by Chris Connors
Over the years the 5 Rhythms has developed into one of my life's core practices and when I finally 'got it’ i.e. I stopped trying to find meaning in it, I realised how much there was to explore of this work (and of myself) much deeper and wider territory...opportunities for self-investigations.
But as much as I love workshops, I didn't just want to do more for the sake of being in workshops, I wanted experiences and learning about myself that I could carry home and integrate in my life. For me, my life is the workshop - the workshops are the breathing spaces for nourishment.
I left the busy heights of London, where I had become a 'metropolitan dweller'; being stressed was the norm in London and people there were seen as obstacles!! I moved to Brighton where the comparative easy vibe initially took some getting used to after London’s hectic bustle. I felt the need to find my feet in a safe, real and grounded space.... somewhere to explore, experiment and even play with who I am, and who I am in relationship to others.
The Open Floor group I joined, facilitated by Alain Allard was just that.
Its instant appeal to me was initially in its therapeutic language - it really resonated with me, as I have always been fascinated with human behaviour. To quote Gabrielle; “If you put the psyche in motion it will heal itself.”
Well the Open Floor was for me like this; If you put your psyche in motion on the Open Floor, you are presented with an opportunity get to know it, how it affects you/your environment and then you can make choices about it.
Also I had danced in many of Alain's 5Rhythms classes and had developed a deep trust for his work - he guides and supports groups to move into the unknown and his work is carried out with so much insight, integrity, razor-sharp Zen wit and healing humour that makes for a highly creative and intimate space. Most important of all his attention to the group, the individuals and the room is so focussed clear and compassionate that he fosters a sense of safety and mutuality amongst his students. Which makes the exploration, the experimenting and the playing I was looking for possible and achievable.
The Open Floor works on simply designed but extremely effective floor plan. A person takes a leap onto the floor (and it can really feel like a leap), and begins their turn by making a move and repeating it. The move is not premeditated but just an expression of the moment, a bodily expression of a 'voice' in the head. This person is encouraged and facilitated by Alain to gently explore such a move, or an element of it. The group watches, their involvement becoming an essential part of the ensuing and unfolding process, their presence becoming an overt and active witnessing.
There are 3 possibilities for them to be in the space as the turn is happening: -
1. As a relatively clear, detached watcher of the situation, Simply sitting watching, with no overt input other than holding steady and endeavouring to remain present to what is unfolding.
2. As a watcher of the situation who has an awareness that they are in some way being moved by what they see and chooses to physically put this movement into the unfolding scenario in a way which predominantly supports, at that moment, their own feelings and/or that of the person who is out on the floor having their turn. They are no longer a relatively still detached watcher, and they are still endeavouring to remain present.
3.Triggered by the particular or general situation and not present either to the reality of the person who is having their turn out on the floor or even very much to their own reality. They are pretty much absent with a partial or underlying realisation of this absence, and yet somehow they are also part of the whole tableaux.
These 3 possibilities are situated out on a spatial floor design - a kind of architectural floor plan of the psyche. There are clear guidelines as to how to find, explore and experiment with ones own placement in this unfolding structure, and plenty of clear, direct and gentle supportive facilitation by Alain. Positions move and change. Sometimes they remain relatively still or stuck.
There is nowhere to hide in the Open Floor - there is always somewhere on the floor plan that you will be and this made it daunting, exciting, emotional and intense. There were times when I felt deeply touched, empathic, frustrated, bored, enlightened, tickled, sad, in detached presence, in love, sometimes I felt like I was watching TV... but there was always a place to take it, be with it and watch it pass. Ultimately I could see the mirror in everyone taking his or her turn - the floor plan WAS me.
It was like seeing the back of my head and when I did I saw what choices I could make about that. That’s very powerful for the outside world. On one occasion I noticed for me a sense of 'not knowing' in my move and when I stepped out from myself to watch that same move in people supporting me I was frustrated for being this way seeing myself as pathetic for 'not knowing'. A real moment of realisation of how hard I can be on myself and others when they are not knowing, 'weak' or unconscious - my awareness of this in life has continued since and allows me to make choices about myself or other peoples when this moment arises.... I always appreciate that this work has an integrated real purpose.
I did my first group over a year, it was inspiring to see people and be seen by people in such a focused and loving space. Our 'job' was not just to be present as a perfect circle of nice people but just beautiful in all our real emotions and imperfections. This intimacy brought me a great sense of acceptance in others and ultimately myself. With in mind, I carried on for another year with a completely different group - different content but the same space for humans to be.
Don't have expectations about this work - they don't work. Turn up and watch sparks fly and dust settle, it creates a kind of constellation in the moment and a playful leap into knowing the unknown. Do try it. I recommend it to you.