The 5Rhythms Returned My Body!
About 12 years ago, I realized that there was something not really working with my life. I could sense it but was not quite sure. I went on a two-year trip to Asia thinking that I needed to see the world but what I most needed, was to see myself. I did not know who I was, what motivated me or how the “self” was created. After my first mediation retreat in Thailand, I discovered that I was a prisoner of my patterns. I could see this but was not sure what to do. This “I” was leading me down the same old unwholesome road. Without a teacher, without guidance, I proceeded to meditate for longer and longer periods. Not the best decision for a rookie meditator. After these prolonged meditation sessions, I discovered that I did not want a body. It seemed to be a burden. We have to feed it, clothe it, keep it in shape, monitor it, massage it…Well this list could go on. By meditating, I could forget I had body. In a couple of years I had become completely detached from the body. I could stick a needle in my foot and not feel it. I had managed to do what I had done most of my life….numb myself. By successfully numbing ourselves, we also end up experiencing very little joy. It is easy for us to use such useful tools like meditation, to misguide us on the path to liberation. As the meditation deepened, I had the profound insight that my journey took a wrong turn somewhere. I don’t have a body, I am the body! It is a wrong view to believe the separation of mind and body. After visiting a shaman in Toronto, he asked me if I liked to dance. I said yes and he sent me to my first 5Rhythms movement class. After a two-hour class I felt physically alive! I could feel my feet, my belly, the lightness of my elbows. I felt the power of movement and music. I went to every class for two years and felt a profound transformation. I found myself anticipating every class. What was I chasing? Joy, bliss clarity and non-cling awareness. Why could this divine state not be maintained for very long during the week? I had not cultivated wisdom to go with the bliss. Our wisdom must be greater than our bliss. This is when we use our joy to do positive things for others.
It is not enough to say lets love each other and get along and be present. We must examine what knocks us back into old patterns. In this upcoming workshop, Awakened Movement, we begin to wake up to our life once we understand how we are blown about by the 8 Worldly Winds — Praise and Blame; Loss and Gain; Shame and Fame; Pleasure and Pain. Only then can we move in life with clarity, joy and awareness.
This workshop will guide us — at our own pace — through the 5 universal rhythms: Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical and Stillness.
This life-transforming practice is suitable for all ages and all levels of physical fitness. It will also support whatever practice you are exploring now, or offer a strong start to self-exploration. We are excited to have percussionist Shara Claire playing for us on Sunday. Shara Claire has been drumming and playing for sweaty 5Rhythms dancers since 1998.
Awakened Movement (A 5Rhythms Workshop) will be held at the Crichton Cultural Community Centre’s New Location , 39 Dufferin Road, just around the corner from 255 MacKay, Nov. 25 (6-9pm), 26 (10am-5pm), 27 (1pm-8pm) in Ottawa. Registration/more details: Ian Allen: idallen@idallen.ca 613-235-6216 . Cost is $210. If you sign up before November 10th, you get a 20% discount off the next workshop. (75% refundable up to November 18) You can make your payment now.