You’ve probably already seen the term before, but what does it actually include? We’re talking about Ecstatic Dance. It’s about dancing in an ecstatic way - who would’ve guessed - but it’s also so much more than that.
Ecstatic Dance is all about dancing like no one is watching you; dancing without the judgment of others and dancing without limits. Even though Ecstatic Dance has gotten more and more popular over the past years, it is by no means a contemporary activity. This form of dance was practiced throughout human history and is known as a meditative activity that helps us cope with stress. How beautiful that dance can help us heal!
First things first: what is Ecstatic Dance?
Ecstatic dance is a free form of dance with the goal to achieve ecstasy. This is a natural state in which your awareness shifts and you get to experience a meditative and happy state of mind through body movement. Besides the fact that it is a lot of fun to move your body to music, Ecstatic Dance is also scientifically proven to help your mental & physical health.
The good thing about Ecstatic Dance is that there are almost no rules! There are only three important rules to bear in mind when you’re joining an Ecstatic Dance.
No alcohol/drugs
No talking
No judgment
Other than those, you’ll have no limitations during an Ecstatic Dance session! There is no choreography, there is no set music genre, and most importantly: there is nothing but love and acceptance around you. It is a safe space for you to truly express yourself how you want.
No access to Ecstatic Dance? Transform your home into your own private stage!
We live in a time where events are not as accessible as they used to be. The Conscious Club used to organize special Ecstatic Dances every month to help you all relieve stress. it is such a powerful tool, so it is a shame we don’t all have access to it now. That’s why we want to give you some tips and tricks on how to organize your own, private Ecstatic Dance. Especially if you’re new to Ecstatic Dance, it might even be more comfortable to try out in the comfort of your own home.
Here are some tips to bear in mind before you start:
Blind the windows. You should literally dance like no one is watching.
Set up a good audio installation. This could be a portable Bluetooth speaker, but also your favorite pair of headphones. Just make sure the cables of your headphones don’t disturb your movement!
Find the right playlist. If you like the shamanistic vibe, we recommend this playlist. Prefer a mixture of different genres? Try out this one instead! These playlists are often timed for about one or two hours - so when the music stops you know your session is over.
Make space. If you live in a small apartment, move your furniture around to create space for your wildest dance moves. You don’t want to be confined to one square meter of freedom!
Make sure you’re not disturbed. Mute your phone, ask your flatmates to not disturb you for a while. This is time for you.
Set the mood. It is very important to create the right ambiance for you to be mentally transported to another place. You can do a couple of things to achieve that. One of which is lighting incense or a scented candle. Smell can trigger memories of other places and times - which could be very nice if you want to ‘escape’ your own home for a bit.
Close your eyes. It might happen that you feel a bit self-conscious. If that happens, close your eyes, dim the lights and focus on the music. Simply wait until you feel the need to start dancing.
Start slow. If you still feel a little bit insecure. Start by tapping your feet to the beat, or bobbing your head. Slowly increase your movements - there is no need to go all wild if you don’t want to yet!
Extra Pro-tip
Want to lift your Ecstatic Dance experience to a whole new level? Drink a good brew of cocoa beforehand! Cacao is not just a delicious drink, but the cacao beans contain a psychoactive ingredient called theobromine, which translates to “food of the Gods“. Theobromine is a bitter alkaloid that has been shown to be mildly stimulating, giving you a burst of energy and improving focus as well as memory storage.
Cacao also increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain as well as induces the release of endorphins and dopamine, our feel-good hormones. As a result, we are happier and our creativity is reaching peak states.
Since ancient times cacao has been used as a medicine to heal physical, mental and spiritual illnesses. Cacao has been shown to boost the immune system and lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as leading to euphoria and deeper spiritual connection. Perfect in combination with Ecstatic Dance!
And there you have it! Now the only thing left to be done is for you to set the date. Perhaps you can already start your first session tonight?
