Developing the Self — Developing the World
Deepening Eurythmy

Eurythmy for Our Time

The word Eurythmy stems from Greek roots meaning “beautiful” or “harmonious rhythm.” In this profound relationship to beauty and rhythm, Eurythmy is a form of movement that can bring one’s body back into balance.

“What is it that my Divine working out of primeval, cosmic being, does in me as a human being? If you would give the answer to this question you must make the eurythmic movements. The Divine eurythmetizes, and as the result of its eurythmy there arises the form of the human being.” - Rudolf Steiner (from Eurythmy as Visible Speech)

In the light of Anthroposophy, we understand the human being to be more than just a physical body. Rudolf Steiner described another, more subtle aspect of the bodily vehicle: the life body. This aspect of the bodily nature resides just beyond the boundary of the physical body and is not visible to the physical eyes. The life body, sometimes referred to as the etheric or ether body, connects us to each other worldwide. These life-giving forces are what Eurythmy is intrinsically and consciously connected to as a movement practice.

What we face in our times is a potential difficulty for Eurythmy and those that work with it. Now, more than ever, videos and screens are utilized to teach Eurythmy. However, it is the life forces in the life body that are supported by working with a Eurythmy practice. When a Eurythmy lesson is given by a human being to another human being (for example, children being taught in a classroom), the life forces are nourished by this exchange. Whenever possible, it is important to practice Eurythmy without looking at or imitating gestures from a screen.

Marilyn Myres is a member of the Developing the Self - Developing the World team and a Therapeutic Eurythmist who offers insight and suggestions regarding screen use and its effects on the human being’s life forces. Marilyn has written a letter to Eurythmists, colleagues and friends which is available here if you wish to read it: “Let’s Make A Difference”

A Daily Eurythmy Practice - IAO and Halleluiah

If this work is unfamiliar and you would like to partake in it please contact Marilyn for assistance.

• Create a contemplative space for yourself daily (ideally at the same time of day as the rhythm supports continuing over time). You can light a candle or simply bring yourself to stillness and a space of inner quiet

• Contemplate for yourself what is your Divine ideal

• In standing move the Eurythmy gestures for the following: IAO 3 times (sounding the vowels inwardly as you move) and then Halleluiah 3 times

• Come back to stillness and pause for a few moments to allow the resonating from the practice to echo. Perhaps there is a quality or inner experience that echoes in the stillness afterward

• Bring an inner mood of gratitude as a closing

This daily practice can be used with the imagination or inner picture of sending these forces out to the world.

An Invitation

Every week, individuals worldwide will move the IAO 3 times then Halleluiah 3 times

You are welcome to join us each week from your own home.

Sundays at 7am (Australian Eastern Standard Time)

Saturdays at 5pm New York

Saturdays 10pm United Kingdom

We hope you can join us at the same time from the zone you live in.

About Marilyn Myres

Marilyn is a practising eurythmist specialising in health and therapeutic work. She has been involved with Steiner education since 1981 through the Gabriel Health Centre in Melbourne, the Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School where her children were educated and involvement with the establishment of the Melbourne Therapy Centre. During this period she was a director in the not-for-profit organisation establishing Canticle Bakery / Café, which promoted biodynamic food and products, and offered work opportunities for young people. It was also over this time that Marilyn completed a six year Eurythmy training at Aurora Australis in Melbourne and went on to teach Eurythmy in Rudolf Steiner schools ( K to 8 ) throughout Melbourne and New South Wales.

Marilyn has performed Eurythmy in the Wings of Sound productions in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney, and with colleagues continues to provide performances for Waldorf Schools.

In 2000 Marilyn completed a 3-year Diploma in Therapeutic Eurythmy at Peredur Centre in East Grinstead England and has continued her professional development through attending six IPMT (International Post Medical Training) courses as well as Tone Eurythmy Therapy Training in the UK and Australia. She provides one-on-one therapeutic eurythmy to adults and children of all ages in her private practice in her home based studio, as well as at Inner Work Path retreats. She also provides all eurythmy components that may be within Inner Work Path courses. The extension of the EduCareDo courses in the coming years will receive the wisdom from this continued evolving of the work.