Eurythmy Therapy
Master Eurythmy Therapy
Eurythmy therapy/curative eurythmy is a type of movement therapy developed at the beginning of the 20th century by Dr. Rudolf Steiner. In eurythmy therapy, the eurythmic gestures of speech sounds are modified and differentiated for healing purposes to stimulate the self-healing powers inherent in human beings. Curative eurythmy thus achieves a targeted effect similar to medicine – right down to the function of individual organs and organ systems.
The Master's programme in eurythmy therapy trains students in eurythmy therapeutic skills that are applied in various age groups, clinical pictures and fields of practice. They acquire the medical basics needed to suitably adapt eurythmy therapy to the individual case at hand. The fundamentals of scientific methodology are taught to improve the ability to reflect and enable students to communicate the methods employed in eurythmy therapy to patients. Working with groups helps them learn to apply eurythmy therapy in a health-promoting (salutogenetic) way, while internships assist them in developing a therapeutic stance, enabling them to support and guide patients carefully through the curative exercises.
There are various options for obtaining a Master's degree in Eurythmy Therapy at Alanus University.
We will be happy to advise you on individual study options, depending on your requirements. Please feel free to make an appointment with us by email.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Course Contents and Structure
The programme consists of the following 9 modules:
MA 1 Fundamentals of Eurythmy Therapy
Students acquire skills to understand and instrumentally transform eurythmy into therapeutic movements. They gain the ability to experience the effects of basic curative eurythmy exercises in order to develop and apply these exercises independently in practice. The students also learn occupationally relevant social competencies.
MA 2 Applied Eurythmy Therapy I
Students are prepared for their daily work by learning to recognise, develop and apply therapy goals, treatment plans and treatment processes. Therapeutic practice should be well founded and carefully connected with knowledge from other scientific disciplines. Students can place eurythmy therapy in the context of other types of art therapy and critically reflect on the potential and limitations of eurythmy therapy.
MA 3 Applied Eurythmy Therapy II
More in-depth knowledge of eurythmy therapy is gained through examination of specific clinical pictures. Students learn to prescribe therapeutic exercise sequences for certain symptoms and create a patient-oriented goal, treatment and implementation (duration, intensity, etc.) plan for the therapy. Supplementing and modifying special exercises in accordance with indications is also trained. Students can place eurythmy therapy in the larger context of art therapy and critically reflect on its potential and limitations.
MA 4 Medicine I
Students acquire a basic knowledge of the general and specific pathology of physical and mental illnesses. This may include perspectives from both conventional and anthroposophic medicine. From knowledge about the manifestations of certain illnesses, students diagnose the patient, to whom general aspects of the prescribed therapy and anthroposophical therapeutic approaches are explained. The students learn to acquire in-depth knowledge of specific clinical pictures independently.
MA 5 Medicine II
Students acquire a fundamental knowledge of pathology from the areas of orthopaedics and neurology as well as psychiatric illnesses and curative education. They gain understanding and in-depth knowledge of the basic disease processes in these specialised fields. Pathophysiology can be diagnosed. The goal is to create patient-specific integrative therapy plans with progress documentation.
MA 6 Communication and Identity (Anthroposophical Humanities/Eurythmy Studies/Professional Competence)
Students are specially prepared for the demands of their daily work routine. This includes:
- Methodical approaches and self-learning abilities
- The ability to reflect on one's own work and further develop professional qualifications based on specialised knowledge
- Identifying the requirements of the profession and developing suitable and practical concepts for action.
MA 7 Supplementary Subjects (Supplementary Artistic-Therapeutic Subjects/ Familiarisation with other Forms of Therapy)
The acquisition of basic knowledge and skills in at least two supplementary subjects enables the student to continually view his/her own discipline from different perspectives. An intensive examination of related or other types of movement and therapies acts as a stimulus. Dealing with other art forms/forms of therapy enables the student to acquire wider awareness and expand the repertoire of options available in eurythmy therapy.
MA 8 Master’s Thesis
In writing the Master's thesis, the student is able to work systematically and appropriately, i.e. in a scientifically structured manner. He/she is able to carry out work and document it according to stipulated criteria, in the qualified, reflective and evaluative manner expected in scientific research and practice.
The results can be discussed and correlated with other scientifically documented findings. Students are able to
- Apply the fundamentals of basic scientific work independently
- Formulate a research question and corresponding hypothesis as well as develop a method of research
- Conduct detailed research of the literature; collect and analyse data
- Use technical terminology appropriately
- Document research appropriately through a bibliography of sources and proper citation
- Present and discuss the results of research
MA 9 Practical Work (Internships)
Practical implementation of the theoretical principles of eurythmy therapy in applied eurythmy therapy under the supervision of a mentor. The internships should take place in different fields of eurythmy therapy. The student becomes familiar with a variety of clinical pictures through work with individual patients. Students conduct their own therapy sessions under the guidance of a mentor. They develop concepts for therapy independently in consultation with doctors and colleagues and document them. Participation in team meetings or therapy talks is part of the practical work.
Special Features of the Programme
During their studies, students receive regular and intensive guidance and support from the permanent department staff. Specific clinical pictures and specialised topics are taught by qualified guest lecturers.
In addition to the courses offered in the Master's programme in eurythmy therapy, students have the opportunity to attend other interdisciplinary seminars and lectures at Alanus University.
The course is offered in cooperation with the Department of Artistic Therapies and the Department of Eurythmy at Alanus University.
Lecturers
Full-Time Lecturers
- Prof. Annette Weißkircher, Head of the Institute for Eurythmy Therapy
Seminars in Specialised Fields of Eurythmy Therapy
- Carola Adam-Roettig (eurythmy therapist, field of work: curative education, Frankfurt a.M.)
- Sabine Berg (eurythmy therapist, M.A., Bonn)
- Anna De Millas (eurythmy therapist, M.A., Arlesheim, Switzerland)
- Katharina Gerlach, Dr. rer. medic (eurythmy therapist, Krefeld)
- Sebastian Junghans (eurythmy therapist, field of work: school curative eurythmy, Remshalden)
- Norman Kingeter (eurythmy therapist, field of work: psychiatry/psychosomatics, Arlesheim Switzerland)
- Shaina Stoehr (eurythmy therapist, sound therapy eurythmy, Glos GB)
- Angela Tischbein-Madsen (eurythmy therapist, M.A., Schweden)
- Barbara Trapp (eurythmy therapist, field of work: gynaecology, Berlin)
- Michaela Trefzer (eurythmy therapist, field of work: ophthalmic eurythmy)
Medical-Therapeutic Seminars and Lectures
- Boris Krause (Dr. med. psychiatry/psychotherapy, Filderklinik Filderstadt)
- Arndt Büssing (Prof Dr. med. , Lehrstuhl für Medizintheorie, Integrative und Anthroposophische Medizin at the University Witten/Herdecke)
- Wim Huige (ophthalmology, Netherlands)
- Markus Krüger (Dr. med. paediatrics, Filderklinik Filderstadt)
- Markus Neuhaus (Dr. med. orthopaedics, Sprockhövel)
- Albrecht Warning (Dr. med., Berlin)
- Paul Werthmann (Dr., Freiburg)
Other Lecturers
- Jochen Breme (Prof. of Embryology Studies, Professor of Sculpture, Alfter)
- Angelika Jaschke (Professional Studies, Coordination International Forum for Eurythmy Therapy, Dornach)
- Ulrich Maiwald (Prof. of Performative Art and Language, Haan)
- Alexander Röhler (Dr., Alfter)
- Kathrin Studer-Senn (Dr. med. doctor, perception training, Bern Switzerland)
Admission Requirements
Application:
If you would like to apply to us, please contact the the General Student Advisory Service as an international degree-seeking students for the admission procedure. Please contact the person at this office who is responsible for the degree programme you are interested in.
Before applying, we recommend that you arrange a counselling interview with the persons responsible for the Master's programme to find out about the various study options and required application documents.
Feel free to contact us by email.
Admission:
After an initial information interview or the review of your application documents, we will invite you to an admission interview.
A successful interview is a prerequisite for enrolment.
Foreign applicants require proof of sufficient German language skills, both spoken and written. The language certificate can be submitted during the first year of study.
More information is available at the International Office.
Funding
BAföG
The Eurythmy programme can be funded through BAföG.
Funding for Students of Eurythmy
Alanus University grants interest-free loans to eurythmy students. Funding is available from the 2nd academic year in the Bachelor's programme and from the 1st academic year in the Master's programme (full-time only).
Scholarships from the A.- und W.-Zur Linden-Stiftung
The A.- und W.-Zur Linden-Stiftung supports two students in their 1st academic year with a grant of 50% of the tuition fees. The earmarked grant is aimed at trained eurythmists (Diplom or Bachelor’s degree) with a special interest in holistic movement therapy and integrative medicine or with a special biographical background who are applying for the upcoming Autumn Semester at Alanus University.
Deutschlandstipendium
Alanus University also awards “Germany Scholarships” in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
More information on financial aid is available under Funding.
Observation
Prospective students are welcome to join the programme for a day. Observation is an opportunity to gain insight into university life and courses as well as meet fellow students and lecturers.
Advanced Training
Certificate Courses
Those who are interested in the programme but do not wish to study for an academic degree have the opportunity to join work on various productions and projects, provided they are suitable candidates. This offer is aimed at eurythmists who wish to gain practical experience in production and performance. More information is available under University Certificates Eurythmy.
Symposia
Symposia on various topics in eurythmy are held annually. They serve as a platform for colleagues to meet and learn about new developments in research and practice in their fields.
Symposia dates and topics are available in our Events Calendar.
Research
The Institute for Eurythmy Therapy is dedicated to developing research approaches that do justice to the special treatment methods employed in eurythmy therapy and the recording of qualitative changes in patients’ conditions. When applicable, these are combined with imaging or quantitative research methods
Methodology includes phenomenological methods and grounded theory.
In addition to its own projects, the Institute is interested in cooperating in other research projects on eurythmy therapy and promoting dialogue on research.
