I have been hosting regular ecstatic dances in Hamilton Ontario, with the goal of having fun, upbeat events accessible to as many people as possible.
It’s also an opportunity for me to play a little Handpan at the end of the evening, as part of the wind-down.
If you’re interested in Ecstatic Dance in Hamilton, Ontario, come check out our event. Tickets are listed on Eventbrite, when new events are launched, and I also send out email notifications to people who sign up to our email list.(zero spam, only notifications about new events)
We’ve successfully hosted several events so far, with dozens of attendees at our ecstatic dance from Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Port Dover, St. Catherines, Niagara, and many more. It’s exciting to see regulars and newcomers at each event coming from so many different locations!
What is Ecstatic Dance?
Ecstatic Dance is a dance event where you are encouraged to move freely and self-express to the music. It’s not a social dance – each person primarily dances on their own.
There is no right way to do it, and no right moves – you can express yourself as you wish. The result is an opportunity to explore movement, release emotions, and connect with your body.
The music style is mostly upbeat, with tribal and electronic sounds, usually with not many lyrics.
Dancing freely in public can be daunting for some people. You can start slowly, take breaks, and see how it feels like to come once, or keep coming back. The main guideline is to trust yourself!
Ecstatic Dance Rules and Structure
Generally, there are few rules regarding ecstatic dance. But we do have a few general guidelines:
- No talking on the dance floor. This can be disruptive and distracting to others. Met an old friend or made a new one? Step outside and have a chat!
- Dance by yourself. This is primarily a solo experience. If you connect with another person, feel free to dance with them for a few minutes if they are interested as well. Then go back to your own journey.
- Take care of yourself. Trust yourself to do what is right for you at any moment. If you need support, talk to one of the organizers. If somebody makes you feel uncomfortable, please let us know.
- Seek Consent. Be mindful of other’s experience, and err on the side of giving them space. Don’t do anything with another person unless you are certain they are interested.
Here is the typical structure of our dances:
- First 10 minutes – we start on time and introduce ourselves, including a brief check in. We review the guidelines for the event and go over any housekeeping.
- 1.5 hours – dance! Feel free to take breaks, either outside, or in a designated relaxation zone.
- 15 minutes wind down – we spend a few minutes relaxing, either sitting or lying down, to the sound of some relaxing live music.
- 15 minutes – final checkout and socializing. This is a chance to make new friends or catch up with familiar faces.
Check out our upcoming ecstatic dance events, beginners and newcomers to ecstatic dance are welcome!
