There is only one thing more powerful than all the armies of the world, that is an idea whose time has come. -Victor Hugo    Ecstatic Dancing Through a series of five rhythms covering a wide range of music styles, Ecstatic Dance invites your body to be your guide. By focusing on your breath and allowing your body to express its own creative movements, you can release emotional and physical blocks. With this meditation in motion, you can feel exhilarated, renewed, energized, revitalized and grateful to have the space and opportunity to heal in dance. The session will be what you need it to be. Ecstatic Dance is an opportunity to: Move into Presence Connect with Breath Release Your Voice & Use Instruments to Express the Rhythms Feel your Inner Self Experience "Meditation in Motion" Trust the Wisdom of Your Body Release Emotional/Mental Blocks Surrender to the Flow of Five Rhythms Awaken to the Healing Power of Dance Brantford 2008 Dates: January 25, June 13, October 3 — Contact Erin at 519-751-1368 to pre-register. Brantford Location: Welkin Wellness Centre Time: 8:00 to 10:00pm Suggested Donation: $20 For the Love Of It This Meditation in Motion began with the intent of having the space, the opportunity and the desire to experience a trance state of exercise bliss! I believe that dance brings forth a natural state of expressing who we are; coaxing us into reclaiming personal power and our creative Self. The selection of music is always eclectic, drawing from a wide selection of foreign language and instrumental songs to incite the dancer to surrender to the rhythms. Ecstatic dance remains my form of absolute release and joy and I hope that you will enjoy the opportunity to heal in dance, re-energize the spirit and exercise the body! Live Music Ecstatic Dance Sessions (Spring & Fall) Dancers have the pleasure of moving to the sounds and compositions of world instruments, keyboards, guitar and vocalist orchestrated by Stephen Hudecki. Soundmaking & drumming is encouraged so dancers are invited to join the organic flow of soundscapes. For more information please contact Stephanie Scheid. What To Expect We begin with an opening circle, centering exercise bringing awareness to breath, releasing the day's stress, thoughts and physical aches and pains. Once the music begins, dancers move through the "Wave" of flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness rhythms. The initial flowing music carries the energy of circular motion so the body may gently explore its state and warm up as it ascends to staccato. This second rhythm has a solid pulse inviting the dancer to connect with the heartbeat of  Earth Mother and our inner world. The transition to chaos incites the dancer to touch upon, if not release, the emotional and physical blocks that affect our everyday lives (such as anger, stress or frustration etc.). Chaotic rhythm for some dancers is an internal connection to breath where little movement is visible while others express the self in elaborate, dramatic dance steps often accompanied by vocal sounds. The process is personal. We find ourselves renewed and transformed as we express our new Self in lyrical. This fourth rhythm holds the key to joyous, free-spirited dance. Finally, the journey culminates in stillness where integration and gratitude for the dance and for the experience brings our meditation in motion to an end. Often, sounds from the quartz crystal bowls, Tibetan bells or an energy sweep of a silk veil marks the end of our communion with Silence. After our closing circle, dancers are welcomed to socialize, sip tea or drink water, and nibble on wholesome, decadent treats. There is no right or wrong steps in Ecstatic Dance. Unlike our conditioning about what dance is: being aesthetic, graceful, disciplined, or controlled, your meditation in motion can be a series of yoga postures, tai chi movements, or a rhythmic walk about the room! Most important of all, is the unspoken understanding amongst the dancers ... it is safe to release to your heart's content because respect, unconditional acceptance and non-judgment make the space sacred.  All you need do is to relax, remember to bring your awareness to BREATH, surrender into the rhythms, and let your spirit and body's wisdom guide you to where you need to go.