SYNOPSIS
OF LECTURES
First Lecture
Dornach, April 12, 1921
The relationship of the hygienic-therapeutic element of
eurythmy to the pedagogical and artistic element. Larynx and
metamorphosis. The larynx as a second human being within the human
being. The eurythmy carried out by the larynx. Stasis of the head and
dynamics of the rhythmic system, rhythm and arrythm and their
connection with thinking. The effect of poetry and prose on the human
being. The connection between movement of the limbs and thinking,
digestion and headache. Curative eurythmy exercises. The essential
element in eurythmic movement.
Second Lecture
April 13, 1921
The character of vowels and consonants. Speech and
movement in earlier times. The ceasing of these expressions of
movement as language becomes inward in our times. Bringing the body
into movement again in eurythmy. Bringing the various eurythmic
vowels into the realm of therapy. Man expressing himself through the
vowel as person, as Man, as soul. The difference between vowels and
consonants. Various exercises.
Third Lecture
April 14, 1921
When the human being performs consonants in eurythmy he
goes out of himself in the process of coming to grips with the
outside world; when he performs vowels he goes into himself in an
inner activity. The three principles at work in the consonant and
their effect. The speech-physiological processes that accompany the
speaking of vowels and their use in curative eurythmy. The inner
connection between the formative tendencies in speaking and eurythmic
movements carried out for curative purposes. Movement in the will and
movement in the intellect. The losing of the formative quality of
language by the intellect as being the inner cause of illness.
Eurythmy brings the formative quality and the will element back into
language.
Fourth Lecture
April 15, 1921
Vowels work directly upon the rhythmic organism, the
consonants work upon it via the metabolic-limb organism. Various
exercises. Reference to the syllable “Om”. Knowledge of
the threefold nature of the human organism as a basis for the
educational training of gymnastics (ensouled gymnastics) and of
eurythmy. Bringing movement into man's etheric body, regulating the
etheric activity in the human organism by means of
hygienic-therapeutic eurythmy exercises.
Fifth Lecture
April 16, 1921
By means of eurythmy exercises we work from out of the
soul via the etheric body. The necessity of making the etheric body
flexible by means of eurythmy. The therapeutic effect of various
exercises. Gymnastics that is merely physiological as being the
school of materialism. The application of the given exercises in
special cases. Reference to the length of time exercises should be
done.
Sixth Lecture
April 17, 1921
The hygienic-therapeutic effect of eurythmy on the
spiritually-orientated physiological element. Example of a recitation
of Goethe's poem “Über allen Gipfeln ist Ruh ...”,
performed in eurythmy first with the vowels and then with the
consonants. The essence of listening. Listening is a condition
similar to sleep, a gentle imagining. The ether movements of the
person who is asleep or who is listening are made visible by the
physical body in eurythmy. Doing vowels and consonants alternately in
eurythmy stimulates the forces of growth.
Seventh Lecture
April 18, 1921
(for doctors and medical students)
The upbuilding process is brought about by the formative
forces raying in from the cosmos, the forces of consolidation working
from within. The processes of secretion as the mediating element
between the formative forces and the forces of consolidation. The
process of perception as a continuation of the upbuilding process
(formative forces — secretion — consolidation) and its
reversal in ascending to Imagination, Inspiration and Intuition.
Imagination is a becoming conscious of consolidation; Inspiration a
becoming conscious of the processes of secretion; Intuition a
conscious experiencing of the formative process. The use of certain
curative eurythmy exercises when these forces are too weak, too
strong or pathological. The difference between Yoga breathing
exercises and changes in the breathing brought about by therapeutic
eurythmy exercises. Penetrating power of conviction in relation to
existing medicine. Challenge to put the newly-acquired ideas to work
for the benefit of humanity.
Eighth Lecture
October 28, 1922
(for doctors and medical students)
The significance of curative eurythmy. Its basis is
artistic eurythmy. The difference between them. In the case of
curative eurythmy the curative process arises through intensive
cooperation between doctor and curative eurythmist. A thorough
diagnosis is a prerequisite of curative eurythmy. The effect of
speech and curative eurythmy on the organism (examples of exercises).
Human organs should be observed in their polarity: centrifugal and
centripetal dynamics. Sensitivity and an artistic disposition are
essential for being active as a curative eurythmist. Curative
eurythmy must be backed up by actual therapy. Curative eurythmy is
more important than massage because it has an effect on all the
members of man's being. Gym and curative eurythmy. Experience in
curative eurythmy gained through practice. Not to be used in the case
of fractures or carcinomas. A warning against dilettantism.
Soul-spiritual element added to existing physiology and anatomy.
Shallow criticism must not be tolerated. Opponents and
misunderstandings.
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