5Rhythms is a simple, powerful movement practice, a dynamic movement meditation. The Rhythms are: Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness. They are danced in sequence in what is called 'The Wave'.
Gabrielle Roth formed the 5Rhythms after many years of working with people in dance movement. She saw that often people were more comfortable in one or two rhythms and yet if we are able to move through all five we are able to change patterns in our dance that can also echo changes in our lives.
With its roots in Shamanic traditions, the 5Rhythms is an open form, it is not choreographed, instead we improvise our own dance within the structure of each of the Rhythms. In movement, we explore the fluidity of Flowing, the focus of Staccato, the release of Chaos, the light of Lyrical and the emptyness of Stillness.
We move through whatever arises in the dance, knowing that everything that moves through us in life will also be there in the dance - so we learn to stay in the dance, to allow everything to move through us truthfully and fluidly.
5Rhythms is a practice that anyone can engage in – whatever your size, shape, age or level of fitness. No previous dance experience is required. All you need is willingness, curiosity, and a desire to move and be moved.
“There is a dance only you can do, that exists only in you, here and now, always changing, always true. Are you willing to listen with fascination? If you are, it will deliver you unto the self you have always dreamed you could be. This is a promise.” Gabrielle Roth
Trailer by Jamie Catto for forthcoming documentary on 5Rhythms.
"I can remember saying to a dance teacher once that I wished I could dance like her, and she said "then dance like you". You're not going to think yourself into clairty...there comes that moment when you just go, "I'm out of here!"...then we realise that the way out is in, we've to to fall into these bones, "What's going on?" "Who am I?"...
Gabrielle Roth: "The whole point is Embodiment, if we look at where we are today, particularly in Western Culture, where body and spirt have been separated and we walk around thinking about everything like taking heads, theres a billion miles of unexplored wilderness between the feet and the head of any given person. When we put the psyche in motion it will heal itself..."
Gabrielle Roth: "The reason we get trapped in self-consciousness is because we're paying attention to that little chattering mind that's going 'oh i'm too fat' or 'I'm not good enough' or 'I don't have the right clothes on' or 'I don't know any steps', and we listen to that. What I like to do is to drown that voice out with the beat. By doing the 5Rhythms practice we are not only working out the body but the soul...."
Gabrielle Roth: "And now we'll begin the Rhythms, starting with flowing. Rooted in your feet, round, receptive, take a deep breath and let your breath move your arms. Rising with the inhale, sinking with the exhale, into the centre of your being. No effort. Continuous motion, never stopping, fluid, feminine, following your flow. Each movement giving birth to the next. And surrender your head to this dance, breathing deeply, round shoulders..."
Gabrielle Roth: "What's going on inside you? Whatever it is put it into your dance and go where it takes you. Let your weight shift down into your feet, relax your knees, let your head go, flowing place, feel your earthyness, your sensuality, breathe. Allow one foot to move, shift your weight, explore the space around you..."
Gabrielle Roth: "Chaos, follow different body parts into a deep letting go, letting go of everything, your thoughts, feelings. Spontaneous eruptions. No effort. Whimsical impulses. Shaking it out. Unpredictable. No effort, letting go. Focus on the space between the limits. Let an impulse move all the way through you, lighten up and let go."
Michael Stone: "Welcome to another edition of 'Conversations', I have a very special guest today, Gabrielle Roth is someone that I have known for many years, and really thrilled to have her on the show. She is the founder and creator of the 5 Rhythms moving meditaion work that we'll talk about today, it's all around the world, and recording artist and very creative person that's put together all kinds of things that we'll talk about today..."
Michael Stone: "Good afternoon and welcome to conversations. As I was saying I have Gabrielle Roth on today, she is an internationally renonowned theatre and music director, philosopher, movement innovator and has spent most of her life, for the last 50 years exploring the ecstatic experience of dance music and theatre. With her band The Mirrors she has released 18 albums that have touched the hearts and moved the feet of millions of people around the planet. She is revered in Europe as the Rave Goddess...."
Welcome to the 5Rhythms
The Movement Work of Gabrielle Roth
This might help you dive in and enjoy your first experience in the 5Rhythms
What are the 5Rhythms?
The 5Rhythms comprise a simple movement practice 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 catalyze deep healing and creative expression.
The primary teaching of this work is: If you put the psyche in motion, it will heal itself.
The five rhythms are flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness. They come together to create the Wave, a movement meditation practice. Rather than having steps to follow, each rhythm is a different energy field in which you find your own expression and choreography, thereby stretching your imagination as well as your body. Each rhythm is a teacher and you can expect to meet different and sometimes unknown aspects of yourself as your dance unfolds and your practice of the rhythms deepens over time.
The rhythms are the foundation of Gabrielle’s body of work, a series of healing maps for the body, heart, mind, soul and spirit that provide a lifetime of self-discovery and a path to awakening. The 5Rhythms practice starts you on that journey and is the place to which you will always return.
What happens on the dance floor?
In every class or workshop, there is always a wide range of experience in the 5Rhythms work - from first-timers to certified Wave addicts. In any given class, the teacher will be following the energy in the room. So, while the essential map is one of the five rhythms, the teacher might take the class through the entire Wave or focus on just one rhythm or one facet of a rhythm.
The rhythms themselves are gateways to literally thousands of different movement landscapes. Like the body, they are alive and designed to catalyze the dancer’s movement expression in the moment. You are different every time you walk in the room, so is the group and so is the teacher. Therefore, each class holds completely unique possibilities.
How do I start?
1. Go at your own pace.
2. Be responsible for your own body (stay aware of injuries and limitations).
3. Keep your eyes open to stay aware of others.
4. Dance barefoot or in dance shoes only - no socks on the floor.
5. Move how you feel and stay open to changing.
6. Know that everything that is alive has a dance, and your only task is to find and express yours.
7. Enjoy yourself! (Excessive seriousness may slow you down.)
When you walk onto a 5Rhythms dance floor you may ask yourself?
I’ve just walked in and everyone seems to be doing different things – what are they up to?
They’re warming up. Some people stretch while others just start to dance gently. Often it helps to start on the floor, moving gently and feeling your weight supported. Try to get warm and get moving any way that feels right for you.
What happens after the warm-up?
There will be some instruction from the teacher – sometimes a lot and sometimes very little. Most classes comprise some solo dancing, some partner work and some dance as a whole group. As the name suggests the rhythm and tempo of the music will usually progress through 5 rhythms in a wave from flowing music to staccato (rhythmic music) to chaos and back down to lyrical (lighter music) and stillness (music for moving with the quality of stillness.
What happens if the teacher says “take a partner” and I don’t want to?
The most important thing is to be true to yourself. This might mean thanking but stepping away from a partner or just turning your back. It’s a gift to the other person to be honest with them – and if they feel hurt or rejected this is just more stuff to put into their dance and learn to express and move through.
What if the teacher gives an instruction I don’t feel like following?
If you're really deeply into your dance or if an instruction feels wrong for you, you don’t have to follow it. On the other hand this is a laboratory of sorts – you are encouraged to experiment trying things that break your patterns. If its unusual for you to try something new then you might go along with the teacher anyhow. If it’s unusual for you to say no, then you might want to try doing so here.
What do I do when I get bored, feel really self conscious, busy-headed or judgemental?
This is a movement meditation and while its great to be totally 'present' and absorbed in your own dance, most of us can’t sustain that state throughout. The teacher will offer you different ‘doorways’ into this state but here are a few suggestions in the meantime:
1. Put your feeling into movement – dance your boredom or self-consciousness…. Exaggerate it, get fascinated by it – on the whole really being where you are is the best medicine.
2. Focus on any body part, such as your left elbow, and let it lead your dance. You will find different body parts have very different dances for you and that as your dance becomes stranger and more varied it will absorb you more and more.
3. Connect - find someone else to dance with and focus on them
Some people seem to be having sensual dances together – what’s this all about?
You might see people dancing together intimately on the floor or otherwise. Occasionally there’s some sexual energy between them, other times you’ll imagine there is just because it’s such an unusual sight. This is a practice of presence in which you can express a fleeting attraction without committing to marriage. You should be prepared for connections to change from class to class. Some beginners are broken hearted to find that someone they had an amazing dance with, goes on to dance just as closely with another person. If you do end up feeling rejected, disgusted, jealous etc, we encourage you to try to put those feelings into your dance.
What should I do if someone seems really upset?
On the whole people can handle their own feelings and we don’t advise you try to comfort the crying or soothe the angry. You might actually end up interrupting an important and therapeutic process they are going through. The teacher and crew will keep an eye out for those who might need help.
What if I knock into or hurt someone by accident?
Keep your eyes open when on the move and stay aware so as not to hurt anyone. Even so it may still happen. If it does then you are responsible for them – to check they are okay, to taken them out and apply first aid or get help as needed.
