Jahnavi Sheriff Saisuresh - Yoga is The Calm To My Chaos That is Dance (Dancer, Choreographer, and Yoga Instructor From India)

                                                                                   

Being content. I am pretty much living the life I want. Doing what I love. So just to be happy without always trash-talking to myself. Constructive criticism is good but I tend to go a bit overboard. Because I have always been so critical of everything I do, that I am almost killing the joy in it. So yes my goal is very simple.

1. Tell us about your background and journey. 

I've been lucky and blessed to have parents who have always encouraged me to be a creative child. They never stopped me from doing what I wanted to do. I've been dancing since I was 5, and was introduced to yoga at 11. Everything was organic.

I used to dance in school and teachers used to complain to my parents that I was always dancing, my parents told them she wants to be one, so let her, and that the teacher should focus on making sure that if I go to a shop I should know that I am not being cheated. Haha. 

It all started watching Bollywood films, then tv shows, back then things were either western dance or Indian Classical. I did both. I just loved dancing. Then thanks to Tv we started being exposed to new dance forms and learned new names eventually. So it's been quite an interesting transition to witness and be a part of. 

2. When did you first decide to pursue dance and how did it kick start? 

I finished my tenth std with pretty good marks on ICSE boards and I did it dancing till the very end and I was so sure I didn't want to waste time studying, to be honest, I felt those were my crucial years, so was looking to apply to dance colleges, and thankfully Kalakshetra College was accepting students who were the tenth pass.

I auditioned and I got in. 4 intense but crucial years of my life. We were living in dance, music, and art. It was truly an experience. And I consider myself blessed and lucky. People think dance college is just dancing, but we had a theory, we had to learn to do stage duties, a lot of things that have helped shape us to be the dancers we are. 

I was always fascinated by the movement of all kinds, so right after I graduated I wanted to study dance further in New York. I got accepted at the Broadway dance center in NYC, which was also a very crucial part of my growth. I have to say is in these two places have shaped me to be the dancer I am right now. 

3. What are the benefits of incorporating yoga into dance?

Yoga was introduced to me thanks to my mom, she never forced me but sent me to an ashram at 11. I cried and it was very dramatic and made her feel bad, but the time at the kid’s camp in Sivananda Ashram was the best summer holiday. Went back 2 more times. Best one month.

But every time I came back I wouldn't practice asana, I was quite lazy, to be honest, I just loved dancing haha but I loved the whole chanting and spiritual aspect of it from a very young age. Then when I went to the dance college at 16, I had my first injury then, and because of that I started practicing Yoga and there has been no looking back. 

It's very much a part of my day-to-day living. It helps me deal with stress, It helps me with energy, Stamina, and strength. It protects me mentally and physically. It is the calm to my chaos that is dance.

4. Throw some light on the opportunities one can get as a dancer.

Well, we can get opportunities to choreograph, perform, teach, and do commercials. It truly depends on what the person pursuing this is looking for in it. You can do it all or you can do one. There is no limitation but your mind :) I won't lie, it is tough. There will be periods of dry spells financially and it is super scary. But it will fall into place. 

5. Is formal training required to pursue your dream or is talent sufficient? Your views?

I truly believe in hard work, talent is great but if you're lazy and lack discipline it won't take you too far. 

6. What is your daily mantra? 

Tough one:
I have so many. I am enough, I am powerful and limitless (when I feel scared) the power is within me. 

Honestly what also keeps me going is the love and support that I have from my parents and my friends. It makes life easy. Their support keeps me going.

7. Share your end goal and what success looks like to you.

Being content. I am pretty much living the life I want. Doing what I love. So just to be happy without always trash-talking to myself. Constructive criticism is good but I tend to go a bit overboard.

Because I have always been so critical of everything I do, that I am almost killing the joy in it. So yes my goal is very simple.

8. An achievement/achievement that you are proud of.

Ooooooohhh this is super long. 

• I've been on billboards across the country for different brands. I came 2nd place in Asia's Dancehall Queen competition in 2018, Came in the top 4 in 2017. 

• I have performed and choreographed for Nucleya in 2016, For Reggae Rajahs, and featured in Ritviz Chalo Chalein.

 
• Choreographed for a music video for Leslee Lewis and Omar Gooding’s song - Entourage. Featured in so many ads. Worked with so many brands. My list is endless.

9. A message for aspiring artists?

Be true to yourself, and love yourself in this journey that will be so unique to you.

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Interviewed By - Abigail Beaucasin