5 Rythms
Created by Gabrielle Roth and practiced by thousands worldwide, 5Rhythms® is a philosophy, perspective, performance art and a dynamic movement practice rooted in the principle that if you put the psyche in motion it will heal itself. Movement is both the medicine and the metaphor, reaching across all languages, cultures and age groups to transform suffering into art, art into awareness, and awareness into action. Wherever the 5Rhythms are practiced, a community is born to dance, to sweat, to change, to support, and to provide a safe space for each of us to shatter the ego’s hold and awaken the juicy, unpredictable, fascinating, edge-walking, rock star part of ourselves that yearns to be free.
Creativity. Connection. Community.
I express myself beyond images and with wild, intense colours. Such art is subversive and necessary. Art must be felt, then seen!
ECSTASY is experiencing a moment when the dancer disappears, and only the dance remains. It is a moment of wholeness when we are completely in tune with ourselves and when our body, heart, mind, and soul are harmoniously connected. It is not a transcendental experience, but a presence in the body, revealing ourselves in the moment and accepting all that we are. Our dance then becomes sacred. In it, we do not have to cling to anything and let go of anything.
FLOWING is the rhythm of circular, flowing and continuous movement. Attention is directed to the feet and the contact with the ground. It teaches us fluidity, softening and acceptance. The emphasis is on the inhale. We associate it with the earth, the emotion of fear and the archetype of Mother; in the life cycle, the flowing rhythm represents our birth and, at the level of relationships, the relationship with ourselves.
STACCATO is a rhythm of precise, sharp, angular movements with clear pauses. Attention is directed to the hips, it teaches us to set boundaries, expression and clarity in expressing our intentions. The emphasis is on exhalation. It is associated with the element of fire, the emotion of anger and the archetype of Father; in the life cycle, the staccato rhythm represents childhood and, at the level of relationships, the relationship with another.
CHAOS is a rhythm of jerky, shaking, uncontrolled movements, with attention directed to the head. Movement is chaotic and fast. It teaches us to let go and relax. It predicts creativity, which is looking for a new form of expression; it is associated with the element of water, the emotion of sadness, and the archetypes of the Wild Son, Mistress and the Artist. In the life cycle, it means the period of puberty and adolescence, and at the level of relationships, the relationship with the group (tribe) where we find our belonging.
LYRICAL is a rhythm of lightness, airiness and the discovery of repetitive movements and patterns. Attention is directed to the hands and teaches us connection, curiosity, playfulness, and authenticity. It is the rhythm of the soul. Breathing is relaxed and spontaneous. We associate it with the element of air, the emotion of joy, and the archetypes of Madona, the Shapeshifter, and the Actor. In the life cycle, it represents the adult period and, in the level of relationships, the position one has in the community.
DEEP SILENCE is the rhythm of contentment, calm and serenity. Attention is focused on breathing and exhalation, and movement, which calms down, is marked by longer and longer pauses. It is the rhythm of the spirit. We associate it with the element of ether, the emotion of compassion, and the archetypes of the Holy Spirit and the Alchemist. In the life cycle, it means the last period of life, that is, the age period where we meet death, and on the relational level, it represents our relationship with the universe and the eternal.
Find out more about practice and teachers on 5Rhythms global.