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“If you don’t do your dance, who will?”
—
Gabrielle Roth

Move Your Body. Come Home to Yourself.

When we practice 5Rhythms and Somatic Movement, we open to the possibility of the present moment, awakening a deep, felt sense of being fully in our bodies. By connecting with breath, sensation, and emotion, we allow authentic movement to emerge, rather than trying to “perform” or get it right.

This may look very different from dancing in a nightclub, at a party, or even in other dance classes. Here, the focus isn’t on how it looks, it’s on how it feels. We learn to listen inwardly and follow the natural flow of energy moving through us in each moment.

Sometimes the idea that we must dance in a certain way can hold us back. That’s why I often call this practice movement rather than dance — an alive, creative relationship with yourself, your body, and the moment you’re in.

And within that inward focus, there is still enormous space for freedom, expansion, and full expression. You can move powerfully or gently, wildly or subtly, whatever is true for you. Many people experience moments of joy, release, playfulness, strength, and deep emotional expression. Nothing is prescribed, yet everything is welcome.

Rooted in 5Rhythms, Expanded Through Somatic Movement

My foundation is in the 5Rhythms practice, a dynamic movement meditation created by Gabrielle Roth, who inspired thousands of people worldwide to rediscover the healing power of movement. As she said:

“Put the psyche into motion and it will heal itself.”

In 5Rhythms we explore five energetic patterns;
Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness. Moving through all five creates what is known as a Wave.
With over 30 years of personal practice and more than 18 years of teaching as an accredited 5Rhythms teacher, this work forms the backbone of my classes.
Over the past decade, I’ve increasingly woven in Somatic Movement, deepening the practice from expressive dance into a profound process of embodiment, nervous system regulation, and inner listening. Last year I began formal training in Somatic Movement with IBMT.

My approach has also been influenced by teachings such as Continuum Movement (developed by Emilie Conrad), Whole Body Focusing, somatic therapy, and most importantly from years of observing what bodies naturally need in order to feel safe, alive, and expressive.

What Somatic Movement Brings

Somatic Movement invites you to slow down and feel from the inside out. In class you’ll find permission to:

  • ​Move at your own pace
  • Learn about the different body systems
  • Pause and rest when needed
  • Close your eyes and turn inward
  • Follow subtle impulses rather than forcing movement
  • Breathe deeply and fully
  • Build a compassionate relationship with your body

And importantly slowing down does not mean dull or restricted. From this grounded place, movement often becomes more spacious, creative, powerful, and free. Expression can arise naturally rather than being pushed.
Many people experience:
  • Reduced stress and tension
  • Greater emotional balance
  • Increased body awareness
  • Nervous system regulation
  • A sense of grounding and safety
  • More ease, freedom, and authenticity in movement
  • Access to joy, vitality, and creative expression
  • Feeling more “at home” in themselves

There is no pressure to perform, only an invitation to explore, expand, and express in a way that feels true.

What to Expect in a 2-Hour Class

We begin by gently arriving into the room and into our bodies. This may include stretching, breathing, slow movement, or simply resting on the floor and feeling supported by the ground.
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Often, bodies need stillness first. Taking time on the floor creates a sense of safety and containment, allowing you to settle inward before gradually expanding awareness outward to the space and other dancers.

From there, the movement unfolds naturally. There are no steps to learn and nothing to get wrong. You are free to discover how your body wants to move and express itself — whether that’s subtle, playful, powerful, expansive, or deeply restful.

Each class has a different theme or focus, offering new ways to experience embodiment and expand your personal movement vocabulary.

Many classes include a full 5Rhythms Wave, allowing space for grounding, expression, release, creativity, and integration.

The Five Rhythms

Flowing; Continuous, fluid movement — circles, spirals, and grounding through the feet or floor. We connect to the earth and allow awareness to settle into the body.

Staccato; Clear, defined shapes and rhythms. This is the realm of expression, boundaries, strength, and communicating our inner world outward.

Chaos; A peak of release and surrender. We let go of control, soften the mind’s grip, and allow powerful, liberating movement to emerge.

Lyrical; Lightness, freedom, and expansion. After release comes play, creativity, spontaneity, and the joy of moving without inhibition.
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Stillness; Movement becomes subtle and essential. We arrive in presence — grounded, integrated, and deeply embodied, moving from a quiet centre.

What to Bring
  • Loose, comfortable clothing
  • Water
  • Bare feet are recommended (trainers or dance shoes are welcome if needed for support)

If you’d like more information about the 5Rhythms practice, visit www.5rhythms.com


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Testimonials

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I have been dancing 5 Rhythms for nearly 20 years and Jess's class in Oxford is my favourite out of the many classes that I have attended over the years. So good that I regularly travel from London to participate. Every 5 Rhythms teacher is different of course. I find that Jess has a unique sensitivity to the body's rhythms and how they correspond to music. In her classes she creates an intimate and safe space to allow dancers to explore themselves as deeply and sensitively as they dare to go. Dancing one of Jess's classes is an exquisite experience. Hud Saunders, Writer

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Jessica holds a beautiful and powerful space. I love her vulnerability and strength and her willingness to be part of the group and be seen. She also plays cracking tunes! Joshua Knight, Somatic Experiencer

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Jess creates spaces that foster openness, creativity & community and give nourishment and joy to the participants.  She brings a wealth of experience and her authentic, gentle and feminine strength is inspirational.  I heartily recommend her in her different roles all of which I have experienced and greatly enjoyed over many years.  Alexandra Lewis, Lawyer

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I love Jessica's classes, feel held and encouraged to delve into the dance that my physical body wishes to express; also the way she takes us through body parts into the flowing rhythm of the dance, brilliant! Lizzie Austin, Homeopath

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Jessica's groups are the highlight of my week. With her excellent facilitation skills I can move through all the week's issues in my own way and I step back into the world calmer, more resilient and hopeful.
Whatever you are dealing with in your everyday life Jessica creates a safe space. She facilitates unobtrusively with grace, warmth and honesty so you can experience transformation to a more peaceful and contented state.
Mary Kaspar, Acupuncturist

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Jessica’s movement classes are better than any drug prescription!  For me they are essential physical, mental, emotional and social maintenance. Her eclectic wide-ranging choice of music inspires me to move in all sorts of ways I might not usually, helping to make sense of and process whatever toxins, emotions, narratives might be storing up in my body.
Her unobtrusive facilitation, tangibly underpinned by years of experience, provides a safely held permissive space for anything that might emerge.  The class benefits from Jessica’s own continuing curiosity and learning about the human experience.  Amanda Maffett, Life Coach

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"From the first time I stepped on a dance floor with Jess I was touched by her deep embodiment and grace. I have since been present at many of Jess's weekly classes, including the women's sessions and also been to weekend and day long workshops she has facilitated. Jess responds to the energetic field in her movement sessions with a wide range of music that seems to invite the body to move in new and essential ways. Her sensitive suggestions to slow movement down, or bring attention inwards to the breath and inner sensation or outwards to another human being just at the 'right' moment are deeply intuitive and have allowed me a sense of connection and safety in my body. Jess combines strength, vulnerability and openness in her offerings to the Oxford community and leads the way for many of us in inspiring love and collaboration. I look forward to dancing with Jess again soon". Sarah Jane Heath, Artist

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