3/4/2026 - Week 8 / Meeting 15: Five Rhythms / Chaos

 

 

Unit: 5 Rhythms

Theme: Chaos

 

I

Introduction

Continuing with our unit on the 5 Rhythms created by Gabrielle Roth, today, we will explore Chaos. According to Robert Brumet, the practice of dancing with Chaos is that of using chaotic life circumstances (internal or external) to birth a new life. He adds that dancing with Chaos means opening to chaos rather than recoiling from it or trying to control it. Dancing with Chaos is a skillful surrender into the experience of transforming oneself through dance.

 


II 

Learning Objectives

 

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

 

 III

 

 WARM UP

Stretching 

 
IV
 
Main Lesson
 

1

Improvisation

 Walk and Run 

Random Poses and Stillness
Feeling Weight
Body Connections
 Balancing: finding grounding and opposite pools
Release neck and head
Floor
Slow movements; find connections
Body planes and body halves

Question 1

Was this routine helpful in freeing your body to be more expressive? Explain. If you are making up for your absence, record your movement and post it on Discussion Board.

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

2
 
Who is Gabrielle Roth?
 
Gabrielle Roth is an internationally renowned theatre director, dance teacher/explorer and recording artist, and the best selling author of 'Maps of Ecstasy'. Her workshops and retreats have an electric intensity that marries contemporary currents of rock music, modern theatre and poetry to the ancient pulse of shamanism. She lives in New York City.
 
VIDEO (29:38 min)

 5Rhythms of Dance -Gabrielle Roth

Question 2
 
Please, write your response to this video by addressing each rhythm.
 
---------------------------

 3
 
Chaos
 
In Ancient Greece, Chaos is the mythological void state preceding the creation of the universe (the cosmos) in Greek creation myths.
Eris was the Greek goddess of chaos, strife and discord. In English, chaos means a complete disorder and confusion, behavior so unpredictable as to appear random. Thus, in dance, Gabrielle Roth (1999, p. 131) says that Chaos is often described as release, unconfined, random, spontaneous, undirected, and letting go. Physically it is the dance of rooting our feet into a pattern and releasing the different parts of the body.
 

Vassiliki Karkou, ‎Sue Oliver, ‎Sophia Lycouris (2017). The Oxford Handbook of Dance and Wellbeing - Page 721



 4
 
 
 
5

LINK
Page 38
 
 
6
 
Jerks, Spins, Release 
 
 




Question 3
 
Please, click on the link above, and click on page 38 to summarize the  meaning of Chaos Rhythm in dance improvisation according to Gabrielle Roth.
 
7
 
 Exercises
 
a) Torso movement in partners (contact exercise)
 
b) Spirals, turns, spins 

c) Skinner Release
------------------------------------
 
V
 
 A Note to Remember

 Chaos is an opportunity for a new birth. The philosopher Nietzsche wrote “One must allow chaos within oneself to give birth to a dancing star.”
 
 
VI
 
Case Studies 


Demonstration of Chaos Rhythm (15 sec)

 
 
VII
 
Music
CHAOS RHYTHM PRACTICE

Listen to Chaos Soundtrack (4:24)
 
 

Cobus - Avenged Sevenfold - Critical Acclaim (Drum Cover

 
Question 4

After dancing to the Chaos 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.
 

------------------------ 

VIII
 
 Activity
 

"According to Auriea Harvey a choreographic score is time + relationships + gestures."

 
Movement Phrase + A Score

1). Observe the Video on Chaos Rhythm as well as all the other videos included in this lesson.
 
2). After Observing the Video, create an 8 moves of your to-go phrase. Students making up, record your phrase and post it on Discussion Board.
 

 IX

Glossary

 

X

Journaling

 

XI

Sources

 

Brumet, Robert (2016). Dance with Chaos.  https://www.robertbrumet.com/blog/dance-with-chaos

 

XII

Students' Work

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

2/18/2026 - Week 6 / Meeting 11: Assessment / Mid-Term Quiz

Syllabus

1/26/2026 - Week 3 / Meeting 4: Narrative / ICE Riots