2/25/2026 - Week 7 / Meeting 13: Five Rhythms / 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

 Main Lesson

 1

 WARM UP

Stretching

 

Music for warm-up


 

2

Silvija Tomcik dancing 5 Rhythms wave (Official)

 

 Question 1

After seeing Silvia Tomcik dance, what do you perceive is the main aspect of her dance?

 

 3

5Rhythms Lucia Horan & Douglas Drummond


 Question 2

What is the nature of the relationship between the dancers?

 

 4

Gabrielle Roth - The Wave Dance


Question 3

What is the main message given by Gabrielle Roth in her explanation of the 5 Rhythms?

--------------------

5

General Structure of the 5 Rhythms

  • 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

Question 4

 How do the 5 Rhythms help achieve a higher level of improvisation in dance?

6


Taoist concept of FLOW
 
Question 5
 
After watching the video above, what is the Taoist concept of flow?


7 

Read Chapter 8

 The EDA Handbook for Middle Eastern Dance

https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Eda_Handbook_for_Middle_Eastern_Danc/ilPJxb5_FsMC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=dance+improvisation+in+the+east&pg=PA51&printsec=frontcover 

 Question 6

According to Chapter 8, what is David of Scandinavia saying about improvisation?

 

 IV

A Note to Remember

 In dance, flow is the smooth transition between movements, and the grace and fluidity of a dancer's movements.

 

V

Case Study

Tai Chi Flow

24 Forms Yang Style

 


 

VI

Activity

Students dance the flow rhythm.

1

Music

 

Gabrielle Roth - Topic - Volume 1
 

2

 Music

 

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.

 -------------

 VI

Journaling

 

VII

Glossary

 

VIII

Sources 


IX

Students' Work

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