#natyamnaatak – Sometimes, You Just Need to Cast a Spell
There are days when it’s VERY handy to be both a Bharatanatyam teacher and a Potterhead. 🪄
Students dancing in class, and there is a near-collision.
Teacher – “Everyone ok? No one got hurt?”
Student 1 – “Yeah, but that was close!”
Student 2 – “We could have crashed to the ground!”
Teacher – “Aside from learning all our movements, rhythms and showing we are having fun, we also have to be aware of our space – so we don’t run into each other.”
Student 3 – “But how can we pay attention to EVERYTHING at the same time?”
Student 4 – “Isn’t it kind of like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time?”
Teacher – “It is – and you can definitely do it.”
Student 2 – “I don’t know it seems like you are asking a lot.”
Student 5 – “Oh, I have an idea! How about we have protective shields around each of us, so even if we DO crash, we won’t get hurt?”
Teacher – “You mean like Protego Maxima?” as I hold my “wand” (a.k.a the stick I use to tap out rhythms) and point to each of them
Student 1 – “Whoa, how do you know that?”
Student 3 – “You read Harry Potter?”
Student 4 – (whispering to classmates) “Oh, I think she is legit.”
Good news – no more near-misses the rest of class!
P.S. – The young Potterheads approved of this older Potterhead’s charms.
P.P.S. – At this age, there is a lot of pride and joy when young students call you “legit.”