KIX | 5Rhythms & Addiction Recovery

Addiction is any compulsive or uncontrollable habit that we engage in to escape our feelings, or our reality.

Often it starts as a way to help us cope with life experiences yet over time we lose control and compulsively go towards those behaviors or substances. We, then, continue to engage in a behavior or take substance despite negative consequences to ourselves, or those around us. It might also cause us to lose contact to reality, feeling, responsibility, relationships.

Here are a two examples of how alcohol and Netflix were first used as ways to cope, and later became addictions:

• The first time Louise* got drunk, it felt like all her insecurities disappeared. She felt like she was on top of the world and could be her ‘true self’ no matter who was in the room.
  At first, Louise only drank at big parties or conferences. Over time, she drank more often and at the slightest ‘feeling’ of stress. Her self-esteem worsened and she started to feel ashamed of her drinking.
  But she continued to keep a flask close-by as ‘medicine’ for stress. Even when her drinking affected friendships, commitments and her very own values, she couldn’t stop. Louise found support to stop drinking. She learned new ways to deal with stress and let go of her insecurities. 
• Val* loves watching Netflix. To watch his favorite show is treat at the end of a long day. A way to relax. One episode turns into five and before long, it’s midnight.
  Val wakes up tired the next morning because of the previous night’s Netflix binge. Even if he turns off the TV, he can’t sleep anyway because his thoughts keep him up. He feels lost.
  Val tells himself that everyone watches Netflix at night and even though he senses his life is ‘running away’ from him, he doesn’t know what else to do, and finds himself in front of his screen again, day after day.
  Val discovered that Netflix binges were a way to hide from uncomfortable feelings and decisions he was avoiding. He received guidance and tools to feel his feelings and confidence to make important life decisions – without Netflix or other compulsive behaviors.

*names changed to respect confidentiality

Drugs. Work. Social Media. Booze.
Food. Sugar. Nicotine. Sex. Romance.
Netflix. Money. Love. Control. Power. Shopping.
Codependency. Co-addiction. Email. Orgasms. Adrenaline.

….. our unique flavors of addiction are endless.
All are welcome to be explored here. While the immediate impact of some addictions might be more prominent than others, the way we erode our livelihood, freedom of choice, and even our souls, is true for all types of addictions. 

Here are some signs that might give you some clues:

• Reward: Do you feel better and more in control ‘doing it’ even if there might be negative consequences?
• Importance: Do you find ‘doing it’ has become a part of who you are or a way you live your life? Do you worry you would not be able to ‘deal’ without it or believe that you couldn’t ‘live’ without that person, job or behavior?
• Disruption: Do you say you are going to do something different and then – almost like a dream – find yourself ‘doing it’? 
• Frequency: Do you ‘do it’ more often and for longer periods of time than before, or than you originally planned? Do you hear yourself say “just a bit more” or “just another one” or “I can’t help it”?
• Pausing: Do you feel uncomfortable if you cannot ‘do it’? Does ‘doing it’ or being with that person take up all your thoughts and energy? Do you have emotional or physical responses, e.g. racing heart, while you are engaging in the behavior or when you cannot ‘do it’?
• Secrecy: Do you keep this behavior, the frequency or the intensity a secret from others? Do you hide the behavior or feel scared what would happen if someone else finds out? Deep down, do you judge yourself for what you’re doing ? Do you rationalize or make excuses, even to yourself?
• Bargaining: Do you find yourself wanting to stop or creating plans to stop, yet finding ‘reasons’ to do it anyway? For example, it’s just a stressful period. Once this is over, I’ll stop. 

You are welcome to join just one class, however, please consider that the possibility of change occurs when we give ourselves the time and commitment to open to that change.

It is not required to ‘stop’ your addiction prior to attending KIX, however, it is required to be sober for the events.

What we all have in common is a curiosity about about how addictions, compulsions or dependencies play out in our life. We might, also, be open to learn what can lead to those addictive behaviors or the shadows or (negative) self-definitions we have about ourselves.

You are invited to show up exactly as you are, in this non-judgemental, open and confidential space.

Please do not attend class under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

All addictions rob us from connection, freedom, intimacy. Sometimes we recognize this sensation subtly, in our innermost realms. Other times, addictions might run rampant in our external worlds. 

I believe that functioning is a way to survive life which is a far cry from what we all deserve – living life and thriving with peace and serenity.

Only you know, in a space within yourself, whether you are functioning and ‘just making it by’ and if / when you are ready to lay down the taboos and investigate what it might be like to live and thrive without addictions, compulsions, codependency or dependency.

5Rhythms brings a beautiful framework to the world to the conscious dance space. It is a practice developed by Gabrielle Roth who identified that life moves in different energies. The more we experience being in these different energies, the more prepared we are for life.

I am a certified 5Rhythms® teacher and use the 5Rhythms framework as a gentle guideline for the music I play. At x-dance, we begin the evening with a 5Rhythms Wave. 

You may find a video here which provides some information about the five rhythms – Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, Stillness.

You may read more about 5Rhythms here. There is also one article available about 5Rhythmen auf Deutsch here.

Samar Linn’s music style is eclectic, edgy; an invitation to express yourself in all shades and flavors. The music is a backdrop and support as you discover, express and let go into your own spontaneous and free dance.

Please email me or write me via the contact form to register.

Pre-registration along with payment is required as the classes are intentionally smaller (group of 10 people) to allow for this type of inquiry.

Please note that classes often fill up a few days in advance.

Contribution options are:
€15 (reduced) | €20 (regular) | €25 (supportive) 

Registrations are non-refundable, however, you may move a registration to a future date if you write me 48 hours prior to the class.
Thank you for honoring this policy so we can keep KIX alive.