ELEMENTAL - Ecstatic Dance

Get ready to lose yourself in the rhythm and vibes of this ELEMENTAL ecstatic dance experience!

This Dance's Theme: ELEMENTAL

Join us for a dynamic and expressive ecstatic dance based on the energies of the 4 elements. This dance will follow our usual wave structure, but with music that evokes the qualities of each element.

What to expect:

A fun and playful mix with 4 distinct phases, finishing up with meditative stillness.

We will get straight into the dance on arrival, with housekeeping and acknowledgment of country being woven into the starting music.

Water (includes arrival; gentle start - focus on fluidity, undulating spine, continuous flow → builds)

Earth (grounding, body awareness, heavier weight)

Fire (high energy peak - focus on heat, dynamic percussive movement, strong initiation)

Air (lightness + integrated closing music; wind-down to stillness)

On closing we will join in circle and open a sharing session for those who wish to reflect on their experience during the dance.

When: Arrive at 3.55pm for a for a 4:00pm start

Bring: A water bottle, and a yoga mat/blanket/cushion

This dance is an alcohol-free event / LGBTQI+ friendly

The benefits of ecstatic dance:

• Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression
• Increases feelings of joy, happiness, and well-being
• Improves physical health by increasing cardiovascular fitness, improving flexibility, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases
• Free form and expressive movement is a great form of release
• Helps you to connect with your inner self and emotions
• Increases mindfulness
• Community-building

The ecstatic dance movement has three foundational principles:

1) Dance barefoot if possible to connect more fully with the ground.

2) Dance without words to promote a meditative state, as there is no verbal instruction from facilitators during the experience.

3) Dance as you are, meaning without the use of drugs, alcohol, phones, cameras, and with no expectations or judgment.

About Us:

The Canberra Ecstatic Dance Collective monthly dance offering is a safe and supportive space to express, release, and experience joy through movement.

Each dance has a different theme and a different facilitator, BUT every dance will be a safe space to explore movement within a dynamic dance community.

Please note, although we are using a church hall, this is a non-religious, non-denominational event.