Workshop Overview
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.
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About 5Rhythms®
The 5Rhythms comprise a simple movement practice founded by Gabrielle Roth, designed to release the dancer that lives in every body, no matter what its shape, size, age, limitations and experience. The 5Rhythms dance practice was founded by Gabrielle Roth; an urban shaman. The practice itself is simple, there are no steps to follow. The teaching is deep. And it comes from the dancer's wisdom and embodied insight. In each dance, we explore each of the 5 rhythms, not for its mastery, but for its medicine. We will co-create a space to experience the rhythms of flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness (also known as a 5Rhythms Wave).
Learn more about the 5Rhythms practice here.
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Learn more about Gabrielle Roth's 5Rhythms here:
https://www.5rhythms.com/gabrielle-roths-5rhythms/what-are-the-5rhythms/
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About The Work That Reconnects
The Work That Reconnects is meant for anyone who longs to serve the healing of our world in a more powerful and effective way. This interactive group process was developed by Joanna Macy, in cooperation with many colleagues, over several decades. The Work That Reconnects draws on foundational teachings, including Systems Thinking, Deep Ecology and Deep Time, Spiritual Traditions and Undoing Oppression.
The Work That Reconnects guides you on a Spiral journey through four stages:
Coming from Gratitude
Honoring Our Pain for the World
Seeing with New/Ancient Eyes
Going Forth
Learn more about Joanna Macy's here:
https://www.joannamacy.net
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Welcome Statement
All are welcome—this workshop embraces people of every race, gender, sexuality, age, size, religion, ability, and class, honoring the richness of our diverse human experience.
Land Acknowledgment
The workshop is held on the land of the Native American settlement at what is now Northampton, and was called Norwottuck, or Nonotuck and inhabited by the Nipmuc, Pocumtuc, Nonotuc people.
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Please Bring
* Comfortable cloths to move in
* Water and a snack
* A notebook or journal to write in
* An object related to the theme of "gratitude" for the art installation or any sacred object you wish to add to the art installation
* A back jack or seat you can be comfortable sitting in, IF you need back support
Snack Break
We will be taking a short snack break indoors or outdoors at the venue. Please plan to stay in the container of the workshop during the break. We will have some snacks and invite you to bring your own to accommodate your preferences and dietary needs.
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Dance Space Etiquette
We come together to practice 5Rhythms. This is not a space to practice Contact Improv, Tango, Breakdancing or other dance forms.
We are drug- and alcohol-free. This is a sober space
We are aware of and respect each others’ bodies and boundaries. Please have awareness of those around you, dance with eyes open as much as possible, be mindful of where your arms, legs, feet are in relation to other bodies.
We communicate using movement not words. Please keep chatting off the dance floor. Unless using words is necessary to verbally express a boundary. �
We make eye contact and gain consent before any physical touch. Dancers can go deep into their dance and touch can be startling. Before any touch, get eye contact and a nod Yes before physical touch. Look for gestures that express a boundary of No.
We participate, we do not spectate. This is not a spectator sport. Please stay in your experience throughout the class. Please do not take photos or videos
Please turn our phones off and refrain from using Shazam during class. Quite often teachers are more than willing to share their playlists
Be mindful of those who are chemically sensitive, please avoid wearing synthetic perfumes, scented oils or scented laundry detergent or hair products.
Please care for your well-being. Bring water to drink, pace yourself during the event. care for tender parts,
Please dance barefoot, in grippy socks or soft dance shoes (that have not been worn outdoors). Please do not dance in socks to prevent slipping on dance floor
Thank you for helping to build a container for your dance and the dances of others around you.
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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
Jilsarah Moscowitz is a certified 5Rhythms® teacher. She’s been dancing 5Rhythms since 2002 and attended the last training led by the late Gabrielle Roth, the founder of the 5Rhythms practice. Formerly from the NYC area, Jilsarah has been leading classes in the Western MA area since 2023. Jilsarah works as a workplace mediator and coach.
Susan Ehlerman
The workshop is supported artistically by Susan Ehlerman, who has been dancing 5Rhythms, on and off the dance floor, since 2006. Susan is an autism specialist, SLP, speaker, mindfulness facilitator, gardener, and mother. She works in collaboration with neurodivergent folks to forward authentic and dynamic communication. Her art form and practice is altar building.
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