14/05/2022
๐If you like to read, hereโs my Ecstatic Dance journey/storyโฆ
"Have you heard of Ecstatic Dance?" asked a girl named B on an open, green, grassy field as we both arrived there to witness the sunset of the day.
"You can do whatever you want on a dancefloor," she went on, "shake your body like a madman, go-around in circles like a Sufi dancer, laugh out loud, cry even, lay down, [lay down on the dancefloor???], meditate, whatever you feel."
๐I didn't really understand what she was describing to me. How could I feel "at-home" and "dance-like-nobody's-watching" in a room full of strangers?
I wasn't sure, but I was longing for the space to move my body freely, get into trance, let my spirit dance! I didn't enjoy overfilled, overdrugged, sticky-floor, foul-smelly night-clubs anymore (I'm not a fan of alcohol either).
๐ฃSo I went to this Ecstatic Dance thing, as per suggestion of B; and this is what I witnessed: people of all shapes, ages, sizes and backgrounds were dancing together without talking, without shoes, and without being drunk on alcohol, in a spacious, perfume-free room. They have gathered together to connect, express, heal, and celebrate their bodies through uninhibited movements.
This was in 2015, when I first arrived in Santa Cruz, California.
โ๏ธSince my first Dance I was hooked right away. Here's why: with a background in traditional Georgian dances, I felt pressure-free to dance, by myself and/or with others; there was no need to perform, get the moves right. In fact, I realized there is NO WRONG WAY TO DANCE!
I found myself following my natural movements, "born" at the moment, during carefully selected, all-genre music-set by the DJ.
๐ชWhat's more, I realized each Dance was a microcosm of and a learning ground for my "outside" life. Whatever I experienced on the dancefloor, was part of me, which either wanted to be sorted out or celebrated, or both.
โ๏ธโ๏ธ During the Dance I got to dissolve my boredom, rekindle my child-like playfulness, practice acceptance, witness my fears, and observe repetitive patterns in my body from a third-person perspective. Also, supported me to find personal boundaries and self-confidence, and reinforced the experience of oneness.
Since 2018, I have taken the DJโs roleโmixing beautiful and powerful tracks to facilitate safe and transformative (dance)spaces.
In 2021, I created Ecstatic Dance Georgia, to share all the benefits I reaped in my birth-country.
Join me on weekly dance events!โก๏ธ
Come as you are, however that is. You may find yourself dancing in your bliss... or dancing your grief; perhaps with your joy, your sorrow, your anger, your silliness, your sexiness... All of it!
Next dance is tomorrow at Lumos in Tbilisi.
ใฐ๏ธ https://fb.me/e/4QHskC2wS