Wednesdays 7:30 – 8:30 am (HST) / 10:30 am (PDT) / 7:30 pm (Berlin)

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Started September 2, 2020 * Last class October 26th, 2020

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Though the phrase ‘Silk Road’ has a more mythical than historical reference, it connotes some of the mystery, allure and deep nuance in the dances from this part of the world, stretching from India through all the “Stans” (Afghanistan, Tajikistan, East Turkestan, Uzbekistan) through Persia and beyond. As a Fulbright Scholar in Dance with decades of personal experience dancing in these countries, Tara brings you the authentic flavors of dance from each of these regions, while mixing in the spice of her own signature approach. 

Tara draws you along on her fascinating dance journey through the lands of Central Asia in this continually evolving class. Enjoy learning unusual footwork, hand and head gestures that you may never otherwise be exposed to. No matter what other dance styles you may be acquainted with, Tara’s masterful expressivity and precision will seep into and uplift your body and soul.

This class rotates week by week on a 4 spoke cycle, focusing on: 

• Musical receptivity & creativity for dancers: interpretation of odd & even rhythm patterns
• Personal expression & commanding space: staccato stops, isolation, body alignment for dance 
• Strength & rooted movement: nuanced foot & hand execution
• Fluidity & float: spirals with the spine & dynamic spin sequences.

For months with 5 Wednesdays, you’ll get a Silk Road surprise focus for the last week!

Tara Pandeya

The daughter of a dancer, Tara Pandeya has gained world recognition as a dance performer, teacher and choreographer, as well as a scholar and cultural activist dedicated to the promotion of dance forms from Central Asia. Tara worked as a principal dancer with Cirque du Soleil and is the first westerner to perform with Lola, the National Ensemble of Tajikistan. Tara has performed & created dance programming in over 35 countries. 

She balances her work as a practitioner with theoretical work, conducting dance research through the Rockefeller Foundation & CECArtslink in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, East Turkestan, Pakistan, India and Russia. Most recently, she has created original dance works for UNESCO, the Bauhaus Festival & at Royal Albert Hall. Tara holds an MA in Dance Anthropology from London’s Roehampton University and is a 2019-20 Fulbright Scholar. Her solo work has been featured on BBC, in the New York Times and in Dance Magazine.

Dancing with Tara, you will also gain an understanding of folklore and cultural traditions through dance gestures, aesthetic theories, musicality and intention. Along with gaining exposure to traditional dance practices through a system of ‘kinetic orality’, you will also learn to analyze your own movement patterns and ways of moving in your unique anatomy.

(This class is taking the place of Morning Masala Fitness class)