An Sanctoir - West Cork's Holistic Center


 5 Rhythms with Ben Townsend                                                                            

5 Rhythms is a movement meditation practice devised by Gabrielle Roth in the 1960s. It draws from many indigenous and world traditions using tenets of shamanistic, ecstatic, mystical and eastern philosophy. It also draws from Gestalt, the human potential movement and transpersonal psychology. Fundamental to the practice is the idea that everything is energy, and moves in waves, patterns and rhythms. Roth describes the practice as a soul journey, and says that by moving the body, releasing the heart, and freeing the mind, one can connect to the essence of the soul, the source of inspiration in which an individual has unlimited possibility and potential.

5 Rhythms is a trademark owned by Gabrielle Roth, and the practice is only taught by certified teachers.

The practice focuses on putting the body in motion in order to still the mind and allow the student to connect to the spiritual. The five rhythms (in order) are:

The five rhythms, when danced in sequence, are known as a "Wave." Many students practice the discipline in weekly classes, during which a typical "Wave" can take 45–90 minutes to dance, spending 10–20 minutes in each of the 5 rhythms in sequence. The dance is usually allowed to express itself with minimal instruction, with the teacher allowing the music (DJ'ed or live) to lead the pace of the class, or simply teaching by example. Intensive workshops are also offered for students, ranging from a single day to week long retreats, during which time teachers and students more deeply and purposefully explore each of the five rhythms, identifying how they relate to the individual (the body, the mind, the personality, the soul).

Weekly classes are often referred to as a way for people to "Sweat Their Prayers", and most typical students consider the practice a form of "church" or "temple", although the practice is not directly linked to any particular single religious movement. It has been described by some as a mixture of a Sunday Morning Gospel Service, a Friday Night Dance Club and a Saturday Morning Aerobics class. Elements from the following (varied) list can most likely be experienced or witnessed at any given class: traditional dance, ballet, pop, Latin, aerobics, yoga, tai chi, reiki, meditation, shamantic chanting... The practice includes a number of maps from which students can draw and use during guided meditation.

By putting the body in motion through each of the rhythms it is believed that one can deepen one's understanding of natural truth and the nature of humanity, and 'ground' the mind (and spirit) by connecting back to the body.

 

Ben Townsend

 5Rhythms® Ireland

           Dancing that warms the heart

 


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