Customer Reviews

The Wave

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD is like nothing I have ever seen. It is not structured like a normal workout or dance instruction DVD, although I do use it as a workout because it is such good exercise. However, it goes way beyond that to create a meditative, spiritual experience, uniting the mind and body in a kind of ecstatic dance. The dance is basically free-form, though following certain "rhythms" which are explained in the DVD's introduction. There is a guided narration throughout, which I find inspiring, but we are basically left to move however we feel like moving, so it is a different experience every time. I always end up feeling energized and alive in a way that is hard to describe. The music is energizing and beautiful, and the DVD is beautifully filmed. I only wish that Gabrielle Roth would come out with more DVDs (although she does have a couple of others that are close), because nothing I have found can compare to the experience of this one. Give it a try. I think you will be amazed.

I dance the Five Rhythms on and off myself. In workshops or on my own. I participated in a workshop with Gabrielle Roth herself and also in workshops led by other teachers from her international crew.
So I'd say I know roughly what the practice entails. Except, every time you dance, it is a new beginning, a clean slate, an empty space and you start only with your presence. Nothing else is needed.

I've bought this DVD out of curiosity and I do not regret it. On contrary I'd recommend it to anybody, beginner who never heard of this work or the more seasoned participant. It is nicely done. After all I am a film editor so I think I can judge it adequately. It is beautiful to watch. But mind you, you won't just sit quietly. Your body parts will start moving. Later you can also play only the music, separately.

The DVD captures the feeling and the essence of the "work, dance" very well. It also provides clear enough practical instruction. No, there's no one standing up giving you a long speech. It is all moving all the time. I guarantee that after watching it for the first time you'll be able to start your own practice at home right away. Dare to experiment with your movement and say after me: Yes, I can!

As Gabrielle mentioned herself, one doesn't need a lot of space either. Her New York apartment was not exactly spacious and yet she danced in it, daily.

So there is one risk. After buying this DVD you have no excuse not to dance. But hey, there's a big chance you'll like it. So give it a try! See you on the dance floor!

And no, I didn't get payed for writing this. The Five Rhythms inner circle people will not be able to guess who wrote this review. And I won't tell. I told you what I wanted.

Wow. What a fantastic video! It's impossible not to get up and dance. Really. If you have any desire to get more in touch with your body, to find a spiritual connection through movement...get this video. Try it, you'll like it.

I've had arthritis since childhood - artificial joints added in my mid thirties, and I am now in my early 40's. With other fitness dvds I usually wind up hurting myself by forcing my body to attempt positions and moves that are just not possible for my joints to be able to achieve. I found this series a couple of years back and it's really the only one I've ever stuck with. If my joints are acting up I can change the motions to suit my abilities for the day; the Wave relies on general guidelines of movement types rather than specific "dance-y" or regimented moves - I LOVE this concept!!!

Another plus is that I've never been the kind of person that could slow my ADD brain down enough top meditate but I've noticed a feeling of mentally "floating" while I focus on how my body moves and feels as a result of this class. During and afterward, I find my mind does not race quite as much. Overall, I feel better for having moved well and my mind is more relaxed after doing even just a small section of this dvd.

Every time I pop this DVD in and experience Gabrielle Roth's 5 Rhythms, I am blown away. I have another ecstatic dance/trance dance DVD (Shiva Rea's) and while that one has its merits and moments, this one goes far deeper and works with 5 specific rhythm patterns to connect to emotions, fluidity and our Universal pulse. It runs about 30 minutes long, which may sound short but the depth of body work possible in this time frame cannot really be described until you experience this DVD. Gabrielle begins by leading you through a delicious flowing warm up incorporating free form body movement beginning at the head and working your way down to the soles of the feet, getting the energy moving. Then she guides you through a series of rhythms; fluid, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness. Her voice is wonderfully grounded and calm, but she also inspires you to really open up, explore, let go and connect with the primal. You can adapt your experience to suit where you are that day, that moment, because it's all up to you. On a lower energy day, you can still feel the beauty and power of each rhythm while keeping it softer, more gentle and on days where you feel like a live wire you can amp this up to a frenetic level, especially during staccato and chaos where you let it fly. For this reason, it's something that anyone of any age and any fitness level can do comfortably. If you are new or out of shape, go slowly, explore smaller movements, play with the new tempos and experience your body in new ways at your pace. If you are a cardio monster looking for something deeper, more spiritual, you can make this a 30 minute sweat session without a doubt. She is your guide but you are your own choreographer. No two days will ever be the same or feel the same, and for me it always manages to transmute stagnant energy into radiant electricity. If you are a yogi or yogini looking for another conduit to connect the physical with the divine, with the energies of the earth and sky and beyond, you will love this DVD. The 5 Rhythms are a brilliant framework within which you can explore space, energy and breath endlessly.

I love the concept. Moving for healing - different rhythms tapping into different levels of this. However - it was much too slow for me. Please note - I like to use boxing drills for exercise.