Eurythmy

Eurythmy, developed by Rudolf Steiner, is the heart of expressive movement in Waldorf education—an essential, living art form that cultivates harmony, presence, and a sense of wholeness in the developing child. At a time when many Waldorf schools have scaled back their Eurythmy programs, Portland Waldorf School continues to uphold this cornerstone of Anthroposophy with dedication and vision. In fact, we are proud to offer the largest Eurythmy program in the country.

Rooted in music theory and poetic rhythm, Eurythmy transforms artistic expression into movement. Through intentional gestures and flowing forms, students embody musical intervals, geometric shapes, colors, numbers, and the phonetic sounds of language. These movements are performed in unison, cultivating beauty, grace, and a deepened awareness of others.

Eurythmy is both serene and invigorating—it awakens somatic wisdom. Students develop spatial intelligence, mindfulness, and cross-lateral coordination, while also forming a tangible, kinesthetic relationship with academic content and their peers.

Emerging neuroscience supports what Waldorf educators have long known: when students move in synchrony, mirror neurons are activated, enhancing empathy and social cohesion. The integration of speech, music, and movement also engages both hemispheres of the brain, fostering language development, emotional intelligence and regulation, and cognitive flexibility.

At Portland Waldorf School, your child participates in Eurythmy twice a week, with the depth and complexity of both movement and understanding growing each year. Every grade performs an annual piece, sharing their learning through artistic expression with the school community.

In their final year, seniors choreograph and present their own Eurythmy piece, thoughtfully selecting both music and movement. The culminating performance, shared with families, is a powerful expression of growth, artistry, and celebration.

Looking for Community Eurythmy? We offer a eurythmy class open to our community, currently weekly on Wednesday mornings at 8:30am. Sign in to PWSConnect to check the calendar.

Looking for Pacific Eurythmy? As leaders in the field, we are affiliate with Pacific Eurythmy here in Portland.

Daily Rhythm at PWS

  • JUMP ROPE | Each day begins with joyful movement for students in grades 1–5. Jump rope offers a rhythmic, full-body warm-up that activates both body and mind—laying the foundation for focused learning throughout the morning.

  • MORNING HANDSHAKE | As the school day begins, every student from grades 1–8 is greeted personally by their teacher with a handshake. This quiet moment of connection is a gesture of mutual respect, presence, and recognition, setting a tone of trust and attentiveness.

  • DAILY VERSE | The classroom day opens with spoken verse—poetry committed to memory and recited aloud. These verses, selected to align with the developmental stage of each grade, inspire reverence for nature, learning, and the unique spirit within each child.

  • MAIN LESSON BLOCK | The first two hours of each morning are devoted to an immersive main lesson, focusing on a single subject or theme from the core academic disciplines: language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies. This deep-dive approach cultivates concentration, curiosity, and a meaningful connection to the material—nurturing skills especially vital in today’s fast-paced, media-saturated world.

  • SPANISH AND MANDARIN | Students begin to learn languages at an early age in Waldorf classrooms because it builds strong neural connections in the brain and fosters a respect and interest in different cultures and experiences.

  • HANDWORK | Through the art of sewing, knitting, and crocheting, students develop fine motor coordination, patience, and perseverance. Creating tangible, useful items—such as dolls, pincushions, or blankets—instills a quiet confidence and a joyful sense of accomplishment.

  • CLASS PLAY | Each year, every class produces and performs a play. Students collaborate to learn lines, build sets, sing, and embody characters—developing expressive language skills, teamwork, memory, and a deep sense of creative ownership

  • WOODWORKING | In our woodworking classes, students learn to shape wood with their hands—sawing, sanding, and constructing tools, toys, or stools. These tactile experiences cultivate spatial reasoning, craftsmanship, and pride in making something lasting and real.

  • MOVEMENT | Children thrive when they move. Daily movement classes provide space for games, coordination, and collaborative physical activity, reinforcing both social skills and physical health.

  • EURYTHMY | Unique to Waldorf education, Eurythmy is a movement art that brings language and music into form through gesture and rhythm. These mindful, flowing exercises support brain integration, emotional balance, spatial awareness, and group harmony.

  • ART | Art is woven into the fabric of Waldorf learning. As students grow, they develop increasing technical skill and aesthetic sensitivity. Artistic practice sharpens observation, nurtures imagination, and opens the mind to new ways of seeing.

  • MUSIC | Music lives at the heart of Waldorf education. Singing is part of the daily rhythm, and students learn to play string instruments in the grades—deepening their emotional expression, mathematical insight, and appreciation for beauty.

  • CHORES | The close of each day includes tidying the classroom. Students rotate chores.FPO FPO

  • CLOSING HANDSHAKE | As the day draws to a close, students once again meet their teacher at the door for a parting handshake—a gesture of gratitude, acknowledgment, and closure after a day of shared learning and growth.

  • Waldorf education is rooted in the spiritual and developmental philosophy of Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy, which emphasizes the profound inter-connectedness of human beings with both the natural world and the spiritual realm. Learn More

  • PWS is the most established Waldorf School in the Portland Metro Region, and the only Nursery through High School Program in the Pacific Northwest. Our strong roots allow for innovation in the classroom, while our steadfast commitment to Eurythmy underscores our dedication to Anthroposophy. Learn More

  • At Portland Waldorf School, we seek to create an inclusive community where our differences are both valued and acknowledged. Celebrating our shared humanity and striving to be our best selves is a priority. Learn More

  • Our entire school campus is a cell-phone free zone. Technology, like daily access to laptops and instructional presentations, is used only in the high school as a tool to help adolescence achieve their specific goals purposefully. Read more

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