If you are a sceptic about ecstatic dance but curious if it is something you should try, keep reading. I didn’t know what ecstatic dance was until only recently, and I can honestly say it changed my life.
In this article, you will learn:
- What ecstatic dance is
- Why you should try it
- How to practice ecstatic dance
- Hear about my first experience with ecstatic dance.
How I Encountered Ecstatic Dance: The Unexpected Ceremony in Nicaragua
As I traveled around Nicaragua earlier this year, I found myself in a place that offered cacao ceremonies – something I had been curious to try, and, being in Central America, only felt right to do.
As it was my first ceremony and didn’t know what to expect, I was excited but pretty nervous. Being vulnerable in front of strangers isn’t for the faint of heart. What I did not know, however, until we had all sat down in a big circle in the jungle hut, batting curious eyes back and forth at each other, was that we’d be dancing – for two hours – after drinking the cacao. Safe to say my nervousness shot to the roof.
Now, I’m not against dancing. I love dancing. However, there was something about getting surprised with it and being surrounded by strangers in a totally different setting that I’m used to dancing in.
Anyhow, I thought, “Okay, I’m in this now. I can’t get rid of this tense and awkward feeling, so let’s explore it. Let’s see where this takes us.” So after the cup of cacao and some intense eye-gazing (which is a whole different topic in itself), the tribal music started, and each of us began moving our limbs. Slowly, carefully, through the thick air of anticipation.
What is Ecstatic Dance?
Ecstatic dance is self-expression through free movement without rules. There are no specific moves, no designated music, no desired attire. The only rule is to open up your heart and let go. In ecstatic dance practice, you let your body and the music take over. It can be spiritual; seeking the connection with the divine, therapeutic, social, cathartic, or a purely fun play.
Letting Go Of Judgement
It can be weird to see ecstatic dance for the first time. It was for me. People were laughing, screaming, crawling, even growling like animals. It felt almost cult-like. You try to keep your eyes closed to really get into yourself, then you open them again and become aware that people can see you. And it feels silly.
This is exactly the power of ecstatic dance. Confronting these uncomfortable emotions brings you to the edge of yourself, allowing you a chance to expand yourself. Everyone else is silly and wild, so you can be. You have to confront your fears of being judged, your tendency to “perform”, and your own judgment of others.
Freedom Through Shameless Expression
If you succeed in this, you’ll find yourself in the middle of the least judgmental and the freest environment, in a community of people that just half an hour ago were strangers, now radiating love comfortably with all layers being shed.
This is a profound and cleansing feeling. Eventually, you will enter into a flow state, where the movement has taken over.
There is no competition, no right or wrong, just simply, purely being embodied in expression. In many ways, it is alike being a child, moving without aims or rules, having fun, and playing with the energy of life. Jump, bounce, roll, stretch, release, explore. Ecstatic dance is the most freestyle dance you can find. It is a powerful practice inviting you to liberation, self-discovery, freedom, healing, and presence.
General Guidelines
Before the dance starts, the ecstatic dance facilitator goes through the rules with the group in the opening circle. They are few and simple, made for your comfort.
- Only approach and touch with consent. At first, hearing this rule made me nervous about people coming up to you, but people generally were good at reading people’s energy who wanted to be alone and who was more open to engage. Most stuck to themselves.
- No talking. If something needs to be said urgently, take it to the side of the dance.
- Set an intention. This is just for yourself to come back to during the dance. It can be anything: Release negative emotions, open your heart, or simply to have fun.
- No drugs. Though raves are generally a very free, safe, and loving environment, the drug consumption can make you uneasy for various reasons. Ecstatic dance, on the other hand, provides a safe and sober space where no substances are allowed, except cacao in some instances.
- No photos or videos. (If your organizer films the event they usually ask if anyone wishes to not be seen or featured.)
- Dance freely, judge none.
- Oh, and – it’s barefoot. If you didn’t guess that already 😉
“Whenever resistance emerges, lean fully into it, explore where it comes from, and see if you can move beyond.”
During the last fifteen minutes of the dance I felt happiness on a higher level, such a feeling it makes you go “wow, I can’t believe you can reach this feeling sober”. As you let the dancing take over your body, it becomes meditation in its own sense when you don’t think or plan your next move, you just let then body do what it wants.
The rest of the evening I spent in a state I can only call afterglow. At peace, unbothered, happy, content. Glowing. It truly changed my state of mind far beyond imagination and convinced me of the healing power of movement.
How To Practice Ecstatic Dance For Beginners
Find Dance Communities In Your Area
A simple Google search reveals local events. You can also find information on the global ecstatic dance community’s website about upcoming events around the world as well as browse their map to find events near you.
If it is far beyond your comfort zone, take a friend or two with you to support you.
Attend Online Dances
If there are no dances in your area, the global ecstatic dance community regularly hosts online dances on their website you can attend from wherever in the world.
Dance Alone
Put on music in your room. Get into freeform dance without being bothered about how it looks; let the body take over. Whenever resistance emerges and you start to think things like “What am I doing? How do I look? I don’t know how to move… I must look so silly“, lean fully into it, explore where it comes from, and see if you can move beyond.
If you need inspiration for what kind of music to use, I’ve embedded the ecstatic dance playlist that was used for our ceremony!
Why You Should Try Ecstatic Dance
I highly recommend trying out ecstatic dance. Here are my main reasons:
- The benefits are great, there’s little to no risk in doing it.
- You get taken out of your brain and into the body.
- It heightens your compassion and lowers your judgment toward yourself and others.
- Your confidence gets a boost while you’re getting exercise.
- Ecstatic dance expands you with whiplash in only a couple of hours – and you’ll have fun doing it.
Whenever I’m on a dance floor and feel awkward, I go inside, back to that dance we shared in Nicaragua, and let my energy centers guide my movement. I have never had trouble dancing again after that ceremony.
So dance like no one’s watching – because even if they were, they’re doing it too.
Love,
Jules
