Ecstatic Dance

A weekend of release and emergence. ✨ As one year cycle completes and another begins, what has shaped you can settle, what is no longer needed can gently fall away. Through breath, movement, and presence, we make space for what wants to grow — naturally, from within. A small circle guided by Mack and Cremilde near the ocean and forest of Meco. One overnight stay. Nourishing food. Time to land, open, and begin.

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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTnRHkMChbI) * [What it looks like more realistically](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqe_AoQb3Q0) * [Sober dance meetups emphasize consent and free movement ‘without judgement’](https://www.metrotimes.com/music/sober-dance-meetups-emphasize-consent-and-free-movement-without-judgment-in-detroit-and-ann-arbor-33593404?fbclid=IwAR3j_2Bxmq9EWghDl4i5sj1eSvO6txragpWVc7rpeSmvgbr5zz_x7-_2DNA) (Detroit Metro Times) * [I was skeptical about ecstatic dance](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/greentara/dance) (New York Times) * [Can ecstatic dance improve your health? ](https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2018-05-24/what-is-ecstatic-dance-and-can-it-improve-your-health)(US News and World Report)

**Ed and Gail's Tuesday Night Dance for Everyone** Note change in lesson format! Very basic, very beginner Rumba lesson at 7:00 Tuesday night, January 20! Because we've heard from people who want to sample several different ballroom dances, we've decided to offer a half hour beginner lesson in a different dance each Tuesday. And for those who want another West Coast Swing move, we'll have a half hour easy West Coast Swing lesson at 7:30. How's that for pleasing everybody! **7:00-7:30 Rumba Basics** (very basic, very beginner- for those who want to sample more dance styles and those who need a little review of what makes lead/follow work) **7:30-8:00 Easy Intermediate West Coast Swing** Instructors: Ed and Gail **8:00-10:00 Dance** (Variety: Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country, you name it!) $15

***Colvin Run 1st Saturday Social Ballroom Dance.*** **We invite you to join us for our Social Ballroom dance to kick off the Month of Love! Our Dance Hall is beautifully decorated and ready to welcome our dancers to enjoy the warm, festive spirit and ambiance.** 7:30-8:30 pm: Rumba Dance Lesson by **TBD** 8:30-10:30 pm: Ballroom dance to **DJ music by TBD** Dress is "ballroom casual." Please, no jeans, cut-offs or T shirts. Dress to Impress! $15 (cash or check) for the full evening includes lesson, dance, cold water, and scrumptious snacks No partner, experience or reservations needed. Don't have a partner? Come to Colvin Run Dance Hall where you will find friendly partners HAPPY to meet you and dance with you!! 1,850 sq. ft. beautiful oak dance floor. Plenty of free, safe parking. ## Questions? Find Colvin Run at [http://www.colvinrun.org](https://colvinrun.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9abd22bfb1858c46263c2620b&id=a653d4304d&e=dc73d9bfad) or visit [https:](https://colvinrun.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9abd22bfb1858c46263c2620b&id=b3877963d5&e=dc73d9bfad)[//www.meetup.com/colvinrun-org/events](https://colvinrun.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9abd22bfb1858c46263c2620b&id=eda6408288&e=dc73d9bfad) or contact [Conrad.Heer@ColvinRun.org](mailto:Kathy.Milks@colvinrun.org)

***Colvin Run's Thursday Night Country Dance with Tim Bowker*** Come early and enjoy the warmup music at 7:15 p.m. **Tim Bowker's Country Nightclub Two-Step lesson** is at **7:30 p.m**, and then stay for **DJ Tim's dance party 8:30-10:30 p.m.** Cold water, snacks and lots of friendly people included. No partner, experience, or reservations needed. Plenty of free, safe parking. $15 entry fee (cash/check only); Includes lesson, dance and light refreshments. ***First Timer? No Problem!! Come learn a great lesson from Timothy Bowker! We welcome everyone!*** \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Mark your calendars for **West Coast Swing Sundays** Every 2nd & 4th Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The next WCS Sunday is January 11, 2026 ***Find your happy place at Colvin Run Dance Hall*** ***Where everybody knows your name, and everyone's glad you came!*** *Find Colvin Run at: http://www.colvinrun.org* *or contact Kathy.Milks@ColvinRun.org*

To purchase tickets - https://www.annkite.com/friday-nights This is a group of 60-75 people that dance the together weekly on Friday evenings. Ann is a master teacher who has taught embodied movement as connection to spirit for over 18 years. She is fully trained in 5Rhythms (both waves and heartbeat levels), attended the teacher training for Soul Motion and has a Masters in Education. A born teacher. Her classes offer a dynamic movement practice rooted in the principle that if you put the psyche in motion it will heal itself. Movement is both the medicine and the metaphor, reaching across all languages, cultures and age groups to transform suffering into art, art into awareness, and awareness into action. Ann has held this group, a dynamic community has been created to dance, to sweat, to change, to support, and to provide a safe space for each of us to shatter the ego’s hold and awaken the juicy, unpredictable, fascinating, edge-walking, rock star part of ourselves that yearns to be free. Creativity. Connection. Community. There are no steps to learn. 5Rhythms can be practiced by anyone regardless of age, fitness, ability, or experience. For more information about what to expect in your first 5Rhythms class, see our About 5Rhythms page: https://www.annkite.com/about

Ed and Gail's ever popular 50/50 Hustle /West Coast Swing event takes place the fourth Saturday of every month. It features a DJ’d mix of contemporary and classic Hustle and West Coast Swing music DJ'd by **Ed Cottrell**, and Hustle lessons taught by renowned Hustle instructor **Joyce Szili**. 7:00 - 7:45 pm Beginner Hustle 7:45 - 8:30 pm Easy Intermediate Hustle 8:30-11:00 Dancing to a perfect mix of Hustle and West Coast Swing $15 Admission