Meditation in Motion

Did you know that a classical dance form can also serve as a powerful tool for meditation, emotional clarity, and devotional practice? Odissi, among the oldest of India’s classical dances, transforms movement into Bhakti Yoga by using the body as an instrument of devotion—expressing love for the divine through graceful postures, rhythmic patterns, and the emotionally rich abhinaya drawn from Krishna’s raas-leelas. Rooted in a history of temple traditions, spiritual narratives, and centuries of artistic evolution, Odissi offers a nurturing way to cultivate presence and balance—especially helpful for students managing academic demands and daily stresses. With an introduction to its basic postures, gestures, and expressive elements, one can discover how this ancient art form fosters resilience, joy, and a deeper sense of inner connection.

Upasana Chakraborty is a Data Engineer and Product Architect with an MSc degree from ETH Zurich. A devoted Odissi dancer and performer, Upasana has been immersed…