Conscious Dance Glossary and Terminology
Conscious dance forms encompass a range of terms not typically found in standard dictionaries. Below is a useful compilation of commonly used conscious dance terminology and their meanings
5Rhythms: A movement meditation practice developed by Gabrielle Roth, consisting of five rhythms—Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness—designed to explore the body's natural movement and rhythms.
5Rhythms Medicine Circle: A gathering in the 5Rhythms community for healing through movement practice. Participants come together to explore movement's transformative power in a safe and sacred space. It offers emotional release, spiritual connection, and personal growth.
5Rhythms Wave: A foundational practice in 5Rhythms, developed by Gabrielle Roth, consisting of five rhythms--Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness—performed sequentially as a continuous movement meditation. Participants move through each rhythm in a wave-like pattern, starting with gentle, fluid movements in Flowing, gradually building energy and intensity through Staccato, reaching a peak of wild abandon in Chaos, flowing into creative expression in Lyrical, and finally surrendering into deep stillness and integration in Stillness. The 5Rhythms Wave is a dynamic journey of self-discovery and transformation, allowing participants to explore and embody the full spectrum of human experience through movement.
A
Alexander Technique: A method developed by Frederick Matthias Alexander to improve posture, movement, and coordination by identifying and changing habitual patterns of movement. It emphasizes increased awareness and mindfulness to promote more efficient and balanced ways of moving and performing daily activities.
B
Body-Mind Centering: A somatic practice developed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, focusing on the embodiment of anatomical, physiological, and developmental principles through movement, touch, and imagery. BMC explores the interconnectedness of body and mind, emphasizing experiential learning and self-discovery to enhance movement efficiency, creativity, and overall well-being.
Body Scan: A mindfulness practice involving systematically directing attention to different parts of the body, often used to increase awareness of bodily sensations and promote relaxation.
Breathwork: Techniques involving conscious control and manipulation of the breath, often used to regulate emotions, increase energy, and induce relaxation.
C
Centering: A practice of finding balance and alignment within the body, often used in somatic disciplines to cultivate a sense of inner calm and focus.
Chakradance: A movement practice that combines spontaneous dance, music, and guided imagery to explore and balance the body's energy centers, known as chakras. Developed by Natalie Southgate, Chakradance aims to promote self-awareness, emotional healing, and spiritual growth by engaging in freeform movement and visualization exercises aligned with each chakra's qualities and themes.
Chaos: The third rhythm in the 5Rhythms, characterized by wild, uncontrolled movements. Chaos invites participants to let go of structure and explore spontaneity and release.
Coherence: The natural synchronization between various body systems in a healthy or relaxed state. This includes harmony and alignment between different physiological processes, such as the coordination between breath and heart rate, and the integration of various diaphragms within the body. Coherence reflects a balanced and efficient functioning of the body's systems, promoting overall well-being and optimal functioning.
Conscious Dance: A practice that emphasizes free movement, self-expression, and mindfulness. Participants are encouraged to connect with their bodies and emotions while dancing, often in a group setting.
Cycles-Psychological Freedom: A concept within movement practices like 5Rhythms, referring to the process of liberation and self-discovery through movement. Participants engage in cycles of exploration, expression, release, and integration, leading to psychological freedom. This journey involves traversing emotional landscapes, confronting inner barriers, and ultimately achieving a deeper understanding of oneself, resulting in a greater sense of inner peace and authenticity.
E
Ecstatic Dance: A freestyle form of dance that focuses on freeform movement, often accompanied by improvised music or DJ sets. Participants are encouraged to let go of inhibitions and express themselves authentically through movement.
Embodiment: The process of inhabiting or fully experiencing the body, often used in somatic practices to describe a deep connection with bodily sensations and movements.
F
Flowing: One of the 5Rhythms, characterized by fluid, continuous movements. Flowing encourages participants to let go of tension and explore gentle, undulating motions.
Feldenkrais Method: A somatic education approach developed by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, aiming to improve movement and function through increased awareness and exploration of bodily sensations and movement patterns. It uses gentle movement exercises and guided awareness to promote relaxation, flexibility, and improved coordination.
G
Grounding: A somatic practice involving techniques to connect with the earth and increase a sense of stability and presence in the body.
H
Heartbeat: In 5Rhythms, the stage of the practice where participants connect deeply with their emotions and inner rhythms, exploring themes such as vulnerability, courage, love, and connection through movement.
I
Integration: The process of incorporating insights and experiences from movement practices into everyday life, often through reflection, journaling, or discussion.
L
Laban Movement Analysis: A framework developed by Rudolf Laban and expanded upon by others, used to describe, interpret, and document human movement. LMA examines movement in terms of four components: Body, Effort, Shape, and Space. It provides a structured approach for understanding movement qualities, patterns, and dynamics, and is used in various fields including dance, theater, therapy, and education.
Lyrical: The fourth rhythm in the 5Rhythms, marked by lightness, playfulness, and fluidity. Lyrical encourages participants to express joy and creativity through graceful, expansive movements.
M
Map of the 5Rhythms: A conceptual framework developed by Gabrielle Roth to guide the practice of 5Rhythms. It consists of five primary rhythms—Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness—each representing a different energetic quality and movement pattern. Practitioners use the map as a guide for exploring the full spectrum of human experience through movement, moving sequentially through each rhythm in a dynamic and continuous dance journey. The map provides a structure for self-exploration, transformation, and integration, allowing dancers to deepen their connection with themselves and others on the dance floor.
Mindfulness Movement: The ability to be fully present and attentive to the sensations, movements, and experiences of the body in the here and now. Mindfulness in movement enhances sensory perceptions, allowing individuals to engage with their physical sensations, breath, and movements without dwelling on past negative events or worrying about future outcomes. It promotes a sense of presence, embodiment, and connection with the body, fostering greater awareness, relaxation, and well-being during movement practices.
O
Open Floor: An embodied movement practice that integrates elements of various movement modalities, including dance, mindfulness, and somatics. Participants engage in exploratory movement sessions guided by trained facilitators, focusing on self-expression, connection, and personal growth. Open Floor sessions offer a safe and inclusive space for individuals to move, explore, and cultivate presence, vitality, and well-being through movement.
P
Pendulation: The natural rhythm of movement between constriction and release inherent in all physical systems. In Somatic Experiencing, it also refers to shifting awareness between past events and the present to facilitate processing and integration of experiences.
S
Somatic: Relating to or involving the body, particularly bodily sensations and experiences. Somatic practices often focus on increasing awareness of bodily sensations and using movement to release tension and promote well-being.
Somatic Experiencing: A therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine for healing trauma and stress-related disorders. It focuses on resolving trauma symptoms by addressing physiological and neurological impacts on the body. Through gentle techniques, it facilitates the processing and integration of traumatic experiences, restoring a sense of safety and resilience.
Staccato: The second rhythm in the 5Rhythms, marked by sharp, percussive movements. Staccato encourages participants to express energy and assertiveness through precise, rhythmic gestures.
Stillness: The fifth rhythm in the 5Rhythms, representing a state of deep inner quiet and presence. Stillness invites participants to connect with the present moment and experience inner peace and clarity.
Sweat Your Prayers: In 5Rhythms, Sweat Your Prayers a session where participants engage in uninhibited movement exploration, letting emotions and energy flow freely. It's an intense, authentic dance experience, often likened to a form of prayer or meditation.