Yeh zindagi joh hai naachti toh
Kyun bediyon mein hain tere paon
Preet ki dhun par naach le pagal
Udhta agar hai udhne de aanchal
Kahe koi apne ko aaise tarsaaye…
Tanya Chopra
These lines from the song Mitwa (Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna) have always struck a chord with me. They remind me that if life itself moves like a dance, why do we hold ourselves back? If movement is our natural state, why do we confine ourselves in shackles? What if we let go? What if we moved without fear and judgment, allowing ourselves to be carried by rhythm, by instinct, by joy?
The ocean moves effortlessly, the wind flows freely, and trees sway with the breeze; nature never resists movement; it embraces it. Our bodies, too, are filled with energy, designed to flow and not remain stagnant. When we allow ourselves to move freely, we align with the natural rhythm of life, making space for joy to enter effortlessly. But how often do we truly move in a way that invites joy?
And even while moving freely invites joy, I have found comfort in structure. My formative years with the art form was steeped in training. I trained for 7 years in Bharatanatyam, and then the Bollywood bug bit me when I was quick to join SDIPA (Shiamak Davar’s Institute of Performing Arts,) moving up the ranks to its SPB (special potential batch) and wearing it like a badge of honor till date.
What started with structure gradually gained momentum, and I got into a flow state. I’m still a student exploring belly dancing, pole fitness,s and whirling, which has helped me assimilate all forms into a pure love for movement. There are days when I crave choreography—a rhythm that gives my restless mind something to follow. But other days, most days, actually—I crave complete surrender. I want to let go of structure, move freely, and allow every limb to express itself without restraint. I find myself breathing through the movement, letting my body lead instead of my mind.
Lately, the greatest joy has come from formless movement—no choreography to follow, no technique to refine, just me, my breath, and the pure freedom of flow. Each dance form has shaped me, instilled discipline, and given my emotions a voice, proving that movement, whether structured or free-flowing, is a powerful pathway for self-expression and joy.
I’ve had days where my body felt too heavy, where emotions felt too big to hold. But the moment I let myself move, without overthinking, without judgment, I felt lighter. I felt present. I felt alive. Some moments call for wild, uninhibited shaking. Others, for the gentle, rhythmic sway of a body breathing freely. Either way, movement becomes a language, a meditation, a way to come home to myself.
Emotions are energy in motion. I’ve come to realize how much stress, tension and even trauma we store in our bodies, sometimes so deeply that we don’t even notice. But the body always remembers. And the body always knows how to heal. Movement- whether it’s dancing, shaking, stretching, or even just swaying, helps release that stuck energy. It’s more than exercise; it’s an act of self-liberation.
So, how do we move to let joy in? We move without fear. We shed the weight of the masks we wear- at work, at social gatherings, even with those closest to us. We let our bodies do the talking that words cannot. We dance like waves crashing upon the shore, like leaves swirling in the wind or a monk who is meditating. And in that freedom, in the rise and fall of our hands reaching toward the sky, joy finds its way in. Try it
People/Places I’d recommend for movement and feeling free.
1 Meher Malik– Dancer, healer, and embodiment coach.
2. Raashvi Dance- Pole Dancing and Fitness
3. Sudipta Mandal – Holistic Health Coach
4. Tangerine Arts Studio– Yoga Dance and Wellness Space
5. All things Studio – Dance Studio
Also Read:
Why a Mood Board is a Life Hack and not just a Stylist’s tool
Here’s What Wellness Retreat You Should Opt For, According To Your Zodiac Signs
Ozempic: The Hype, The Facts, and the ‘Ozempic Face’
