Gabrielle Roth

Gabrielle Roth (February 4, 1941 – October 22, 2012) was an American dancer and musician in the world music and trance dance genres, with a special interest in shamanism. She created the 5Rhythms approach to movement in the late 1970s.

The 5Rhythms is a movement meditation practice devised by Gabrielle Roth in the late 1970s. It draws from indigenous and world traditions using tenets of shamanistic, ecstatic, mystical, and eastern philosophy. It also draws from Gestalt therapy, the human potential movement, and transpersonal psychology.

The 5Rhythms are flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical, and stillness. Flowing connects us to the feminine principle, grounding us into our bodies and the earth. Staccato ignites the masculine principle, empowering us to assert, express, and take action. Chaos is the breakthrough rhythm, surrendering control and embracing the unknown. Lyrical is the rhythm of expansion and creativity, and stillness is the rhythm of integration and meditation.

"Maps to Ecstasy: Teachings of an Urban Shaman" is a book written by Gabrielle Roth and published in 1989. In it, she explores how movement can guide us on the path to self-discovery, healing, and transformation. She shares her personal experiences, insights, and teachings from the 5Rhythms practice, offering readers a roadmap for navigating their own inner landscape.

Gabrielle Roth's legacy lies in her creation of the 5Rhythms practice, which has become a worldwide phenomenon, inspiring countless people to explore movement as a gateway to self-expression, healing, and spiritual growth. Her teachings and workshops continue to be taught by certified 5Rhythms teachers around the globe, keeping her work alive and accessible to new generations.