Yangchenma Arts & Music

This five session course invites you to experience a grander, cosmic version of yourself.

The five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ākāśa) are fundamental ingredients of reality - at the cosmic and individual level. 5ElementDance is a spiritual method to explore, express, and embody these elements. 

Working with these elements is a cornerstone of spiritual growth in the yogic and tantric wisdom traditions. There are many traditional practices to purify and activate these elements within us. Drawing on these practices, 5ElementDance is an exquisite, embodied method that is open to all.

You do not need any previous experience of dance or meditation. You do need a willingness to trust your body’s ability to express its own unique spiritual beauty.

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What is 5ElementDance?

5ElementDance is a movement meditation method that refreshes body, mind, heart and energy. It combines mudras (hand gestures), exquisite movements, powerful postures, and breathwork, making it a beautiful and sensual way to meditate.

It was created by Dr. Vena Ramphal, a celebrated dance artist and scholar of the Indian wisdom traditions.

Methodology of 5ElementDance

5ElementDance sequences are created from the exquisite karana movements of Indian dance. The karanas contain the spiritual essence of Indian classical dance and yoga and are found across India in temple sculptures. By moving through these sequences we get to make ourselves anew in a gentle yet powerful way. 

Over four decades of dance practice, Dr. Ramphal has developed a complete philosophy of dance and embodied spirituality based on developing a conscious relationship with your body. Rather than copying steps from a teacher, 5ElementDance expands your own innate capacity and confidence for expressive and joyful movement. 

Benefits of 5ElementDance

• Buoyant aliveness in body
• Mental clarity
• Emotional stability and relish
• Spiritual acuity
• Increased zest for life

In each class we shall cover:

• How to experience all 5 elements through movement meditation 
• A deeper exploration of one element per class, including study of the philosophy behind the 5 elements 
• 5ElementDance Scribing - translate the intuitive knowing of dance into the logical knowledge of words
• Affirmation of the week: strengthen your body’s intuitive knowing through specially designed affirmations.

WEEK 1:

Introduction to 5ElementDance movement meditation. Focus on mudras. Deeper exploration of Fire.

WEEK 2:

Focus on mudras (hand gestures). Deeper exploration of Air. Introducing to the Scribing practice.

WEEK 3:

Moving with flow: develop trust in your body’s ability to express the movements. Deeper exploration of Water. Tips to improve Scribing practice. 

WEEK 4: 

Moving from your core: anchor your dance in the core of your body for a more powerful expression of movement. Deeper exploration of Ākāśa. 

WEEK 5:

Bringing it all together: discover what your favourite element says about the opportunities that await you. Deeper exploration of Earth. Q&A and wrap up.

These courses meet live on Zoom. Videos of each session will be uploaded in your learning platform and available for continued viewing for three months.