​​Today is Chinese New Year and Saint Brigid's Day. I love auspicious days of observance when cultures celebrate their traditions yet cross over in the commonality of good health, prosperity, and love.

The Chinese New Year in Vietnam is called TeT, and it is celebrated simultaneously and in the same fashion. Growing up in Vietnam, I’ve always looked forward to this time of year. 

Children would be excited to get a red envelope called "Li Xi" in Vietnamese, meaning money that brings luck, prosperity, and good health. It is a way for the adults to pass on good fortune to the younger generation in the new year. The celebrations lasted around fifteen days.

I invite you to reflect upon what you would like to metaphorically place into a red envelope for the next generation—health, generosity, compassion, strength, courage, and hope.

According to the Chinese horoscope, 2022 is the year of the Water Tiger.

This is a year to get things done because the Tiger, a symbol of strength, open-mindedness, and courage, is associated with great achievements. The fluidity of water (yin) balances out the determination of the Tiger (yang).

In Gaelic culture, the first of February marks the beginning of Celtic Spring and a day to honor patron saint Brigid. Saint Brigid is the Celtic Goddess of poetry, healing, and fertility.

On St Brigid's Day itself, 'biddy boys' once dressed in straw costumes and played music while collecting food or money from villagers. It was considered unlucky to refuse them.

Festivals and celebrations help us connect as a community, honor other cultures, mark the passing of time, and celebrate joy—just like when we come together in dance. 

Whether you celebrate this day or not, may your year be filled with good health, prosperity, and most of all, hope.

With love,
Sylvie and the SDP Team

It’s finally happening!

We've started in-person 5Rhythm classes again. Join us on the second Saturday of each month for a Sweat Your Prayers class at Hidden City Ballroom in Point Richmond, California.

​In Sylvie Minot’s Saturday morning 5Rhythms Sweat Your Prayers™ class, you will be led on a journey of self-discovery as participants come together 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.

​The 5Rhythms™ is a simple meditative movement practice designed to release the dancer that lives in every physical body regardless of shape, size, age, or experience. While the practice 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. There are no steps to follow. Each rhythm has a different energy and tempo in which we tap into the wisdom of our bodies, bring awareness to the patterns in ourselves and our lives, and find our own individual expression.

Sweat Your Prayers™ is done with minimal guidance or silence from Sylvie Minot. The movement is meant as a moving meditation. 

THE DETAILS:

CLASS:            5 Rhythms Sweat Your Prayers*
DATE:              Saturday, February 12, 2022
TIME:               10:30 am -12:00 pm PST
LOCATION:     Hidden City Ballroom 
COST:              $20.00

*To attend this in-person class, you are required to show proof of COVID vaccinations and wear a mask per the State of California mask mandate through February 15, 2022. There is a side dance room for those who want to dance away from the main ballroom and group.

​If you are a monthly SDP member, you can attend Saturday's class for free. If you decide to attend, please email us at [email protected] so we can add you to the in-person list.

No dance experience needed. Beginners are always welcome. Come join us! 

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.