Dance with Jane and Nikki
Details
This class will run until April 25th. If you want to dance with Nikki or Jane after this date here is a link to their classes and workshops - http://www.5rhythms.com/teachers/Nikki+Ashley
Alone & Together
This Tuesday 11th April Jane and I will co-teach for the last time at our class which, as most of you know, is closing at the end of April
We will dance 2 waves, one alone , one together - An invitation to drop deep into your own dance and then to explore bringing that into connection with others
We hope you will join us
Welcome to our class
Why Dance 5Rhythms with Jane & Nikki?
There are so many wonderful classes in London and they all have their unique flavour from music led, full on DJ sessions, to big teaching groups with a committed long-term community.
Here is how we would put our class in words so that you know something of what you are letting yourself in for:
We alternate holding this weekly class. We are dedicating this group to exploring conscious movement teachings. We like to offer teaching points and we like to offer time to move freely. A group like ours offers space to move, space to be seen and space to see others. We hold the perspective that the practice is the teacher and so encourage you to come to both our classes to discover what happens to your movement vocabulary when you encounter and embody two different teaching styles.
If you are looking to explore your movement range, to ask your body and let it speak: to inquire and to become curious about new pathways then this could be a space you would enjoy.
We look forward to meeting you on the dance floor.
Jane & Nikki
Timings - Arrival 7.15 - 7.30 pm
Class begins - 7.30 pm
Redmond Community Centre Kayani Avenue N4 2HF, London
This Class Costs
£14 - Full time earners with a high or comfortable salary or savings
£12 - Concession : Lower waged workers / part time earners / unwaged students / benefits / low household income
The class prices are a reflection of our ongoing costs and what we need in order to keep the class going. This system is designed to acknowledge diversity of income or resources. Concessions are only made possible by enough people paying the going rate.
Class fees increase by a small amount each January.
Where we dance
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Map to venue
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Redmond+Community+Centre,+Kayani+Avenue,+London+N4+2HF/@51.570132,-0.09145, (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Redmond+Community+Centre,+Kayani+Avenue,+London+N4+2HF/@51.570132,-0.09145,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x48761c7651cb0d3d:0xfd5e3b1ba26446b7)
Who we are -
Jane
About Jane -
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I have been dancing since I was very young and have been teaching 5 rhythms since 2001. I remain curious and passionate about delving in to this practice and finding ways to encourage other people to discover its magic.
I have just taught an ongoing group for beginners for Hackney learners trust and absolutely loved the experience and what newcomers bring to the dance floor.
To find other classes and workshops taught by Jane click this link:
www. (http://www.5rhythms-janebelshaw.com)innerdancer.net
Nikki
About Nikki -
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I discovered the 5rhythms in 1994 when I came across a book called ‘Maps To Ecstasy’ by Gabrielle Roth (founder of the 5rhythms) and I immediately felt I had found my teacher - someone who understood my body’s need to move and express all the myriad of feelings, and to find an authentic connection with myself and others. A decade on, after working as a Theatre Practitioner bringing the tools of the actor to help communities and individuals through the process of change and transformation, I stepped onto the teaching path and finally at the end of 2014 I became a teacher. I am passionately devoted to sharing this on-going inquiry I have into what it means to be here now, in all our tender, raw and ecstatic moments.
To find other classes and workshops taught by Nikki click this link:
http://www.5rhythms.com/teachers/Nikki+Ashley
New to the 5 rhythms ?
Welcome to the 5Rhythms
The Movement Work of Gabrielle Roth
This might help you dive in and enjoy your first experience in the 5Rhythms
What are the 5Rhythms?
The 5Rhythms comprise a simple movement practice designed to release the dancer that lives in every body, no matter what its shape, size, age, limitations and experience. To find your dance is to find yourself, at your most fluid and creative level. While the practice itself is the essence of simplicity, it has the catalyze deep healing and creative expression.
The primary teaching of this work is: If you put the psyche in motion, it will heal itself.
The five rhythms are flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness. They come together to create the Wave, a movement meditation practice. Rather than having steps to follow, each rhythm is a different energy field in which you find your own expression and choreography, thereby stretching your imagination as well as your body. Each rhythm is a teacher and you can expect to meet different and sometimes unknown aspects of yourself as your dance unfolds and your practice of the rhythms deepens over time.
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The rhythms are the foundation of Gabrielle’s body of work, a series of healing maps for the body, heart, mind, soul and spirit that provide a lifetime of self-discovery and a path to awakening. The 5Rhythms practice starts you on that journey and is the place to which you will always return.
What happens on the dance floor?
In every class or workshop, there is always a wide range of experience in the 5Rhythms work - from first-timers to certified Wave addicts. In any given class, the teacher will be following the energy in the room. So, while the essential map is one of the five rhythms, the teacher might take the class through the entire Wave or focus on just one rhythm or one facet of a rhythm.
The rhythms themselves are gateways to literally thousands of different movement landscapes. Like the body, they are alive and designed to catalyze the dancer’s movement expression in the moment. You are different every time you walk in the room, so is the group and so is the teacher. Therefore, each class holds completely unique possibilities.
How do I start?
- Go at your own pace.
- Be responsible for your own body (stay aware of injuries and limitations).
- Keep your eyes open to stay aware of others.
- Dance barefoot or in dance shoes only - no socks on the floor.
- Move how you feel and stay open to changing.
- Know that everything that is alive has a dance, and your only task is to find and express yours.
- Enjoy yourself! (Excessive seriousness may slow you down.)
Here are some commonly asked questions.
More Information For Beginners from Gabrielle Roth
When you walk onto a 5Rhythms dance floor you may ask yourself?
I’ve just walked in and everyone seems to be doing different things – what are they up to?
They’re warming up. Some people stretch while others just start to dance gently. Often it helps to start on the floor, moving gently and feeling your weight supported. Try to get warm and get moving any way that feels right for you.
What happens after the warm-up?
There will be some instruction from the teacher – sometimes a lot and sometimes very little. Most classes comprise some solo dancing, some partner work and some dance as a whole group. As the name suggests the rhythm and tempo of the music will usually progress through 5 rhythms in a wave from flowing music to staccato (rhythmic music) to chaos and back down to lyrical (lighter music) and stillness (music for moving with the quality of stillness.
What happens if the teacher says “take a partner” and I don’t want to?
The most important thing is to be true to yourself. This might mean thanking but stepping away from a partner or just turning your back. It’s a gift to the other person to be honest with them – and if they feel hurt or rejected this is just more stuff to put into their dance and learn to express and move through.
What if the teacher gives an instruction I don’t feel like following?
If you're really deeply into your dance or if an instruction feels wrong for you, you don’t have to follow it. On the other hand this is a laboratory of sorts – you are encouraged to experiment trying things that break your patterns. If its unusual for you to try something new then you might go along with the teacher anyhow. If it’s unusual for you to say no, then you might want to try doing so here.
What do I do when I get bored, feel really self conscious, busy-headed or judgemental?
This is a movement meditation and while its great to be totally 'present' and absorbed in your own dance, most of us can’t sustain that state throughout. The teacher will offer you different ‘doorways’ into this state but here are a few suggestions in the meantime:
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Put your feeling into movement – dance your boredom or self-consciousness…. Exaggerate it, get fascinated by it – on the whole really being where you are is the best medicine.
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Focus on any body part, such as your left elbow, and let it lead your dance. You will find different body parts have very different dances for you and that as your dance becomes stranger and more varied it will absorb you more and more.
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Connect - find someone else to dance with and focus on them
Some people seem to be having sensual dances together – what’s this all about?
You might see people dancing together intimately on the floor or otherwise. Occasionally there’s some sexual energy between them, other times you’ll imagine there is just because it’s such an unusual sight. This is a practice of presence in which you can express a fleeting attraction without committing to marriage. You should be prepared for connections to change from class to class. Some beginners are broken hearted to find that someone they had an amazing dance with, goes on to dance just as closely with another person. If you do end up feeling rejected, disgusted, jealous etc, we encourage you to try to put those feelings into your dance.
What should I do if someone seems really upset?
On the whole people can handle their own feelings and we don’t advise you try to comfort the crying or soothe the angry. You might actually end up interrupting an important and therapeutic process they are going through. The teacher and crew will keep an eye out for those who might need help.
What if I knock into or hurt someone by accident?
Keep your eyes open when on the move and stay aware so as not to hurt anyone. Even so it may still happen. If it does then you are responsible for them – to check they are okay, to taken them out and apply first aid or get help as needed.
Ground rules
Be on the dance floor by 7.15 pm
Be responsible for your own body (stay aware / include injuries and limitations) Let the teacher know if there is anything that could impact you being and staying in the dance space
Keep your eyes open to stay aware of others
Move with how you are feeling and stay open to this continually changing
Go at your own pace
This is a non-verbal practice – please keep all conversation off the dance floor Please switch off mobile phones and do not use them or other devices to record or photograph any part of the session
Please stay for the closing circle at the end – this is an important part of completing the dance
You are welcome , whatever body you find yourself in today - everything that is alive has a dance - your only task is to find and express yours…
Children
We understand that sometimes its not possible to find a childminder.
Children are welcome with the following provisos - No electronics or talking in the dance space.You remain responsible for your child throughout the session. Children are welcome to join the dance
5Rhythms dance meditation is a drug and alcohol free space
Dance with Jane and Nikki