ECSTATICA: Ecstatic Dance & Cacao

Ecstatic dance is a freeform movement practice that takes you on a journey through sound. The multi-genre music unfolds like a wave, building and softening in intensity as it invites you to become fully immersed in the experience and let go of the outside world. Unlike other dance forms, there’s no choreography, just pure self expression. Often described as a "moving meditation," it encourages connection with yourself and others, creating a deep sense of unity and joy.

Ecstatica was created from a love of dance, freedom, and the joy that comes from listening to the body and giving it space to release and express itself. We want everyone to be able to experience this. At Ecstatica, we value FAB:

Freedom to move as you wish. No performance, just pure, uninhibited movement. You dance for you, not others.

Acceptance of how you move and how you feel. There is no right way to dance and emotions are welcome here.

Belonging. This is a space where everyone has a place. All bodies, all ages*, and all genders are welcome. ❤

Every dance is different, but it follows more or less the same flow. We come together in an opening circle, share cacao or tea, and do a facilitated warm up to help us arrive in our bodies. We then dance to a musical journey before gathering once more for a closing circle. We end with a cozy tea & fruit social, where we get to meet and chat with our fellow dancers. Please take some time to read the "Important Information" below.

If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, come and join us. We'd love to dance with you.

AUGUST DANCE

Still on a high from our epic July dance, we are excited to announce our next dance on Thursday August 20th at the Chestnuts Community Centre.

With lovely wooden flooring and plenty of space, it's a great place to really let go, have some fun, run around, and dance to your heart's content.

We will share a cool cup of cacao or chilled iced tea in our opening circle and end the dance with a fruit social - all included in the ticket price.

Ecstatica's founder, Yasmin, will be facilitating the event, guiding you through an activating warm up before the dance, while guest DJ Anahata will be behind the decks.

DJ ANAHATA

DJ Anahata is an experienced DJ and Producer and household name at Ecstatic Dance UK. His deep knowledge and love and music is clear through his excellent and unique track selection and ability to shake up a dance floor. Not one to be missed - one of our favourite ecstatic dance DJ's!

DJ Anahata says: "I love DJ’ing and l love playing in conscious Community’s where moving is a practice through dance…. All dancing in different ways to the same rhythms..Bringing people from all corners to dance together!! Feel very blessed to have found this!! Such a joy to witness people in there practice, very it be high or low.. It’s all welcome…"

Important Information

GUIDELINES

To help create a respectful, relaxed, and nourishing space for everyone, we ask all participants to follow these simple guidelines:

• No talking on the dancefloor
• No shoes on the dancefloor
• No spectating
• No dancing with others without their consent
• No phones or other technology
• No intoxicants of any kind including drugs or alcohol. Anyone who is intoxicated will be asked to leave.

Dancing is a naturally physical activity and, as with any movement practice, carries a small level of risk. We always do our best to create a safe, supportive, and comfortable environment. At the same time, we invite everyone to take personal responsibility for their own wellbeing and for the care of others in the space. Please listen to your body, honour your limits, and move in a way that feels safe and right for you.

Ensuring our dancers’ safety and comfort, and supporting their inward journey, is our top priority. Anyone who is dancing in a unsafe or disruptive way may be asked to leave.

AGE RULES

* This event is open to all ages, but under 16's must be accompanied by an adult.

Children under 6 dance for free. Please let us know at checkout if you are bringing your child. Important: Children are warmly welcome at Ecstatica. Parents and guardians remain fully responsible for their children throughout the event. If a child is dancing unsafely or disrupting others, you may be asked to leave.

TIMING

Doors open at 6:30 PM. LATEST ENTRY is 7:10 PM. Late entry isn’t possible, as it disrupts the container we create through dance. We finish the dance around 9:30 PM but we invite you to stay until 10:00 PM for our tea & fruit social.

TICKETS

Tickets are available to purchase on this page. All tickets include cacao or tea; please let us know your preference at checkout. There is also an opportunity to dance for free by joining the team and helping with setting up or packing away the event. You can do this once or as often as you like. Please send us an email at dance@ecstatica.uk if you're interested.

CACAO

Our delicious, 100% pure, organic cacao comes from a cooperative of farmers in the hills of northern Colombia, where the founder of Ecstatica, Yasmin, spent several months. She saw firsthand how much care and love were poured into the production of cacao, from seed to bar, and is honoured to share it with you.

Our cacao is made vegan, blended with coconut milk. If you have any allergies or intolerances (especially severe ones) to anything at all - please let us know. Cacao is included in the ticket price but entirely optional. If you are not drinking cacao, we offer tea.

TEA & FRUIT SOCIAL

After the dance, we have one of the best parts of the night - our tea social! Stick around and chat with the other dancers, sip on tea, and enjoy some fruit.

GOOD TO KNOW:

Please be aware that the event will feature colourful and (very rarely) flashing lights. While they will not be strong or strobe lights, they may still affect individuals sensitive to flashing visuals. If you have photosensitivity or epilepsy, please take necessary precautions.

Before we begin, the space may be cleansed with incense and it may also be used at moments throughout the dance. Please let us know if you have any sensitivities to scent.

If any of the above presents an issue for you, or if you have any questions, please send as an email at dance@ecstatica.uk

Looking forward to dancing with you! 💜

Big love,

Yasmin & the Ecstatica Team

Connect With Us

Join our community on Instagram: @ecstatica.uk.

Visit out our website for tickets, our cacao shop & 'ecstatica life' blog: www.ecstatica.uk

Join our WhatsApp Group for exclusive offers here.

Event cover photos by @gorgeousyouphotography