5Rhythms
5Rhythms is a movement meditation practice devised by Gabrielle Roth in the late 1970s.[1] It draws from many indigenous and world traditions using tenets of shamanistic, ecstatic, mystical and eastern philosophy. It also draws from Gestalt Practice, the human potential movement and transpersonal psychology.[2] Fundamental to the practice is the idea that everything is energy, and moves in waves, patterns and rhythms. Roth describes the practice as a soul journey, and says that by moving the body, releasing the heart, and freeing the mind, one can connect to the essence of the soul, the source of inspiration in which an individual has unlimited possibility and potential.
5Rhythms is claimed as a trademark by Gabrielle Roth, and has registered it with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
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[edit] Introduction
The practice focuses on putting the body in motion in order to still the mind and allow the student to connect to the spiritual. The five rhythms (in order) are:
- flowing
- staccato
- chaos
- lyrical
- stillness
The five rhythms, when danced in sequence, are known as a "Wave." Many students practice the discipline in weekly classes, during which a typical "Wave" can take 45–90 minutes to dance, spending 10–20 minutes in each of the 5 rhythms in sequence. Elements from the following (varied) list can most likely be experienced or witnessed at any given class: traditional dance, ballet, pop, Latin, aerobics, yoga, tai chi, reiki, meditation, shamanic chanting. Most classes begin with a warm-up section and end with a closing circle where, in most cases, students are invited to talk briefly about their experiences during the class.
By putting the body in motion through each of the rhythms it is suggested that one can deepen one's understanding of natural truth and the nature of humanity, and 'ground' the mind (and spirit) by connecting back to the body.
Workshops over one or more days are also frequently offered. Advanced practice includes workshops on "Heatbeat", "Cycles", "Mirrors", and the "Silver Desert" - these explore emotion, the cycle of life, the ego, relationships and spiritual vision.[3]
[edit] Moving Center Schools
Gabrielle conceived of the idea of offering her work through educational hubs in 1977. There are currently two Moving Center Schools. The Moving Center Schools are operated by teachers who have been with Gabrielle since the infancy of the 5Rhythms inception. The Moving Center Schools lead the training and development of certified teachers. The Moving Center in New York is where Gabrielle Roth and her son Jonathan Horan are based.
The Moving Center School in California is operated by Kathy Altman and Lori Saltzman. Andrea Juhan, PhD is also associated with California Moving Center School and has sought to further the understanding of this work and its intersection with psychology through her work in Open Floor.
[edit] Research
There is a limited amount of research about the 5Rhythms. The Mental Health Foundation, a UK charity published the 'Dancing for Living Report' describing a group of women's experience of 5Rhythms dance and the effects on their emotional wellbeing.[4]
[edit] Parody in Popular Culture
The British TV sitcom Peep Show featured an episode ("Dance Class") where the two principle male characters attend a 'Rainbow Rhythms' class which invites its participants to interpretatively dance 'colours', featuring guidance and a closing circle reminiscent, if not necessarily completely typical, of a 5Rhythms class.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ North, Madelaine (20 February 2005). "TALK OF THE TOWN: Just do it Rhythm is a dancer". Independent on Sunday. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20050220/ai_n9771257.
- ^ Juhan, Andrea (2003), Open Floor: Dance, Therapy, and Transformation through the 5Rhythms., http://www.5rcts.org/page.php?main=resources&page=Academic%20Research&third=Andrea%20Juhan%20Ph.D
- ^ "The Dancing Path". 5 rhythms global. http://www.gabrielleroth.com/. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ^ Cook, Sarah; Ledger, Karen; Scott, Nadine (2003), Dancing for Living Report: Women's experience of 5 Rhythms dance and the effects on their emotional wellbeing, Sheffield: U.K. Advocacy Network, http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/?EntryId=40177
- Roth, Gabrielle; Maps to Ecstasy; 1989; Nataraj Publishing; Novato, CA
- Roth, Gabrielle; Sweat Your Prayers; 1997; Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin; NY, NY
- Roth, Gabrielle; Connections; 2004; Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin; NY, NY
- Stewart, Iris; Sacred Dance;
