The 5 Rhythms were created by Gabrielle Roth in the 1960s. She was teaching movement classes and noticed five distinct patterns, which she eventually called the 5 Rhythms - flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical, stillness. She still teaches classes on the 5 Rhythms in New York City to this day.
More about each rhythm at Gabrielle Roth's website under the link "5 Rhythms" on right hand side
People have always danced. Originally we danced for worship and healing. Our ancestors viewed nature and all of its elements as an expression of God. To duplicate or mimic nature through movement and sounds was their first and highest way to connect with spirit, and I believe was the origin of dance.
In present times you can find spiritual dancing in every country in the world. There are dances based on animals and other natural things. People dance to alter their state of consciousness or become the spirit of the sun, moon, animal or plant.
