Dance Links & More

Old School Ecstatic Dance 

For those who wish to use dance as a spiritual practice, old school styles (meaning facilitated either directly or indirectly by experienced dance leaders or instructors) provide a safe space to develop a consistent transformative practice, in which vulnerability and authentic expression emerge spontaneously. 

⭐ Coeur d’Alene Ecstatic Dance
One of the best "old school" ecstatic dance groups in the region. No DJ...just great mixes arranged in a semi-wave format. Experienced and welcoming dancers. Second Saturday of the month at Harding Center in CDA.

Spiritweaves Community
Los Angeles dance community established in the early 2000s. Lead by Julian Marc Walker who took over the community from Michael Molin-Skelton. Held at the church in Venice Beach. 

Fumbling Toward Ecstasy
One of the oldest and largest 5RHYTHMS-based dance communities in Los Angeles, established in the late 1990s. Lead by Jo-Cobbett. Sunday dance is a two and a half hour wave. Amazing spiritual energy. Safe space for working with dance as a transformative practice. Worth flying to Los Angeles to experience!

Ecstatic Dance Seattle
So many west side groups, so little time! A mix of old school and neo forms of ecstatic dance groups.

Ecstatic Dance Foundations (1960s thru early 2000s)

Gabrielle Roth (student of Fritz Pearl, father of Gestalt therapy)

Soul Motion (started by Gabrielle Roth student, Vinn Marti)

Fumbling Toward Ecstasy (started by Gabrielle Roth student, Jo-Cobbett)

Madrona Mind Body Institute (Michael Molin-Skelton, also started Spiritweaves in LA, student of Gabrielle Roth and Vinn Marti)

5rhythms

Esalen.org

Bauhaus Movement

Human Potential Movement

Omega Institute

Kirpalu

Alexander Technique

Neo-Ecstatic Dance
Inland Northwest Conscious Dance Community
A well established Spokane group for the older crowd. Top-40 vibe with mixes and sometimes DJs. No wave format or formal facilitation. Just dancing with friends. Held at yoga studio in the Perry district Spokane.

EcstaticDance.org
If you're looking for dance with a more rave-like feel (non-drug, non-alcohol) facilitated by a network of "ecstatic" DJs (rather than trained ecstatic dance instructors or leaders), then check out this website for locations around the country. Generally, this format doesn't use a wave structure. Live musicians and drummers are also common. Also see their FB Page. This revival-type esctatic dance evolved from the Rave culture of the late 90s and early 2000s and definitely parts ways with the "old school" styles that began in the 70s and 80s (see the Gabrielle Roth - Power Wave Dance video below for an example of old school).

Reading & Viewing

[Book] Maps to Ecstasy: The Healing Power of Movement by Gabrielle Roth