My eyes are closed. The music pulses through me—bass, beats, and rhythms guiding my body across the dance floor. I sneak a peek, catching glimpses of others on their own dance journeys, moving as their hearts command. There is no choreography, no expectation—just pure, uninhibited expression. I watch not to judge, but to revel in the beauty of shared movement, in the deep appreciation of holding space together.
Ahh, ecstatic dance.
It is a space where we show up exactly as we are, held within a container of kindness, respect, and inclusivity. A space where we are free to move without shame, without seeking approval, without the weight of expectation. The healing potential is immense. I still remember the first time I stepped into an ecstatic dance event—the profound joy of discovering a place where I could move freely, safely, and with wild abandon.
Here, emotions rise without filter. Here, I can shake my body, wave my arms, crouch low to the ground—without worrying about lurking eyes, sticky floors, or ulterior motives. It wasn’t until I danced in this kind of space that I realized the discomfort I unconsciously carried in bar scenes, where unspoken social contracts blur the lines of safety and autonomy. In those spaces, I still danced for myself—but I could never fully let go.
At ecstatic dance, I sink into my body. I step out of my mind. It feels like a homecoming. Some days, the journey is light and joyful. Other days, it is heavy with sadness. But whatever rises to the surface, I let it move through me, carried by the music, witnessed by a community of mostly unfamiliar, yet deeply supportive faces.
I recall one especially fragile Sunday morning at Dance Temple, our local weekly ecstatic dance event. One of my favorite facilitators, River, was leading that day, and I was all tears—the kind that shake you from the inside out. The music swelled, and I let it all out. By the end, I was a hot mess, overwhelmed with emotion, sitting against the wall with my head on my knees. Then suddenly, a quiet presence settled beside me.
I looked up to see an unfamiliar woman sitting close, saying nothing, asking nothing—just being there. Her presence, the mere act of witnessing my experience without intrusion, grounded me. In that moment, I felt seen, held, and cared for. When she sensed I was calming, she simply got up and walked away. I never got her name. I never saw her again. But to whomever you are—thank you.
Moments like this remind me how precious it is to have a space where we can move through our emotions in an embodied way, surrounded by a supportive community. It’s not just about dancing—it’s about being witnessed, accepted, and held without expectation.
In our culture, dance is so often tied to nightlife, a performance of attraction, a way to be seen rather than to feel. But here, in this space, we dance for ourselves. And yet, even in our most solitary moments, we are not alone. A quiet presence, a gentle witness, a shared breath of understanding—it reminds us that support can come in the simplest of ways.
And that is its greatest gift.
READY TO DANCE INTO FREEDOM?
If this resonates with you, imagine a whole weekend dedicated to movement, connection, and play.
At The Great Escape Summer Camp (July 24-27, 2025, Powell River, BC), we bring back the joy of summer camp with a powerful, women-centered twist—a space to move, laugh, and reconnect with your wild, untamed self.
On Saturday night, River (Helen Pattinson) will guide us through an Ecstatic Dance journey, creating an immersive movement experience where we shake off what no longer serves us and step into our innate wisdom, freedom, and joy.
River is a Dance and Somatic Movement Facilitator who has been guiding transformative movement journeys for over 15 years. As a certified Dancing Freedom facilitator, she weaves Shamanic Dance, Somatic Yoga, Drum Journeying, and Ritual to help people break free from limiting patterns and fully embody their authentic selves.
Join us at The Great Escape for a weekend of movement, adventure, and sisterhood, where you’ll not only experience River’s powerful dance journey but also enjoy:
✅ Outdoor adventures like canoeing, hiking, and playful challenges
✅ Empowering movement – CrossFit, yoga, and ecstatic dance
✅ Women’s wellness workshops on (peri)menopause, vitality & self-care
✅ Evening campfire storytelling & deep connection
✅ Optional private massage and photography sessions
✨ Early-Early Bird Pricing: $797 + GST (Save $400, Ends Feb 15th!) ✨
💃 Come dance, explore, and play with us!
🔗 Reserve Your Spot Today →The Great Escape Summer Camp for Women
For more on River’s offerings, visit www.inspiredearthprojects.com.
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