Introduction to the 5 Rhythms System: Flow

 

 

Unit: 5 Rhythms

Theme: Flow

 

I

Introduction

Dance Improvisation can emanate from meditative states. Today, we will explore the influence that the 5 Rhythms movement system created by Gabrielle Roth had on dance improvisation. The idea is to transcend your immediate mind state and enter a state of body surrendering.

II 

Learning Objectives

 

• Understand the ideas behind the 5 rhythms
  
• Explain the sensations generated as a result of flow
• Gain awareness of the use of embodied movement-meditation in letting go
  
• Experience solo and group dance dancing flow
  
• Reflect on the creative process at the end of the process
  

 

 III

 

 WARM UP

Stretching 

 

IV

Silvija Tomcik dancing 5 Rhythms wave (Official)

 

 

5Rhythms Lucia Horan & Douglas Drummond

 

Gabrielle Roth - The Wave Dance

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 III

Structure

Flow: Connecting with the self

Staccato: Confronts you in communication with somebody else

Chaos: A combination of the first two or a release
 
Lyrical: letting go of the doing of letting go, leading into play

Stillness: deeper layer into the essence of dance; being dance

IV

FLOW

We will use the idea of the negative space to experience the flow rhythm. 

Negative space, in art, is the space around and between the subject of an image. 

Negative space may be most evident when the space around a subject, not the subject itself, forms an interesting or artistically relevant shape, and such space occasionally is used to artistic effect as the "real" subject of an image.

 

 V

Tai Chi Flow

24 Forms Yang Style

 

 

VI

 

Philip Glass - Glassworks (complete)

 We use Philip Glass' piece Glassworks to potentiate the repetitive structures of his music to aid flow movement. This movement allows one to feel free, recuperate the primacy of the body and let go of a sense of identity.

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Students' Work

flow

delaney, kat, claire, gianna

 

It was fun moving freely and different improved synchronized movements. also feeling each others energy

 

shayla, nadia, Enrique, Xuanrui Peng

The group felt whimsical and light after improvising. Although we each felt relaxed and free, there was a sense of togetherness that tied us together.

jingling, yiyun, meng

Today during this activity we felt very relaxed, it felt like we were meditating. Doing the group activity we felt a sense on connection and relaxation. 

Sofia K, Lauren, Celeste, Daniel

We really enjoyed grouping together and practicing the movements of "Flow". This was by far our favorite class because we got to pair up together and truly explore new moves we have never seen or done before. It was refreshing and we got to completely let go and embrace each other's movements.

 Adaria, Alejandra, Aj, and Emma 

We really enjoyed the exercise. It is a good way to release energy within the group with everyone. We didn't plan a single movement but still ended up doing similar thing. Throughout the improv today, we manifested good energy.

Caro, Kat, Danielle, Gabi, Savannah, Jordyn

We felt free and more relaxed. There were freeing movements and it felt very bouncy and flowy.