Find a Dance

Ecstatic Dance

Ecstatic dance is a is form of dance that emphasizes free, uninhibited movement and self-expression, often in a group setting.

• website: ecstaticdance.org (main website)

• founded: Big Island Hawaii 2000, largely inspired by Gabrielle Roth

• spread: hundreds of locations over the world (see the map)

Contact Improvisation

Contact improvisation (contact improv for short) is a type of improvised dance where two or more people move together, exploring the physical contact between them and responding to each other's movements.

• website: Wikipedia (as a style of dance, no official website > look for "Contact Jams" near you)

• founded: 1972 in New York, by Steve Paxton

• spread: almost every conscious dance practice has "contact poeple"

5Rhythms

5Rhythms is a movement practice that involves five different "rhythms" or modes of movement - flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical, and stillness - which are used to explore different aspects of the self and release emotions.

• website: 5rhythms.com

• founded: 1970s California, the versatile Gabrielle Roth

• spread: dozens of places > check the website

Authentic Movement

Authentic movement is a form of movement exploration that involves closing the eyes and moving in response to internal impulses and sensations, with the goal of accessing deeper levels of awareness and self-expression.

• website: Wikipedia (no official website we could find)

• origins: 1940s in Washington, by Mary Starks Whitehouse

Biodanza

Biodanza is a dance-based system of personal growth that emphasizes connection, joy, and the expression of emotions through movement.

• website: biodanza.org

• founded: 1960s Chile, by Rolando Toro Araneda

• spread: many countries > check the website map

Trance Dance

Trance dance a type of dance that involves moving to rhythmic music or drumming, often with hyperventilation, with the goal of achieving an altered state of consciousness or accessing deeper levels of the self.

• website: trance-dance.net

• founded: hard to pinpoint

• spread: a few countries > check the website

Soul Motion

Soul Motion is a conscious dance practice based on mindfulness and presence, integrating elements of dance, yoga, meditation, and other spiritual practices. Soul Motion focuses on four relational landscapes: (1) Dance Intimate (dance alone). (2) Dance Communion (dance with another). (3) Dance Community (dance with everyone). (4) Dance Infinite (dance with spirit).

• website: soulmotion.com

• founded: 1990s by Vinn Arjuna Martí

• spread: a few countries > check the website

Open Floor

Open Floor is a style of movement and dance that encourages self-expression, creativity, and connection with others. It is a free-form movement practice that draws from various disciplines including dance, mindfulness, psychology, and spirituality.

• website: openfloor.org

• founded: 2004 San Francisco, by Juhan & Kathy Altman

• spread: global > check the website

Alixir Dance

The power and freedom of movement - when bodies, minds and spirits gather in a community-minded dance experience.

• website: www.alixir.dance

• founded: 2008 as Ecstatic Dance International in Oakland, CA Renamed in 2022 by Donna Carroll

• spread: San Francisco Bay area

Other (Localized Practices)

• Bay Area:

  • Underbelly - San Rafael by Amy Rogg - The art of slowing down.