Roberta Baskin, Treasurer, Jacqueline Cambata, Founder & Director, Judy Rodgers and Meredith Porte of the Managing Team who facilitated my participation in the Summit Conference.

Of course this kind of recognition could not have happened without the support of those who diligently work with The Storydancer Project: Chara Nelson, our Project Director, the facilitators in the elementary schools of Santa Fe, our Board of Directors, supporters, family and friends, and our partnerships around the world.
In gratitude, Zuleikha

www.storydancer.com
www.thestorydancerproject.org

2010-11-09T08:45:00.001-07:00

SAVE THE DATE!

THE RUMI CONCERT RETURNS

Poetry, Music, Dance, Story, Humor

SUBLIME!

A stunning performance from the heart. The Rumi Concert returns to Santa Fe! A remarkable ensemble of innovative artists: poet and translator of the popular Rumi poetry Coleman Barks, Grammy-Award winning cellist David Darling, iconic world percussionist Glen Velez and internationally acclaimed Storydancer Zuleikha. One night only. December 1, 7:30 pm at the Lensic Performing Arts Center. $30-$75,

505-988-1234 NOT TO BE MISSED

TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE:

ticketssantafe.org

End of Summer Message

2010-09-23T13:02:00.023-06:00

GREETINGS.

I have been moving around a lot this spring and summer teaching and performing in different places. I suppose it can be called ‘The Travel and Baggage Dance!’

Movement has been called ‘the spice of life.’ Although I am not sure where that phrase comes from, I like it. Wherever I am, and however much angst and strife I hear about, when I move with awareness, I feel the spice of aliveness appear inside. The frenzy, which exists everywhere, calms down, and I appreciate life. As I practice this again and again, the beads of appreciation create a kind of formless necklace of pearls. The pearls of ‘life appreciation’ can be a great rosary to string, especially during these days of ‘so much to do, so little time.’

There have been a lot of inspiring moments, as well. Last April, I had the good fortune to dance in another CIIS sponsored production of The Rumi Concert, “The Rabbit in the Moon, poetry of Rumi and the Sixth Dalai Lama”, with good friend and poet/translator, Coleman Barks, Grammy Award winner and cellist David Darling, and the great percussion wonder, Glen Velez. We were joined by a wonderful singer and artiste, Yungchen Lhamo, an inspirational voice of Tibet. We performed poetry of Rumi, as well as some of the poetry of the Sixth Dalai Lama as translated by Coleman Barks. To dance through their rich tapestry of music and spoken word was a very special experience and exciting collaboration.

At the same time, while in San Francisco, I was invited to teach several workshops at LINES Ballet. One workshop was for the students doing their BFA with LINES Ballet at Dominican College, and the other for the students in company training. LINES is under the direction and inspiration of a very special being, Alonzo King. The school and company he started have a wonderful staff of teachers who are great human beings, and very talented dancers.

Zuleikha teaching at LINES

I was asked to share about my philosophy of movement, and the work I have been doing in The Storydancer Project: how it came to be and how we share in the world. I worked for part of each session with the ‘inner movement work’ I have developed, as well as a common sense approach to the body energy and the field of wisdom, which comes from awareness. We looked into the unity of ancient technologies of movement-with–feeling and intention that have been handed down over generations from classical cultural systems.

I showed a DVD that gives a feeling of the works we are engaged in, in different countries of the world. Students seemed to enjoy the experience of the seminar, reflected in so many of their comments: ”I want to take every moment we experienced together home with me. I want to continue this approach and help myself feel connected and whole.” “… the angst and the suffering in the world is a problem that I’ve always wanted to address in some way at some point in my life…” “… hearing about the work of your project is incredibly inspirational for me, and cements my want to do this kind of work either in the near future or later in my life.” “ …I have wanted to help others. I have no idea what that looks like… liked hearing you speak about the unexpected places your life has taken you…”

One thing dancers know is that when you move energy through the body you feel better. Body weight seems to lighten up, and mental weight follows.

Be it an exercise, a yoga stretch, a walk, a run, or a dance, many of us can’t get past all the reasons: we don’t have enough time, or why it isn’t the right time, or we’re hungry, or the little voices which keep us separate from our precious life energy. It is taking the first step, “anyway” which gives us back our ability to begin again. Once we have stepped back into our special energy field, what seemed impossible before becomes a possibility on the new horizon of inspiration. Not only that, we feel better.

I keep walking. The way it turns out is usually surprising, and has some connection to what I was going towards, yet not I the way that I thought!

The Storydancer Project - What’s in a Story program

At home, The Storydancer Project is learning a lot about collaboration and teamwork. We have new facilitators in our “WHAT’S IN A STORY” elementary school program here in Santa Fe. During the last few weeks, we have been engaged in a training program together, learning the ‘Take A Minute’ Core Wellness exercises, along with what it takes to go into a classroom, not as the teacher, or an artist, but rather a facilitator, a guest presenter, in the area of connection of body and mind. It is another exciting moment, as we are growing this program together, with the principals, teachers, and community members.

I went to Europe several times, during the summer, and had the opportunity to teach in Germany and Switzerland. The green of the countryside is amazing to behold, coming from the high mountain desert. Each earth area seems to inspire similar movements, yet they come forth in a different way. From the high mountains in Switzerland to the very lush valleys in southern Germany, I found people loving the fountain of inspiration and soul landscapes that reveal the dance of being.

Zuleikha teaching girls in Munich, Germany

We had a hilarious class of about 20 girls in Munich, one afternoon. I don't speak German, and there was a wonderful found of children's theater who offered to translate. However, translating for kids, sentence by sentence, is a tedious work, and they wanted to move. I began making sounds with the movements we were doing and we did call and response this way, with tremendous laughter, intense concentration, and high energy for a good part of the afternoon! It became 'our own language,' and after a while, each girl willingly took the risk to lead others in this way. It was a lot of fun, sometimes very funny, and we were all filled with energy as the class came to an end.

Zuleikha performing a comedy piece in rain gear during a rainy summer institute

In the Swiss Alps, men and women came for a week of very deep inner movement work. We spent time outside learning from nature’s own textbook, and then taking time to understand how it works in the body organism. This is a life renewing process, and a wonder to behold. In the afternoons, we worked with drummers to learn how to hear rhythmic cycles, and to practice this individually and in groups. Most of the days were ended with chanting and singing together. Luckily there is a beautiful harmonium at this institute, so I am able to use it and not carry it on the airplanes, which is hard to do these days, with the baggage restrictions!

It is the harvest season. Everyone is cooking zucchini and tomatoes and eggplant. Basil and herbs abound. Nutrition of the body, heart, and soul is everywhere. Pakistan is flooding, Holy days of different religions are being practiced. Children are playing, children are hungry, parents are laughing, people are afraid. All of this, at the same time. Take A Minute to stretch into your own palace of awareness, and, as I heard on the radio the other day… “do something nice for someone, and maybe they will turn around and do something nice for someone else!”

All the best,

ZULEIKHA

Happy Spring!

2010-05-14T14:50:00.007-06:00

Dear Friends of The Storydancer Project (TSP) and interested readers,

Happy Spring. It appears to be a spring of dramatic weather changes, mirrored in many of our lives.

Since writing my last blog from India, I had the interesting invitation to dance at the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health, NIGH of Greece and Egypt, a celebration of the International Year of the Nurse. This event took place on March 8th, International Women’s Day in Athens Greece. TSP is in a partnership with NIGH. We are “an artistic health resource organization,” with the intent to create opportunities to experience healthy life practice with art and creativity.

Zuleikha in Athens

This inauguration for NIGH of Greece & Egypt took place in the beautiful Athens Concert Hall, Megaromousikas, which seats 800. My friend and colleague Dr. Cynda Rushton, PhD, RN, FAAN, gave the opening keynote address. She spoke about the inspiring and practical work of the founder of nursing, Florence Nightingale. Dr. Rushton spoke about the dedication of nurses, and it was on this note I was privileged to offer a dance in honor of those who serve humanity in this way. This is the first time to “place my feet” in Greece. I experienced a feeling of profound dynamic energy, which influenced the movement of the dance offering. It was an honor to take part in this important global event.

The following day, Dr. Rushton taught an Interdisciplinary Collaborative Workshop for the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Greece, I was invited to join her to present Core Wellness Exercise renewal work for participants. This was fun for the participants and they found it effective. I am very happy to have the opportunity to work side by side with Dr. Cynda Rushton.

Zuleikha with Dr. Cynda Rushton

An international high school, ACS Athens, invited me to teach a workshop for theater students and teachers. We explored the connection of body movement and emotional content. Everyone seemed surprised to find new ways of feeling and moving. It was innovative and stirred up the creative imaginations of all present.

I wrote these notes while I was on a train from Washington DC to New York City. I had just participated in The Commemorative Global Service Celebrating Nursing, in this 2010 International Year of the Nurse. It was a celebration honoring the 100 years of the work of Florence Nightingale and a thanksgiving of nurses globally in the promotion of world health, including the United Nationals’ Millennium Development Goals. The service in the Washington National Cathedral was beautifully conducted by The Reverend Gwendolyn W. Tobias. A stirring cry to “Be the Change” (words from Gandhi) was given by Leslie Mancusa. Prayers and readings were offered by Barbara Dossey and Cynda Hylton Rushton, who were our original contacts in The Storydancer partnership with NIGH. Others read from sacred texts, including Deva-Marie Beck reading the Flame of Florence Nightingale’s Legacy. Many nurses took part in this most reverent and inspiring service that focused on compassion for all beings.

Program Cover for Commemorative Service

I was invited to dance "Offering," to the beautiful music of the Cathedral Girls' Choir. As I whirled around the Cathedral, moving through the aisles and feeling such joy and gratitude, I found my heart reflecting many faces of beautiful people I have met in this world. It was a day of remembrance in service, we shall not forget. There were at least 1300 people present for this auspicious Florence Nightingale Service.

Florence Nightingale Centennial Commemorative Global Service Celebrating Nursing on April 25, 2010 at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC (1 hour):http://www.nationalcathedral.org/exec/cathedral/mediaPlayer?MediaID=MED-4LD39-PT000P&EventID=CAL-4CS30-C8000B

Last week, I spent a day in a pilot project at the University of Virginia Nursing School. Using my set of 'core wellness exercises,' TAKE A MINUTE™, as a template of experiential learning, we spent time exploring the subject of renewal. This process was repeated in different care units of the hospital, as well as a special seminar for nurses and nursing leaders. We will let you know more about this as it unfolds.

NEWS ABOUT THE STORYDANCER PROJECT

Some of the WHAT’S IN A STORY facilitators in Santa Fe met together and we dialogued about working with high school students. Most of our works in Santa Fe are with elementary students. We have had several inquiries about creating programs for older students, and we are looking into creative ways this can grow. This summer will find WHAT’S IN A STORY in the Santa Fe Public Library as part of the Make a Splash – Read! program on Saturdays through the month of July. For details: projectdirector@storydancer.com

There is a lot going on, since my return from India. I am getting prepared to give trainings in Kenya, Africa, as well as being asked to work in the IDP camps for displaced person, outside of Nairobi. This is new and challenging territory, and TSP will be working in partnership with Trauma Resource Institute. I will be sharing useful ways to engage body, mind and spirit through movement, rhythm and melody, as we continue to work with those who are “challenged by life's circumstances.”

In my own practice, when I “take a minute" I feel more connected my natural vitality, in the midst of life’s ups and downs.

Thank you for your continued interest and support. Please share this with your friends.
All the best,
Zuleikha

Swan Lake Publishing

Leaving India

2010-03-08T08:35:00.013-07:00

Dear Friends of The Storydancer Project, and interested readers,

Spring is coming to Delhi, and I am leaving India. I have met so many people, and must have practiced at least a thousand exercises, if not more! I have witnessed many stressed out faces turn to smiles, and much difficulty turn to laughter. The shifting from tension to relief is an ongoing process, and one, which likes to be visited, and revisited, keeping the channels clear. The body likes this, and the mind follows along, enjoying the results. So ‘staying stress free’ is a ‘static’ idea, which seems to work better in its ‘dynamic’ phase of ‘regular visits’ to the body. This is how I got the idea of Take A Minute™ and the ‘core wellness exercises’ that help to do so … just Take A Minute!

Visiting a home in the Basti Nizamuddin, working with the women there in exercises and stress relief

All the rubble in the world, and we, among it...
We walk through; sharing smiles, joy, human beings connecting amidst the struggles and excitements of what is becoming a local/global life.

Zuleikha with the Hope Project Vocational Training staff

As the ‘India Chapters’ of this journey shift now to include the global walk, I find myself thinking of many things, like packing: as much room as there is, we fill it! Gifts for family, ‘thank you-little things’ for friends or people who have helped make this possible, medicines and preventatives for keeping well along the way.. Those of you who know me, and have felt my suitcases, know what a brilliant invention wheels are! Yet when I dance and move, I like to feel the great nothing, the emptiness, the spaciousness of pure being.

Sharing a movement visualization exercise with child cancer patient on a Home Care Team visit

“On earth, as it is in heaven,” the text says.

May it be so. May all beings be nourished in body, heart, and soul. May those who ‘have,’ share with ‘those who have not.’ Whatever way this takes place, in meditation, in active compassion, in making a phone call, or sharing a meal, connection is healing.

The children of the Basti ready to exercises before studying for exams!

I have had the privilege of watching smiles erupt from grief and hardship, through such little moments of simple exercises. It is not only an honor to behold, it is another bead which connects us in this magical rosary of the Great Good that we are a part of, each time our heart is touched and then in turn touches someone. The string lights up as another bead is added. The reflection of the inner jewel-like nature is felt and known, once again, for those who have forgotten or been forgotten.

On the way to a Home Care visit with CanSupport, we pass the place where renowned mystical poet Ghalib spent time with friends and students in deep conversation.

As another ancient text says, "May all beings never be separated from the Great Joy which is.”

Zuleikha

Swan Lake Publishing

Part four, Delhi and Kolkata, India

2010-02-26T15:00:00.017-07:00

Dear Friends of The Storydancer Project, and interested readers,

It is sunset time, the beginning of a Delhi evening. The air is warmer, and one can sense that spring is near.

The Storydancer Project has been given the opportunity to create a pilot program in some villages outside of Kolkata, India. This project is in partnership with Compassion Beyond Borders (CBB) (www.compassionbb.org), a wonderful organization that creates schools and literacy centers for girls and women. In a place called Mayapur, CBB has a center, which serves as headquarters for eight women’s literacy centers. I spoke about our new partnership with this center in my last blog.

"Healing Dynamics of Movement" interactive lecture by Zuleikha

After our initial meeting and first pilot training, I returned to Kolkata, where I met with the Indo-American Society. This is a well-known organization, which serves as a meeting place for East-West functions, classes, and trainings. I was hosted for a ‘meet and greet’ kind of tea party where I gave a talk on the main subject of my seminars in Kolkata: “The Healing Dynamics of Movement.”

Rabindra Bharti University, Zuleikha presents Take A Minute to Prof. Amita Dutt

I have had the great good fortune to meet Professor Amita Dutt, a well-known classical Indian Kathak dancer in Kolkata. She is a Professor of Kathak Dance and Dean of the Dance Therapy Department of the esteemed Rabindra Bharti University. We had a wonderful meeting and delicious lunch at her home and studio, where I watched her students rehearse. The following week, Professor Amita Dutt hosted me in a lecture/interactive seminar at the university. The seminar was attended by over 100 students and professors, and was opened by the Assistant Minister of Culture for the State of West Bengal. I opened the seminar by dancing a story from Mongolia, and Amita closed the seminar by dancing a famous story from the Indian classic, the Ramayana. The students were inspiring, and their question about working with patients showed me how much I have learned during my works in India.

Zuleikha and the Vice Principal at a girls school in Kolkata

Zuleikha and girls enjoy movement

Zuleikha teaches girls about inner movement

Two very large girls’ schools invited me to teach several groups of students. One school has a population of 4000 students! As I entered the first school’s courtyard, the girls gave me a surprise by greeting me in a traditional manner, including a beautiful flower garland. In each school, I gave a talk to the classes for high school age girls, and then we worked with them in ‘core wellness exercises’ as well as free movement. They enjoyed these sessions and there was a lot of laughter. We talked about freedom and focus of attention. We spoke about East and West, about movies and clothing. All the girls wear uniforms, and out of school they enjoy ‘jeans and t-shirts.’ There is a climate of awareness of the possibilities for girls and women, and the importance of education as a foundation in these new steps the world is taking.

The Kali Temple , Dakshineswar

In the midst of all of this work, I had a morning off. I chose to get up very early and visit the well-known and very beautiful ‘Kali Temple’ at Dakshineswar. For people who are interested in mystical studies, this is a temple celebrating the essence of the Divine Mother of All Life, and also where the famous saint, Ramakrishna had his revelations of the Unity, which lives inside of the world’s great religions. It is a place where you feel free in mind and heart, where a feeling of devotion and the Mystery of Life knocks at the door of the heart. The beautiful river Ganga (the Ganges) is at the side of this temple. Across the bridge from the Kali Temple, I visited Belur Math, the place where Ramakrishna and the Holy Mother Sarada Devi spent their days. As we approached, there seemed to be quite a large procession, with garlands of marigolds everywhere. I jumped excitedly out of the car to find someone I could ask about the procession. “It’s Ramakrishna’s birthday,” said an old woman. A large tent holding thousands of chairs had been set up, and there were performances of beautiful Indian devotional music throughout the day.

There have been so many known and unknown awakened souls from India, who have kept alive the heart and the importance of service. Some great beings have been doctors, musicians, engineers, some are known for their miracles of feeding thousands, and some have been inspiring poets, musicians and simple people who nurtured the hearts of those around them in the face of great despair.

Upon returning to Delhi, I am again joining the ‘home care teams’ of CanSupport, going out into the city visiting those who are in the terminal stages of cancer. The teams of doctor, nurse and counselor, make sure the people are comfortable, and I add the ingredient of relaxation and stress relief exercises for family members as well as sometimes for the patients themselves, depending on the situation. These site visits are also a new training ground for the exercise work, so that the teams will observe the exercises on site and eventually feel comfortable using them. This is beginning to take place, and is very exciting for me.

Zuleikha teaching simple harmonium to girls , Hope Project, Nizamuddin Basti

On alternate days, I join the Hope Project in the Nizamuddin basti, working with many girls and women in the subject of ‘core wellness exercises’ as medicine for life’s aches and pains. This gives me a chance to experience life’s constant pendulum between birth and death, wellness and sickness, and joy and sorrow. It does seem that Joy is possible even in the midst of suffering. For this I am truly grateful.

Zuleikha in her office! Hope Project Health Clinic, Nizamuddin Basti

Zuleikha working with a patient, Hope Project Health Clinic, Nizamuddin Basti

The wonderful homeopathic doctor in the women’s health clinic has been learning many of these exercises, and we are working together with patients. When a sad face filled with aches and pains changes to gladness and relief, it is a memorable moment, and an honor to behold.

Thanks to all of you who help The Storydancer Project as we continue in our mission to be an ‘artistic health resource organization’ dedicated to serving those who are challenged by life’s circumstances, through movement, exercise, music, story and wellness. As our programs and trainings unfold locally and globally, we appreciate you sharing our news with those you feel would be interested in joining us in the opportunity to share the joy of wellness and good health as a natural force in life, for girls, women and children.

I will close with a wonderful quote that was given to me by Professor Amita Dutt. It is from the great poet and teacher, Rabindrenath Tagore who said, "My refuge is humanity."

Zuleikha

Swan Lake Publishing

Part three, Delhi and Kolkata, India

2010-02-19T14:31:00.009-07:00

Dear Friends of The Storydancer Project, and interested Readers,

As you have most likely gathered by reading the previous writings, I am working in India these months, in some extraordinary situations, learning the ways to share the wonders of feeling recharged amidst life’s challenging circumstances. Going out into the field with the home care teams created by our partnering organization, CanSupport, continues to be a great teaching for myself and all the team members. There are at least 10 teams; each team comprised of a doctor, a nurse, a counselor/ a driver. I have been going out with many of these teams. As it takes a whole day to be with one team, and there are requests to re-visit certain patients, I haven’t met all the team members yet. This part of the project is in itself a life work! These are teams who are working with palliative cancer patients, bringing comfort into end of life care in very challenging situations.

The walk

CanSupport celebrated its third annual Walk for Life last week, in Delhi. It was tremendous. Over 5000 people, including children, pets, parents, and grandparents, business centers, schools, those who are survivors of cancer, and those who were walking for loved ones, attended and took part. There were some dignitaries present, including the past US Ambassador to India and his wife, who is a cancer survivor, and the new US Ambassador, his wife, and their children, and other notable Indian dignitaries. The thing I love about this walk, is that everyone is wearing the t-shirt that says ‘Walk for Life,’ and when you ‘show up,’ there is an instant connection with everyone there, which means you get to be friends with 5000 people who, in that place and time, are feeling a great wave of goodness for those who are suffering from the trauma of cancer. This in itself is an uplifting situation, and it grows each year. It is such a fascinating wonder to see how much the work of The Storydancer Project is growing, within the different projects of CanSupport's amazing contribution to society. http://www.cansupport.org/newcansupport/

The walk: Zuleikha with Dr. Ambika (top) and with Harmala Gupta (bottom)

As soon as the walk finished, I headed to the Delhi Domestic Airport. Anyone who has traveled inside of India will be amazed as I was, to find the entire airport system renovated. It is very modern, and quite beautiful. I flew to Kolkata, and was greeted by Mr. Ajit Saha, the director of the Indo American Society, who was accompanied by my new friend, Sohini Das. Sohini is, among many things a dancer, working with programs for the American Center, Kolkata, India, and was an exchange English Teacher to Santa Fe, NM and presently works through a Fullbright scholarship.

They brought me to the home office of Mr. Saha. Over dinner (10:30 in the evening, a normal eating time for many families here), we discussed the schedule for the next week. The next morning I left at 6am for Mayapur, a 3-4 hour crazy bumpy dusty drive into villages far outside of city life.

Several years ago, two friends of mine separately mentioned to me that I should meet a friend of theirs who started women’s learning centers and schools in very poor places in the world. They thought that what we have been doing would be a complementary fit. I thanked my friends and thought I would contact this person soon. Because The Storydancer Project has been so busy with on-going programs, ‘soon’ became ‘later,’ until one of my friends returned to Santa Fe, and reminded me of this idea.

I read about this organization that my friend recommended and contacted the Founder, Mr. Lawrence Tharpe who had been a professor of economics at the United World College in Las Vegas, NM. We met for tea, and discovered that he was the ‘Lawrence’ who is the adopted father of one of the girls I have taught in the Sri Lanka orphanage for girls, Yasodara. This whole story has now come together in a pilot project I have just completed through Lawrence’s wonderful organization, Compassion beyond Borders.
www.compassionbb.org/

In Mayapur, The Storydancer Project pilot training program with Compassion Beyond Borders

I went to Mayapur to meet their representative, Mr. Bishnu Karmakar, and to conduct a pilot program. They have 8 women’s literacy centers in this area, which serve as homeopathic health clinics as well. After arriving and washing my face, we went to the main office, where 18 women were waiting. There, after another cup of tea, I conducted a daylong pilot capacity-building training seminar with women who are the teachers of these women in the various learning centers. We had so much fun!

Using the template of the TAKE A MINUTE™’ core wellness exercises’ I have created, we shared in the importance of taking care of ourselves in the midst of all of our daily activities.

I have begun to see a pattern of response with this new program, with people of all walks of life, and in this case, women. At first everyone says they have so many pains, i.e., knees, lower back, shoulders, and the ‘cervicle spondylitis’ which seems to plague many people here. It is an upper back and neck inflammation, which often fuses the bones and won’t allow much movement. The pains can shoot down the shoulders and into the arms. Also, everyone says there is ‘no time’ for exercise. I tell them it only ‘takes a minute’ and of course no one believes me, at first. Then we begin, and somehow, lo and behold, smiles appear. Out of the ‘woodwork’ of stiff bodies, these women began to express their delight and tell me of their pains. We work for a while. I tell them that although it ‘takes a minute,’ first we have to learn, and that takes a little more time! Very often, as it also happened in Mayapur, the women begin to feel better, and then the questions come out about losing weight, and discussions of diet. This creates lots of laughter, and then it’s time for lunch.

This new partnership during the coming year offers The Storydancer Project the possibility to train a core group of women who work with over 400 women on a regular basis. The implication of health and wellness takes on a new face with these trainings: the word spreads quickly that feeling better can be a joyful experience.

There is so much more to tell, and so I will have to save it for the next writing. Now that I’m back in Kolkata I have a new and exciting Storydancer Project training program to speak about to dancers, business women, and school principals, among others, as I will be giving trainings in several very large schools for girls, as well as some seminars.

It seems to be a time for all of us to integrate ‘what we know’ with ‘how we live our lives.’ It may take some time, but we can begin anew each day. As I have learned from the most wise and well-known bear, Winnie the Pooh, “it’s good to have fun, but you have to know how!”

All the best,

Zuleikha

Swan Lake Publishing

Part two in Delhi, India

2010-01-27T15:46:00.012-07:00

Dear Friends of The Storydancer Project and interested readers.

CanSupport is a most wonderful palliative care organization which gives free support to those palliative patients suffering with cancer. We have been conducting trainings with doctors, nurses, and counselors.

Zuleikha has tea with CanSupport Founder/Director Harmala Gupta

I first met the founder/director of CanSupport, Harmala Gupta, a most extraordinary woman, about 4 years ago. At that time, she asked me to work with the children who come to the day care center. They taught me how much energy they have or didn’t have, and we proceeded. It was a heart opening experience. I went on to work with their parents, where one lady said,” I haven’t laughed in a year!”

From then, I met Dr. Ambika, who is the director of the Home Care Program. She organized a nurses training in Self Care. This program was received with great enthusiasm. Well. I was then invited to be a presenter in CanSupport’s annual Foundation Course Conference, which I have been doing for several years. On one day, I share Self Care for Professionals, and on another day, we look at bringing this into Care for the Patients, becoming known to those in CanSupport, as "Relaxation Exercises, for the Patient" and “Stress Relief Exercises for the Family or Caregiver”.

Zuleikha presenting at Foundation Course in Palliative Care, CanSupport

CanSupport days are filled with home care team visits. I go out with a team for the whole day. First, I go to the main center, and check in with Harmala, and with Dr. Ambika . Then I meet up with the team. A team consists of a doctor, a nurse, a doctor, and a driver. Generally, we have tea first, and discuss the patients we will be visiting, so that I understand the nature of their illness. Some days we visit new patients, and this procedure takes a bit longer, as the team has to compile information regarding the history of the disease and the caregivers etc. Then we embark into the great adventure. The drivers are a part of the team, and know the areas each team works in.

The teamwork is a very special experience. The jokes, the communication and the way these wonderful people move through these severe situations are very inspiring, and great learning experiences for me. Palliative means something like ‘the care and support that reduces suffering’. It may not ‘fix’ the situation but works with comfort and reducing the apparent suffering. Most of the patients we visit are suffering with different kinds of cancer.

CanSupport Home Care patient does relaxation exercises with Zuleikha

I have met people suffering from cancer of the liver, of the bone, of the blood, of the breast... Death is in our faces, and this Precious Gift of Life is in front of me. As I work with the different patients, and in many cases, with the stress of the families, I learn over and over again how important it is to feel the heart of the person, and to appreciate life itself.

Food

Everyone wants to know what I eat in Delhi. This photo of the puffed up bread, is like the native American ‘fry bread’. It is served with a kind of dhal, which is spicy, and delicious. It is considered a snack, but for me it is a meal in itself. Of course, in a city, you can get any kind of food. I generally eat what others around me are eating, as it is the custom, and also so tasty. When I go out into villages, then I eat with people in their homes. This is an honor, and always an adventure.

East Indian fry bread

On occasion, I keep crackers, and peanut butter in my room. Sometimes I need to connect with the habits of my country of origin!

As I write this, it is Republic Day here in India, the celebration of India’s independence. It is a day to consider freedom, and well being on the planet. As we find ourselves surrounded by all of the terrible disasters and difficulties which appear before us, I find that if I ‘take the moment’ for a stretch and breath of awareness, there can be space for the ‘natural state of joy’ which can be helpful anytime, anywhere.

As someone I know once said “Try it! You’ll like it!”

All the best,
Zuleikha

By Zuleikha ©2010
Swan Lake Publishing

Arrived in India

2010-01-20T21:46:00.011-07:00

Dear Friends of The Storydancer Project and interested readers.

Greetings of the New Year. I am ‘on location’ in India, giving trainings in several of our partner organizations, as well as beginning some new programs. We conduct trainings and on site visits to enhance education and experience in wellness, as well as to give trainings in renewal and rejuvenation.

I arrived in Delhi late in the night, into thick pea-soup fog. Visibility was so poor that we had to wait on the runway for a truck to come, so the pilot could follow the tail-lights as we taxied into the airport! It has been quite cold for this time of the year, and some days the sun doesn’t come into view.

I began the process by meeting with our various partnering organizations to determine our ‘timetable’ of trainings. It appears quite full already. I am excited and looking forward to working with the different groups of people. It is so interesting to me that some of the work is with our own ‘renewable energy’, and some is with ‘building energy’, and still some is with ‘calming energy’. In this way, we are learning to care for our own eco systems.

Currently, my week is split between the Hope Project Charitable Trust, located in the Basti Nizamuddin, inside of Delhi, and CanSupport, the palliative care organization working with people suffering from cancer.

Partnering organization Hope Project, Zuleikha with several Hope staff

Zuleikha with day care patients, CanSupport

On the days I go to the Hope Project, I walk there. It takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on the pace I set. I like to not have to be in a hurry, which means I must get up extra early to have more time. In the morning, I get up, shower, have tea, sing, stretch, gather my portable office in my day bag including a water bottle, and set off. Crossing the big streets are somewhat of a challenge, with the Delhi ongoing traffic. I tend to watch others, and follow in their footsteps, as they know the ebb and flow of cars, scooters, rickshaws and animals.

Everyday street scene, Delhi, India

The Hope Project, located in a very poor community, houses a school for girls, tuition programs for boys and girls, a crèche program for tiny children, computer trainings, income generation for women, a health clinic and other wonderful works. The Storydancer Project has been working in the Medical Health Clinic, and the girls school, as well as working with women in this community in the area of wellness and greater health.

I have been working with the kindergarten children, nursery school children, and their teachers. We practice the way of simply opening up the main joints in the body. We do this in combination, so that the playful energy can move around. This brings some joy. Interspersed with these simple exercises are ‘Gana’, or singing. I like to show ‘listening to a note’ and ‘matching your voice’, and I use the harmonium, a little keyboard instrument, to show this.

Zuleikha sings exercises with Hope Project class

On some days, I give trainings to teachers who want to bring these ‘core wellness exercises’ into their classes. This can bring a kind of momentary rejuvenation, and works well inside of desk work and studying. The other day we had a 'core wellness class' with a man who trains students in learning computers. He feels this will be a good addition to his classes.

Hope project class enjoys 'Core Wellness Exercises'

In the afternoons at the Hope Project, I teach ‘rhythmic exercises’ with the middle school girls. Many of you may know that I published a book and DVD called "TAKE A MINUTE™". This is a series of 8 'core wellness exercises' which bring renewal. Each exercise is very short, and the idea is to ‘take the minute’ every hour or two. This creates a good connection with our natural self in the midst of the chaos and stress we live in.

Zuleikha teaching Core Wellness Exercise program - Hope Project

The rhythmic exercises that the girls are learning to practice have their base in these 'core wellness exercises', and at the same time are simple extensions of them. We intersperse theses exercises with singing and music, which brings a lot of laughter, and brings a kind of joyful lightness. This ‘integrative learning’ is fun, and has different dimensions. We learn about ourselves as well as language, health, daily habits, and awareness of body and mind.

Enjoyment is a great aspect of learning!

All the best,
Zuleikha

Swan Lake Publishing