Shakti’s shaking up Bowling Green
Written by By BILL RYAN Sentinel Staff Writer
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Laura Shakti (center), in her dance studio at the old South Main school in Bowling Green. (Aaron Carpenter/Sentinel-Tribune)After only two years in the area, Laura Shakti has made quite a name for herself as she quietly, but effectively, brings a bit of world culture to Northwest Ohio. Shakti, a professional dancer and instructor with specialties in Middle Eastern dance, also works with Kundalini Yoga, African drums, massage and acupressure. In addition to offering classes at her studio, Radiance Center for Healing Arts, located in the Common Space at the former South Main School in Bowling Green, Shakti has taken her talents to various programs around the area. She and her students have held fundraisers for the Cocoon Shelter; and given performances and programs in churches, senior communities and schools. One of her favorite projects was working with Bowling Green State University students in the Chapman Community at Kohl. “It was just phenomenal,” said Sherona Garrett-Ruffin, assistant director and instructor of psychology with the Chapman community, of her teaching new and exciting things for the students. “They learned that dance is appropriate for all women regardless of body type or age,” Garrett-Ruffin said, adding that her students also found the dancing and yoga to be a great way to relieve stress. “I just absolutely love Laura’s class,” Garrett-Ruffin said. “It literally changed my life.” Other students were motivated for greater activity and to learn more about the culture. Calling the studio “a treasure right here in Bowling Green” she added, “Laura is a talented dancer and teacher. She has a way of connecting with the students.” While Shakti provides history and background of foreign lands, she has adapted well to her own culture shock of moving here from California. The self-described “Army brat” moved 22 times before she was 14, much of the time in Europe. In addition to English, she speaks French, German and Spanish. Before moving here, she and her husband of 15 years, Roger Drummer, lived in Los Angeles. He was originally from this area and moved back to be close to family. The couple have three children; Sarah, nearly 12, Almah-Luce (which means light of the soul), almost 6, and Amrita (nectar of the gods, or ambrosia of the divine), age 3. The oldest are both students at Kenwood, so Shakti also provided a bit of culture for their school at the invitation of the PTO. “They were spellbound. They were all very receptive to what she had to offer,” said Gary Keller, Kenwood principal. He said more than just a cultural program for the students, it has been very beneficial as many students have applied some of the rhythms they learned through her North African drums and other instruments. Keller also noted the agility and flexibility, as well as strength and self-discipline for Shakti to do the things she does. “It was very effective; every student was involved,” the principal added. She also made a presentation at Crim School for their social studies class on Egypt. Shakti has also performed on television, including the syndicated “Roseanne” show, and in 1998, on MTV; as well as various theater groups including the Toledo Ballet. She also offers a program for private wedding and baby showers. Though Shakti has traveled throughout the world, it was not until a class in L.A. that she developed her deep interest in the Middle Eastern dances and its culture. “I was a full-time student and needed some stress relief,” Shakti recalled, “I walked into a class and felt like my soul had come home.” That is the essence she tries to teach her students, to feel comfortable and centered within their own bodies. She stresses her dances are folkloric, meaning they are done by the folk, regular people. She has more than a dozen in her repertoire. While belly dancing, or the cabaret style of dance she teaches, is often perceived as sexual, Shakti stresses it is not. The folk dances could be compared to line or square dancing, while cabaret would be more of a theatrical dance done for entertainment. “I take it as a personal responsibility to educate people about the authenticity of the dance or yoga,” Shakti said. Despite her vast travels and cultural differences, she is very rooted, both in herself and her mission. She also has quickly put down roots in Northwest Ohio.
