SoBo movement centre uses music and theatre for therapy

The centre is funded by Dr Neha Kothari (in action) and has a team of four therapists, two physiotherapists as well as psychologists; but creative and performing arts stand out as prefects at the institution. PICs/DaTTAâÂÂu00c2u0080ÂÂu00c2u0088KUMBhAR

"Music is for every person that walks on the planet," Robert Plant - the vocalist of the legendary Rock and Roll group Led Zeppelin - had once articulated. Moving with music isn't new, joggers in parks and fitness freaks in gyms stay plugged on to expensive headsets to maintain the drill. But we came across a space that alleviates illness with music. Seventh Sense - a movement and communication centre at Chowpatty Terrace - offers alternative, therapeutic treatment to patients; music and theatre are a part of it.

Moving with the doctor
The health hub that opened its doors in 2012 is administered by Dr Neha Kothari - a physiotherapist who ensures kinetic control among patients. She learnt the alternative workout science from London. "After undergoing therapy, people hit the gym to stay fit but in the process, get injured. Kinetic control is one of the traditional forms of workouts like yoga that involves movement," she explains, as she oversees a queue of patients waiting to attain a taste of her magic in medical science. The spot celebrates silence. Since there is a beach across the road, the sounds of waves lead to a bit of clamour but it doesn't disturb the tranquility of the space.

After learning kinetic control, Kothari started the centre with just a small room. The demand kept increasing and it soon became fully functional. "When people visit the centre, they can combine yoga with a tabla beat or any instrument. The exercises are creative," reassures Kothari, whose grandfather Dr JK Mehta treated people from the film and music industry back in the '70s. "Music composer Naushad used to often come to our place," she recalls.

Music and movement
Hailing from a family of doctors and musicians, Kothari blended both to structure the syllabus of her school. She is a trained sitar player and the treatments are designed keeping the network of the brain in mind. "I know what music, sound and beat can do to the brain. If I have to sit and calculate every beat while playing the sitar, I won't be able to play with the flow. I understand that the initial sense of timing will come from counts and calculations but at some point, you need to sense time and that will come from the body," shares Kothari, who recently invited sitar player Soham Munim for a recital at her centre. Every musical session is planned with a therapeutic approach. "It has to have a purpose. Munim's concert was about meditation," recalls Kothari, who travelled countries to unlock therapies.

No rush for gigs
Concerts aren't her primary intent. She takes time to curate content. "We had a drum circle (using tabla) by Aditya Kalyanpur, which, I feel had an impact psychologically. It delved into community building and expressions with beats, not words. One doesn't need words to share feelings, it can be done using drums," she elaborates.

With theatre, participants learn about backstage etiquette to be able to perform. "It is all about expression exercises, abstract thinking coupled with games. The curriculum needed for theatre works before one turns an artiste. Several theatre teachers create modules for us," shares Kothari.