BodyJoy Links and Resources
Links
"The quickest way to still the mind is to move the body." This quote by Gabrielle Roth, originator of the 5 Rhythms dance practice, is one of many reasons this practice has continued to move me since 2002.
- For information about classes and workshops in Grass Valley visit: www.welloflight.com
- For information about classes in the Bay area visit: www.movingcenterschool.com
- For information about the world of 5Rhythms visit www.gabrielleroth.com
To connect with others that are already active in the practice, to rideshare to classes and workshops, discuss experience about the practice, share music, whatever, you can join Sacramento 5Rhythms Dance Group on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59779660355
My husband, partner in life, best friend is Bob Dreizler. He is a financial consultant with a specialty in socially responsible investing. His political voice keeps on getting stronger and the evolution of his art work continues to amaze me.
- For more information about all his worlds visit: www.bobdreizler.com
I currently teach at two Yoga studios. See the yoga and calendar page for information. For information about the studios visit:
For "Old Soul Wakeup Calls": breath and bodywork, movement and yoga, Tantra and metaphysical healing contact Satya at www.oldsoulwakeupcalls.com
For dance (not 5Rhythms) opportunities in Davis, goto: http://tinyurl.com/moveyourbody
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What are the 5Rhythms?
A: 5Rhythms is a movement meditation pioneered by Gabrielle Roth. In this unique practice we put the body in motion so we can still the mind and connect to spirit. When we dance the 5Rhythms in sequence it is known as a wave. These are the 5Rhythms:
- Flowing: we let the dance in, feel our feet on the floor, the weight of our bodies and the fluid, continuous glide of our own movements
- Staccato: we let the dance out and express the percussive, pulsing beat feeling the shapes of our hips and hearts
- Chaos: we let the dance go releasing and shaking into the unpredictability of our dance
- Lyrical: when we move through the portal of the first 3 rhythms, we feel the possibility of lightening up, letting go of all effort, delivered to the dissolution of self-consciousness.
- Stillness: we let the dance be and surrender to quiet emptiness where gentle movements rise and fall, start and end, in a field of silence
- Q: What do I wear to class?
A: Wear clothing that is loose and comfortable and will allow you to move freely. Foot support may be needed; soft-soled shoes or dance shoes are the best choice. Dancing barefoot will help to ground you, build your balance and reflexes and strengthen your feet. Many dancers slowly build tolerance to barefoot by beginning a session without shoes and then slipping them on as soon as they feel any discomfort.
- Q: Do I have to dance with other people?
A: Here is what is always true: you never have to do anything that does not feel right to you. You are always your own best authority. Please participate in the manner that feels like an absolute fit for you. 5Rhythms is a meditative practice and the dance floor is a way to explore how we are in the world. Many lessons include an invitation to connect with another so we can feel what that brings up for us and explore new ways to relate with others. If this is too much of a stretch for you, then it is totally OK to remain in your interior world. And if you are ready to stretch, the opportunity will be there.
Glossary
- Embodiment: a deep, internal perception of your own body---how it moves, feels, breathes, responds to gravity, generates power, releases.
- Core stability: your body's ability to recruit the deep muscles in the front and back of your torso that keep you responding to gravity, physical demands and motion in an effective manner.
- Lengthening: the capacity for muscles to elongate as you gently position them for stretch.
- Powering up: the ability to generate muscular contraction on demand, often utilizing breath to facilitate action.
- Letting go: the ability to release muscular contraction on demand, often utilizing breath to assist the release.
- Ground: using breath and the sensory input of contact to the floor to establish a connection from the pelvic floor to the earth.
- Center: using breath to connect with and move from the center of gravity zone that lies between the belly button and the pelvic floor.
- Open: using breath to connect with, expand and move from the heart center.
- Focus: using breath to align the head and neck and visualize the brow center.
- Integrate: using breath to fully connect from foot to crown.
- Foam roller: a firm bolster utilized to loosen stiff joints and muscles as well as exercise core stability
- Pokey ball: small balls in various sizes used to massage tight muscles and release trigger points
- Free form dance: the unique dance that emerges from your spirit's response to the beat
- Safe space: ritual space held by a facilitator that allows you the freedom for full self expression
- Self-care: you become your own best bodyworker when you learn simple techniques to utilize breath, loosen tight joints and muscles and access core stability. This will decrease your susceptibility to injury and increase the comfort in daily life
- DJ-ed music: continual variety of music fading one track into the next without interruption. Often formatted in a musical wave that starts slow, steadily picks up the pace to a peak and then gently comes down to end quietly.
- Cardio work out: moving your body at a pace that brings your heart rate into a training zone for aerobic benefit
- Surrender: taking time to return to the breath and fully and deeply relax