On February 12, 2025, Ms Swarashri Shridhar graced the TEDxGNMS stage with her talk, Vilamba: The Mighty Descent of Laya. Through the lens of Kathak, Swarashri explores the paradox of slowing down to move forward. By letting go of distractions and refining focus, we create space for true mastery—proving that sometimes, doing less allows us to achieve much more. Swarashri Shridhar is a Kathak dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Director of Aneka - Identities Dancing Within. Trained under Dr. Pali Chandra at Gurukul Dubai, she blends Kathak’s expressive and technical elements to illuminate lived experiences and advocate for social and mental wellness. Her works explore Dance Movement Therapy for Parkinson’s, Schizophrenia, anxiety, women empowerment, and environmental sustainability. She recently toured India in 2024 with a dance-drama on Dissociative Identity Disorder. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

NOTE FROM TED: We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfHave you ever been called to create something? This is the story of an incredible collaboration between a highly-determined mother, an amazing non-profit, and a devoted professional that not only resulted in the creation of a number of inclusive and accepting spaces in the community, but in a paradigm shift as to how people with disabilities are perceived in society.For additional information, check out: Somuchtogivecafe.org Somuchtogivestudio.org Pillarsoflightandlove.org Maureen Stanko is a musician, a fitness instructor, and a Reading Specialist in the Methacton School District in Montgomery County, PA. She is also a wife and the mother of two sons in their 20's. Her son, Nicholas, who is 22, has autism. The lack of services available for adults with disabilities is what motivated Maureen to start the So Much to Give Program, which resulted in the opening of the So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe' and the So Much to Give Inspiration Studio near Skippack, PA in the suburbs of Philadelphia.Tyler Kammerle received his B.S. in Education from West Chester University. After teaching special education in a local school district, he went on to direct a program geared towards providing job training and employment opportunities for teens and adults with disabilities. These experiences helped him to develop an understanding of both the school system and the adult services system and contributed to the successful rollout of his vision to open an inclusive cafe' to promote acceptance and inclusion in the community. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk for mental health advice. This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and understanding of sound, healing, and the brain. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfA demonstration of Bowl Singing brought quietness and rest during this recent TEDxMurrieta event. We heard about the history of vibrational treatments for aids in meditation and reducing anxiety. Angela Kies and her associate Cary Saltgaver demonstrate the power of sound vibrations with a Bowl Singing performance. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker's personal religious views and understanding. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfFear can manifest itself in many different forms (including anxiety and imposter syndrome). Learn about the impact of fear on our lives, what courage is and practical steps on how to gain courage. Emi Rowse is a Hong Kong lawyer who moved to Bangkok in 2016 with an international law firm. She is currently a partner of a law firm in Thailand and specialises in dispute resolution. She also leads the firm's Japan practice, being half Japanese. As an international lawyer, Emi has worked in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bangkok.In addition to her legal career, Emi is also trained as a mental health counselor and was the Elementary School Counselor for ICS between 2020 to 2022.Emi is married to Vinny (5th Grade teacher at ICS) and they have 3 children, Alyssa (12th Grade), Joshua (9th Grade) and Liora (6th Grade) who all attend ICS. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Everybody deserves the right to travel, says TV presenter, writer, and disability advocate Sophie Morgan. Informed by her own experiences, Sophie, who was paralysed in a car crash when she was a child, explains the hidden discrimination in air travel, where wheelchair users are separated from their mobility devices, denied access to basic facilities, and forced to endure broken chairs, lost independence, and even life-threatening situations.Sophie shares her story and her involvement in the growing movement demanding accountability, legal protections, and real change for disabled travellers, including groundbreaking innovations that could finally make air travel accessible for all. Sophie argues the 'Rights on Flights' campaign isn’t just a fight for disabled people, it’s a fight for everyone’s future.Sophie Morgan is a TV presenter, producer, travel writer, and disability advocate dedicated to breaking barriers in accessibility and representation. She has fronted award-winning programs for NBC, Channel 4, and the BBC, covering everything from travel and disability rights to major global events like the Paralympics. She recently co-founded Making Space Media with Reese Witherspoon’s 'Hello Sunshine', together they co-produced the critically acclaimed documentary 'Fight to Fly' (Channel 4), exposing the aviation industry’s failures toward disabled travellers. The documentary launched her global campaign, Rights on Flights, which fights for accessible and equitable air travel. A renowned travel writer, Sophie contributes to leading travel publications, and her bestselling memoir, Driving Forwards, chronicles her journey of resilience and advocacy following a spinal injury.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Fundamentally, Alexandra is fascinated with the animal kingdom. She believes that by taking a deeper look at our fellow creatures we can learn important lessons. In her talk, Alexandra explores the wonders of symbiotic relationships and reflects on the ways observing and applying them might positively impact our everyday lives. Fundamentally, Alexandra is fascinated with the animal kingdom. She believes that by taking a deeper look our fellow creatures we can learn important lessons. In her talk, Alexandra explores the wonders of symbiotic relationships and reflects on the ways observing and applying them might positively impact our everyday lives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx