Odd Svendsen traveled around Norway performing feats of balance and balance in movement. In theaters all over the country, Odd executed amazing strength and balance movements on his own, with a partner and in a group. These movements were all done with great technique. Each movement was part of a series of small adjustments in balance, leading to an incredibly impressive whole. He was a master of balance in movement.
As an older man, Odd used Draga as a way of keeping in shape and staying strong and flexible. Long after retirement, Odd was muscular and could perform impressive feats of strength and balance.
Odd was very interested in keeping alive Viking and Norse culture, and his Norwegian male name comes from the Old Norse Oddr, which means ‘sharp end of an arrow’ or ‘edge of blade’.
Odd introduced me to Glima and draga. He showed me how use draga as a physical, mental and spiritual exercise, as a way to understand larger themes. When I performed a movement or series of movements, Odd adjusted my movement and balance, so that I understood draga at a very deep level.
When I said that draga reminded me of Yoga and Thai Chi, Odd told me that the origins of modern Yoga also lay in Scandinavia. This was quite a shock to me, but in later years I found other sources that confirmed this, including my work with glima instructors and through the writings of Yoga historian and Yoga teacher Mark Singleton.
