Dimple Vyas works as an anaesthetist in the NHS, so she knows more than most how important it is to keep moving as you get older. Though she’s a medic, she has a creative soul: she loves to dance and sing, alongside her daughter. Recently, Dimple decided to return to her childhood passion of Bharatnatyam Dance and she joined a class with South Asian Arts (UK) in Leeds. Dimple shares her story of how it felt to take up dancing again in her 50s, how she ended up learning with a group of children and she explains how keeping moving helps her to stay healthy.

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How did you get involved with Indian dancing?

This particular type of dance – which is called Bharatnatyam – I used to do as a young child. I did it for only about 6 – 8 months. This was back in India, where I grew up. I was also very much interested in other Indian arts – singing and classical music. Our school really promoted end-of-the-year activities, so we formed a really lovely dance group and we entered competitions. And we used to win them! As a group of kids, we would choreograph lots of different folk dances from different Indian states. For example, from Maharashtra we took Koli Dance; from Punjab we took Bhangra. It was great. An amazing feeling when you perform and it comes to the standard you want it to. I was about 11 or 12. But I never really followed it through. At that time, education was the priority for my parents: “Your test results aren’t great – dance is a diversion.” Everyone got dispersed, your focus goes to professional qualifications.

And you came back to it as an adult?

My daughter learned some dance, we tried out a bit of Bollywood dancing. She’s learned Indian classical music for about 10 years, and I joined her in that about 5 years ago. But I was keen to dance. I’m not a very sporty person, but always enjoyed dance. I always stuck to yoga, following a knee injury. Due to some health reasons post-Covid, I couldn’t continue with yoga. I started putting on a bit of weight and wasn’t happy about it. I couldn’t do much, what with working hours. Trying to find the time to go for walks – and that’s weather dependent! Around Autumn time last year, I was rushing into the house to turn the alarm off and had a nasty fall, because it was slippery. I hurt my shoulder. I felt I was losing strength from my muscles, I should be able to support my body better.  That’s when I thought I needed to do something about it. I happened to meet a friend who does dance with South Asian Arts UK, so I got the number from her.

Tell us a bit about Bharatnatyam?

It is Indian classical dance, originating from the south of India. It has the involvement of every muscle in the body. It requires co-ordination of big muscle groups and small muscle groups. It requires a lot of awareness of your body when you’re dancing – though I suppose any dance would need that. There are mudras in it [mudras are symbolic or ritual hand gestures, often used in yoga]. You learn different mudras, using fingers, the small muscles of the hand get involved. This is really good for preventing arthritis as you grow older. Those muscles you might not normally use if you are typing or using a pen. All the muscles of your fingers and thumb and hands get utilised. You are squatting in an Aramandi posture, the main posture of the dance. This requires you to bend your knees and move your legs outwards. Aramandi really strengthens your thigh and hip muscles. It’s really good. Your hand posture really strengthens your upper arms. Lot of eye muscles exercises too – my eyes follow my hand movements.

What particular health benefits does the dance give you?

It's really good for women as they are getting older. Really helpful in strength and balance, along with getting bone density. Osteoporosis is a big issue. My mum suffers from osteoporosis, so I have started taking some preventative steps, supplements etc. But you need to do some exercise to get some bone density. The dance is very energetic. But it can be as gentle or as energetic as you want. It suits my temperament. The health benefits are absolutely amazing. Before you start the dance, you go through the stretch exercises – these are absolutely great. You start to get these proper endorphins going through your system! You do perspire a fair bit. A bit of cardio.

I’m really conscious about memory getting foggy. With Bharatnatyam, there is lots of theory, lots of co-ordination, steps to remember. It’s really good for memory – prevention of neurodegenerative disorders.

Tell us how you felt, going into the Bharatnatyam group for the first time?

The group was already established and I walked in new. The youngest member of the group is 5-years-old and the oldest is 9-years-old! I was warned about it – they said, “Would you feel self-conscious?” I said, “No, not with children – they are such great learners.” They hardly bother about who is learning alongside them. It’s a great inspiration to be learning with children. It’s been really good! Honestly, I’ve made some great friends there. The 5-year-old, she is absolutely amazing. She’s my best friend, she says, “I’m always going to stand next to you at the front.” She’s my best buddy. She used to get a little bit nervous and she has felt some comfort in having an adult who is there and can also make mistakes. I’m not the teacher and I am learning too.

Why do you have to be in a kids’ group?
They said, “If you are starting right at the basic level, you have to go with the kids.” I said, “Fine, that’s how it is.” There are some mums who sit and watch their kids, who have started to become a bit motivated too. They say, “I’ve been thinking about doing dance but wasn’t sure. But looking at you, we think we can also do it!” You have to learn the whole syllabus before you progress. There is lots of singing involved as well. There are hand mudras to be remembered. There’s a theory exam as well. I fully intend to carry on with it.