Ecstatic Dance
Cancelled February 21st due to snow. Sorry!

Due to low turnout, we are suspending this dance for the time being. We'd love to keep it going, but with a steady operating loss every month, it just doesn't seem possible for now. Please let us know if you are interested in us reviving this dance we are open to doing this again, especially if we have others who want to participate, and dance with us.
1st and 3rd Sunday mornings
of each month
10:30am - 12:30pm at the
Masonic Temple Ballroom,
in Fort Collins
Join us on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month!
The Details . . .

This is a unique dance experience where we let our bodies and music guide the way we move.   Many describe it as a fun, empowering, moving meditation that supports us to become more present and aware. 

It is a time to enjoy the movement of your body in a safe and sacred space.  There are no steps you have to learn or follow.  If you can breathe and walk, you can DANCE!!  No dance experience necessary. 

Our bodies love to move in different rhythms.  Ecstatic Dance moves through the rhythms of feminine flow, masculine staccato, chaotic uproar, lively and lyrical, and peaceful stillness.  This dance is similar to 5Rythms, Body Choir, and other free form dances, but is community organized rather than lead by a trained 5Rythms facilitator.

Some of the enormous benefits you can receive from this dance practice include:

  • More flexibility in your mind and body.
    •  
  • Greater self-awareness

  • Learn to follow your body’s wisdom and guidance.

  • You will become more present to your body, to your heart, and to the moment. 


    • This is exercise that is FUN!

     

     “The quickest way to still the mind is to move the body.”
    Gabriel Roth

    Cost: $7 per dance. All profits go to benefit
    The Matthews House

    Where: Masonic Temple Ballroom. 
    225 W Oak St, Ft Collins
    Enter at the ground level corner door closest to Mason St. 

    Kids 12 & under are welcome with supervising adults.

    What to wear:  Anything you can move in that makes you feel comfortable.  Denim is not recomended. No perfumes or other scents, please. We dance barefoot and usually work up a sweat, so bring a towel. 

    Organizers and Facilitators:
    Alan Starner, Morgan Lazzaro-Smith, Rachael Jayne Groover, Datta Groover

    If you have any questions, please email us.

    "Many paths lead to God. I have chosen that of music and dancing"
    Rumi

    Below is a more detailed description of what we do and of some of the principles involved.

    Dance!LETTING GO: Most of us may become self-conscious at times while dancing. This can take the “negative” form of feeling foolish, or the “positive” form of thinking about how cool you look. Learning to let go of any external perspective and just be in the body is a big part of this practice. Let go of the external judging perspective. Get out of your mind and into your body. Get out of your head and into your heart. Know that it is OK if you get self-conscious; just use it as part of the practice of letting go.  

    STILLNESS AND LISTENING:  It’s OK to stop dancing and listen inside to see what movements want to come out of you. The movements don’t have to match the music and they don’t have to be beautiful or graceful. It’s more important that the movement be an authentic expression for how you feel inside. When you feel disconnected and find that you’re dancing from your head instead of your heart, stop dancing and listen. From listening inside you will reconnect and find authentic movement again. Sometimes you may find that you want to rest, which is always OK.

    SpaceBE SAFE, BE AWARE: We love to dance freely, but we need to be safe too, so that no one gets injured. This means if you want to dance with your eyes closed, that’s fine, but don’t move around the room – find a space and remain in that space so that others can keep some distance. If you want to move around the room, dance with your eyes open – be aware of what is in front of you, to the side, and even behind you (above and below too!).


    Don't do thisWITNESSING: Sometimes you may want to be a “witness” for the dancing going on around you. This is a way of honoring the other dancers and is encouraged. You can do this on the side of the room, or you can do this in the middle of the room and have people dance around you. Learn to take in the whole room and everyone in it without staring or judging.  A soft gaze works well. As a witness you are not just a passive observer, but a part of the dance experience.

    LEARNING FROM OTHERS: One of the great things about doing free dance with others is that they can show us new ways of moving the body. Be open to trying other movements that you see someone else doing. They might work for you and they might not. You may find that it stimulates a new expression in your body that you want to explore. This is one thing we don’t get when we dance alone in our living rooms, so take advantage of it and play a little!

    DANCING WITH OTHERSDANCING WITH OTHERS: Generally people dance by themselves, but sometimes
    people will want to dance with one or more people. In some forms of dancing, there
    will also be physical contact, and this can be a fun creative way to interact.

    If you want to dance with someone, please honor his or her boundaries since not
    everyone may want to dance with you.  Remember you are always dancing in community,
    even if there is no obvious interaction.