Ecstatic Dance

NOTE: You MUST sign up and pay via our website to reserve your spot (https://flyingbuddhastudio.com/#Events). Simply responding yes to attend via Meetup does not hold your spot. Thank you for your understanding!

Ecstatic dance is an exceptional wellness practice exploring free expression through movement in a substance-free, facilitated, and inclusive environment. In ecstatic dance, there are no set steps or structures, you move however you feel moved to move. The goal is to get out of our heads and get in touch with our bodies, emotions, and the collective. The dance is constructed as a wave where the music starts out slowly and gradually increases in pace and intensity before coming down to resting. This structure facilitates easing into movement, building to an ecstatic state, and gradually releasing. Everyone can choose how they want to express themselves long as they don’t interfere with others’ self expression. In ecstatic dance, we co-create a safe space where everyone is free to be their authentic selves. The result is mental clarity, emotional freedom, and physical embodiment.
The benefits of ecstatic dance include:

• Stress and tension relief
• Mindfulness and relaxation
• Somatic healing
• Self-expression
• Exercise and play
• Community and connection

No experience necessary! We will provide instructions and ease you into the practice. The event begins with an opening circle where we get to know each other and share intentions, followed by an hour and fifteen minute playlist, and a closing circle to share reflections. We will spend time before and after the dance connecting in community. During the dance there is no talking. This helps us to connect with our bodies and each other nonverbally. The result is often a trance-like and ecstatic experience.

6:45 Doors open
7:00 Opening circle
7:30 Dance
8:45 Closing circle
9:00 Depart

An Inclusive Space: All ages, genders, sexual orientation, and abilities welcome.

Music: A mix of new age, worldbeat, tribal, EDM, arranged in a dance wave, from slow to fast to slow. It is typically 50% non-lyrical.

What to bring: Water bottle, short sleeve, loose clothing, expect to get sweaty! Yoga mat (optional). No alcohol or food is provided and please don’t bring any.

Cost of workshop: $30

Sign up: https://flyingbuddhastudio.com/#Events

About the Facilitator
Clara Fang is the founder of Green Tara Consulting, a consulting firm that specializes in belonging, equity, and inclusion. She is an experienced facilitator of ecstatic dance, Buddhist meditation, and authentic relating. She lives in Germantown, MD.

Not familiar with ecstatic dance? Try these links:

• High production value with attractive people
• What it looks like more realistically
• Sober dance meetups emphasize consent and free movement ‘without judgement’ (Detroit Metro Times)
• I was skeptical about ecstatic dance (New York Times)
• Can ecstatic dance improve your health? (US News and World Report)