As I look back on the days spent at Adi Shakti, I am struck by how transformative they were—not just for my body as a dancer but for my spirit as a seeker. Those nine days were more than a residency; they were an immersion into something profound, a sacred dialogue between discipline and creativity, pain and joy, exhaustion and exhilaration. Each moment, from the grueling practice sessions to the quiet reflections, became a step toward discovering something deeper within myself…

The final day of our residency at Adi Shakti dawned with a bittersweet feeling. Eight days had flown by in a whirlwind of dancing, learning, and connecting, and now it was time to bring this chapter to a close…

The next few days at Adi Shakti fell into a rhythm that, while grueling, became the pulse of our lives. Each day started the same—early alarms, aching bodies, quick preparations, and stepping into the studio ready (or as ready as we could be) for another day of intense training. By now, the exhaustion and pain were constants, but something else began to emerge—a sense of growth, camaraderie, and a deeper connection to the art and to our teacher…

The third day at Adi Shakti began with a mixture of awe and dread. By now, the reality of this intense dance residency had truly set in. Nine hours of dancing every day—three structured sessions and countless moments in between spent rehearsing, refining, and pushing ourselves to remember every nuance of what we had been taught.

The second day at Adi Shakti was a revelation, not just for its intensity but also for the joy and playfulness it brought into our learning. As the day unfolded, a new layer of the Odissi experience was revealed—one that spoke to both discipline and creativity…

Our journey to Adi Shakti began with a lively reunion at the airport. As each of us arrived, the waiting lounge buzzed with chatter and laughter. It was heartwarming to catch up, share stories, and soak in the collective excitement for what lay ahead. Bags were piled up, coffee cups exchanged hands, and amidst the chatter, the realization struck us—this was the beginning of something extraordinary…