The latest fitness trend combines spirituality, physicality, and lots of fun to create an entirely new experience: ecstatic dance. This unique activity is gaining momentum across the UK and beyond, every Sunday morning, with over 100 enthusiasts gathering at The Bath House in Hackney Wick, East London.
Rather than a traditional lazy Sunday, these individuals are choosing to sweat out the stresses of the week in a lively and invigorating way. These ecstatic dance events, part rave and part mindful meditation, represent a wholly immersive workout. DJs from a wide range of backgrounds provide the motivating beats while participants of all ages—from young families to limber twenty-somethings to the older generation—join the fun. These events take place in community spaces, and even some gyms, like David Lloyd Clubs, are starting to offer ‘spirit dance meditation’ classes.
The core essence of ecstatic dance lies in its inclusivity, mindfulness, and emotional expression through movement. According to Richard Batts, co-founder of Ecstatic Dance UK, there is a simple rule that guides these events: “No booze, shoes, no chit chat.” This approach fosters a focus on the dance and the individual’s experience, without distractions.
Beyond serving as a physically invigorating experience, ecstatic dance also offers a refreshing alternative to traditional late-night activities. Instead of waking up feeling drained, participants find themselves feeling rejuvenated and uplifted after a Sunday morning spent shaking out the tensions of the week. The practice can feel challenging at first, but as Batts explains, that discomfort is part of the journey.
Ecstatic dance has roots in the ‘5Rhythms’ style of dance, developed in the 1960s and ’70s. This method, which focuses on inner exploration, transitions through five stages: flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical, and stillness.
For many, like participant Valerie Chartrand, these events act as an engaged, interactive movement therapy session. Chartrand praises the experience for its liberating and freeing nature, noting that the dancer’s high leaves her in a state of improved mental health for days. Additionally, the social connectivity offered by these sessions proved invaluable during the pandemic, when the events moved outdoors following government guidelines.
Batts reflects on the positive feedback received during this period, stating, “Some people would literally say, ‘this has saved my life’.” The experience culminates in a state of joyful pandemonium, with participants dancing freely, accompanied by the intoxicating beats of the DJ.
Adding to the unique elements of the experience, participants often sip a ‘ceremonial cacao,’ a warm, chocolatey drink that promotes an open-hearted feeling before the dance. Ecstatic Dance UK’s executive assistant, Paulina Angel Davey, explains the appeal of the drink and the event as a whole: “[It] is intergenerational and multicultural…you can celebrate and be in full expression, across generations, cultures, and backgrounds.”
In these weekly ecstatic dance events, participants find a positive and uplifting experience that encourages physical fitness, emotional expression, and social connectivity. As the popularity of this novel fitness trend continues to rise, more and more people are discovering the joy and the benefits of ecstatic dance.
Images: Teodora Andrisan
