Blog Writings | 5Rhythms New Zealand

Dancing With Change

Dear Dancing Friends,

I always feel Autumn as such a time of change in the year, especially here in NZ where we have the dual impulses of growth and dying in any one season.

We have a maple tree in our garden and throughout the day leaves make their graceful descent to the earth. I remember reading a piece by Thich Nhat Hanh asking if we take the time to watch a leaf falling from a tree, now I always make a point of dropping into the moment when I see a leaf falling.

It is such a surrender – that falling, a letting go into the next phase. And we also do this of course in our lives and pracitce it over and over in our dance – the surrender to this moment, this breath, to something greater than our own selves and lives.

And what a relief that surrender can be and how glorious if it became as simple as a leaf falling from a tree.

Looking forward to seeing you on the dance floor!

Sacha

Sweat, by Bill Goldberg

At first self-conscious, I dance until my sweat becomes a river, that takes me to my soul.

Eyes closed, I disappear into the waves, and all that’s left is rhythm.

Laughter ripples through my body.

Joy arises, past walls that were there just moments before.

Moving until my sweat erodes those walls that surround my heart.

Beyond those walls, is life, real life.

See you on the dance floor friends ~ Neal x

Nothing in Between

Nothing in Between
5Rhythms Retreat with Geash
Prana, Coromandel
27th-30th January 2012

Join Geash for this long weekend 5Rhythms retreat exploring intimacy inside motion. The dance where there is nothing in between us and the living moment. A simple, gentle presence with the unknown. How much of life do we allow in to move through these bodies? Where do we resist and hold ourselves separate from feelings and experiences?We will use the 5Rhythms to inquire into and invite an authentic embodied experience. This awakens the inate wisdom of our bodies to a sweet and fullfilling way of participating with the world.We will dance ourselves into the exquisite nourishment of intimacy….Nothing in Between.

Prana retreat:Be immersed in the natural beauty of an extraordinary setting. An authentic back to nature camping experience. Stunning bush and white sand secluded beach to replensish your body and soul. Prana Eco Retreat is on the East Coast of Coromandel Peninsula.

Cost: Includes all delicious meals, camping and classes $465/445 concessionEarly bird discount by 10th Dec. $425/405Bookings & info email Geash@GeashYogaDance.com

“As a way to come home to the wisdom, bliss and intelligence of the body, I highly recommend Geash’s workshops”. ~ Ruby, Movement Therapist

5Rhythms Dance Retreat with Geash, Prana Coromandel, 27th-30th Jan 2012

Sweet Surrender Retreat – a thank you poem

Sacha Paddy and Neal Ghoshal wish to thank all who came to the Sweet Surrender Retreat at Mana Retreat Centre, in August this year. A very beautiful time sharing our wild dance, exploring movement and yoga, singing and chanting up at the sanctuary.

Penelope Holmes, wrote this lovely poem about her experience:

Your biggest fear is being alone in the silence

Yet this is the next part of your journey

After the busy world of work, families, children, pets, the needs of others comes the time of stillness

Curling inwards to witness the true self

The weekend gives you the opportunity to see the path unfolding

Every possible moment is in the walk to Tara, the sanctuary

Walking, resting, noticing beauty

Entering the sacred space

Listening, hearing the tumbling water

The air breathing through the trees

Experiencing the symmetry of geometry

Black circle hands on pounamu the heart

The windows of oneness all religions

The track to Mana’s mountain

Touching the thirty million year old rock

Cheek to cheek

Finding my spot lying still in the grass watching

Islands and the sea, my childhood of sailing unfolding

I hear you in the call of the kaka parrot

Meeting, mating in that blue sky, flying free

This love, the huge enormous love lights the way forward

Thank-you Sacha my body hears the call, dance, surrender, be who I am

Thank-you Neal the essence of paying attention to every speck of kindness

to self and others, builds up the kind of knowing that will last a lifetime and beyond.

Thank you Mana – a place of peace kind to the soul

Penelope Holmes

Thank you from Christina Demmler

Dear dancing friends,

I feel very loved in these difficult days and want to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has shown support in so many ways.

The fundraising event was extraordinary and I still marvel at how this lovely evening came together so quickly and how many people supported it by appearance, help and donations . In the end it raised more then $8000 which made my jaw drop and is a wonderful help during a time where my work capacity is rather limited.

So a big THANK YOU to everyone who donated art, vouchers, money…I would love to thank everyone in person, but it would be a full time job! It is a wonderful feeling to be held in this web of dancing spirits and to know that my existence has somehow touched so many people…it is also very unreal at times, as you can imagine. After I finished radiation I had a hard time but it is slowly getting better, building up strength for the next chapter, the chemical weapon, which will happen next Friday. I have to see how this will go and if I cope well enough I might get back to doing some classes, but this is wide open at the moment.

In the meantime I am sending my gratitude and love…until we dance again,

Christina

Dancing for Christina – from Geordie

Dear Friends,

I just wanted to thank you all so much for your part in co-creating such a truly memorable, exquisite and successful fundraising event for Christina & her family at the Boat Club. The evening was filled with so much love, creativity, and generosity of spirit – a beautiful coming together of communities, with everyone sharing so generously their special gifts and talents. It was very moving to be a part of this special event and to witness the miracle of the reciprocity of giving and receiving. I flew out the next morning on a huge wave of Love & Gratitude, marveling at the beauty of humanity at its finest! Kiwis rock!

I send you all much love

and warm blessings

Geordie xxoo

Fundraising Dance Event For Christina Demmler

Friday June 24th, 7-10pm
at Blockhouse Bay Boatclub, Auckland

See Map Here

DANCE: 5Rhythms Wave
with Geordie Jahner & Sacha Paddy
MELT: Live Music & Dancing
with Fraser Bruce and Co
PLUS: Delicious Dessert & Raw Chocolate Elixir, Great Offerings, Silent Auction

Entry donation: $25 – all proceeds go directly to Christina & her family

Dear Dancing Friends, 5Rhythms Community & Beyond,

You are invited to attend a special evening of fantastic dance, drumming, and dessert at the beautiful Blockhouse Bay Boat Club to help raise funds to support Christina & her family.

Some of you may be aware that our dear friend & 5Rhythms teacher Christina has been dealing with breast cancer these past few years. The time has come for us to gather as her community to express our love and support, and to offer up our healing prayers and financial support as she dances her way through this challenging journey.

The Healing Power Of Dance

We have all experienced the healing power of the dance and the healing power of prayer, the potency of which becomes magnified when we come together as a large group with a focused intention. Let’s raise the roof and lots of money – just because we can & want to!
Christina has poured her heart and soul into helping keep the 5Rhythms dance alive and well here in Aotearoa. Now is an opportunity for us to express our love, deep gratitude and appreciation for all the soulful spaces she has held for us over the years.

Generosity

Please come prepared to give generously (please bring cash or cheque -there is no eftpos). We encourage you to dig deeper than you thought you could, but not so much that it hurts. Can you offer something for the Silent Auction – art, services or something else? Could you donate a delicious dessert? We all take our turn on the wheel in terms of needing support…today may be Christina’s turn…tomorrow ours…

Different ways you can contribute and donate

Be There & Bring a Friend or Two!
Donate Services or Art for the Silent Auction
contact Kerry-Ann on 09 816 8800, celebrant@kerryannstanton.com
orIngrid Nagle-Rose on 09 816 8650, ingridrose_nagl@yahoo.com
Donate a delectable Dessert or Beverage
contact Chalice on 09 528 6723, info@naturesgold.co.nz
Volunteer crew – help set up, organize & clean up
contact Fraser on 09 817 3644

Getting to Blockhouse Bay Boatclub in Auckland

The Blockhouse Bay Boatclub is at the end of Endeavour Street, and walk along the path to the headland. See Map Here