3/23/2026 - Week 11 / Meeting 18: 5 Rhythms / Stillness

 

 

 Stillness is a quality of being | Unimed Living

Unit: 5 Rhythms

Theme: Stillness

 

I

Introduction

Continuing with our unit on the 5 Rhythms created by Gabrielle Roth, today, we will explore Stillness. For the dancer in general, stillness is a musical term that gives active space and rhythm to a melodic flow of energy. Stillness is a part of ballet training when the dancer seems to pause after a melodic phrase.  Stillness holds many images and they are understood in different ways by each dancer.

 


II 

Learning Objectives

 

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

 

 III

 

 WARM UP

Stretching 

 
IV
 
Main Lesson
 

 

1
 
Stillness
 
 
 
According to Roth and Loudon (1998) stillness is a moving meditation that uses every part of one's body in "living prayer" (p.38).  In the 5 Rhythms, the movement in stillness becomes inner, of concentration, a feeling of empty fullness and of vibrant presence. One moves in slow motion or one moves and stops, feeling one's feet, face, hands and total body. The movement is no longer the mediator, but the stillness in between. The breath is strong, the vitality is intense. The time is now and the place is here. Every gesture is total and measured as one's body is full a breath and one's look direct.
 
Question 1

Compare and contrast the general concept of stillness in dance and stillness in the 5 Rhythms.


2
 
 
 
Let your arms reach out just in any direction.
Let your body expand with a free flowing kind of stretch.
No particular shape or form.
Feel free to take a step around; look through the window if you wish.
Let your eyes be soft and easy. 
Allow little movements to permeate the body, loosening up joints, opening your chest, twisting your spine.
A couple of a few more breaths and let your feet settle.
Come to a stop and sense (one hand on your chest, one hand on your dantian). 
 
Question 2
 
How do you think this warm-up helps you with the stillness rhythm?
 
 
3


Observe video on Stillness Rhythm


 

 
Question 3
 
 Write a reflection on the expression of stillness performed by the dancers in the video.
 
 
 
 4
 
Text: Maps to Ecstasy
 

Question 5
 
After reading pages 33 and 34:
how do we get in touch with the rhythms?
 
 
 
 5

Summary


cue 9::20 - 14:00

Question 6
How did Gabrielle Roth create the 5 rhythms?
 
 6
 
Read  


Dance and the Specific Image: Improvisation 

Daniel Nagrin

(Page ix)

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Dance_and_the_Specific_Image/6uB3uuVtQbUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Dance+Improvisation&printsec=frontcover

Nagrin, Daniel (2015). Dance and the Specific Image: Improvisation. University of Pittsburgh Press


 Question 7

Please, summarize the content of page ix.
 
 
 V
 
A Note to Remember
 
 Stillness is a moving meditation that uses every part of one's body in "living prayer" (p.38).
 
 VI
 
Case Study
 
Eiko & Koma: Stillness in Performance
 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDthedy-LzM

 Question 4

What aspects of stillness are observable in the dances of Eiko and Koma?


VII
 Activity 1
 
 
 Guided Embodiment

Inner Sensing: Connect with your meditative state by closing your eyes and quieting your mind.
 
Concentration: Pay attention to what it is going in your mind in terms of ideas, thoughts, images.
 
Feeling: Focus on your breath as you inhale and exhale deeply expanding and contracting your body. Be aware of what you feel.

Vibrant Presence: Begin to move with your breath as you inhale and exhale visualizing how your body irradiates energy, light, vibes.
 
Sustained Movement:  Begin to move in slow motion paying attention to every transition.
 
Pause: Begin to perform one or one moves and gradually pause. Continue moving slowly as you intersperse new pauses.
 
Stillness: Begin to focus on feeling your feet, face, hands and total body as you elongate the stillness in between movements. Inhabit the stillness
 
Open Eyes: Transition to a stronger breath.  Remain focused on the here and now.
 
Focus: Every gesture or move is total and measured as you begin to express yourself using stream of body-consciousness.



 
Activity 2
 
  •  Improvise individually using the ideas explored in class in regards to Stillness.
  • Gather with your group and share those ideas as you improvise with your group members.

 
Music
 
Stillness
 
----------------------
 
 
https://youtu.be/4TNt3Yu0AJ4?si=6HWOUiEcJYjRKeMl
 

 
VIII
 Glossary
 
 
IX
Journaling
 
 
X
Sources
 
Roth, Gabrielle (1998). Maps to Ecstasy. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Maps_to_Ecstasy/32dt-2F-sjkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Chaos
 
XI
Students' Work

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