What is Eurythmy?

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the question of the meaning of being human, and in particular the meaning of art, has been at the center of the efforts of many people. With anthroposophy, meaning "wisdom of man", Rudolf Steiner sought to point the way that the questioner could also follow as an artist. When it came to developing a new art of movement out of this search, it was language and music that were the inspiration.

Eurythmy

Eurythmisten in Bewegung

In its 100-year history, the art of eurythmy has developed into a significant element worldwide, especially in Central Europe.

It plays an important role in the pedagogical concept of Waldorf schools and tens of thousands of pupils practice it as "gymnastics for the soul".

Countless people draw strength and inspiration from courses and seminars, which are now offered even in the most remote places.

Various stage ensembles enrich the artistic endeavours in the diverse surroundings of the neighbouring arts of music, theatre and dance.

Eurythmy therapy forms an essential component of anthroposophically extended medicine.

History of Eurythmy

Eurythmy originated at the beginning of the 20th century. The beginning of this century was marked by the search for new forms of dance, for example by Rudolf von Laban, Isadora Duncan, and Mary Wigman.

With his life's work, anthroposophy, Rudolf Steiner has shown a way in which human beings today can expand the "limits of knowledge". Steiner attached particular importance to the arts. Simultaneously with the construction of the 1st Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland, i.e. in 1912, Rudolf Steiner gave the first impulses for a new art of movement, eurythmy, and developed it with Lory Smits, who was 18 years old at the time. In this way he personally trained the first eurythmist.

 Lory Smits - Tatjana Kisseleff - Helene Reisinger - Claudia Reisinger

Eurythmy in Berlin

Already by 1914 the important eurythmist Tatjana Kisseleff came to Berlin to give courses to interested people. From the mid-twenties until it was banned by the National Socialists, there was a eurythmy school in Berlin, first run by Lidia-Arenson-Baratto (later Gentilli-Baratto) and then by Martha Morell.

Helene Reisinger (1902 - 1994) made a home for eurythmy again in Berlin, after the period of prohibition during the reign of National Socialism. She set up a new eurythmy training and stage group which her daughter Claudia Reisinger took over leadership of in 1974. In 1999 Alois Winter became head of school and has been active since.