Ecstatic Dance & Conscious Dance: Exercises & Activities from Udemy

This course explores a wide range of different activities, exercises and ideas that conscious dance and ecstatic dance facilitators can try in their ecstatic dance workshops and groups.

The course is based on a broad conception of 'ecstatic dance' that refers not only to dance practices aimed at ecstatic and otherwise heightened states of consciousness but also as an arena in which to explore other aspects of mental health improvement, personal development, and social and emotional growth. To this end we explore a range of fun interpersonal dance activities as well as more typical activities that involve mindfulness, embodiment, and visualisations.

Activities range from the silly to the serious, some focus on interpersonal development whilst others focus on intrapersonal healing, some ideas are fully-developed whilst others are 'half-baked' and put forward in the hope that you will add seasoning; the course aims to explore as wide a range of possibilities and ideas as possible and I hope to add new ideas to the course as students contribute to it.

The activities and exercises in this course are based on my 15+ years of attending ecstatic dance workshops and groups around the world, the countless hours I've spent in personal private ecstatic dance practice, many nights dancing like a lunatic on psytrance dancefloors, a lot of reading on the subject, as well as my own imagination.

The ideas, activities, and exercises explored in this session are offered in the hope that ecstatic dance facilitators will use them in more experimental approaches to ecstatic dance: I hope that you'll try some of them out and see what works for your group and which ideas are of benefit to your ecstatic dance workshop participants.

The course is light-hearted, unpretentious, casual and informal. It's aimed at ecstatic dance facilitators, dance instructors wishing to explore ecstatic dance in their work, and dance and movement therapists.

Keywords: ecstatic dance, conscious dance, dance rituals, ecstatic dance facilitator training, ecstatic dance workshops, ecstatic dance activities, ecstatic dance group exercises, professional development

What's inside

Learning objectives

New exercises and activities to try in your ecstatic dance or conscious dance group
Approaches to intrapersonal and interpersonal healing through dance

Activities that encourage a broader range of dance movements
Dance exercises that build group cohesion

New exercises and activities to try in your ecstatic dance or conscious dance group
Approaches to intrapersonal and interpersonal healing through dance
Activities that encourage a broader range of dance movements
Dance exercises that build group cohesion

Syllabus

Introduction

By the end of this section you will be able to try out a wide range of new activities and exercises in your ecstatic dance groups and workshops

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Offers activities that range from silly to serious, which may help facilitators engage diverse groups and personalities in their workshops

Explores activities that focus on both interpersonal development and intrapersonal healing, which may help facilitators address a wide range of needs

Draws from 15+ years of experience attending workshops and personal practice, which may provide facilitators with a wealth of knowledge and insights

Includes activities such as breathwork exercises, visualizations, and eye-gazing meditation, which may help facilitators incorporate mindfulness into their sessions

Presents ideas that are 'half-baked' and put forward in the hope that you will add seasoning, which may require facilitators to adapt activities to their group

Reviews summary

Vast resource for conscious dance facilitators

According to learners, this course is a treasure trove and incredible resource for facilitators of ecstatic and conscious dance. Students praise the sheer number of activities and exercises provided, finding them creative and practical and a valuable source of fresh inspiration. The course offers a wide range of ideas, from deep emotional work to lighthearted connection, exploring both intrapersonal and interpersonal healing through dance. While many appreciate the informal and casual style, some note that ideas are presented concisely and may require facilitators to build upon them, making it more of a toolbox than a step-by-step guide. The instructor's extensive experience and passion are also frequently highlighted as positive aspects.

Instructor's background is highly valued.

"The instructor's passion is clear."

"It's clear the instructor has extensive experience."

"As an experienced facilitator, I was looking for fresh inspiration, and this course delivered!"

"The instructor's genuine passion and experience shine through."

Directly applicable to leading workshops.

"I've already incorporated several into my workshops. The variety is fantastic..."

"Highly recommend for facilitators."

"This course gave me so many new tools."

"It lives up to its description as a 'toolbox' for facilitators. Not a 'how-to' lead a dance session, but a 'what-to-do' in one."

"Highly valuable for anyone serious about leading conscious dance."

Provides a huge library of exercises.

"So many creative and practical ideas for leading conscious dance sessions! The variety is fantastic..."

"If you facilitate ecstatic or conscious dance, this is a treasure trove! The ideas range from deep emotional work..."

"Incredible resource for facilitators! The sheer number of activities is mind-blowing. I love the mix of personal and interpersonal focus."

"Provides a wealth of ideas. You need to adapt them to your own style and group, as they are presented quite briefly."

"A really comprehensive collection of exercises... It definitely gives a great jumping-off point for planning sessions."

Video and audio quality noted as inconsistent.

"Found the production quality a bit low and the instructor's delivery sometimes meandering."

"Content is okay, but the video quality and audio were sometimes distracting. The delivery feels very casual... unprofessional at times."

Casual delivery may require adaptation.

"The informal style is refreshing."

"Too informal for me. Some ideas seemed a bit random or not fully thought through. Others were great. It's a mixed bag."

"It requires you to do some thinking yourself to integrate them, which is fine, but less 'plug and play' than I hoped..."

"Good brainstorming resource. Provides a wealth of ideas. You need to adapt them to your own style and group..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ecstatic Dance & Conscious Dance: Exercises & Activities with these activities:

Review 'No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering' by Thich Nhat Hanh

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of how to approach suffering and emotional release in a conscious dance setting.

View NO MUD, NO LOTUS: The Art of Transforming... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, taking notes on key concepts related to suffering and transformation.
Reflect on how these concepts can be applied to ecstatic dance facilitation.
Identify specific exercises or activities from the course that could be enhanced by these insights.

Review basic anatomy and physiology related to movement

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of how the body moves to better guide participants and prevent injuries.

Show steps

Review online resources or textbooks on basic anatomy and physiology.
Focus on muscles, joints, and the nervous system's role in movement.
Consider how different movements affect the body and how to adapt exercises for various physical abilities.

Develop a themed ecstatic dance playlist

Show steps

Create a curated music experience that enhances specific emotional or thematic explorations during dance sessions.

Show steps

Choose a theme (e.g., 'Release,' 'Joy,' 'Connection').
Select music that aligns with the theme, considering tempo, rhythm, and emotional tone.
Arrange the playlist to create a dynamic and engaging flow.
Test the playlist in a practice dance session.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a short video demonstrating a specific dance exercise

Show steps

Share your understanding of a dance exercise and provide a visual aid for other facilitators.

Show steps

Choose an exercise from the course.
Plan the video, including introduction, demonstration, and explanation.
Record and edit the video, ensuring clear visuals and audio.
Share the video with other students for feedback.

Review 'The Body Keeps the Score' by Bessel van der Kolk

Show steps

Develop a trauma-informed approach to ecstatic dance facilitation by understanding the impact of trauma on the body.

View SUMMARY of the BODY KEEPS the SCORE by BESSEL... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, focusing on the sections related to trauma and the body.
Reflect on how trauma may manifest in dance settings.
Identify strategies for creating a safe and supportive environment for participants with trauma histories.

Attend a workshop on somatic experiencing

Show steps

Learn techniques for releasing trauma and stress through body awareness and movement.

Show steps

Research and find a reputable somatic experiencing workshop.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the exercises.
Reflect on how the techniques learned can be integrated into ecstatic dance facilitation.

Mentor new ecstatic dance facilitators

Show steps

Share your knowledge and experience with others to reinforce your own understanding and help grow the ecstatic dance community.

Show steps

Offer guidance and support to new facilitators.
Share your experiences and insights from the course.
Provide feedback on their facilitation techniques.

Career center

Learners who complete Ecstatic Dance & Conscious Dance: Exercises & Activities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Dance Workshop Leader

Dance workshop leaders design and facilitate dance-based workshops. This course may be highly useful for a dance workshop leader looking for inspiration and ideas for their events. The course provides a wealth of exercises and activities, ranging from the silly to the serious, all designed for a wide range of needs. This course directly targets those looking for new material for their workshops and groups. By highlighting activities that foster group cohesion and personal development, this course may provide the dance workshop leader with valuable content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Dance Workshop Leader

Creative Movement Facilitator

Creative movement facilitators lead activities that encourage creative expression through movement. A creative movement facilitator may find this course to be a fantastic resource for exercises and activities that promote a broad range of dance movements. The course provides an extensive list of creative activities, ideas and exercises that may be directly applied to the facilitator’s work. The course’s approach to movement, based on embodiment and creative expression, aligns directly with the goals of a creative movement facilitator. The facilitator may employ these techniques with different groups and populations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Movement Facilitator

Expressive Arts Facilitator

Expressive arts facilitators use a variety of art forms, such as dance, music, and visual arts, to foster personal growth and well-being. This course may be useful for an expressive arts facilitator who incorporates dance and movement practices into their sessions. The course provides countless activities ranging from the silly to the serious, from solo practices to small group exercises, all with an emphasis on both interpersonal and intrapersonal healing. An expressive arts facilitator may find that this course's approach to dance, with its focus on embodiment and creative expression, aligns perfectly with their work. This course may assist an expressive arts facilitator to expand their offerings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Expressive Arts Facilitator

Retreat Facilitator

Retreat facilitators organize and lead retreats that often focus on themes of wellness, personal growth, or spirituality. This course may be useful for a retreat facilitator who is looking for engaging and relevant activities for their events. The course offers a diverse range of activities focused on movement, mindfulness, and group connection. Many of these activities can be easily incorporated into a retreat setting to enhance the experience of participants. The course’s emphasis on inner work through embodied practice makes it an ideal resource for retreat facilitators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Retreat Facilitator

Somatic Practitioner

Somatic practitioners work with the body to address trauma, emotional blockages, and promote overall well-being. A somatic practitioner may use this course to expand their range of embodiment practices. By featuring a wide range of activities, from mindfulness and visualizations to interpersonal dance exercises, the course provides a variety of tools for helping clients explore their embodied experience. The course’s focus on both intrapersonal healing and interpersonal connection through dance directly aligns with the goals of somatic practice, enriching the practitioner's offerings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Somatic Practitioner

Holistic Health Practitioner

Holistic health practitioners focus on treating the whole person, taking into account mind, body, and spirit. This course may be useful for a holistic health practitioner who wishes to include movement in their practice. The course's approach to dance, as a mean of self exploration and spiritual connection, may complement their holistic approach. The course includes breathwork practices, movement exercises and activities for emotional growth. By taking this course, a holistic health practitioner can add new dimensions to their offerings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Holistic Health Practitioner

Community Arts Organizer

Community arts organizers develop and manage arts programs and events that promote community engagement and well-being. This course may serve as a resource for the community arts organizer who wishes to incorporate dance and movement into community events. The course includes fun interpersonal dance activities, activities that foster group cohesion, and activities that are both silly and serious. By taking this course, the community arts organizer may create engaging and inclusive community events that foster well-being, connection, and creative expression. The course is also suitable for those who do not have previous dance experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Arts Organizer

Recreational Therapist

Recreational therapists use recreational activities to help individuals with illnesses or disabilities improve their well-being. This course may be useful for recreational therapists who wish to incorporate movement and dance based activities into their practice. The course explores a variety of dance and embodiment activities that foster social, emotional and cognitive growth, which can be highly valuable in therapeutic settings. The course provides a multitude of ideas, from the silly to serious, that can be adapted by the recreational therapist to cater to various needs and abilities. By taking this course, the recreational therapist may expand their toolkit of activities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Recreational Therapist

Movement Therapist

Movement therapists use movement to promote emotional, cognitive, social, and physical well-being of their clients. This course may be useful for movement therapists as they incorporate dance-based techniques into their therapeutic practice. With practices ranging from mindfulness and embodiment to interpersonal expressions and visualisations, this course's wide-ranging approach to conscious and ecstatic dance may provide a therapist with new approaches to personal development and emotional growth. The course's emphasis on the mind-body connection through exercises that involve breathwork, movement and non-verbal communication provide valuable tools for the movement therapist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Movement Therapist

Dance Instructor

A dance instructor guides individuals or groups in various dance styles, fostering their physical expression and creative movement. This course may help instructors in expanding their repertoire with activities focused on conscious and ecstatic dance. The course includes a vast array of exercises and ideas that can be applied directly to workshops and classes, such as mindfulness and embodiment practices, exploring various movement techniques, and activities that promote group cohesion. The course's unique approach to dance and its emphasis on intrapersonal and interpersonal healing through movement provides the dance instructor with a lens through which to cultivate a deeper and more meaningful dance experience for their students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Dance Instructor

Adult Education Instructor

Adult education instructors teach a variety of subjects to adult learners in non-traditional settings. An adult education instructor may find this course useful if they wish to teach classes that use movement and dance for personal development. The course’s lighthearted and informal approach may complement the adult education environment. The course is designed to encourage participation and offer a variety of approaches, making it appropriate for adult learners, regardless of experience. The adult education instructor may use the syllabus as a reference to build their own curriculum.

See salaries and explore the career path for Adult Education Instructor

Yoga Instructor

Yoga instructors guide students in yoga practices that promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being. This course may be useful to yoga instructors in that it provides techniques that complement traditional yoga by adding movement and dance. The course's focus on mindfulness and embodiment practices, also found in yoga, could seamlessly integrate into one's yoga sessions. The course also shares several breathing exercises and movement techniques that are common to yoga. Yoga instructors who wish to incorporate more somatic movement into their practice may find this course to be quite helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Yoga Instructor

Group Fitness Instructor

Group fitness instructors lead classes in various exercise formats, including dance fitness. This course may be helpful for a group fitness instructor who desires to lead classes that incorporate conscious dance principles. The course includes a variety of exercises that encourage a range of movement, promote an emphasis on embodiment, and facilitate group cohesion. The instructor may use the course's exploration of contact dance, mirroring, and non-verbal communication to create a class environment that is both fun and fosters interpersonal connection. This course can help a fitness instructor offer a unique and engaging experience to their participants.

See salaries and explore the career path for Group Fitness Instructor

Personal Development Coach

Personal development coaches work with individuals to help them identify and achieve their personal goals. This course may help a personal development coach who wishes to incorporate movement based practice into their coaching. The course explores a wide range of activities for personal growth and emotional healing, specifically through movement and embodiment. A personal development coach may use the activities in the course to facilitate self exploration. By using movement to engage with personal development, this class provides a unique addition to a personal coach's repertoire.

See salaries and explore the career path for Personal Development Coach

Wellness Coach

Wellness coaches guide clients toward better mental, physical and emotional health. This course may be useful for a wellness coach who wishes to integrate movement based practices into their coaching sessions. The course emphasizes activities that explore mental health improvement, personal development, and emotional growth. A wellness coach who takes this course may be equipped with a range of fun interpersonal dance activities, mindfulness, embodiment, and visualization exercises that promote well-being. The course's emphasis on conscious dance as a vehicle for self-discovery and healing may enrich the coach's approach.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wellness Coach

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Ecstatic Dance & Conscious Dance: Exercises & Activities.

SUMMARY of the BODY KEEPS the SCORE by BESSEL VAN...

Save

Explores the impact of trauma on the body and mind, and various methods for healing. It provides a deeper understanding of how movement and dance can be used as therapeutic tools for trauma recovery. The book's insights can help facilitators create a more trauma-informed and sensitive approach to ecstatic dance. It is highly recommended for facilitators who wish to work with participants who may have experienced trauma.

SUMMARY of the BODY KEEPS the SCORE by BESSEL VAN...

Paperback

Check price

SUMMARY of the BODY KEEPS the SCORE by BESSEL VAN...

Kindle Edition

Check price

No Mud, No Lotus

Save

Explores the Buddhist perspective on suffering and how to transform it into understanding and compassion. It provides valuable insights into mindfulness and emotional regulation, which are essential for creating a safe and supportive space for ecstatic dance participants. The book's teachings can help facilitators guide participants through emotional expression and release during dance sessions. It is particularly useful for understanding the deeper aspects of intrapersonal healing through movement.

NO MUD, NO LOTUS: The Art of Transforming Suffering

Paperback

Ecstatic Dance & Conscious Dance

Exercises & Activities

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Vast resource for conscious dance facilitators

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses