the 5rhythms
FLOWING . STACCATO . CHAOS . LYRICAL . STILLNESS
EVERYTHING IN THE UNIVERSE HAS A RHYTHM. EVERYTHING DANCES.
~ MAYA ANGELOU
“Each Rhythm is a dynamic state of being,
each one a master teacher.
Together, they guide us to reweave the web
of divine intelligence that defines us.
They are a philosophy,
a perspective,
a practice,
a performance art,
and a prayer.
Indeed, they are a cosmology,
a modern medicine wheel rooted in trance,
a series of interconnected maps
to the moving centre,
the still point in a dancing world.
The 5Rhythms move us far beyond freestyle dancing.
They are specific catalysts,
Keys that unlock the psyche
and put it in motion to heal itself.”
~ Gabrielle Roth, 5Rhythms founder
(Conscious Dancer Magazine)
5Rhythms, created by ‘urban shaman’ Gabrielle Roth, is a global movement, a creative and expressive embodiment practice that generates momentum for deep healing. It is at once meditation, medicine, and a series of maps to ecstasy. There is no choreography...other than following the body, and listening in to it's wisdom.
However there is a design, a cosmology, and an intelligence in these maps. The dance offers us the space to drop out of the mind and into the feet, to allow the beat of the music to hold us as we step out of our own way to be danced.
A shamanic practice that calls us into a deep embodied awakening.
By putting the body in motion we heal the psyche and create an opportunity to connect body, heart, mind, soul, and spirit with our full aliveness! As we dance through this Wave we gain a wider movement vocabulary to find out our ground, express our hearts, tap into our creative force, free ourselves, and come home.
flowing
EARTH . feet . receptive . fluid . circular . continuous . yin .
EARTH . feet . receptive . fluid . circular . continuous . yin .
In Flowing, we physically practice the art of being fluid and feminine in our bodies. Flowing is the grounding foundation of the practice. It is the pipeline to our inner truth, the impulse to follow the flow of our own energy, to be true to oneself - listening and attending to our needs, receptive to our inner and outer worlds.
It is that part of us that is a continuum of movement, of energy - cyclical and circular. When we open up to the flow of our physical beings, all other pathways open. It is one of the most beautiful and fascinating ways of dancing - to be in, to be around, and to watch.
STACCATO
fire . ENGAGE THE hips . percussive . expressive . focussed . yang .
fire . ENGAGE THE hips . percussive . expressive . focussed . yang .
In Staccato we practice the power of masculine energy. It is percussive and strong and promotes connection with the rest of the world. Staccato is the gateway to the heart. It shows us how to step out into the world connected to our feet and our feelings. It is the ruler of our linear world, the ruler of the warrior part of us, that shows up as truth and clarity.
It is the part of us that stands up for what we care about, who we love, and what we love.
Staccato is the fierce teacher of boundaries. And it is the protector and ambassador of our fluid being. Staccato is defined, clear, connected.
CHAOS
water . RELEASE THE head . letting go . dynamic . wild . free .
water . RELEASE THE head . letting go . dynamic . wild . free .
In Chaos we physically practice the art of fully releasing our bodies - we let go of the head, spine, hips and feet and move faster than we can think.
Chaos breaks us free of our illusions and throws us headfirst into the beat. This rhythm liberates us from all ideas about who we are and gives us a real experience of being total, free, intuitive and creative.
Chaos is the gateway to the big mind. The practice of going into the unknown, not fearing what’s on the other side. Visually we look like a big, hot, giant, sweaty mess overflowing with cathartic energy. This is our big dance, our break out dance, our break through dance.
LYRICAL
air . hands . lightening up . uniqueness . connection . community .
air . hands . lightening up . uniqueness . connection . community .
In Lyrical we practice the art of lightening up. It is the physical, energetic, emotional and spiritual dancing rebirth. Lyrical teaches us how to break out of old patterns and surrender to the depths of the creative, spontaneous repetitions of our soulful self with the integrity and dignity.
Lyrical is expansive and connects us to our humanity, timeless rhythms, repetitions, patterns and cycles. Lyrical is more of a state of being than a Rhythm, as it can be a crystal clear expression of any of the Rhythms in their lightness. We become light in our feet, like birds flying in the air - but make no mistake, in Lyrical we are grounded and fully empowered.
STILLNESS
ether . breath . spirit . poetry in motion, alive in the still point .
ether . breath . spirit . poetry in motion, alive in the still point .
Being Still and doing Nothing are totally different. Stillness moves, both within and all around us. In the dance of Stillness, we are moved by breath and Spirit. Shapes from past, present and future emerge through us.
Moving in Stillness and being still in motion fuses the entirety of our body’s life experience into our true wisdom. Eventually we may dissolve into sitting meditation, where all the other Rhythms of our journey converge in the vital resonance of Stillness.
Each time we dance into Stillness, we practice the art of making humble, mindful endings interpreted by our higher self. Good endings distill wisdom from our journey.
5Rhythms cosmology
Dancing the 5Rhythms is a practice
…a dynamic way to both workout and to meditate in the same breath. They teach us that life is energy in motion, freeing us from any fixed notions about people, places, objects or ideas.
What happens in a 5Rhythms class?
While every class is different each class will provide basic instruction in the 5Rhythms, whether that is the full Wave (the 5Rhythms in sequence) or focusing on one or another of the rhythms and its energies.
There will be a warm-up period (often uninstructed but may include facilitation). So when you arrive, make your way into the space and begin to listen to your body and engage in gentle movement to warm up your body. The music will increase in tempo as we go. There’s nothing to get right and you can’t get it wrong so there is nothing for you to “do” except move in whatever way feels right in the moment.
There may be some teachings, and exercises for exploring the teaching. A variety of different kinds of music will be used, or no music at all, to support embodying the rhythms. There may be a combination of individual, partnered, and group work. Some classes are more structured than others but all classes provide the opportunity to be moved by and with the 5Rhythms.
What do I need to bring to a 5Rhythms class?
It is suggested that you dress comfortably in clothing that you don’t mind sweating in and allows you a full range of motion. You may want to bring layers as we warm up and cool down, and/or a small towel to dry off with. We dance bare-footed or in light-soled dance shoes (athletic shoes/trainers are not preferred on the dance floor). Bring a bottle of water to rehydrate and your curiosity. That’s all you need.
Do I need experience or some level of fitness?
No experience or level of fitness is required to begin your 5Rhythms practice. Everyone is welcome, exactly as they are… any age, any shape, any size, any capacity of fitness, any level of dance-ability. All you need is a body and a willingness to move.
I have/had an injury. Can I still do 5Rhythms?
The 5Rhythms is a simple and flexible practice that can be experienced by anyone regardless of their physical limitations. Because there is no specific “routine” to follow you will be able to participate at your own pace, within your own capacity to move.
What is the difference between classes & workshops?
Classes are short-format Waves sessions, the foundational 5Rhythms map, that occur on a regular schedule and typically last for 2 hours. Classes are open to anyone from new-comers to long-time practitioners of any age or physical condition unless otherwise noted in the class listing.
Workshops are longer-format events (from half-day to multiple days) that explore one or more of the 5Rhythms maps (Waves, Heartbeat, Cycles, Mirrors) providing an opportunity for in-depth study. Attendance at workshops may require prerequisites of a certain number of hours, or previous attendance at, other 5Rhythms classes or workshops.
“IF YOU JUST SET PEOPLE IN MOTION, THEY’LL HEAL THEMSELVES.”
~ GABRIELLE ROTH
STAY TUNED.
I invite you to be part of the movement.
~ * ~
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