DANCE STORIES for KIDS

Dance Stories is a movement-based class designed for children between 3 to 5 years and 5 to 8 years to assist them in expressing themselves using their bodies. The program helps children understand their bodies - its limitations and strengths and also observe other bodies. It expands their movement vocabulary in a non- competitive, non-judgemental manner. The organic quality of the movement is kept alive in a safe space doing fun activities including verses that help in sequencing and trust exercises with the facilitator. The module is thematic and changes every 3 months. Themes like colours, shapes, opposites, Laban movement milestones are introduced through stories and verses. Apart from this, expressions and gestures from Indian dance forms and a few yoga postures that are good for balancing are also introduced. This innovative course was conceptualized, designed and developed by Priyanka Pai and has been successfully delivered for the past 7 years.

Priyanka Pai graduated as a Creative Arts Therapist in 2012 from the Studio for Movement Arts and Therapies Trust and has been actively dancing and teaching for 8 years. She has run classes for children and adults at the Studio for Movement Arts and Therapies, in Ulsoor and at Atta Galatta, Koramangala. In addition, she has designed and facilitated Dance Stories/Creative Movement courses in various schools such as Centre For Learning , Gaia, Trotter’s Stop, Sera School and Bangalore Steiner School. Priyanka currently designs, plans and conducts dance therapy sessions at Winds of Change - a special needs center in Bangalore. Apart from this she also conducts needs-based Creative Arts' Therapy sessions for groups/organization on body awareness, self image and holistic women's wellness.