Are you really a church?
The Ministry of Movement is a registered 508 c.1.a spiritual non-profit organization that practices devotion and prayer through movement and dance... In short we are an ecstatic dance church. We believe that while we may not all agree on what "God" or "Spirit" is and each path we walk is our own, that movement, embodiment, and community helps us all to get along and to get us where we are going. We currently live in a divided world but we believe that dance is one of the only things that can bring us together. What is moving through the world, moves through us, when we dance, we are making the world a better place for all beings. We are not like other churches, come dance with us, all are welcome... always. Be who you want to be, believe what you want to believe, move how you want to move, and we will move with you. We hope you will join us. :)
What is ecstatic dance?
Ecstatic dance is a form of authentic movement practice where we move with what is moving through us in a community held, dance-specific container. At the Ministry of Movement we consider dance to be a spiritual practice that connects us to our bodies, each other, and the divine. In our services, we dance in devotion and prayer. Emotions that arise during our services are welcome and encouraged to be expressed with attunement to the space and the other dancers.
What is contact improv?
Contact improvisation is when two or more people come together to dance in a way that is co-created and does not often follow any singular traditional partner dancing style. Improvisational dance does not have to include contact but often does. The Ministry of Movement is a contact-friendly space and many people come here to dance with community and that can include dancing in contact with people you know, or people you don't know... yet. :)
What if I don't want to dance in contact?
We come to dance together, in community, but that does not mean you ever have to dance with anyone or move out of the space you are dancing in when you don't want to. At the Ministry of Movement we are very consent focused, we have arm bands you can wear to signify your willingness to dance with others or your desire to dance alone. In our opening circle we cover consent and attunement as it relates to dancing. That consent is fluid through time, a 'yes' now could quickly turn into a 'no' later and you are able to walk away from a dance at any moment. If you are new to ecstatic dance or contact improv or the Ministry of Movement we highly recommend that you attend our opening circles to learn our dance specific culture codes.
Is it family friendly?
Yes our dances are family friendly and many times you may see children and even babies moving around the space! We cannot promise clean lyrics in the music that is played or that there will not be erotic energy moving on our dance floor. We believe that it is an important part of development for children to see healthy expressions of emotions and closeness between adults. For children specific services see our services for our Saturday morning farmers market children's movement service.
Is talking allowed on the dance floor?
Conversations aren't allowed on the dance floor. If you need to set some boundaries (like telling someone a clear "no"), mention an injury, or have a small celebration with someone that you just shared an excellent dance with, that is more than welcome. If it turns into a conversation that is more than a few words we ask that you take it into the lobby, or otherwise off the dance floor. Our dances are a movement practice, and for many of us, an act of prayer and devotion. So we ask that you keep it to "reverential voices" sounds and emotional expressions are welcome, while remembering that your voice will impact the space in a way that others are unable to give consent to. So when it comes to making noise in the space, you are welcome as long as you make an effort to attune to the space, and dancers, around you.
What is meant by "erotic energy" and is "eros" allowed on your dance floor?
Eros is when "the body delights in contact with the non-self" it can happen when dancing alone and it can happen when dancing with others. Eros can certainly take a sexual form but the broader experience is the delight of an embodied being in sensual contact with life. Erotic energy is closely tied to (or synonymous with) 'life-force' and is what dances through us, to deny this life force would be to deny the Spirit that dances us. When erotic energy arises on the dance floor we dance with it, while keeping our desires in check and maintaining a focus on our dance practice. If we notice that we are becoming lost in erotic or sexual energy and we are losing our focus on the dance, or the people around us, it is important to return to the practice. Like all forms of emotional expression on the dance floor, we practice with attunement to the space around us. - Erotic energy is allowed on the dance floor, as long as the dance remains. -
What is your substance use policy?
At the Ministry of Movement we encourage all participants to show up in a non-altered way... and we are also medicine friendly, which means that medicines are permitted (in appropriate dosages) if they help you connect to your body, your dance, and to others - within reason. With the caveats that on-premises consumption is not allowed and alcohol is not allowed at our dances. Additionally, if you arrive to any of our services visibly impaired to a degree that your ability to be attuned to the space is compromised we may refuse entry or ask you to come back another time. Please be safe, respectful, and help us to maintain a consensual and family friendly container.
What if I have a problem with someone on the dance floor?
At the Ministry of Movement we encourage prompt and timely feedback. If someone is making you feel uncomfortable, is not respecting your boundaries, or is interfering with your dance practice, we encourage that you let them know in a respectful way. Our community grows stronger and safer when our community members are able to give and receive feedback. If you do not feel able or comfortable to give feedback to a particular person, feel free to find a facilitator and we will help to create a space for feedback to be given. We will not give the feedback for you, unless the issue is compromising the integrity of the dance floor as a whole. If you have issues with someone on the dance floor that started outside our dance we ask that you do not confront that person, or try to resolve any conflicts on the dance floor. We ask that you check any ongoing interpersonal conflicts at the door and keep our dance floor for dancing. Our ministers may be able to give you advice on how to work with this if you feel like it is impairing your ability to be in the space, but otherwise please be courteous while in our space. Thank you.
What type of music is it?
At the Ministry of Movement, most of our music is selected by community members and our "music muses" will curate a 90 minute playlist, many times we have community members play a DJ set, and is often many people's first live set! We sometimes have more well known DJ's come through but even then we ask that those DJ's have come prior to see our opening, dance, and closing circles before playing. That being said, the music varies greatly and is often a deep reflection of the person picking or playing the music.
What should I wear?
Wear your dancing pants! The best attire for dancing is something loose and flowy that makes you feel good and that you feel comfortable to move in. No need to dress up unless you're feeling particularly fancy. If you're really trying to get down and do some rolling around on the ground, kneepads can be nice.
What if I can't dance?
Well (A) anyone can dance, there is no "good" or "bad" dancing if the movement is true for you. And (B) you don't have to dance if you don't want to! You can stretch in the corner or you can lay down in the middle of the dance floor for the whole time, if you really want to do that, no one will stop you... if you come to move with what is moving through you, it is all good! This is a 'you be you' space. If you want to come and be in the space, move (or don't move) how you want, and aren't coming with the intention to cause harm, then we would love to have you. :) Thank you.