GENERAL GUIDELINES IN THE PERFORMANCE OF
THE PANEURHYTHMY

The participants are arranged in couples in a circle and move in a counterclockwise direction. In some of the exercises like "Jumping," "The Square," "Joy of the Earth" and others, the dancers turn to face the center or turn their backs to it. These positions are described in the instructions for the respective exercises. In all remaining exercises, the dancers follow in the general direction of moving counterclockwise. Paneurhythmy is performed to music given by the Master Beinsa Douno. When available, musicians play in the center of the circle.
Olga Slavcheva is a author of the lyrics in Bulgarian and Vessela Nestorova is a author of the lyrics in English. The lyrics of the exercises "Think", "Aoum" and "Sunrise" are given by the Master Beinsa Douno; because they are presented traditionally in Bulgarian.

"Music is a power which transforms the energy in man." "Music is a great factor in the world by which you can bring balance into your life." "Every single movement expresses a certain musical tone. When this movement concurs with the tone which corresponds to it, it represents a great power." "When you dance these musical exercises, choose a harmonious partner. If you do not harmonize with each other or you feel disturbed, you should not dance together."

The Master recommended wearing white clothing for the performance of Paneurhythmy. During the pause in the music after the completion of each exercise (with the exception of the first ten exercises which are performed without interruption), the dancers stand still, feet and arms together facing the general direction or with the face (or back) towards the center of the circle depending upon which exercise follows. While performing the Paneurhythmy, the body is upright.

"The body should be upright. Bending forward indicates that you have two centers: one towards the earth and the other towards the sun. If you bend forward, this indicates that you are in union with the earth. In this case, the center of the earth has predominance. For this reason, a bent line is formed, and things do not go well. You need to stand upright like a candle so that the sun is the center."

All exercises start with the right foot. While stepping forward, the weight of the body falls first on the toes, not on the heel.

"Learn to step on your toes first and then on your heels. In this may, compression of the spine is avoided." "The exercises are to be performed with energy, with out-stretched limbs,fluently. But on the other hand, this is not ballet or any other dance." "If you hold your feet loosely, you cannot make contact with the forces of nature. For this reason, the foot should always be extended, expressing will. If you lift up your arm and do not extend it, you will not be able to make contact with the sun. You need to step in an orderly manner so that you may be in contact with the currents which flow from your right side and your left. Every exercise is well- performed only when you make contact with the vital forces of nature, i.e. with the forces of the earth as well as those of the sun." "The fingers of your hands should not be spread apart, but held together." "The arms and the legs are two opposite poles and play an important role. He who does not know how to govern the arms and legs will have limited achievements. Between the two poles is placed the head. It is the center. If you move your arms properly, you mill be able to have a sensible relationship to the human world. If you move your feet properly, you will have a good rapport with the animal world. If you move your spine in a beautiful way as well as the muscles connected to the spine, you will know how to manage the plant world and dram energy from it. Every muscle, every nerve, every cell must be brought into the movement."

Good concentration is required while performing Paneurhythmy. The poses described in the starting positions are not to be taken ahead of time. (Detailed description is provided only to make the learning of Paneurhythmy easier.) The consciousness needs to be awake, and the movements should begin simultaneously with the start of the music.

"The exercises should be performed with concentration. While dancing, you should not look around and think about how everyone else is dancing, but be absorbed in your own performance. Your thought should enter your arms and legs. Everything and every cell should partake in it. Thought, feeling and movement are equally important. Thought gives form, direction to things; feeling gives content; and movement provides the raiment without which nothing is possible. Thought and feeling should participate in every movement and penetrate every cell." " The exercises of Paneurhythmy are like a passageway to the Divine World. Some of the movements of Paneurhythmy enter the Divine World; others - the spiritual world; still others - the physical world. Learn to do them correctly." "Study the exercises step by step, drop by drop in order to master them. Perform them graciously, not abrupt and sharp. A lot of energy is lost in the abrupt movements, they have completely d different character ." "When you do the exercises, you need to be conscious in order that you can benefit from them." "The exercises play an important role in man's rejuvenation. If you do them well and properly, at the least, the wrinkles on your face will be removed. " "By performing the exercises, you may correct many of your shortcomings. For example, you may correct some inherited characteristics." "There should be a flowing inner rhythm to the exercises in order for them to be beneficial and health-giving." "The state of being ought to be: To bless."

Remark: Once the circle is formed, it is not to be crossed over. Only the musicians may stay in the middle. If somebody wants to go from one side of the circle to another, he must go around. During Paneurhythmy, movements are not to be interrupted. If the distances between the dancers become diminished, they should be re-established by moving forward: the participants never move backwards. If someone is late, he joins in silently.

The description of these exercises is not sufficient to give a complete understanding for all the movements in each, because by their nature they are uninterrupted and flowing.

Traditionally, the Paneurhythmy exercises finish with a greeting: with the right hand slightly uplifted, palm outward, as a unifying gesture along the Path of Light. This is common greeting used among the followers of Beinsa Douno. One person says, "There is no Love like God's Love" and the other answers, "Only God's Love is Love!"

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The materials are exerpts from the book "Paneurhythmy" presented by Ernestina Staleva and Antoaneta Krushevska.

For more information and ordering the book contact:

Ernestina Staleva 112 Old Mountain Rd. Leverett, MA 01054, USA

Antoaneta Krushevska
27475 Hesperian Blvd. Apt. #56 Hayward, CA 94545, USA
tel. 510-732-0315
E-mail: rila@earthlink.net

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