A Bharatanatyam dance lesson and practice, always begins with a Bhoomi Namaskaaram / Namaskriya, followed by the Dhyaana/Prayer Slokas.

• DHYAN SLOKA :

Angikam Bhuvanam Yasya Vachikam Sarva Vangmayam

Aaharyam Chandra Taaradi Tam namaha Saatvikam Shivam

Meaning: 

We bow to Him [Lord Shiva] the benevolent One, Whose limbs are the universe, Whose song and poetry are the essence of all languages, Whose ornaments are the moon and the stars… 

Word by word meaning: 

Angikam – body ; Bhuvanam – universe; Yasya – whose;  Vachikam – speech/ song;  Sarva – everyone;  Vangmayam – language;  Aharyam – ornaments; Chandra – moon ; Taradi – starts;  Tam – to You;  Namah – to bow;  Satvikam – pure;  Shivam – Lord Shiva

Few more slokas to be recited – 

“Gururbramha Gururvishnu Gururdevo Maheshwaraha

Guruhsakshaat Parabramha Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha”

Meaning – Guru is just another form of Bramha, Vishnu and Maheshwara, who creates , sustains knowledge and destroys the weeds of ignorance. I salute/bow to such a Para-bramha [supreme God]; the Guru.

“Vakratunda Mahakaaya Suryakoti Samaprabhaha

Nirvighnam Kuru me deva Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada”

Meaning – I pray to Shri Ganesha who has a curved trunk, large body, the Lord who has a brilliance / vibrance of one million suns. Oh dear Ganapathi, [the elephant headed God] please make all my Karmas/endeavors, obstacle-free, always.