Ecstatic Dance Aurora

6 West Downer Place,Aurora IL 60506

18 June, 2022

Description

Come experience authentic, genuine expression through free-form dance in a safe, supportive, and inclusive space! Ecstatic Dance is an incredible event where you are invited to show up as your full self exactly how you are and to explore authentic embodiment and genuine expression of whatever flows through you! Let the intentional prerecored DJ sets guide you through a journey of joy, aliveness, groovienss, and whatever else is being called to move through you! The intention is to connect to ourselves and others through the spectrum of DANCE. We are CoCreating a loving space of inclusion, safety, bravery, respect, kindness, and play! ~~~ As we tap into the flow state of the dance, we can access a present state of being and embodiment. Many of you have certainly felt the great joy and elation that comes naturally with dancing! Deep feelings, sensations, and memories can sometimes arise as we allow ourselves to sink deeper into flow and let go even further. Please always take care of yourself, pay attention to the needs of your body. Drink water. Rest when needed (perhaps in our lovely meditation lounge). If you are new to Ecstatic Dance, we highly recommend coming early for the guided movement practice that starts off each event! Dance guides will be present (look for their green light up bracelets) if you need anything. ~~~ SCHEDULE 6:00-6:45: Guided Movement Practice TBA 6:45-7:15: Opening Circle w/ Lauren 7:15-9:15: Ecstatic Dance! PreRecorded set by Amritaji 9:15-9:30: Sound Healing TBA 9:30-10:00: Closing Circle w/Lauren Healing Arts Faciliatator TBA (Reiki, Oracle card readings) Sign ups first come first serve. Cash/card/venmo at door $22-33 sliding scale No one turned away for lack of funds! Work trade and food trade available and needed! Please reach out directly to Lauren. Some Rainbow food will be available for you. Offerings of healthy vegetarian and vegan foods are most welcome(please label ingredients)! PLEASE try to bring your own utensils and bowl to use and take back home with you. PLEASE put compostable bowls and spoons in the bin labeled COMPOST. Bring your own water and water bottle, as the water available is limited. GUIDELINES: All are always welcome! Let's show respect and kindness to each other no matter our differences. No shoes, food, or drinks in the dance space. Closed water bottles are okay. If you require supportive shoes for dancing that is welcome. No talking or conversations on the dance floor, please talk in the lobby (vocal expression is allowed on the dance floor, such as "woo!"). This is a substance-free event. You are invited to show up as your fully present self! No photography allowed in the dance space! Always ask permission when taking someone's photo elsewhere. ZEN MEDITATION LOUNGE: This space is available for rest, quiet reflection, meditation, card readings, and softly spoken conversations. Please keep food, drinks and loud conversations outside of this room. DANCING WITH OTHERS: Ecstatic Dance Aurora and Zen Loft Wellness Center are deeply committed to consent-based practices and space-holding. When experiencing touch and connection with others, we need to take great care. We encourage you to dance and connect with yourself first, before dancing with others. How to Dance with another: -Make eye contact -Offer/show movement with open palms -Wait and see if the movement is reciprocated and accepted -Dance together! -To end a Dance simply float away or place palms together at the heart -You can say no to an offer with the same gesture -Use your voice and ask to make contact if unclear -Use your voice to say no if you need to We always go over this in the opening circle of each event. Red fabric will be available to indicate that you do not want to be touched/need explicit verbal consent to be touched. Dance guides will be present and available as space holders should you have any questions, concerns, or difficulties. INCLUSIVITY: Ecstatic Dance Aurora is committed to creating and holding safer space that protects and uplifts BIPoC folks, trans and queer people, as well as womxn and other marginalized people. We are educating ourselves through workshops and books focused on anti-racism, inclusion, and harm reduction and response. We see decolonization and healing from the white-supremist patriarchal narrative as a life-long commitment. We do this to build space for true healing and safety for the collective. Ecstatic Dance Aurora prioritizes giving paid positions to people who align with these values, and we will be making educational resources available to those holding space as Dance Guides and Facilitators. ***For seniors and disabled folks: Please note @Zen Loft Wellness Center is on the second floor and the only entrance is up one full flight of stairs. If you need assistance, please message us ahead of time and we will do everything we can for you so you can come and dance! We hope to hold Ecstatic Dance Aurora at larger, more accessible locations in the future. PARKING AND THE SPACE: There is plenty of free parking in the area on Saturdays, you may need to walk a few blocks. There is also an inexpensive ($5) parking garage right next to us on Stolp Street. We are located upstairs on the corner of Downer and Stolp, look for the rainbow flag and the Ecstatic Dance board on the sidewalk. Come up stairs, take off your shoes, and get checked in. Get ready to dance!!! Restroom located at the very back of the space. Be sure to check out the Zen Meditation Lounge (please keep your voices low, no food in here), or sign up for a reiki or card reading session in the Zen Healing Temple! No conversations in the dance space once the Ecstatic Dance has begun! Please take conversations into the main lobby space. *** This is a mask optional event. Please stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of illness. We have tests available on site at-cost. "I social distancing" pins are available for those who are masking and would like to indicate they want more space. We are all in our own process and have different comfort levels and different situations. Let's come together and respect everyone's experience as we Dance and Heal.