Welcome to Ecstatic Dance Devon. We are a group of friends, dancers and DJ’s.
Our vision is to bring people together to do all our favourite things in one place - dancing to incredible music on an epic soundsystem in a beautiful oak barn, eating delicious and healthy food, and hanging out with our friends as we sauna and chill on a gorgeous bit of land.
If these are your favourite things too - you should probably come.
The Arc of the Event
10:00 - Doors open - Settle in, get some cacao, and stretch
10:30 - Opening Circle and Guided Warm Up (Doors will close at 10:35)
11:00 - Ecstatic Dance Begins (No guidance)
12:30 - Wind Down with Sound
12:45 - Closing Circle
13:00 - Food, Sauna and Hanging Out
16:00 - Home Time
The Ecstatic Dance is a closed container, and we encourage you to stay til the end at 1pm.
Cacao, food and sauna are optional add-ons when you book - cacao must be booked in advance, food and sauna are best booked ahead (limited availability on the day).
If you’re new to ecstatic dance - scroll down for a description and guidelines of the space
DJ and Facilitation
TBC
Venue & Sauna
Paul’s Barn is a new venue in Ipplepen (15 minutes from Totnes). We’ll be dancing in a light and airy barn, with a professional dance floor and big double doors either side to keep the light streaming in and us cool, (and a wood burner if we need to be cosy). We’re surrounded by stunning nature with views of Haytor, and a wood-fired sauna and cold plunge.
Food
Nourishing our bodies post-dance is Food Artist and all-round-legend Faze. Each dance will be followed by a nourishing and grounding meal, inspired by cuisines and foods from around the world. Always with gluten-free/vegan options available. Pre-purchasing is highly recommended.
What to bring
Wear comfortable clothes easy to move in. Bring layers
Water bottle
Towel (if using sauna)
What is Ecstatic Dance?
Ecstatic Dance is a free-form conscious dance practice that was born out of Gabrielle Roth's 5 Rhythms - think of it like movement meditation. It strengthens the body-mind connection; it can be a form of catharsis, a way to connect with people around you, and for some, can lead to altered states of consciousness and spiritual experiences.
Ultimately, this is a place for you to move in a way that is authentic to you, free from judgement or convention.
We open and close the space together, staying in it for the whole ride. Unlike other forms of conscious dance which have a lot of guidance, the journey of an Ecstatic Dance is primarily guided by the music, which is typically a blend of eclectic genres, and rhythms from all around the world that move the body in different ways, and through a varied emotional landscape.
Guidelines
There are a number of guidelines that support us in this practice. They help us stay present and safe (enough) to really let go.
Sober Space - The music is the high! We reach ecstatic states through music, movement and awareness
Screen Free - We keep phones and photography out of the space to stay present with ourselves and each other
Non-Verbal - We communicate through movement rather than words, which helps us to stay in the practice and in our bodies
Barefoot - We take off footwear to feel more connected to the ground, and to prevent injury
Attunement - Dancing with others is emphatically encouraged, and we promote consent practices that help us attune to each other, so we can all feel safe and free in our movement.
FAQ’s
The Dance
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Yes - absolutely. No experience is needed and we joyfully welcome newcomers to try it out.
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Doors open at 10:00 and close at 10:35. If you arrive after then you won’t be allowed to join. This is because we want everyone present for our opening circle where we share the guidelines, which helps preserve the integrity of the space
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If you’re coming for the dance we encourage you to stay til the end of the dance at 1pm. The food, sauna and hanging out is optional and very casual so if you have other plans you can scoot off then. (welcome to sit and be still within the space whenever this is what you need?)
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We recommend it. Our dance is proving popular and we are selling out with no tickets on the door.
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Yes we welcome families but please be aware that some music may contain explicit language, and we permit nudity in and around the sauna area. It is your responsibility to take care of your children - provide ear protectors, and ensure that they are accompanied by an adult at all times.
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We don't offer refunds but you can resell your tickets to friends or through the Dandelion platform itself (if it's sold out)
Food and Cacao
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Cacao, food and sauna are optional extras you can add to your basket when booking. Cacao is only available for to purchase in advance. Food and sauna can be bought on site, but we'll prioritise advance bookings and can't promise there'll be enough - so if you know you want them, book ahead.
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Yes
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We will offer one main dish that will be vegetarian, and include vegan/gluten free options where needed.
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We will provide food that is gluten free, and a vegan option. This is a small event and we are not able to cater for a more diverse range of allergies. If you have a severe nut allergy or are coeliac, we recommend bringing your own food.
Sauna
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Bring a towel or sarong to sit on and a water bottle.
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Yes. Nudity is permitted, and you can wear a bathing suit if you feel more comfortable.
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We will run 1 hour sessions in the sauna, after the dance for a max of 10 people at a time.