5 Rhythms: Lyrical

 

REVIEW

1. The five rhythms method is a movement method opened to anyone and everyone.

2. The dance is comprised of 5 rhythms which allow dancers to identify and release obstructions in life.

3. The sequence of the rhythms creates a wave that allows the dancer to reach a point of inner stillness.

The five rhythms or levels are: flow, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness.

a) Flow is dancing at the level of unconsciousness. The unconscious mind consists of the processes in the mind that occur automatically and are not available to introspection, and include thought processes, memory, affect, and motivation.So flow is dancing automatically, with all we are or have become, with all our baggage. In Gabrielle Roth's words it is the "wild flower." (The term was coined by German philosopher Friedrich Schelling).

• In class, we used the Yang style 24 movement form to illustrate qualities of flow that could inform the movement vocabulary of the dancers (My sources are the Taoist Tai Chi Society and Master G. Rubio).

b) Staccato is dancing at the subconscious level. The subconscious is that part of consciousness that is not currently in focal awareness. The dancer is just dancing and enjoying the dance without consciously processing in that moment what is going on, but he/she can recall the moment. (This term was coined by psychologist Pierre Janet).

• In class, we used Yoruba/Afro-Cuban sources to stimulate percussive movements that could facilitate the dance (My sources are Juanita Baro, Neri Torres and Marisol Blanco).
  

 c) Chaos is when the dancer delves into the realm of intuitive dance. Often referred to as got feeling, intuition is a form of unconscious knowledge, unconscious cognition, inner sensing and inner insight to unconscious pattern-recognition that appears in consciousness without obvious deliberation. It is not magical but rather a faculty in which feeling or guess is generated by the unconscious mind rapidly sifting through past experience and cumulative knowledge. It is the the ability to understand something instinctively, without any need for conscious reasoning. In dance, chaos is manifested through jerks, spins and releases, taking movement over the edge, yet totally grounded in one's feet (Roth & London, 1998).

• In class we use Skinner's Release Technique and Contact Improvisation Technique to generate jerks, spins and releases. (My sources are Keith Hennesy and Stephanie Skura)
  

References:

Roth, G. & London, J (1998). Maps to ecstasy: A healing journey. Nataraj Publishing

 

Question 1

Using your own words, summarize the meanings of the flow, staccato and chaos rhythms.

Unit: 5 Rhythms

Theme: Lyrical

 

I

Introduction

Continuing with our unit on the 5 Rhythms created by Gabrielle Roth, today, we will explore Lyrical. The term Lyrical Dance comes from the word “lyrical,” which means to have a poetic, expressive quality; expressing spontaneous feelings and deep personal emotions. Music used for Lyrical dance is usually emotionally charged and expressive and give dancers a chance to express a range of strong emotions through their dancing. Lyrical is often choreographed to a song about freedom or overcoming obstacles. Their movements attempt to show the meaning of the music. It is very passionate and can tell a story through movement. This style is becoming so popular because the audience can easily relate to the emotion of the dancer and the choreography. (1)

 

II 

Learning Objectives

 

• Understand the ideas behind Lyrical rhythm
  
• Explain the sensations generated as a result of Lyrical
• Gain awareness of the use of embodied movement-meditation in letting go
  
• Experience solo and group dance dancing Lyrical
• Reflect on the creative process at the end of the lesson
  

 

 III

 We make a circle & do:

 WARM UP

Stretching 

Tai Chi

 

IV

 

Main Lesson

 

1

  According to 5 Rhythms

Lyrical happens when the dancer reaches his imaginative self in a communicative and lyrical way. This means that the dancer spontaneously expresses feelings and deep personal emotions in a symbolic, abstract and metaphoric manner. It is, in Roth's own words a type of "luscious lingering" (Roth & London, 1998, p.33). It is manifested through movement that is richly verdant, opulent and sensuous.(2)

 

 Question 2

What is the main difference between the general concept of lyrical dance as a style and lyrical as one of the 5 Rhythms?

 

2

Duncan Style Phrasing

                      (min. 0:27 - 0:30) & (min. 40:00 - 48:00)

 

 Question 3

In which way is Duncan style phrasing  lyrical?

 

3

 

Lyrical Rhythm

A Reminder

 

VIDEO (29:38 min)

 5Rhythms of Dance -Gabrielle Roth

Soundtrack Lyrical

  

Lyrical - Five Rhythms Wave

 

 

Question 4

After dancing to the Lyrical Soundtrack above, following the demonstration in the video, what do you feel in your body? Use details such as breath, range of motion, mobility, rhythm, energy, etc.

 

 

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4

 

LINK

Text: Maps to Ecstasy

Page 33

Question 5

 

Please, click on the link above, and click on page 33 to summarize the  meaning of Lyrical Rhythm in dance improvisation according to Gabrielle Roth.

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5

 

Five Scientific Steps

This is to honor the science minded students in our class.
The link below, explains how to become a better dancer just based on five basic ideas. 

 

5 Scientific Steps That Will Make a Better Dancer

Question 6
Please, explain how the steps mentioned above may relate to the way you move in space as you improvise dance.

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V

 

A Note to Remember

 This style is becoming so popular because the audience can easily relate to the emotion of the dancer and the his/her moving body.

VI

Case Study

Visualization

Energy Change

Change of levels (3)

Question 3

What is the purpose of this warm up according to David Gabriel?

 

 VII

 

ACTIVITY

 

 Movement Storming

 

Mirroring

Working in partners: Each student mirrors one specific student.They take turns in terms of who follows and who initiates the movement

Shadowing

One student at a time leads the group across the floor moving freely as the group shadows that one student. Each students has a chance to lead. (post-class reflection, try also slower moves)

Movement Phrase

3). Observe Video on Lyrical Rhythm

4). Create a new 8 moves phrase.

5). Add new phrase to previous phrases

6). Record phrase and post

Group Work

Students use their personal phrases and integrate them with the group dance improv.

 

VIII

Glossary

Lyrical: adjective. expressing deep emotion. “the dancer's lyrical performance”. synonyms: lyric · emotional. of more than usual emotion · adjective.

IX

Journaling

 

X

Sources

 

1. What is Lyrical Dance, and What is the Meaning Behind? Omaha School of Music and Dance. https://www.omahaschoolofmusicanddance.com/our-blog/lyrical-dance-meaning-lessons/

2. Roth, G. & London, J (1998). Maps to ecstasy: A healing journey. Nataraj Publishing

 3. Blom, L. A. (1988). The Moment of Movement. University of Pittsburgh Press. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Moment_Of_Movement/

XI 

Students' Work

Make Up

 

Sofia Kauderer

Class Questions

1. I interpret the flow, staccato, and chaos rhythms as representations of different subconscious layers, each connected to a unique aspect of our inner awareness. Flow is related to our deeper subconscious, staccato to our conscious thoughts, and chaos to our intuitive senses.

2. The key difference lies in their execution: traditional lyrical dance is typically prearranged and choreographed, whereas lyrical in the context of the 5 Rhythms is characterized by spontaneous and emotionally-driven movement.

3. Duncan's style is considered lyrical as it involves expressing emotions through movement, allowing dancers to reflect their personal experiences with those emotions during performances.

4. Post-dance, I experience a heightened sense of relaxation and calmness. Engaging in dance releases all of the stress I feel throughout the day. 

5. He describes lyrical dance as a process of relinquishing conscious thought to embrace more instinctual and primal impulses in movement.

6. The aspect I find most challenging is coming up with original movements during classes. Sometimes I get nervous something may look strange. 

7. The purpose of this warm-up is to foster a conducive mental state for creative endeavor, promoting a gentle and accepting approach to self-expression.

 

Delaney Brown

1. Summarize the meaning of the flow, staccato and chaos rhythms 

Flow in dance represents an automatic, intuitive movement that encompasses one's entire being and experiences, described by Gabrielle Roth as the natural, uninhibited expression of the "wild flower". 

Staccato in dance refers to movements performed at the subconscious level, where the dancer engages in and enjoys the dance without active mental processing but retains the ability to recall the experience later

Chaos in dance is characterized by intuitive, spontaneous movements such as jerks, spins, and releases, driven by an instinctual understanding derived from unconscious knowledge, allowing dancers to push their expressions to the edge while remaining grounded. 

2. main difference between general concept of lyrical dance as a style and lyrical as one of the 5 rhythms?

The general concept of lyrical dance as a style focuses on choreographed expressions of strong, often narrative-driven emotions, typically set to emotionally charged music, allowing audiences to connect with the dancer;s portrayal of the song's message. In contrast, lyrical as one of the 5 rhythms emphasizes spontaneous, imaginative expression of personal emotions, characterized by a "luscious lingering" that manifests through rich and sensuous movements, independent of structured choreography or a specific narrative. 

 

Oriana Davila

1. I view the meanings of flow, staccato, and chaos rhythms as representing different levels of your unconscious. Each type of movement aligns with a specific aspect of the unconscious mind: flow with the subconscious, staccato with the subconscious, and chaos with intuition.
2. The key difference between the two concepts of lyrical is that traditional lyrical dance tends to be choreographed, whereas lyrical in the context of the 5 rhythms involves spontaneous movement derived from emotion.
3. Isadora Duncan's Lyrical Style Duncan's approach to phrasing is lyrical because she's conveying an emotion to her students, and the class moves based on how they experience that emotion.
4. I feel more at ease because it helps release a lot of built-up tension. My breathing becomes smoother, and my movements are less rigid.
5. Lyrical dance involves letting go of conscious control and following more primal instincts.
6. I find it hardest to be authentic. In class, I struggle to create my own moves because I have no prior dance experience.
7. The goal of this warm-up was to put your mind in a positive space for creating without self-judgment.

 

 

Tomi Frame

1. Flow rhythm emphasizes fluid and seamless movements, connecting with the body in a graceful manner. Staccato rhythm involves sharp and precise movements that convey specific emotions or narratives. Chaos rhythm encourages complete surrender, allowing for free movement and the release of pent-up energy without overthinking.

2. Lyrical dance style combines elements of ballet and jazz to interpret song lyrics through emotive movement. In contrast, Lyrical in the 5 Rhythms framework represents a sense of lightness and spontaneity following chaos, expressing joy and creativity without focusing on lyrics.

3. According to Gabrielle Roth, Lyrical Rhythm in dance improvisation embodies the expression of joy and creativity through unrestricted and airy movements. It reflects the liberation and openness experienced after embracing chaos and releasing inhibitions.

 

 

Savannah Park

1. I consider the meanings of flow, stacatto, and chaos rhythm to be the levels of your unconscious since each of these types of movement are specific to a certain part of the unconscious. Flow beings your subconcious, stacatto your subsconcious, and chaos your intuition.

2. The main differenece between the two concepts is that lyrical is usually choreographed however lyrical according to the 5 rhythms is spontaneous movement that comes from emotion.

3. Duncan's style phrasing is lyrical because she is telling them an emotion and the class is moving based off their experience with that emotion.

4. After dancing I feel more relaxed since in doing this it released a lot of tension. My breathe is more smooth and my movements are less stiff.

5. Lyrical dancing according to him is letting go of your conscious mind and falling onto more primitive instincts.

6. Out of all the steps above I struggle the most with being authentic. During class I have a hard time coming up with my own moves since I have never danced before.

7. The purpose of this warm up was to get your mind in a good space to create without being hard on yourself.

 

Celeste Pongratz

Questions

1. Using your own words, summarize the meanings of the flow, staccato and chaos rhythms.

Flow: Fluid and continuous, like water flowing around obstacles. Moving intuitively and smoothly, connecting deeply with oneself and the environment.

Staccato: Sharp and precise, like clear communication. Expressing emotions and intentions with bold, defined movements, embodying clarity and action.

Chaos: Wild and freeing, where everything breaks down. Letting go of control, embracing unpredictability, and finding release through intense, unstructured movement.

1. What is the main difference between the general concept of lyrical dance as a style and lyrical as one of the 5 Rhythms?

Main Differences:

Foundation: Lyrical dance is a structured dance style; lyrical in the 5 Rhythms is part of an emotional journey through movement.

Expression: Lyrical dance expresses stories and emotions from music; lyrical in the 5 Rhythms is about individual creativity and joy.

Structure: Lyrical dance uses set movements; lyrical in the 5 Rhythms is improvisational and free.

1. In which way is Duncan style phrasing  lyrical?

Because it focuses on expressing emotions through fluid, natural movements inspired by music. Like lyrical dance, it emphasizes storytelling, personal expression, and the connection between music and movement, allowing for freedom and improvisation in how the dance is performed.

1. After dancing to the Lyrical Soundtrack above, following the demonstration in the video, what do you feel in your body? Use details such as breath, range of motion, mobility, rhythm, energy, etc.

• Deeper breathing and a sense of calm.
• Increased flexibility due to the flowing movements.
• Improved joint mobility, making you feel looser.
• An internal sense of rhythm from the music.
• Boosted energy and emotional uplift from the expressive dance.
• Emotional release from expressing yourself.
• A strong connection to the music, feeling more complete.

1. Please, click on the link above, and click on page 33 to summarize the  meaning of Lyrical Rhythm in dance improvisation according to Gabrielle Roth.

The Lyrical Rhythm represents lightness, creativity, and individual expression after the chaos. It's about freedom, joy, and playing with movement to express one's uniqueness. 

1. Please, explain how the steps mentioned above may relate to the way you move in space as you improvise dance.

Core Stability: A strong core helps you move with balance and control, allowing for fluid and dynamic movements.

Warm Up: Preparing your body increases flexibility and ease of movement, making improvisation smoother.

Weight Shifting: Experimenting with different movements expands your dance vocabulary, enabling more expressive improvisation.

Connecting with Others: Syncing with other dancers creates a shared experience, enhancing the group improvisation.

Being Authentic: Embracing your unique style leads to genuine and meaningful dance expression.

1. What is the purpose of this warm up according to David Gabriel?

This warm-up likely aims to prepare dancers physically, mentally, and emotionally for the demands of dance, emphasizing the integration of body, mind, and group dynamics for effective and expressive movement.

 

Katerina Molina

1. Using your own words, summarize the meanings of the flow, staccato and chaos rhythms. Flow is about moving smoothly and continuously, connecting with your body in a graceful way. Staccato focuses on sharp, clear movements that express specific feelings or stories. Chaos is letting go completely, moving freely and releasing built-up energy without overthinking.

2. What is the main difference between the general concept of lyrical dance as a style and lyrical as one of the 5 Rhythms? Lyrical dance as a style is a fusion of ballet and jazz, focusing on expressing the emotions of a song's lyrics through dance. In contrast, Lyrical in the 5 Rhythms is about the sense of lightness and spontaneity that comes after the release of chaos, expressing joy and creativity through movement without a specific focus on song lyrics.

3. Describe the meaning of Lyrical Rhythm in dance improvisation according to Gabrielle Roth. Lyrical Rhythm in Gabrielle Roth's dance improvisation is about expressing joy and creativity through free and light movements, inspired by the liberation and openness that follow the release of chaos.

 Work

Alejandra Hernandez

I enjoyed the lyrical rythm alot in this class. I was able to embody a fine elegance to my improvisation, allowing me to think back to the days where I took ballet.

Xuanrui Peng

Each one led the entire class in dancing. I felt very confident and enjoyed myself when I led the dance. Everyone was like a cloud of butterflies dancing around the classroom.

 In today's class, we did some warm-up exercises. I felt very relaxed and my body was stretched. After that, I also did some Yin Yang Tai Chi and felt very comfortable.

 

Claire Llewellyn

1. Takeaway- Claire Llewellyn

As someone that struggles with anxiety, I felt that this exercise is something I can look back on and use. I felt so much calmer after it, I was not expecting the benefits that I received.

The "mimic" improvisation method has been my favorite so far this semester. As a kid, my favorite game was "follow the leader/ simon says" games, so as we were watching and dancing based off one person, it reminded me of those same childhood memories. I liked the idea of all improvisation following someone, it gave me an idea of how to move myself, that I would not have thought of if I was freely dancing on my own.

 

Meng Wang

Takeaway

It’s quite interesting to follow one specific person and mimic what he or she does for improvisation. It seems like the rest of us are following our leader to chasing the freedom.

 

Carlos Santos Ortiz / Enrique

My mind feels clear. I do not think I’ve been able to let loose like I did today. Giggling with my partner in the warm up began a momentum for me. Once we went our own ways I was able to carry what we created to do my own improvisational movement.

 After the warm up and stretch I heard many piping noises. There’s nothing better than filling voids. After the other movement I feel relaxed but lost at the same time. I don’t feel anything intensive because I’m not sure I am exactly doing.

 

 

Emma Tishler

Lyrical

I enjoy lyrical because it’s more of the conscious movements (rather than flow) I like expressing my inner feelings and moving from one emotion to another. Throughout the day I feel many emotions and sometimes I don’t get to express them due to how fast paced my life is, but here is a space where I can let that out.

 I like how chi is a series of movements that slow down the body. I feel more focused after doing it. I would like to start learning it in small pieces so that I can have at least some of the series memorized!

 

 Yiyun Yang

This activity made me feel very free and relax, and I can strongly feel the connection with everyone and the confidence when I’m leading others.

After completing a set of Tai Chi movements, I felt that the breath in my body was very smooth and my whole person was very relaxed and calm. During this process I was able to focus very much and reduce anxiety.

 

Jingjing pan

I like the exercise did for today’s class. It allows me to feel free although it is tired for me and it is interesting to follow others movements.

 

I like the normal warm up what allow me relax my body and arms quickly, and easily to move for the follow up exercise. And the Taiji is really interesting for me to use Qi.

 

 Jordyn Solages

After doing our stretching and chi, I feel more relaxed than when I first came in. I think it really helped me to feel grounded and not worry about things going on outside the classroom. I really liked all of the different movements that we did and how they all flowed into one another. 

It felt unifying to be improvising as a group. I thought it was very interesting to see how each person does their improv differently. I felt like I was able to express my emotions through these movements and it felt powerful having everyone behind me trying to do the movements I was doing. 

Katherine Aguero

After stretching and warming up my body feels more refreshed/loose/ready to go. It's a wonderful sensation of being in tune with my body and fully present in the moment, poised to embrace the joy of movement. Felt free when dancing and expressing myself!!!

 

 

Meng Wang

I feel really flexible when we are doing the warm up today. It seems like I can catch up with the professor which makes me pretty satisfied. On the other hand, we also do something different, I enjoy a lot!

 

 

 

Lauren Tedesco

I enjoyed doing the movements in a circle. I think that once you get a flow it is very easy to do the dance moves.

Danielle Levine

The stretching helped me open up. I feel more flexible and better than I did before starting the class. Every class I feel like I am getting more and more flexible. Chi was very refreshing. Although the movements can be complicated to follow, I enjoy the concept. It is a unique form of dance that is interesting to practice.

I really enjoyed doing the lyrical work. Dancing with different partners was fun. It felt very freeing and creative. It allowed your body to express itself in a different way. I also liked the class activity where we danced across the room while someone led it. Everyone was smiling and having fun.

 

Gabrielle Ramsamy

The Chi made me very free and open like I was one with the movements, it made me feel like my body was moving in one with the chi, and very much at peace. The stretches felt really good today I felt like I was pushing myself a lot more and was being rewarded and when I could do it. I managed to be a lot more flexible in them today then before.

 After the lyrical exercise: I felt very free and open I could do whatever I want, I didn't feel constrained, I didn't feel pressured to do anything I didn't want to do. It felt very relaxing and open like I was thinking about what I felt at that moment and today and expressing that in that moment without hesitation. I didn't hold back anything.

 

Lauryn Lee

I felt relaxed through the stretches although once we got to the second part I had trouble following along since we kept turning around and my L/R arms kept getting mixed up. Otherwise it was a fun experience that made you keep in touch with your body.

 It felt really fun to dance match what other people were doing. Dancing in general is very relaxing even if you do feel tired afterwards. I wish J couldve implemented more variations of movement though. I think some things are hindered by the need to move across the floor quickly.

 

 

Shayla Modi

After warmup today, I feel especially more relaxed. I was stressed for my exams before class, but the stretching helped relieve some of that tension. The chi movements were a little hard to follow along, but I enjoyed how it all flowed together.

 Throughout the exercises today, I gradually felt myself opening up and expanding movement through different levels and rhythms. Leading the group felt powerful and increased confidence as everyone followed behind me. It was a unifying experience as everyone took their turn leading.