Ecstatic dance is a space where your body speaks, your mind quiets, and your soul feels free.
What is Ecstatic Dance ?
Ecstatic dance refers to a free-form movement and expression that encourages spontaneous, uninhibited, and authentic body movements. 
You engage in a dance experience without predetermined choreography or specific dance styles, 
allowing you to explore and express your emotions, creativity, and inner self through movement. 
The focus is often on connecting with the rhythm of the music.

Ecstatic dance typically provides a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals 
to dance freely, encouraging a diverse range of movements and styles. 

The emphasis is on the joy of movement, self-discovery, 
and the shared experience of dancing in a supportive environment.


Who Can participate in an Ecstatic Dance Event ?
I want to emphasize that no dance experience is required.
In fact, coming in without a dance background can help you stay more curious, and open to natural, unstructured movement.
As a human being, you are inherently a mover, which means you can fully participate in ecstatic dance.
Whether you use a wheelchair, have one arm, are visually impaired, or live with a physical condition, 
ecstatic dance is open to everyBODY.
What to Expect at an Ecstatic Dance Event?
Each dance session lasts 80-90 minutes, starting slowly, building to a peak, and then returning to calm. 
While this is at its essence a solo dance practice, people can also dance together. 
You always choose what feels right for your body. 
There’s no verbal guidance during the session.
The dance begins with a circle where we introduce ourselves and go over the rules of ecstatic dance.
There is an optional closing circle, lasting up to 30minutes, where you can share your experience with the group.
Ecstatic Dance Guidelines
We ask ALL participants to follow those specific GUIDELINES while participating in an ecstatic dance.

We are here together to foster an atmosphere of acceptance 
where each of us can freely express themselves without fear of judgment. 
Everyone is on their unique journey.

In Preparation for an Ecstatic Dance Session:
  • Wear comfortable clothes to move easily
  • Avoid wearing strong scents, oils, perfumes, or body spray
  • Bring a journal (optional)
  • The use of mind-altering substances is prohibited, and individuals under the influence will be requested to leave
  • Photos and videos are prohibited
  • Shoes off before entering the dance floor. You can dance barefoot, or bring a pair of socks or dancing shoes
During Ecstatic Dance:
  • Take responsibility for your own physical and emotional comfort
  • Be conscious about what you bring with you to the dance floor, physically, mentally, emotionally and energetically
  • If you need a break from dancing, there are defined areas for stretching, meditating, journaling, and grounding
  • Stay hydrated and take breaks whenever you need, listening to your body
  • Use non verbal communication (gestures, bowing, eye contact, smile…) during the dance to allow participants to connect through movement without the need for words
  • Sounds like yips, cheers, sighs, or grunts are welcome - Let it out within reason ;-)
Dancing With Other Bodies:
  • You must obtain clear permission to engage in a dance with other movers
  • You do not have to accept any invitation to dance from anyone, any time, ever
  • You may end a dance you started or joined with anyone, any time, for any reason 
  • You don’t need to justify yourself to end a dance
  • If you ‘d rather not dance with someone, or are ending a dance with someone, simply thank them by placing your hands in prayer at your heart or forehead, or a simply bow
Where Can We Find Ecstatic Dance sessions in Sioux Falls?
There is a growing ecstatic dance community here in Sioux Falls. Join our Facebook group to follow us.
We plan to meet monthly, for 2 hours at Conscious Connections 
434 E8th Street, Sioux Falls, SD


What Others Have to Say about Ecstatic Dance

Ecstatic dance has been a truly transformative experience for me, offering a space to express myself through movement, free from judgment or limitation. 
I also appreciate the safe, welcoming environment Sandrine creates, especially with the events being drug- and alcohol-free. 
Before discovering this group, I often struggled to find ways to express myself both physically and emotionally. 
But through ecstatic dance, I have found a community and rhythm that have helped me tap into a deep sense of freedom and joy.
This transformation would not have been possible without Sandrine. 
Her warmth, intuition, and supportive guidance create a welcoming space where everyone feels encouraged to explore movement at their own pace. 
Her approach is deeply empowering; she encourages us to tune in to our bodies, trust our instincts, and release anything that no longer serves us. 
Thanks to her presence, I have not only found joy in dance but also learned to embrace my own unique way of moving and being.
 I now feel more connected to my authentic self and more confident in my self-expression. 
I am incredibly grateful for this journey and the invaluable role Sandrine has played in it. 
She has helped me unlock a sense of peace and joy that I carry with me well beyond the dance floor.


Poem About Dance Written by Jewel Mathieson
We have come to be danced
Not the pretty dance
Not the pretty pretty, pick me, pick me dance
But the claw our way back into the belly
Of the sacred, sensual animal dance
The unhinged, unplugged, cat is out of its box dance
The holding the precious moment in the palms
Of our hands and feet dance.
.
We have come to be danced
Not the jiffy booby, shake your booty for him dance
But the wring the sadness from our skin dance
The blow the chip off our shoulder dance.
The slap the apology from our posture dance.
.
We have come to be danced
Not the monkey see, monkey do dance
One two dance like you
One two three, dance like me dance
but the grave robber, tomb stalker
Tearing scabs and scars open dance
The rub the rhythm raw against our soul dance.
.
We have come to be danced
Not the nice, invisible, self-conscious shuffle
But the matted hair flying, voodoo mama
Shaman shakin’ ancient bones dance
The strip us from our casings, return our wings
Sharpen our claws and tongues dance
The shed dead cells and slip into
The luminous skin of love dance.
.
We have come to be danced
Not the hold our breath and wallow in the shallow end of the floor dance
But the meeting of the trinity, the body breath and beat dance
The shout hallelujah from the top of our thighs dance
The mother may I?
Yes you may take 10 giant leaps dance
The olly olly oxen free free free dance
The everyone can come to our heaven dance.
.
We have come to be danced
Where the kingdoms collide
In the cathedral of flesh
To burn back into the light
To unravel, to play, to fly, to pray
To root in skin sanctuary
We have come to be dance.