"I feel I belong to this group of people who have been lucky enough to be introduced to 5Rhythms by Deborah Jay-Lewin. I feel her as a spiritual guide very discretely assisting me to use my body as a vessel to my higher consiousness, to experience my body, my mind and my spirit as a Whole that can express its One self through movement. Thank you Deborah for being such a great Guide, what a journey!” (Patty Petropoulou, Greece, 'Elemental Waves 2011’)

I would like to thank you deeply from my heart for the delicacy with which you accompanied my sadness this weekend. It touched me a lot. It's a beautiful gift for me to do this ongoing group with you and your marvellous smile, which shows your bright integrity. (Anne-Romaine Favre Zuppinger, Geneva Ongoing Group 2011)

I want to let you know what an important part of my journey the recent 5R course has been and how grateful I am to you for being a part of that. I’m feeling more connected to my body again and waking up to parts of myself that have got pushed to the back of the cupboard... more alive in general...more sexual too. Letting feelings flow more: the catharsis I experienced in the sessions is still with me and helping me to connect more fully with emotion as it comes up. Remembering to sob and howl rather than muted breath-held crying. Dancing around the house music turned up loud...fantastic! (Lucy Fredman, Psychotherapist, Forres)

Working in Greece was the most impressive combination of the music and nature, meeting people and myself... Music rhythms sounds reflect on the body echoing inside and making to move openly from the Beginning to the End, from the Earth to the Sky, from the Self to the Others... Sleeping parts of the mind and spirit become awake in the movement, loosening feelings and widening the soul... Trusting music and letting it go through you creates a feeling of freedom and disappearing in surrounding, feeling of flying and finding yourself in the different space and uncertain time. Going through all it makes you able to recollect yourself back in a new way creating a new inner relations of the feelings and thoughts. (Egle, Lithuania, Elemental Waves 2010)

I am looking for the core. Trust. I trust Deborah's passion, belief, commitment – born, I am sure, of her personal experiences. A deep sense of being truly held and supported. Feeling a heartfelt encouragement to allow anything to be revealed, expressed and witnessed; from being utterly vulnerable, fiercely strong, ragdoll broken or raging demonic. With Deborah's open hands and heart and her instinctive guidance, I continually find myself in an exploration of the unfathomable, the unseen, journeying through, into, the deep depths of my ever varied emotional landscapes. There is a well of expressive energy; still, subtle as a whispering breeze, unstoppable as a hurricane. It is, for me, the beginnings of a Great Discovery. With or without music, Deborah seems to hold a space that as of yet I cannot find on my own, her observations and suggestions initiating unexpected unfoldments. YES, I am grateful, I am inspired. Thank You.

(Andrew Davies)

Thank you for all the dancing time and all the good that has come, and keeps coming, to my life from you as a heartful, joyful and comPASSIONate 5 rhythms teacher:)

With embrace, Joanna from Gdansk, Poland

The imprint from last august's week remains with me and I continue to dance, although it never quite feels like it did in the Universal Hall with you and that extraordinary bunch of people and the Findhorn energy. A potent mix.

(Debbie, Bristol)

Individual sessions are the gourmet experience of 5R practice; a rich, intense, nurturing process that deepens awareness and extends our dancing self. We have so many patterns of learned behaviour in our daily lives and these often manifest in our dance. Places of stuckness, inflexibility or repetitive movements that may have something to tell us. I find individual sessions the perfect method for delving into hidden or unexpected aspects of my dance, my body, my life. Deborah holds one-to-ones with her hallmark light and unobtrusive facilitation, at the same time attentive, challenging and providing a strong sense of safety. Her charm and humour are matched by breadth of emotional experience and strength of spirit. She has been a true guide on my own personal journey and I could not recommend a better person to have with you wherever your dance leads you.

(Paula Nichols, Forres)

From Agony to Ecstasy within one Hour
About half a year after moving to Findhorn I was pretty depressed. As I had had psychotherapy in the past without any positive effect, because I just space out and then I can talk about anything and nothing shifts, I called Deborah for an individual session in 5 Rhythms. In this first individual session with Deborah I danced literally from agony to ecstasy: from being very depressed to feeling my Divinity in each cell! This was amazing! I have later danced with her many more miraculous transformations in individual sessions, but this very first one is still the most profound and striking one! Ever since whenever I feel I could do with some support in getting my life moving and flowing again, I take a series of individual sessions with Deborah. These sessions have been very diverse and always immensely helpful. For me Deborah is THE best 5 Rhythms teacher I know - and I have danced with many, as I applied for the teacher training. I appreciate her ability to be simultaneously totally authentic and fully professional. She has an amazing gift to perceive what is needed and make space for profound change with a tiny little hint. I am over and over in awe about her wisdom, brilliance and miracles she is delivering.

(Dr. Almut Renate Brandl)

Through Deborah's insightful holding and the opportunity to move what was present in the moment through my body, I discovered something that was deeply, essentially me. I left the one-to-one sessions feeling validated. It was as if I were given the seeds from which I could grow a garden.

(Jo Smithson, community artist, Forres)

I am so glad that I turned up on Thursday-in the midst of great pain in my lower back-and committed to moving through the 5Rhythms. Having moved with focus and awareness on the affected body parts the pain and tension in the muscles have gone. My work is very demanding and I do many miles driving in a week and every Thursday I feel totally exhausted but I know to turn up to the dance works miracles. Today I feel energised and flowing. Thank you for your unspoken understanding and the support that you give through the music and dance.

(Sheilah, massage therapist and music teacher)

“Just wanted to say how much I loved my first try at 5Rhythms. I could become completely addicted. It was the first time in my whole life I have moved my body so freely without worry or thought for doing it wrong or right. It was truly life changing.”

(Gillian Taylor, Scotland)

“Deborah has an exceptional ability to do the minimum that brings out the maximum in people. If you get the chance, then dance with her.” (Duncan Coppock, coach, trainer and author of ‘The Self Factor’)

“Our one to one session allowed me to FEEL what I was trying to mentally understand. A memory has been created in me and I know that each time i get stuck in the future I can go back to that place, that understanding, and free myself.”

(Sasha Angus, environmental education leader)

“Your class last night was so good - it felt to me that you led us very subtly, very skilfully, step by step, layer by layer to a place of approaching nakedness - dancing the visible body/heart - in relationship with time space one another, wonderful.”

(Beverley Acourt, art therapist)

“The weekend held by Deborah was a deep, rich and vulnerable exploration of our amazing bodies in the landscape of the emotions. I am grateful for her flexibility, gentleness and clarity in her work. Thanks again Deborah!”

(Wilson Chik, personal trainer and performance artist, Hong Kong)

”What draws me back to the re-experience of many Summer Waves Workshops is the opportunity to hang out with a peer group who recognise the gift of putting Gabrielle Roth's unique discovery into an experiential framework. The beautiful Findhorn Space is always held with much tenderness and love which allows safety in non-judgement and the light touch of much fun to surface and remain present. Deborah's unique style of teaching is constantly being adapted, polished and refined into an amazing wholeness. Both she and in the last 3 years also Bettina have always presented the opportunity to have a really good look at new aspects of my own constantly changing dance of being. Oh! and the music is always great!”

(Rog Coulson, BA. (music) Hons.)

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! I think it's mostly a thanks for creating and holding the space that you do in your classes. Last night I nearly didn't come along cause I thought I was physically tired, but thought that even that would be a good time for me to dance as tired. As soon as I lay on the floor I felt huge emotions begin to surface and am so delighted that I felt safe there to just be with what was happening & let go of ...well....just let go!!! What a wonderful difference I feel in myself today...so huge, huge thanks to you!

With much love & delight
Heather

“Thank you again for your lovely teaching Deborah and the way you  hold the space. Very much appreciated how you interact with the group and are able to listen to all and make all feel their experience is as valid as anybody else's. Its a skill, and I LOVE it when a "teacher/facilitator/guide/leader" manages to do that. It gives the group a safe trusting feeling, which I like. So Thank you for that you share your gift and knowledge in the beautiful way you do. Lovely to receive. Also love the depth of your teaching and how you weave in your different knowledges.”

(Sanna from Sweden)