If anything, this course has reaffirmed to me that the best way to learn is to be honest about what you want and what it will take to get there. It has affirmed to me that learning never ends: it is a path that reveals more to us about the depths of our subject of learning the more we pursue it with time and intention. That being said, this course has taught me that learning requires some amount of submission and bravery. I cannot limit what I can accomplish by how much I know at any given point in my journey, but rather continuously seek more to learn - thus accomplishing things that were not in the realm of possibility had I remained restricted in my thought of what I do and do not know. This course with Apoorva akka has taught me that the limitations which exist in the mind are the ones we cannot trust, since they are the ones that needn't be there at all. This philosophy has allowed me to identify my barriers of learning and expand my capacity for imagining what I am capable of learning within this art form.

I think Apoorva akka's teaching style almost intrinsically teaches you the philosophy of learning so it's a little hard to pinpoint how it exactly has influenced my philosophy of learning. But I remember from our one on one session that the key takeaway for me was honestly not even related to improving a physical quality of my dance. Which for me took a while to process, but I think has greatly improved the way I approach dance and creativity in life moving forward.

The course has been such a refreshing environment of learning. I can only describe it as a paradox; challenging yet comfortable. The complexity of the concepts was challenging to grasp, but I quickly became comfortable in exploring these concepts, and asking questions in class thanks to Apoorva Akka's warmth and openness. We were pushed to be curious, and Apoorva Akka was able to facilitate thought provoking discussions in such a way that I never felt it was wrong to seek. I deeply appreciate her ability to make our thoughts and ideas feel valued. Further, her absolute translucence both when she spoke about anything she was uncertain of, and in the way she imparted everything she could to us was extremely valuable to me to showcase the philosophy of teaching. It was her openness and honesty that made her so approachable, and genuine. Many times throughout the course I've felt, this is what learning should be like; a process of seeking.

Yes, in part, I found it very useful to repeat in particular I always keep in mind, even in other dances, the sound and the song that make me remember better the steps and the choreography. The lyrics are very present when the practice becomes intense, both repeated by Apoorva and in the piece of music

This course inspired me to reflect more deeply on both the composition we worked on and on the way I approach practice. It encouraged me to question/reflect on why a certain movement was performed in that way or what the broader purpose/intent of the piece is.

Yes. After the first one to one lesson with Apoorva, I experienced a real crisis. I wondered if I was up to the class and, later on, I also had more general doubts about being up to this dance. This crisis also came as a result of several physical problems I had this year and which made dance more difficult and demanding than usual. But now I think it's normal to feel almost a sense of fear in the face of something great and majestic. Without false or excessive flattery, this is the impact having Apoorva as a teacher had on me. But, as I said after the normal period of elaboration of something very intense, I regained confidence along with new awareness. For example, the idea of not dancing to meet expectations or a specific level of professionalism. But to dance out of necessity, out of passion, to express, to communicate, to improve more and more.

Yes, I have learned that the process of learning something and the though behind every movement is more important than just learning to make the final product. I have learned to question everything in dance, especially things that I would not usually pay much attention to and just do. I have learned to push my own boundaries and challenge myself.

Not just theoretically, classes with akka also helped me gain perspective as to the larger picture of the piece instead of just just treating the composition or choreography as is that reduces it to a mere robotic exercise. Learning is a constant through time and one can learn only by questioning oneself about what one is doing and why they're doing it that way. Classes with akka has pushed me to question my ideas about why it is I'm doing things a certain way. For learning what is required is an open mind and a willingness to absorb what is being said or taught. It is not about subjecting yourself to another's ideology while suppressing your own thoughts rather a superposition of ideas of the learner and the teacher.

As mentioned in the previous response, my outlook has changed. Unlearning previous notions happened. I learnt how to just look for myself and be convinced in whatever I do. The number of insights received, concerning every aspect of natyam has been amazing. Every thoughtful action of the instructor has all made the atmosphere of the Study room conducive to learning and growth. No video recording for missed sessions, for instance, meant that: one is motivated to NOT miss! That one is willing to work with other students to catch up. That the students present focus more, to be able to share with the ones missed. Looking back, I realize that slowly, I have been learning how to learn. In a very organic way. To "pay the price", so to say. For that, I am very grateful!

Before I used to concentrate on learning maximum choreographies. But in this session, when we discussed so much even on a single hand, which brought so much clarity. Now my thoughts are completely different. Now I want to explore every dance, no matter how much time it will take. Exploring the dance and enjoying the process of learning it, now I found it very important.

Yes. Definitely... it has complemented and supported the style of learning dance that I greatly believe in. Right from Aspects of Expression, I greatly resonated with Apporva akka's form of how to learn dance rather than, learning dance pieces, has always been given priority. Dance then becomes an inspiration, a series of Aha moments with each practice session rather than becoming performance oriented alone!