How do we meet this moment of ecological collapse and collective uncertainty with open hearts and steady presence? How do we stay awake and engaged without becoming overwhelmed or numb?
Rooted in Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects and the 5Rhythms® movement practice, this workshop offers an embodied map for navigating the terrain of our times. Through dance, ritual, and shared inquiry, we will deepen our capacity to meet this moment with presence, courage, and purpose.
Guided by the 5Rhythms of Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness, we’ll move through the Spiral of the Work That Reconnects—beginning by grounding in gratitude, and then honoring our heartache for the world. As we allow our hearts to open, we’ll invite new vision and possibility, and explore how each of us might move forward—resourced by our unique gifts and in connection with others.
Through movement, small-group connection, and embodied listening, we’ll attune to the Earth and to one another, and feel into the next right steps we’re called to take.
This is a space to cultivate the courage, imagination, and resilience this moment calls for—not in isolation, but in community. Together, we will explore moving from disconnection to belonging, from stuck to embodied presence, from overwhelm to purposeful action.
We’ll move in support of the Great Turning—a shift from a culture of separation to one of regeneration, interconnection, and care—by tending our inner resources. Come as you are. Leave with a thread to follow–rooted in your own rhythm, capacity and love for the world.
About the Facilitators
Caitlin Elsaesser
Dr. Caitlin Elsaesser is a social worker, professor, dancer, meditation teacher, and facilitator with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals to heal, transform, and express their highest potential. She is the joyful creator and facilitator of an engaged mindfulness program for social workers based on Joanna Macy’s Work that Reconnects.
Jilsarah Moscowitz
On Valentine's Day 2002, Jilsarah took her first 5Rhythms class fell in love feet first with the Rhythms and with the powerful medicine of this practice. In 2011, s/he joined the vibrant, creative, and committed NYC teachers' community. Since then, s/he has had the blessed opportunity to share her love for the magic and the medicine of the 5Rhythms practice with seniors, persons with Alzheimer's, legal professionals, dancers in NYC. Jilsarah has been leading classes in the Western MA area since 2023.
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Dance Space Etiquette
We come together to practice 5Rhythms.
We are drug- and alcohol-free.
We are adults responsible for our own wellbeing.
We are aware of and respect each others’ bodies and boundaries.
We communicate using movement not words.
We make eye contact and gain consent before any physical touch
We dance barefoot, in grippy socks or soft dance shoes.
We avoid synthetic perfumes.
We turn our phones off.
We do not take photos/video or use Shazam.
We participate, we do not spectate.
We start and end our dance journey together.
Land acknowledgment
The Native American settlement at what is now Northampton
was called Norwottuck, or Nonotuck, meaning: "the midst of
the river." It consisted of a core area where clan meetings
and elders' councils were held. This area included communal
cemeteries and probably sweat lodges used for curing. This
is land belonging to the Nipmuc, Pocumtuc, Nonotuc people.
Welcome Statement
We recognize and welcome all. All races, all religions, all
gender identities, all sexual orientations, all abilities, all
shapes and sizes, all languages, all ages.
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