Staff Eurythmy is the next evolution of Rod Eurythmy. Up until recently the Artistic, Pedagogical, and Therapeutic disciplines in Eurythmy have made use of what is called Rod Eurythmy. The rod is generally a three foot long, one half inch in diameter, solid copper plumbing pipe. The outer surface is either hammered, or is left smooth, with rubber end caps that help dampen the sound of impact when the rod falls to the floor.
Rod exercises have been a big staple for many Artistic, Pedagogical, and Therapeutic Eurythmists around the world. In Waldorf schools the Eurythmist teaches the younger children traditional Rod Eurythmy exercises and improvised activities that can capture the child's imagination while evoking a playful discovery into the forces of gravity and buoyancy.
As the budding teenager grows down into their body, the sheer lack of mass and weight of the Eurythmy Rod ends up falling short in providing a fresh challenge to newly emerging capacities of grace, strength, endurance, and focus. The Eurythmy Staff is a five foot long, one inch wood dowel, wrapped in adhesive copper tape, with rubber end caps. The traditional Rod Eurythmy exercises can still be accomplished with the increased dimensions and weight of the staff and much, much more.
In recent years, in artistic communities around the world, there has been an explosion of interest in staff manipulation, both traditional and contact staff. What is unique here is that many of the same principles and elements taught in the mainstream staff manipulation communities, carry over to what is being taught to children in Waldorf schools through Rod Eurythmy exercises. The one standout difference here is the use of fire. This is a thrilling, challenging, and when safety precautions are taken, an empowering experience for a teenager or anyone.
The development of Staff Eurythmy will be an important part in meeting our time, with age appropriate exercises for growing bodies and expanding minds.