With my nuclear family...

Today was special! After nearly three decades, my parents, myself and my brother had an opportunity to spend some time. We drove to San Diego  to attend a family function. We took some pictures. It was simple and calm. It was HIS will and HE made it happen.  Thank you!

To be detached ?

I think teaching is one of the most fulfilling yet thankless jobs.  I know that  the higher force is telling me to do my job justly and detach myself from the act itself. I am trying hard although I often fail and get emotional. 

I have been searching within myself to see if I can begin to nurture other skills. 

My running was good today. 

25:53 mts / 2:00 miles / burnt 316 calories.

Online Interview

Sangeetha Shyam, a thoughtful writer interviewed us (me and my daughter) recently and  it is published on www.carnaticdarbar.com today.

She asked technical aspects of my choreography and I enjoyed sharing my approach to art making. Hope you get a chance to read it. 

http://www.carnaticdarbar.com/interviews/2008/interviews_malathi.asp

http://sangeethas.wordpress.com/2008/08/28/a-chat-with-malathi-iyengar/

It is getting better...

26:08 minutes / 2:00 miles / burnt 320 calories.  

It would be nice if I could run a 5k at some point. I have always considered running a boring activity.  So I have been mainly working out using a treadmill. I think I should run outdoors. I know the fresh air would be inviting but I have to allot more time. However I know running works for me. In my middle and high school years, I was a sprint runner. 

My inspiration  is my husband who has been a marathon runner for over 3 decades. 

My regiment seems to be working...

What I gave up:

As of May first week, I gave up the following (about 90 - 95 percent).

White Rice, Sugar, Bread, Tortillas, Chapathi, Pasta, and Sweets.

Potato, Dairy Products, & Coconut.

Alcohol.

I have only had few table spoons of Rice, Pasta or other starchy things here and there.

Major Change:

I have reduced portions of food intake considerably. 

I don't snack that much anymore.

Alcohol:

I have had only few sips of Wine 3 - 4 times between May - August. That is it!

Result:

I definitely feel more agile, alert, and energetic than before. I have lost weight and feel very motivated.

Goal:

This takes effort and determination. I pray I have the strength to maintain.

Thank you!

Letting go and moving on...

On another note, it has been a day of knowing how transient everything is in life. People come into our lives and move away just as easily. When the time comes to separate, it is funny how well prepared we are. I actually feel nothing. It is almost like there was a prior warning by the divine. 

I am talking about being a teacher and how I have to deal with the overzealous, pushy parents and their unreasonable expectations and hurry. Some of them have no forethought and act hastily. Children may have a tough time coping with these rushed decisions made by parents. 

It has been hard convincing parents that what I teach is not mere technique but it is a package. It is a neatly planned package of culture, tradition, heritage, and lastly music or dance or whatever...

This is sort of attending a finishing school I guess for both parents and children although parents fight it. This has much to do with our Guru Shishya Parampara (Teacher-Student Tradition). This is a way of thinking, living, and accepting. I have done it as a student and a parent, and it works!

Running Log

27:17 minutes / 2:00 miles / burnt 314 calories. This is the best I have done so far. Now I weigh 127. 7 lbs. Soon I will let you know how I lost 20 lbs in 14 weeks.

Learning to be effective and authentic...

I am writing about defining dreams and visions and pursuing them. I have taken the time for the first time in my life to recognize what is not working both personally and professionally and I am noticing that I have the courage to change. I have experienced a certain sense of clarity in everything that I did not before. It is exciting!

My first day blogging...

Namaskara (Hello)

I am Malathi Iyengar, a 54 year old woman who is married to Suresh, a kind and generous man. Together we have been blessed with a daughter Lakshmi. 

This journal will include entries related to my leadership in the arts, pain and pleasure of being a teacher, artistic failures and accomplishments, family progress, weight gain and loss, and random happenings.

I am a choreographer and an artistic director of a dance company. www.rangoli.org

I hope you will take the time to visit our company and learn about our passion for the arts. 

Our entire family is involved in shaping the organization. My parents have also contributed much to our company's artistic growth. 

Teaching, running a professional dance company, and being a family woman have been very fulfilling to me. I am engaged pretty much 16 - 18 hours a day in developing our organization. I have a note book next to my bed. I am immersed in my work totally. I like it that way. 

However I had apparently disregarded my personal care and health in the last 6 years. The mid life transition was challenging.  I lost interest in taking care of myself. I am a little shy of being five feet two inches and I weighed 147.7 lbs during April 2008. This did not feel good.

I felt heavy and  lethargic. I got tired of this feeling and decided to make immediate changes. I am happy to say I have gone through significant shift with respect to  my lifestyle in the past 4 months.  I will soon be sharing with you my experiences and rewards I have gained since then. It has been extremely inspiring and encouraging. 

Until then...