Ecstatic dance is my favourite form of movement. Just to give you an idea, I’ve danced ballet, ballroom, jazz, Latin, teen hiphop (as an adult), KPop, Beyonce booty pop, and Bollywood; I’ve tried karate, boxing and kick-boxing; then there’s Zumba, aerobics, combat aerobics; yoga, Pilates and back exercises; mountain-biking, running and spinning; and goodness knows what else.

Dancing When Nobody’s Watching

I’ve always loved moving, particularly dancing. Somehow, though, I never felt I was able to fully express myself in any of the classes. Yes, I had a blast and my energy was sky high. But a little something was missing. Sometimes, when I was alone at home and blasted the stereo, and danced like no one was watching (which was really easy, because no one was watching), I felt something arising within me, something guiding me, and eventually taking over me, until it was not me who was dancing, but my spirit.

That’s all fine and dandy, but I wanted to go out and dance. But the only place I knew to reach that sort of high was at raves, and I don’t enjoy raves the way I used to because: A.) I value my personal space and do not want to be hit on, and B.) I don’t enjoy watching drugged out people reach highs, because they are unpredictable and unaware.

The question was: How to reach the state of ecstasy without the drug ecstasy? (Not that I have EVER tried.)

Unforgettable Journey

I found my answer some years ago in Ubud, Bali, at The Yoga Barn specifically. Someone suggested I join her for “ecstatic dance.” Not sure what it was, I almost turned back at the door, because, although used to seeing writhing, intoxicated bodies moving rhythmically and in joy at raves, I had never actually seen a group of sober (as in not alcohol or drug-induced) people moving around in a range of yogic, aboriginal, and rather bare clothing, adorned with bangles and dangles of all spiritual form. In ecstasy. On a Sunday morning.

However, encouraged by my friends, I joined in. Tentatively, at first. Observing. Finding my rhythm. Watching people, and finding no one watching me back, I was encouraged to move more. Afraid that someone was going to pounce on me if I started gyrating my hips, I gyrated my hips, but on alert, ready to glare away any invader who thought that was an open invitation for dirty dancing. But no one seemed to even notice. What? This just might be paradise.

Progression of Ecstatic Dancing

I saw a few couples dancing together, but for the main part, people seemed to just have tapped into source and were doing their own thing. Groups would form and dissolve, some sticking together throughout. The most intense action took place in the center of the huge, open room, which seemed to be the place where the group vibration was highest, and that’s where the vocal expressions also emanated from. Most people kept to their own spot for the 65 minutes, but some weaved their way effortlessly around the room, their spirits spinning them around. Each unto their own expression

The music varied from deep bass beats, which brought out the primeval in us, and many took a warrior-like stance, rooted deep in the first chakra, to cosmic highs, with hands raised high, creating sacred patterns, visible only to our own inner eyes. The DJ would bring down our heart rates with slower sensual beats, adding comic songs or ones with messages about love. All positive, high-vibration, love-filled. And then he’d take us to a massively excitable state, where it felt like the energy was not muscular, or glucose-fed, but spirit-induced. The way we move can’t come from anywhere else, because it feels out-of-body, and yet, so in-body. It is a state of being present and detached at the same time.

Lasting Impression With A Desire For More

I was hooked from the first time. I’ve gone to about 15 dances since, and would go to more if I didn’t have to travel to Bali every time. This time, I’m determined to find a place for such dancing in Singapore, and if I can’t find one, I will call out for help to create such a space. For those who resonate with dance, this is so liberating, and there is no hangover after. You many have a sore body because it’s a great workout, but that’s great!

I went to ecstatic dance the night before writing this, and now, 13 hours later, my body is still moving rhythmically. Granted, it’s intensified because I’ve been meditating for hours every day for the past five days, but still, without the dance yesterday, I would be stiffer and more blocked.

And guess what? After the ecstatic dance, my three-week writer’s block unblocked. Creativity flowed through me, and came out in writing. For that, I can thank spirit.

Are you ready to free your soul on the dance floor? Drop me a note here so that I can get together a group of ecstatic dancers. If you’ve never danced before, it is of no significance. Have courage and start moving! Even better, do you want to help me organize a dance? I’ll be expecting you.

Note: There are some rules to ecstatic dance, and I recommend this link for a good summary.

I am designing a 2016 Spring Bali Retreat. This retreat is for women by women. Let me know what an ideal retreat in Bali would be like for you below!