Gabrielle Roth said the 5Rhythms puts the body in motion in order to still the mind. It’s a movement meditation practice comprised of five rhythms: Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical and Stillness. When danced in sequence they are known as a ‘Wave’. The Rhythms are states of being. They are a map to everywhere we want to go, on all planes of consciousness – inner and outer, forward and back, physical, emotional and intellectual. Designed to release the dancer that lives in every body, no matter what its shape, size, age, limitations and experience. To find your dance is to find yourself, at your most fluid and creative level. While the practice itself is the essence of simplicity, it has the power to catalyze deep healing and creative expression.
FLOWING
EARTH - BODY
In Flowing, we physically practice the art of being fluid in our bodies. Flowing is the pipeline to our inner truth, the impulse to follow the flow of one’s own energy, to be true to oneself—listening and attending to our needs, receptive to our inner and outer worlds. 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. People who embody the Rhythm of Flowing are supple, flexible, surrendered and trust their feet to lead them where they are meant to go.
STACCATO
FIRE - HEART
Staccato is percussive and strong and promotes connection with the rest of the world, the gateway to the heart. It shows us how to step out into the world connected to our feet and our feelings. This rhythm is the ruler of our linear world, the ruler of the warrior 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, the protector and ambassador of our fluid being. People who embody the Rhythm of Staccato are defined, clear, connected, not fearful of the transparent expression of their heart.
CHAOS
WATER - MIND
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. It takes us on the journey from “I can’t” to “I will”. The simple practices of Chaos immediately bring us back to our bodies, to the moment. This rhythm liberates us from all ideas about who we are and gives us a real experience of being total, free, intuitive and creative. This is our big dance, our break out dance, our break through dance.
LYRICAL
AIR - SOUL
In Lyrical we practice the art of coming out of Chaos. It is the physical, energetic, emotional and spiritual dancing rebirth. Lyrical teaches us how to break out of destructive patterns and surrender into the depths of the fluid, creative repetitions of our soulful self, bubbling up from the deepest parts of ourselves, to the integrity and dignity that we often forget is within us. 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.
STILLNESS
ETHER – SPIRIT
Stillness moves, both within and all around us. The dance is our vehicle, our destination is the Rhythm of Stillness; our challenge is to be a vessel that keeps moving and changing. Physically, in the dance of Stillness, we move in slow motion—like highly unpredictable meditative Tai Chi masters. Shapes from the past, the present and the future come through us. Eventually we 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 and mindful endings interpreted by our higher connected self.
“Everything that is alive has a dance, and your only task is to find and express yours…”
For information about 5Rhythms Globally visit 5rhythms.com