Yangchenma Arts & Music

Our mind is a mirror of the cosmos. This metaphor is often found in yogic traditions. The state of our mirror determines whether we reflect distressed impressions or harmonious splendour. Classical Indian dance sees mudra as a powerful tool for consciously polishing the mirror of our awareness - physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically. Our physical personality is made up of the way we move, carry, and express our body. We have gathered these unconsciously: through personal habit, genetic imprints, cultural influence, and karmic patterns.

About this course:

5ElementDance is founded on the principle of integrating spirituality with worldly life. The qualities and skills of the 5 elements can be used to benefit and improve all aspects of your life. 

The Mirror of Mudra course is designed to bring awareness and conscious choice into how we comport our bodies. We use mudra and movement to shape ourselves into mirrors of the 5 cosmic elements. With 5ElementDance we dissolve our habitual patterns of movement and bring our physical expression into alignment with qualities of the 5 cosmic elements. In this course we shall:

• Loosen the grip of our habitual postures and movements through the mudras and movements of 5ElementDance
• Develop our bhāva (state of body-being) to reflect the qualities of the 5 elements 
• Discover how to apply these qualities to improve different aspects of our lives 

In 5ElementDance each of the elements is associated with a particular quality, skill, and capability. These siddhis (achievements) become available to us when we consciously develop our relationship with the elements. 

Each week we shall focus on one of the 5 elements and we will:

• Learn a symmetry exercise to increase symmetry and flow in the body-mind
• Learn the Mudra 
• Develop the bhāva (feeling stale) of the element in the body-mind-awareness
• Apply this feeling state to benefit a specific area of our lives through movement and journaling 
• Be guided through a movement meditation that expresses the element
• Integrate the insights of this process

You do not need to have previous experience of dance or the 5 elements. If you have taken the ‘Matrix of Life’ course with Vena this course will deepen your experience. We are entering the practice through a different lens.

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.