this dancefloor is an offering to the club rats, ballet dancers, movement therapists, voguers, ravers, queerdos & everyone in between. a free-movement dance session, inspired by ecstatic dance - but with a soundtrack to keep the music heads happy.
dj sets follow an arc of rhythmic intensity, starting & ending with a soundbath. enough time for some yoga poses & loose, frenetic, euphoric dancing before returning to ambiance.
if you want to make the most of your experience, continue reading:
1. gentle sounds welcome you in. you might choose to stretch, lay down, or begin moving around the room.
2. warm-up & get loose, rhythms build in tempo & intensity.
3. peak intensity, building tension with sounds that may be challenging or unexpected.
4. cool down & cathartic release after the heaviest dancing.
5. sounds for rest. you might slow your movements, stretch or lay down to let things settle.
f.a.q.
so what are we practicing?
that's up to you! we offer a cozy space with wood floors, good music and kind people. the floor is yours. if you already have a practice with dance, yoga, meditation, do your thing. if you simply want to freestyle dance in your socks, by all means. there are no instructions and few rules, but the space is well suited for:
movement meditationyoga stretchingpracticing moves contact improv with a frienddeep listening
can I dance with a partner?
yes! just be aware that some may wish to dance solo.
is it okay to speak?
yes, though please try to keep your voice to a low volume. there will be time to socialize before & after.
what if I feel self-conscious?
the social expectations are like a group meditation, in that you will come as you are. maybe you're not in the mood for the social environment of a party but you want to get something out on the dancefloor. you'll find that there's a mutual respect among the people who attend.
that said, most people feel uncomfortable dancing around others, especially without the context of a party. and it can be challenging to get out of your head when dealing with feelings of self-consciousness.
try closing your eyes. if this is something you want to explore, you can try asking yourself some questions with your eyes closed. when you're self-conscious, where do you feel it in your body? can you pay attention to that part? can you relax where you're holding tension? what happens when you open your eyes?
also, you always have the option of leaving early, with no need for permission or explanation.
how is it like a meditation?
like with meditation, the dancefloor can be a great place to move through thoughts and feelings, give your thinking mind a break, and practice a gentler relationship with yourself.
with classic meditation, the goal is not to stop your thoughts or feelings. it's to watch them pass like clouds, to practice being an observer. you can start by choosing something to keep returning your attention to, like the sensation of your breath, as the anchor of your meditation. notice a thought, gently return to your breath, notice a feeling, gently return to your breath.
the process of allowing all thoughts & feelings, noticing them, and gently returning, can help in a few ways. if you're stuck in your head, each time you gently return to your breath you are teaching yourself that can return to your body. if you're fixated on a feeling like pain, it can help you become aware of everything else that's still there.
you can try using the sound of the music or the sensation of your feet on the floor as the anchor of your meditation. or not! maybe you want to let your mind wander, or follow a train of thought.
can I arrive late or leave early?
everyone is encouraged to arrive on time to minimize disruption, but if you have to come or go, please do so quietly!
should I bring anything?
bring a water bottle, and dress to dance :)
upcoming
♫ monday october 28, 7:30-9:30pm ♫
** back at the bushwick dance studio **
the next dance practice will be part of a monthly series called RECESS, showcasing local dance artists and performers, back at the bushwick dance studio by the morgan L.
concon will soundtrack the session with a 1.5 hour dj set.
RECESS is a ticketed event: ticket link here
please reach out if prices are an obstacle,
we have comps for you <3