At the turn of the century a revolution was taking place in many of the arts. Young artists of that time were dissatisfied with the codified styles that seemed to leave no room for new forms and expressions. The inspirational core of many disciplines had become buried within the technique. In dance, painting, music, poetry and other mediums, artists began experimenting in areas of expression previously unseen. It was into this fertile climate that eurythmy was born. In 1912 Frau Smits, the mother a young girl who loved movement, asked  Rudolf Steiner the question, Was it possible to find new sources from which an art of movement could be developed?

In answer to this question posed by Frau Smits, Rudolf Steiner went into an entirely different direction than changes happening in the field of dance. He was looking for an art that would lift the veil between the spiritual and material dimensions of life; an art that would make the language of the spiritual world visible. His explorations brought him to the utterances of the human being; speaking and singing. As described in "About Eurythmy", human sound is a bridge between the two dimensions of life, inner and outer, spiritual and material. Eurythmy reveals the deeper origins of life through the embodiment of the spiritual forces that live within human speaking and singing.

In 1912, Rudolf Steiner began to give private lessons on his discoveries to the young student, Lori Smits. Lori practiced these artistic elements for six months entirely on her own. The following year she began to teach others what she had learned. Rudolf Steiner gave a second course to a group of students, including Lori, in 1915. Also in that year, eurythmy had its beginnings as a stage art in Dornach, Switzerland. Two other professional applications of eurythmy developed shortly afterward. (See Careers.)

Biographical note about Rudolf Steiner:

Rudolf Steiner was an Austrian-born artist, philosopher and scientist. He devoted his life to developing a path of spiritual development called Anthroposophy.  (See Resources.) Characteristic of his work was the marriage between the development of wisdom and action. He endeavored to imbue many practical disciplines with an understanding for the spiritual origins of the human being. As a result he developed completely new approaches in the areas of education (Waldorf Schools), farming (biodynamic method), medicine (naturally based medical and therapeutic practices), science (natural water purification method and many other discoveries) and the arts. He worked with artists of every discipline to bring about wholly new impulses in each art.

For more information on Rudolf Steiner click his name here to go to another site.

The first professional eurythmy training was begun in 1923 by Alice Fels in Stuttgart, Germany. Since that time many eurythmy trainings have grown up around the world. See the section on Our School.

In 1980, the professional body which certifies eurythmy schools was formed. This organization,  called the Association of Eurythmy Trainings, and has as it's members the artistic directors of each recognized eurythmy school existing in the world.

In several international regions, including North America, there are eurythmy associations for professional eurythmists which provide newsletters about the on-going work in that region and offer professional conferences annually on some aspect of the art. ~~

More.... History - Part 2