What IS 5Rhythms?

The 5Rhythms are a series of healing maps for the body, heart, mind, soul, and spirit, providing a lifetime of self-discovery and a path to awakening. The five rhythms are flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical, and stillness.

They come together to create the Wave, a simple movement practice designed to release the dancer who lives in everyone, regardless of one’s shape, size, age, limitations, or experience. Each rhythm is a different energy in which you find your own expression, stretching your imagination as well as your body.

The body holds stories that sometimes the mind cannot explain. As 5Rhythms Founder Gabrielle Roth stated, the primary teaching of this work is that “if you put the psyche in motion, it will heal itself.”

The 5Rhythms dance movement was founded in the 1970s by former American dancer and author Gabrielle Roth.

The 5Rhythms are:

1. Flowing

In Flowing, you move by being fluid in your body. Flowing is intended to be the "pipeline to your inner truth." You are encouraged to follow the impulses of the flow of your energy. When you relax into the flow of your physical body, other pathways open.

2. Staccato

In Staccato, you move in the power of your masculine energy. The music is typically percussive and strong, encouraging a connection between you and the world. Staccato is considered "the gateway to the heart." You move with the part of you that stands up for what you care about, who you love, and what you love.

3. Chaos

In Chaos, you move to release your whole body. You let go of your head, spine, hips, and feet. The music is quick to encourage you to break free of your illusions and embody the beat. It is intended to guide you from "I can't" to "I will."

4. Lyrical

In Lyrical, you practice moving out of Chaos. Lyrical is meant to be physical, energetic, emotional, and a type of spiritual dancing rebirth. As you move to the music, you feel lighter on your feet, like a hummingbird in flight, while remaining grounded and empowered.

5. Stillness

In Stillness, you are instructed to move in slow motion, like a Giant Galapagos Tortoise. When you move in Stillness, you draw on the accumulated life experiences of your body to recognize your true wisdom. This movement ends with a sitting meditation in which you bring together the other 4 Rhythms in Stillness.

Each rhythm detailed above is a healing map for the body, heart, mind, and spirit intended to provide a path to self-discovery and personal awakening. The rhythm creates a "Wave," a simple movement practice designed to release the dancer that lives within you, no matter your shape, size, age, fitness level, limitations, or experience.

A rhythm is a different energy used to find your expression and stretch your imagination and body. The body holds stories that sometimes the mind cannot explain. As Gabrielle Roth stated, the primary teaching of 5Rhythms is that "if you put the psyche in motion, it will heal itself."

What is a 5Rhythms class like?

In a 5Rhythms class, there are no steps to follow. You move as the music moves you. You can dance fast or slow, big or small. You are guided through the music with soft instructions for breath and focus on being in your body.

Sometimes, the teacher will invite you to dance near another participant to deepen your dance experience.

However, it is always your choice to dance by yourself or with others. This is true whether you are in an in-person or virtual class, whether or not you decide to activate your device's camera.

5Rhythms is intended to go beyond merely dancing to music. Your movement becomes therapeutic, a type of meditation, and a representation of your emotional state. During class, you practice awareness of your body's physical sensations and the feelings that coincide with your movements.

As you continue to move, you allow your attention to pass through your mind. Through this process, feelings are released, and equilibrium returns to the mind and body.

Each class ends with a gentle breathing practice to further ground the mind and body. This process of releasing any stuck emotional energy held within your mind and body can help shift your life in a new direction.

1. You are expected to go at your own pace

2. Be responsible for your own body (stay aware of injuries and limitations)

3. Keep your eyes open

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 every living thing has a dance, and your only task is to find and express yours

7. Enjoy yourself (fun is allowed)!

Take a step into 5Rhythms by joining one of our San Francisco Bay Area classes or sign up for the Syzygy Dance Project ENews weekly newsletter featuring class information, workshops, and the latest SDP news.

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​References:

Gabrielle Roth’s 5Rhythms. (1998, December 18). Retrieved from https://www.5rhythms.com/gabrielle-roths-5rhythms/what-are-the-5rhythms/

Gabrielle Roth. (2020, October 27). Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabrielle_Roth

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