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Today I want to acknowledge this High Holy day. Yom Kippur begins this evening at sundown. Yom Kippur is considered the most important holiday in the Jewish faith.

​I often contemplate different religious traditions and the diversity that various cultures provide us.

The ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is known as the 10 Days of Awe. It can be a time for reflection and an examination of how you are engaging in your life. During this time, I have reflected on both the turmoil and the blessings of my life over the past year along with the conditions I would change and the good I have accomplished.

I thought of how Syzygy Dance Project has survived during the pandemic. We have managed to build new relationships and programs while navigating lockdowns and Zoom internet connections.

​We’ve been fortunate to connect with two community outreach organizations, Life Center Stage and Newbridge Services to train their staff to work with movement and dance with the elderly. They have since gone out to several senior communities and offered in-person classes. I can imagine how much joy this brought to the seniors they work with.

This coincides with a long-held vision I have for Syzygy Dance Project--to train staff at different healthcare organizations so they can do what Life Center Stage and Newbridge are facilitating. I was thrilled when I heard about the Newbridge staff who already held Senior in Motion classes. I am overjoyed to tell you that we will be continuing to collaborate with both organizations. This is in part thanks to you and your ongoing support of Syzygy Dance Project. 

White is considered a symbol of new and fresh beginnings, and white orchids symbolize innocence and reverence. I felt called to share this beautiful poem by Edward Estlin Cummings as we ponder a new day. 

I Thank You God for Most This Amazing Day

i thank You, God, for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any---lifted from the no
of all nothing---human merely being
doubt unimaginably You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened).

With love,

Sylvie and the SDP Team

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If you are a monthly giving member, you can attend the weekly Wednesday night class (online or in-person) for FREE. Please email [email protected] if you are planning to attend in-person to reserve your spot. In-person is limited to 15 participants. 

 ABOUT SYLVIE MINOT'S 5RHYTHMS CLASS

In Sylvie Minot’s weekly virtual 5Rhythms class, you will be led on a journey of self-discovery as you join others in community. The class is made up of two waves. The first wave is your time to arrive, let go of your day and settle into your body. During the second wave, we dance more deeply and explore a specific theme.

5Rhythms is a simple movement practice designed to release the dancer that lives in every body regardless of shape, size, age, or experience. While the dance itself is simple, it has the power to catalyze deep healing and creative expression.

The primary teaching of this work is: If you put your psyche in motion, it will heal itself.

The five rhythms are Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness. They come together to create a wave.

Classes feature DJ music that is facilitated by the teacher, Sylvie Minot. There are no dance steps to follow, but you are guided in breath and movement through the different musical choices. Each rhythm has its own energy and tempo in which you tap into the wisdom of your body, bring awareness to the patterns in yourself and your life, and find your individual expression. No two classes are the same.

Any level of fitness, agility and ages are invited to participate. All are welcome and no prior dance training or ability is required.

Please note -- for the virtual 5Rhythms class via ZOOM, you don't have to connect via video--you can choose to call in or join by audio only and listen to the class through a headset. Some dancers enjoy going for a walk outdoors while they move to the music.

About Sylvie Minot 

Sylvie Minot received her BA in Dance from San Jose State University and is a certified 5Rhythms® Teacher who was also trained in the Heartbeat (emotional) map by Gabrielle Roth.

Sylvie has studied psychology, indigenous healing rituals, energy medicine, and sound healing and is inspired by the teachings of Angeles Arrien, Caroline Myss, and Tito La Rosa.

​Since 2000, Sylvie has taught weekly dance classes and workshops for a variety of populations. Sylvie is often described as a catalytic shape-shifter because of her ability to meet people right where they are and move with them into new possibilities.