What is Eurythmy?

Eurythmy is the art of "visible speech and song" introduced by Rudolf Steiner in 1911. It gives expression to the silent gestures that underlie the sounds of speech and music, bringing them first into an inner soul movement, and then into outer physical movement. Eurythmy forms a language that integrates sound and gesture in a seamless whole; it draws the intricacies of human anatomy and spirit into harmony with the world.

What is Therapeutic Eurythmy?

"…it is because the human being is always partially healthy and partially ill that the development of the superabundant recuperative forces which must be inherent in art, and the development of movements possessed of the power of healing are so closely interwoven." - Rudolf Steiner

Rudolf Steiner developed eurythmy as an antidote to the destructive elements of our time. Eurythmy means "harmonious rhythm". Therapeutic eurythmy can affect a profound change when the human organism tends in the direction of imbalance and illness. Gestures which simulate the environment by imitating its shapes, contours and textures, are the consonants. Vowels express one's inner, or soul response. The gestures are intensified and repeated in order to stimulate specific organic functions.

Therapeutic eurythmy is an active therapy, which allows one to take part consciously in the process of becoming healthier and more balanced, and achieve true healing, not merely a cessation of symptoms. Close collaboration between a physician and therapist is essential, so consulting with a physician is recommended as a first step. The physician and therapist plan specific exercises for an individual. The elements of eurythmy therapy comprise vowel and consonant exercises, the "soul exercises", form walking, rhythm, and rod exercises in combination.

How does it work?

The patient learns the exercises with the therapeutic eurythmist over a period of about seven weeks, two or more times per week. While health and child development benefits are noticed shortly after beginning, one needs to continue daily at home for an additional seven weeks to achieve the most long-term benefit. Then a break from practicing allows the effects to work, and a check up with the physician determines if more exercises are needed.

Therapeutic Eurythmy can address

Therapeutic eurythmy is not used in acute or inflammatory situations.