Testimonials and stories from Brazil

Testimony from Maria Eugenia da Rocha Nogueira:

The first workshop on PanEuRhythmy in which I participated was for me a true revelation. I had been trying to learn it for a few months with a small group. Unexpectedly, in those two weekends of workshop, the symbolism of the movements, the history of the creation of the dance, its conection with the spiritual — all opened a new inner space. In addition, the dance by itself produced an inmediate physical well being (due in part to better oxigenation) and, at times an "altered state of consciousness". The experience of dancing the PanEuRhythmy was a real joy! The arms are used a lot, activating the upper chacras, and it often happens that, after dancing with people hitherto unknown, one experimences at the end a feeling of kinship.

I also learned in that workshop that "PanEuRhythmy is a mirror." Each one of the 28 movements expresses a divine quality that we all potentially have and that we can develop. The difficulties present in the actual execution of any specific movement go well beyond the physical level: they can refer to the emotional, mental or spiritual content of that exercise. Thus, as we work on improving on the movement (connecting with the meaning as well as singing), we are also working on ourselves — in the nicest way in the world! — uplifting our state of consciousness, and deepening our spirituality.

In my job as a psychotherapist, when I encounter a specific problem with a patient I teach him/her a movement that is related to that specific issue, improvements always ensue. Another experience that I have is that I imagine a person in need, participating in our PanEuRhythmy circle. After two or three days, invariably, I discover that this person benefited from their "participation," even without knowing it!.

The music is beautiful, it has a quality that penetrates deeply into our hearts and induces the movements, which seem to be born naturally out of it. Dancing the PanEuRhythmy is an experience hat generates inner joy, a feeling of communion with nature and with human beings. It opens us simultaneously to our own inner nature, producing a meditative state, and sharing with our partner, with the circle of dancers and with all of humanity — because of the irradiation of the ideas contained in the movements.

To be in contact with the deepest part of our being, dancing and singing among trees, birds and butterflies — what else could we want? The PanEuRhythmy for me is an spiritual path, a physical discipline but above all a joy! Among the many, many people that I would like to thank I will just mention three: Maria Rosa and Glaucia, who taught me the first steps, and Ardella, the inspired teacher of that workshop.

Testimony from Mercedes Nadir Tiveron:

I became acquainted with the PanEuRhythmy in a workshop that Ardella taught in Sao Paulo, in november 1995 in the Faculty Anhembi Morumbi. From the first theoretical ideas to the music and the movements, it was something beyond normal which touched me. The music was all-embracing, harmonious and it transported me to a high state of consciouness, I will say to the sublime. After the workshop, we continued doing the PanEuRhythmy in Sedes Sapience, but very few people knew the 28 movements. The following year, Ardella came back but this time the theoretical part of the Workshop was in the Isis clinic and the practical in the Sabesp park. At the end of the workshop, Ardella insisted that someone on the group should assume responsibility for continuing the work. After her question as to wether anyone would like to continue with the group practicing once a week — I felt something in my stomach and an inner voice that said — you should do it. But I must confess that I didn't have the courage to do it. However, since no one was saying anything I ended up saying — ok, I can do it, but since I only know the first 10 movements I need someone to help me — Ardella accepted inmmediately and Shideko, another person from the group agreed to help me. At that point, we started practicing the exercises, at the beginning in Sabesp park, then in Trianon and where we are now.

Talking about what the PanEuRhythmy represents in my life is easy, since for me, it is simply MIRACULOUS. Many doors have opened for me since I started this practice. I must confess that I have continued this practice.

We receive many testimonies from people who, after seeing us in the park, they come to dance and they ask — where does this practice come from? There was once a man reading the newspaper at a distance from us, he was gradually attracted more and more by the music so he quickly, stealthyly approached us. He was amazed and said that the music had harmonised him so much that he was forced to follow it. Another time a blind woman was sitting in a bench and at the end she was crying with emotion. He told us that we seemed like dancing angels, what a beautiful thing! A man, in a wheelchair, often joined us in the center of our circle, and he received many benefits through PanEuRhythmy. And it is always like this. Many people come, stop and are enchanted by the music and the dance. There is now a boy that minds people's cars. From the first time he heard the music he was enchanted. He asked for the music, and sent it to his mother who lives in Bahia, far from Sao Paulo. She tells us — this comes from above, it is not a thing of the earth. And, we have received many responses with respect to this. We are a group of 8 to 10 people — there is always someone new, that every Saturday gathers to dance the PanEuRhytmy. The people who need it are placed in the center of the cirlce, so that they can also receive the benefits.

It remains for me to thank the great Master Beinsa Douno for giving this wonder and to Ardella for having shared it with us.

A hug, Nadir Mercedes

Ana Maria da Costa
Some experiences:

I met Ardella Nathanael in a Congress here in Sao Paulo: the Imagin-ria 95. Since the very first moment I saw her — that colorful, bright, energetic woman — I was deeply touched.

From then on I've been practicing PAN EU RHYTHMY to get in touch with the Universe, to renew my energy, refreshing my mind and soul. I had the honour to be her hostess in 1996, when I could see a true miracle:I was teaching in a Public school. The students' behavior as usual, was not the best ... Lots of social problems make them agressive, ironic, noisy, rebelious, etc... And she came to my school to give a PAN EU RHYTHMY session! It was a big surprise for me and for all the teachers even the Principal, when we could see all of them dancing the marvellous Dance of Life, in silence and feeling all the movements with joy and pleasure. It was a real extraordinary experience and since this day, when I need changes of the students' behavior, I dance PAN EU RHYTHMY with them! Thanks Ardella for all the knowledge you have been teaching me!

Ana Maria da Costa
Brazilian Teacher
Sao Paulo / BRASIL