Since Childhood, Here are 10 Photos of Ariel Tatum who Loves Traditional Dancing for Meditation

Ariel Tatum tells that since kindergarten she has been enrolled in traditional dance classes by her mother. Because her family is still closely tied to customs and culture.

"From kindergarten, I have been actively involved in traditional dance and my mother enrolled me in traditional dance classes. My family, both my mother's and father's side, has a strong cultural background. So even since kindergarten, there were traditional dances that I could perform and classes that I attended," said Ariel Tatum when met at Galeri Indonesia Kaya, Grand Indonesia, Central Jakarta, on Friday (1/12).

"As I grew older, my interest in traditional dance faded. Until five years ago, I decided to return and reignite my passion for it, and three years ago, I started consistently dancing Javanese traditional dance, specifically Jogja," she continued.

Ariel Tatum admitted that she always makes time for dance practice once a week. "I always make time for dance practice once a week, unless there is an urgent matter that cannot be avoided. Of course, there is a dance instructor," she said.

However, Ariel Tatum doesn't want to be called a professional dancer because she has been pursuing traditional dancing as a hobby for her own pleasure and as a form of meditation.

"I feel that I don't have the capacity to be called a professional dancer because I have been doing it for my own enjoyment. Because in Javanese dance, the movements are slow and there are many details that I have to pay attention to in my body, in the music, and in my breath. So I feel that it is just one of my forms of meditation," she said.

"Actually, I return to traditional dancing because I am looking for an alternative way to meditate or reconnect with myself and my own body, so I think it is relaxing," Ariel Tatum continued.

In addition, this is also one of Ariel Tatum's ways to preserve traditional culture. Because not many friends her age have hobbies like hers.

"You could say that, because I really want to help preserve the culture, but not many friends my age share the same passion for traditional dance, traditional music," she said.

Because of her love for dancing, Ariel Tatum was finally invited by Happy Salma to perform Jaipong dance in an art performance titled 'Sukabumi 1980' which will take place at Selabintana Conference Resort Sukabumi, West Java on December 8, 2023.