It’s becoming more and more apparent that we don’t need to indulge in alcohol or other drugs to be silly, playful, or ecstatic. It’s quite often that I find the Ecstatic Dance-floor even more crazy and authentic than the one in modern clubs.
I would like to emphasize what are the major differences between an Ecstatic Dance and simply going to a club (AKA “Clubbing”), this is from my personal experience. If you have a different experience please share it with me or write in the comments!
The Dance
In modern clubbing I often find myself following a repetitive pattern, as the music might direct my body to a few repetitive movements. Additionally, the social pressure in such places compels me to conform to the way people around me dance. In short - when I go clubbing it’s not so much about what my body wants to do and how it wants to ‘play’ rather more on how I think it should look like. Even when I feel relatively free due to the intake of alcohol. 🙂
One emphasis of Ecstatic Dance is to allow the body to be the dance, there is no expectation on how it should look, and is seen as a form of expression and play.
In Ecstatic Dance, my dance becomes a self-expression of how I feel and who I am. If something challenging happened yesterday that I need to process in my body, or if I need to express anger or release energy, or even if I simply want to melt quietly on the floor while feeling sad, it is all allowed and welcomed. I love the freedom that comes with it. It can get WILD there :)
The Music
Usually in clubs the music that a DJ would play is quite non-varied and even though a DJ might have a really nice taste in music, which I enjoy, I might not enjoy that same type of music for an entire night.
In Ecstatic Dance, the DJ has to shift between different kinds of music and rhythms to evoke our attention, keep us engaged with the dance, and touch our emotional body as well as our physical one. This is not a simple task. Moreover, Ecstatic Dance DJs have to listen to and go through MANY kinds of different music until they find that gorgeous journey that they want to deliver to those who dance. Respect.
On a personal level -
I often feel that each kind of music can put emphasis on different emotional aspects of myself. So in the case of Ecstatic Dance, I find myself touched on various parts of myself. I love to let myself be a bit more dramatic there with those things - to give them extra permission to exist and go through me.
The Setting
Clubs - It’s dark, often lacking oxygen (in basements for example), sometimes infused with cigarette smoke in the air (which makes my clothes and hair stink as hell afterward), and the floor is so dirty that I would not even dare to go barefoot, it’s often dense - way too many people per square-meter, people often accidentally stepping on each other’s feet. This is not leaving space for my full dance to take place (rather a minimized version of it). The typical club is normally quite cold in its appearance, lights and many visual distractions keep my eyes unsatisfied and my brain overloaded with visual stimuli. It’s hard to read people’s faces. And the bathrooms are simply shit (trying to be funny here).
Ecstatic Dance - well it depends of course on the organizer and the venue, but generally speaking there is a bit more light, but still ambient, less confusing lights, a warm atmosphere in decoration, more space to dance, and bathrooms are usually in good condition even at the end of the event 🙂
The Social Setting
Did you try going clubbing on your own without your friends? It’s not the best feeling, like not having your gang there means you are alone. I often go to Ecstatic Dance by myself and there I meet people. However, it’s also nice to invite people to come with me.
I appreciate that the Ecstatic Dance floor encourages connection through dance. A simple eye-contact gesture indicating mutual agreement can lead to spontaneous, fun (and sometimes funny) dances or playful interactions. I might engage in a playful 'fight,' a close dance, or maintain distance, and it's all welcomed. This environment also provides an opportunity to explore my own boundaries and work through social anxiety.
The Safety
Did you ever feel really, but really safe in a club? Even when that drunk dude was loud and expressive next to you? Or when you were hit on by a guy (like someone is interested in you)?
To be honest, I even get sometimes scared because the rules are so different in the clubbing scene. ‘Drink and have fun’ is usually the thought, but actually, sometimes it’s more like ‘Drink and be an asshole’. Is someone gonna accidentally bump me because he/she can’t keep her balance? Or pour a cup of beer on my pants? Who knows.
On the other hand, in Ecstatic Dance, I feel safer because of the common agreements that we all hold when we enter the space. I think especially for women, this can be life and dance-changing!
What I wear
Often when I go clubbing I try to look chic at the expense of my comfortability. I would wear exactly those clothes that are SO uncomfortable for dancing just so I can look GOOD. But actually, it feels so silly sometimes because it’s anyway dark and overwhelming so people less notice what I wear. When I go to Ecstatic Dance I think about it more like - “Who do I want to be today?” and “Is it comfortable to roll on the floor with?”. I like that more. I can always get some chic comfortable clothes to dance in as well.
The Time of Day
Can someone tell me who decided that in order to have a good time we have to start dancing at 2am and not sleep until 10am? Obviously, that person did not get it that we are most energetic and awake during the day (smile).
For the ones of us who are parents - this is an absolute weekend killer to go clubbing on a Friday. As there is not really the possibility of sleeping in until noon, the tiredness is dragged through the entire weekend.
I just love starting to dance in my evening time, and feeling like it was a full night out by the time it’s 23:00.
The Workout
On the Ecstatic Dance floor I really feel my body is learning new ways to move and to use muscles that I don’t normally use. My whole system is enjoying the intense and non-stop movement, which also allows some moments of resting and body attention (like when a more slow-paced music is coming).
Also in Clubbing, I feel the workout, but I stay in my movement patterns, sometimes getting bored of myself.
The Freedom
I’ve already expressed how my dance changes when I’m clubbing vs Ecstatic Dancing. Seriously, how many times have you rolled on the floor in a club (yuck!)? Or run around in circles between the people? Or play out your silly face gestures? Or had an intimate dance with someone?
All of those I so much enjoy on the Ecstatic Dance-floor.
How I personally see it
Ecstatic Dance is a huge adult playground. I can do anything and feel safe to allow my body to do the job. In return, my mind relaxes, I become present, energized, connected to myself and others, and eventually also full of gratitude. This is therapy for me in the disguise of having fun.
My Verdict
Ok you got me, I prefer almost always the ‘Ecstatic Dance’ dance-floor, was it obvious?
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