Ecstatica’s Opening Night Event (and our next event’s theme!)

Peek into our first Ecstatica gathering - what went down, what you can expect from future events, and the theme for our upcoming dance!

On March 14th, we gathered under the full moon for something truly special - Ecstatica’s Opening Night at the iconic Tabernacle in Notting Hill.

Tucked between apartment blocks in a quiet residential corner, you might miss the Tabernacle if not for its distinctive burnt-orange walls and rounded architecture - and the fact that it’s a local legend. Everyone in Notting Hill knows the Tabernacle. With a buzzing café downstairs and regular music and dance events, it felt like the perfect place to host our first dance gathering.

After weeks of preparation, it felt amazing to see it all come together under one roof. We had just 30 minutes to set up before dancers arrived, and our incredible team of volunteers transformed the space into a sparkling vision, with our altar at the head of the room as our guiding north star. The team extended far beyond that room, too: with a playlist masterfully mixed by DJ Alex Dunhill in Wales, and organic cacao lovingly cultivated and provided by Tagbi in Colombia, it became a truly international collaboration.

After some warming up and sipping cacao, we gathered in our opening circle. The evening was facilitated by Yasmin, founder of Ecstatica, who welcomed everyone into the space and shared the core guidelines of ecstatic dance:

• No shoes

• No phones

• No talking

• No intoxicants

• Ask for consent before dancing with someone

You might wonder - why guidelines in a “free” dance space? The answer is simple: to create a safe and enriching experience for everyone. What makes ecstatic dance so powerful is the opportunity to fully be with ourselves - our thoughts, our emotions, our truth - without the usual distractions of modern life. That’s why we dance without phones, without small talk. This is a space to be fully present. Often called a “moving meditation,” ecstatic dance allows us to drop into the moment, let go of the day, and reconnect with the wisdom of our bodies.

Of course, that shift from “on” to “off” isn’t always easy. That’s why we begin with a guided warm-up, designed to help dancers move from the mind into the body.

Every dance is different, but having a consistent structure helps. At Ecstatica, our warm-ups always begin with a grounding meditation (either seated or standing) focusing on breath and presence. Then we move into shaking. It may feel intense at first, but that’s the point: shaking wakes up the body, activates the sympathetic nervous system, and allows us to access and release deep-seated emotions. It brings us back to the present moment and prepares us for the dance ahead.

From there, we continue with a few simple exercises to help dancers connect with their bodies, the space, and one another. Drawing on her training with Dance the Medicine, Yasmin incorporates elements from the Five Pathways of Facilitation: Psychosomatic Exploration, Body Explorations, Visualisation, Ritualisation, and Social Activation. So expect a mix of those in every Ecstatica session!

After the warm-up came the freeflow Ecstatic dance: one hour of pure movement and energy, featuring a gorgeous mix of tribal, medicinal, and ambient sounds put together by DJ Alex Dunhill. (The mix is now available for your ears to enjoy on Ecstatica’s SoundCloud).

We swayed, we swooshed, we swirled - and when we needed a break, we headed to the altar. The altar, or “altered space,” is more than just a place to rest. At Ecstatica, it’s a space to let your creativity and inspiration - ignited by the dance - flow. With pens and paper for drawing, musical instruments, and our “Oracle Bowl” (where dancers are invited to write down and share their words of wisdom), there are plenty of ways to support your creative impulse. If none of that’s your vibe, you can simply meditate or rest on one of the pillows, soaking in the atmosphere.

We wrapped up the evening with a closing circle. Just as we began, we took deep, grounding breaths and revisited the intention we had set earlier in the night. We each shared a word that captured our experience—“Love,” “Free,” and “Joyful” were just a few. And for us at Ecstatica, there was one word that said it all: Gratitude.

Gratitude for everyone who made the night what it was, and for supporting us at our very first event - the beginning of many more to come.

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UP NEXT: 25th April – “DANCE THE DREAM”

While our structure and values remain consistent, every Ecstatica event is unique. The dance floor is a blank canvas, and we’re committed to bringing fresh inspiration to every session through different themes, collaborations, and locations.

Our next dance is happening on April 25th at the beautiful CAS Halls in Parsons Green. True to our experimental roots, we’re trying out a new venue - light, airy, and right beside the lush greenery of the park. It feels like the perfect place to welcome in the spring season.

This time, our theme is “DANCE THE DREAM.” We’ll be diving deep into the subconscious, bringing our inner visions to life through movement and music. Expect an immersive, dreamlike atmosphere, with every detail designed to transport you beyond the waking world.

With special guest DJ Gabor Turucz playing live on the decks, and mouth-watering Tagbi Cacao to open the heart, this one’s set to be a big one.

Tickets are on sale now - head to Upcoming Events to grab yours.

We can’t wait to dance with you!

With love,

The Ecstatica Team