ECSTATIC DANCE
CONNECTION : RELEASE : AUTHENTICITY
When we use authentic movement to connect to ourselves and each other, we revive an ancient practice where we can channel our divinity on a primal level. This raw connection to source, our bodies, and each other within a safe and sacred container allows for processing and healing of trauma and holistic integration.
Each dance follows a wave: with a slow build, a climax, and a return to stillness. The sanctity of the dance is cocooned within a sober, no photo/video, non-verbal space, allowing for each dancer to fully drop into their bodies. To protect each dancer’s experience, Ecstatic Dance is held within a consensual container, where all dancers obtain non-verbal consent before dancing with each other.
Stay tuned for the return of
Austin Ecstatic Rhythms weeknight dance!
“I dance for the blood moving through my veins. I dance for the beat both inside and out. I dance for the rapture taking hold. I dance for every me there will ever be.”
The Origins
Ecstatic dance has prehistoric roots predating recorded history; its origins lie within cave drawings. In ancient cultures, dance was often intertwined with rituals, religious ceremonies, and communal celebrations, serving as a means of connecting with the divine, expressing emotions, fostering social cohesion, and entering altered states of consciousness.
Traces of ecstatic dance can be found threaded throughout ancient cultures around the world, including Egypt, Greece, indigenous tribes in Africa and the Americas, and the shamanic practices of Asia and Oceania. In ancient Greece, ecstatic dance was associated with the cult of Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and revelry. The worship of Dionysus involved rituals that aimed to induce states of ekstasis, a state of being outside of oneself and connected to something greater. Revelers would engage in wild, frenzied dancing, often accompanied by the use of wine and other mind-altering substances, symbolizing the god's ability to inspire madness and liberation from conventional social norms..
In many indigenous cultures, dance was and continues to be an essential part of spiritual ceremonies, vision quests, and healing rituals. The San tribes in Africa have used dance for thousands of years as a way to express their connection to the land, ancestral spirits, and the natural world. During San dance ceremonies, community members engage in rhythmic, repetitive movements accompanied by chanting, clapping, and drumming in order to enter a trance-like state, connecting with the divine realm and the ancestors. For the San, dance has the power to heal the sick, restore balance and harmony, ensure a successful hunt, connect to the spirit and animal realm, bring forth rain during droughts, and to pass down stories, myths, and legends from one generation to the next.
Dance is powerful medicine. Throughout its evolution, it has woven a timeless tapestry connecting us to our ancestors, to our own divinity, and to each other. One thing is certain, humans have danced for centuries as a way to move beyond the walls of ourselves, to reach higher states of consciousness, and to heal. With each step we take, we honor the legacy of those who came before us, while paving the way for future generations to embark on this transformative path, uniting souls and forging bonds that continue to transcend time itself.
The Science
Engaging in ecstatic dance offers a myriad of benefits that extend beyond the realm of mere physical exercise. Research has shown that this dynamic form of movement can significantly reduce stress and anxiety by triggering the release of endorphins, bringing about feelings of joy and relaxation. By actively engaging the body-mind connection, ecstatic dance creates a harmonious union between our physical and mental selves, leading to a profound sense of grounding and inner peace.
Within the safe and nurturing space of the dance, one can express and release pent-up emotions buried deep within. This emotional catharsis creates space for dancers to heal trauma and re-pattern behaviors, all while being fully immersed in the present moment, held by the rhythm within a flow state.
The positive effects of ecstatic dance are not limited to the realm of the mind and emotions; it also extends to physical well-being and community building. It has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, enhance flexibility, and positively influence overall physical fitness. Ecstatic dance provides an opportunity for exercise within a powerful social bonding container. As dancers explore and play with their unique movement, they nurture a sense of self-empowerment while finding strength and support in the collective energy of the group.
In its profound essence, ecstatic dance has the ability to transport dancers to a state of consciousness reminiscent of life in the womb—a time when the boundaries between self and other were nonexistent. Within this state, dancers experience a sense of interconnectedness with themselves, with their surroundings and with each other. This innate unity nurtures a deep sense of belonging and spiritual connection to something beyond the collective human experience.
Ecstatic dance is a powerful gateway to self-discovery, transformation, and healing. It is a celebration of the body's innate wisdom, a joyous expression of emotions, and a testament to the interconnectedness of all beings. Within the sacred container of ecstatic dance, individuals find a space to shed their inhibitions, embrace authenticity, and tap into the wellspring of blissful energy that lies within, creating an unforgettable journey of self-exploration and liberation.
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MY FIRST Experience
I discovered ecstatic dance twelve years ago in Austin, Texas when it was called Body Choir. Like most embodiment practices, words didn’t do it justice. In order to fully grasp it, I had to abandon all expectations based on previous dance class experiences. It is not a dance class. It is a journey. There is no instructor, there are no dance steps to learn, no counts to memorize, and no performance at the end. Just show up as you and move your body however you feel…that’s it.
It is a movement playground where music takes us on a journey to liberate the mind and connect with the body.
I remember the first time I experienced ecstasy in my dance. I began my dance as usual, intentionally listening to my body and honoring how it wanted to move. I followed the pace of the music, lost in its rhythm. Completely entranced in my own dance, I stepped out of myself for a moment to connect with a friend. Drums heatedly beating in the background, we reached our palms toward each other, and stopped just shy of touching. In that moment I felt a surge of electric energy radiating within me that couldn’t be contained. As it traveled through my body and out of my hands, I felt an overwhelming urge to jump in order to release it. Completely enraptured, I thrashed around wildly, as goosebumps tickled my skin and sweat dripped down my back. This was the first of many ecstatic dances that I would have.
Recently my relationship with ecstatic dance has shifted from dancer to facilitator. I do not see myself as a DJ; I am a conduit through which music flows. My role is not to simply string music together to make a wave, but to create a safe and sacred container where dancers can playfully embark on their own embodied movement journey. I am the steward of that journey.
GLOBALLY CONNECTED IN DANCE
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