Ecstatic Dance

Dancing has never been one of "my things," but I've made a few attempts to change that over the past few years: Nia, belly dance, strip (at home). . . .  Nothing has really felt right. Last spring I tried belly dance again, with disappointing results (not very supportive class, cliquish group).

Last Wednesday I went to an "ecstatic dance" session at a dance studio one block from my office. 

It was wonderful!

The studio space isn't huge, but it's roomy enough for 30+ people to move freely. The main lights were dimmed and there were fairy lights around the edges of the mirrors. The facilitators set up an altar with a statue, electric candles, flowers, and loose oracle cards. 

The session started with a circle, general orientation, etc. The music started relatively low key and increased in intensity over a period of about 30 minutes. After the crescendo, it started decreasing in intensity. Movement was absolutely free. People of all ages and body types were moving in all kinds of ways. I felt more free and relaxed than I have in any other dance situation.

Much to my amusement, at one point I was doing some belly dance hip movements I'd never been able to do in belly dance class. (And boy did I feel it the next morning!) 

I didn't last the entire session, but it was perfectly okay to leave at any time. Even before that, a lot of people spent time sitting on the side of the room, lying down, stretching, or doing other, gentler movement. 

I'm looking forward to going back next week.

One Other Comms Candidate

Looks like there was an interview with someone else yesterday. . . half an hour by phone. 

I'm still thinking I have an inside track for this.
I've got an hour with the hiring manager and the director.