The Sadhana Exercise Test Project
The Evolution of Kathak: Kathak Yoga
Deepak Shrivastava, MD, FCCP, FACP
Professor of Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine
Kathak is a historical dance form that has sustained itself in modern times. Kathak became an International fine art form over last three decades. Kathak Yoga, a new evolution within the tradition of Kathak, where the dancer recites the basic rhythm continuously, singing the melody of the basic rhythm, and dancing precise footwork all at the same time. It involves keen concentration, physical fitness of a conditioned athlete and an ability to combine mind, body and soul to execute the dance. The Kathak dance itself is one way, out of many of expressing the art of story telling. Kathak defines who you are and creates social, spiritual and cultural relationships within it.
There is no known documentation of physical demands, strength and endurance needed or achieved by way of Kathak. However, the current medical technology allows measuring directly, the workloads achieved by the individuals. Conceptually, this project began over five years ago and took a great deal of time to understand the project and its feasibility.
A dedicated lifetime Master Kathak Guru Pundit Chitresh Das was available to participate in this unprecedented project. A trained physician/ Scientist with special interest in Exercise Physiology was also available to expedite the concepts in practical terms. A trained exercise physiologist and certified technologist was involved in the conceptual, theoretical and technical aspect of the entire project. Consultations were obtained from trained electromyogram technologist, physiatrist physician, cardiologist and various heath care experts interested in exercise physiology and sports medicine
The project was conceptualized as a merger of the Art of Kathak with the Science of Exercise. Finally, a process evolved after much thought, scientific discussions and overcoming technical and administrative barriers
The observations and results were reviewed with above mentioned team members before reporting
The purpose of this unique project was to document the process of exercise through the art of Kathak and measure workloads that can be achieved by practicing this art form. In addition, extra workload was added by playing of Tabla drums to provide the rhythmic counts and exercising the arms with weights while still performing the other two tasks, a process called Kathak Yoga. A secondary aim of this project was to examine the possibility of establishing the fact that age-specific programs of exercise measures can be developed that could be applied to other similar fine art forms
Exercise Physiology is a highly sophisticated science. The principles of the exercise physiology have been utilized in human health care for over a century. The technical aspects have been well defined and protocols are available for various clinical settings. The process of exercise testing requires a measure of the workloads and its relationship to body functions during the exercise. The major areas of attention are muscular strength, metabolic relationships amongst body systems, heart conditioning and breathing systems.
Chitreshji, an active Kathak performer was given a workload by wearing around his ankles, twenty pounds of “bells” and leg exercise by constant tapping of feet in a high speed rhythm called “Tatkar”, simultaneous hand playing of drums called “Tabla” to generate the rhythm and holding 10 pound dumb-bells intermittently through out the exercise. His heart rate, blood pressure and electrocardiogram were monitored. In addition, the breathing rate, volume of air moving in and out of lungs, concentration of exhaled gases and concentration of oxygen in the blood were monitored on line and electronically recorded through out the exercise. Chitreshji performed Kathak Yoga with this montage for 36 minutes and completed the test without any technical complications. The entire process was recorded on the film utilizing cameras from different angles.
Pulmonary rehabilitation protocol was followed. Testing environment related data was recorded in terms of barometric pressure, relative humidity and temperature. A pre-test study of airflow in and out of lung was conducted to rule out any underlying lung problems that could interfere with the exercise test. The data was collected at rest, exercise and recovery. Workload was measured in metabolic equivalents (METS) based on the maximum oxygen use per kilogram of body weight. Utilization of oxygen was measured by multiple parameters at predefined multiple levels of exercise. Ventilatory parameters were measured in the context of oxygen use and carbon dioxide (waste gas) elimination. Cardiac parameters were measured in the context of blood pressure, heart rate response and use of oxygen at a given heart rate. Concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide in exhaled air was measured for examining the relationship between blood flow and air flow continuously through out the exercise
The computerized validated protocols currently being utilized for cardio-pulmonary exercise testing generated the graphic description of collected data. The numerical data was analyzed manually and compared with the graphics. Predicted maximum values were calculated by standard formulas used in complete cardio-pulmonary exercise test. Data was categorized in three groups at rest, at maximum oxygen consumption and at point when body could no longer use oxygen (Anaerobic threshold). It was then tabulated in linear columns of each 30-second episode as the exercise progressed
Data was analyzed considering subject’s age of 58 years. Age and gender are two major factors that influence the observed results.
The results were astonishing. Chitreshji’s maximum oxygen consumption (VO2) was recorded at 35.3 mg/kg/min. (VO2 varies inversely with the age, r=0.43). He exercised up to 13 METS, (for reference: Cycling at 16.5 miles an hour take about 9 METS, Racquetball singles, 10 METS and cross country skiing 12 METS).
The breathing reserve was 26.2% (good) and maximum minute ventilation 58.9 liters. The cardiac reserve is 100%. The Oxygen pulse (the amount of oxygen extracted by the tissues of the body from the oxygen carried by each heart beat) is high at 16 mL/beat and a rate pressure product (an index of heart’s oxygen use) 90% predicted (all excellent).
Kathak provides opportunity to develop muscular strength and endurance, which is progressive. It also improves and maintains cardiovascular and respiratory fitness. Students of Kathak can achieve exercise performance comparable to athletes practicing any other sport. The addition of Kathak Yoga further adds to workload, exercise challenge and resultant benefits.
Technology for recording of cardio-pulmonary exercise test while performing Kathak Yoga has successfully evolved. Further work and research is needed to document normal patterns of exercise physiology in different age subsets, level of training and special settings.