Paneurhythmy (Bulgarian: Паневритмия) is a system of physical musical exercises developed by Peter Deunov between 1922 and 1944, focused on achieving inner balance and harmonization. The emphasis of the exercises is on giving and receiving, with the goal of creating a conscious exchange with the forces of nature. Paneurhythmy is practiced for both physical fitness and spiritual development. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] The creator of paneurhythmy defines it as a science: "Paneurhythmy is a science that regulates one's physical, spiritual, and mental functions and is a combination of human thoughts, feelings, and actions. [6]
Etymologically, paneurhythmy is derived from three roots: Pan meaning the whole, everything, the cosmic, Eu meaning "the true" or "supreme", the essential, and rhythm meaning periodicity and correctness of movement. [2] [7] The prefix "pan" implies expression of rhythm that is innate to nature. Based on these etymological roots, paneurhythmy directly translates to Cosmic Sublime Rhythm. [1]
The composer of the music and movements of paneurhythmy, Peter Deunov (also known as Beinsa Douno) developed the exercises in the 1930s in Bulgaria in an adaptive process, excluding some and adopting others in order to discover their optimal form. In Deunov's words: "Currently, the paneurhythmic figures have only the contours of movement. Later they will gain their substance, their core meaning, and details". [8]
The idea of living with harmony with nature is prominent in the practice of paneurhythmy. [3] Based on Deunov's recommendations, paneurthythmic exercises were to be done in the early morning and outside, preferably in a green meadow, and were most effective in the Spring, beginning 22 March. In his opinion, this was the time when nature was most receptive and contained the most prana, or living energy that could be absorbed by the human body. [8]
Paneurhythmy also contains an emphasis on building a new culture of love, fraternity, and freedom. Deunov believed there was a direct connection between thought and movement, that through the harmony between music, movement, and ideas, paneurhythmy was capable of promoting creative forces within the greater society. [4]
Over time, Paneurhythmy has attracted the attention of people from different cultures and nationalities, despite the 40-year communist regime in Bulgaria that forbade such practices. [4] The collective dancing at Seven Rila Lakes in the Rila mountains on 19–21 August can be singled out as the largest gathering, with over 2000 practitioners attending per year from a variety of countries, including France, Canada, Italy, Ukraine, and Russia. [5]
Paneurhythmy is composed of three parts: 28 Exercises,Sun's Rays, and Pentagram, which are performed one after the other. They consist of different exercises and are characterized by different features, way of arrangement and movement of the participants, duration. Each exercise has a certain philosophical idea expressed through its music, movements, name and lyrics. All exercises, as well as the three sections, are arranged in a meaningful sequence, they are believed to represent successive moments of individual and collective human development. [9] A typical paneurhythmy session complete with all three parts is 70 minutes long, however practicing the first 28 exercises independently with breaks in between is acceptable and takes 50 minutes. Paneurhythmy is practiced to strictly determined music. In most cases participants will move in a circle surrounding the musicians (instrumentalists and often singers or a choir) who typically perform in the center of the circle. [6]
The first part, 28 Exercises, is a set of 28 exercises performed with a partner while moving in a circle with the musicians and/or singers in the center of the circle. Each of the exercises reveal an idea expressed through the name, the movements, and the music of the exercise. [2] [4] The first ten exercises, also known as The First Day of Spring, are performed sequentially without pausing. They represent the symbolic awakening of the soul, as nature is awoken in the Spring. [2] [10] [11] In Deunov's opinion, focus on the movement of each exercise and the ideas associated to the exercise was key to performing the exercises correctly. His belief was that the exercises had to be performed thoughtfully and with love, rather than mechanically. [1]
Sun's Rays is a composition performed after the 28 exercises. The participants, arranged in pairs, form two groups: 12 rays to symbolically represent the opening of the twelve gates of life as expressed through the 12 signs of the zodiac, and an outside circle around the rays representing the wheel of life. [12] [7] Acting as radii, the 12 rays approach the center symbolizing the reception of vital forces and then go backward to infuse these forces into the outer circle. In the following motion, each partner in a pair performs circles around the other. These motions represent stages of development in which mankind is trapped in a circle of material consciousness. The third and fourth movements symbolize liberation from this circle and the subsequent joy associated with such release, as expressed through the singing and clapping of the participants. [12]
The third part of paneurhythmy, Pentagram, is a symbolic representation of the path of the human soul to perfection, with each ray of the pentagram representing love, wisdom, truth, justice, and virtue respectively. The pentagram is also a metaphor for a cosmic man in motion, with the apices being the head, two hands, and two feet. [1] [2] The exercise is performed with five pairs of participants which move and exchange places, symbolizing that the positive virtues of an individual must be in motion in order for the qualities to have effect. [13] Afterwards, the participants march forward, representing that the embodiment of the virtues has been achieved. These motions are repeated five times.
In the first published book on paneurhythmy from 1938, the exercises were defined primarily as a method for maintaining good health - in particular, as an intelligent interchange between man and nature with the goal of promoting health through rhythmic and harmonic movements, combined with corresponding music, concentration of thought, and correct breathing. [8] Paneurhythmy is a non-competitive, social, wellness-related and interdisciplinary physical activity that is suitable for all ages. [14] Due to the diversity of the exercises, it is theorized that they engage muscles and joints to improve the locomotion and balance of the human body. A number of studies have been performed to indicate potential positive effects of the practice on participants. [4] A preliminary study in 2004 reported that the majority of participants indicated an improvement in the mental, physical and social aspects of their health, followed by a controlled study in 2007, which indicated significant improvement in the quality of life due to health improvement as a results of 6 months of paneurhythmy training. [4] [15] Other studies suggest a decrease in perceived stress and ego resiliency. [16] Paneurhythmy has also been studied as a potential method of physical education, with one study suggesting significant improvements in balance, speed, and agility while another provides a comparative analysis of paneurhythmy and eurhythmy . [14]
Dance is an art form, consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoire of movements or by its historical period or place of origin. Dance is typically performed with musical accompaniment, and sometimes with the dancer simultaneously using a musical instrument themselves.
Gymnastics is a type of sport that includes physical exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, artistry and endurance. The movements involved in gymnastics contribute to the development of the arms, legs, shoulders, back, chest, and abdominal muscle groups. Gymnastics evolved from exercises used by the ancient Greeks that included skills for mounting and dismounting a horse, and from circus performance skills.
Aerobics is a form of physical exercise that combines rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines with the goal of improving all elements of fitness. It is usually performed to music and may be practiced in a group setting led by an instructor. With the goal of preventing illness and promoting physical fitness, practitioners perform various routines. Formal aerobics classes are divided into different levels of intensity and complexity and will have five components: warm-up, cardiovascular conditioning, muscular strength and conditioning, cool-down and stretching and flexibility. Aerobics classes may allow participants to select their level of participation according to their fitness level. Many gyms offer different types of aerobic classes. Each class is designed for a certain level of experience and taught by a certified instructor with a specialty area related to their particular class.
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The Universal White Brotherhood (UWB) is a religious movement founded in Bulgaria in 1897 by Peter Duenow. It was later established in France in 1937 by Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov, one of Deunov's followers.
The interplay of exercise and music has long been discussed, crossing the disciplines of biomechanics, neurology, physiology, and sport psychology. Research and experimentation on the relation between music and exercise dates back to the early 1900s, when investigator Leonard Ayres found that cyclists pedaled faster in the presence of a band and music, as opposed to when it was silent. Since then, hundreds of studies have been conducted on both the physiological and psychological relationship between music and physical activity, with a number of clear cut relationships and trends emerging. Exercise and music involves the use of music before, during, and/or after performing a physical activity. Listening to music while exercising is done to improve aspects of exercise, such as strength output, exercise duration, and motivation. The use of music during exercise can provide physiological benefits as well as psychological benefits.
Peter Dunov, also known by his spiritual name Beinsa Douno, and often titled Uchitelyat by his followers, was a Bulgarian philosopher and spiritual teacher who developed a form of Esoteric Christianity known as the Universal White Brotherhood. He is widely known in Bulgaria, where he was voted second by the public in the Great Bulgarians TV show on Bulgarian National Television (2006–2007). Dunov is also featured in Pantev and Gavrilov's The 100 Most Influential Bulgarians in Our History. According to Petrov, Peter Dunov is “the most published Bulgarian author to this day.”
Sanford Bennett (1841–1926) was an American businessman and writer associated with the physical culture movement, best known for his publications on anti-aging and natural hygiene.
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