Crestone Ecstatic Dance
Free form dance practice of freedom, joy and connection
Sundays | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
At the Baca Park, Crestone
Crestone Ecstatic Dance is a safe space where you are invited to show up exactly as you are; and to move whatever is alive within you in that moment. There is no right or wrong way to move. Our dance group feels like family, from kids to elders, we embody playfulness, authenticity and kindness.
We believe that when we quiet the mind, release judgment, and follow the body’s authentic impulses, dance becomes a practice of freedom, joy, and connection—not only with ourselves, but with one another.
"My dancing is just dancing... the affirmation of life through movement."
~ Isadora Duncan
Ecstatic Dance Practice
PRACTICE & BENEFITS
Crestone Ecstatic Dance is inspired by practices such as The 360 Emergence (An Embodied Free-Form Movement Modality) and Authentic Movement Practices, which have profoundly shaped the way we understand dance as a path of presence, self-discovery, and healing. These approaches invite us to move beyond performance and into a deeper relationship with our bodies, trusting the innate wisdom that emerges when we feel safe enough to listen.
Musical Journey
Musicis created like a “wave” starting slowly, finding a peak zone and then landing, ( based on 5 rhythm musical guidelines)
The Many Benefits of Ecstatic Dance
Freedom and Confidence: No dance experience is needed. This is an invitation to explore movement freely. By releasing the need to “get it right,” we create space for confidence, creativity, and authentic self-expression.
Cultivating Community: In welcoming space where people can be themselves and connect authentically with other fellow humans, we nourish connections with ourselves and each other.
Show up as you are: You don’t need to be happy, outgoing, or full of energy to join us. Whether you’re carrying joy, sadness, stress, excitement, or simply curiosity, you are welcome. We invite you to meet yourself just as you are and allow movement to unfold from there.
Acceptance and Celebration: A space where we get to surrender to whatever we are experiencing and celebrate each other uniqueness!
Greater Body Awareness: By learning to listen to the body’s sensations, signals, and natural impulses and discovering how it naturally wants to move and express itself.
Physical Vitality: By moving exactly how our bodies need, (not forcing and supporting our current state), our bodies and nervous system can relax and reset! And this can naturally spill into other areas of life!
Joy and Playfulness: Letting the body move as it needs can help us access deep joy, dropping the serious critical mind and connecting with that playful side that we all have within ourselves!
Emotional Exploration: Creating space to notice, express, and move with emotions through the body with curiosity and compassion, in a supportive, non judgemental environment. (feeling emotion that initiates movement, and discovering new emotions and feelings that certain movement and rhythm invoke and create)
Grounding and Nervous System Regulation: Dancing can help us reconnect with the present moment, supporting a greater sense of balance, ease, and stability
Groove: Having fun!
"Put your body in motion and your psyche will heal itself." — Gabrielle Roth
LOGISTICS
WHEN
Every other Sunday
11:30 am – 1 pm
COST
$5 - 20 Donation
(Cash or Venmo at the door)
RECOMMENDED
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for dancing outdoors.
Indoors we dance barefoot or wear socks.
Bring enough water to stay hydrated
LOCATION
Baca Park (Spring/Summer)
165 Canyon, Crestone, CO 81131
Crestone Charter School (Fall/Winter)
330 E Lime Ave, Crestone, CO 81131
STAY IN THE LOOP
Our dances are held by a very small team and sometimes we are in need of changes in our calendar. To stay in the loop when scheduling happens, please join our Messenger Chat (text thread).
The Practice Guidelines
O P E N I N G C I R C L E, a circle prior to dance where we welcome everyone, introduce ourselves by name, and for those who wish to speak briefly their intention for the dance
C L O S I N G C I R C L E, after the dance, is structured in four parts:
1) Guided exercise to connect with oneself and integrate experience.
2) Invitation to share about your dance experience. Here we witness, simply listen (not a conversation) and practice kindness and appreciation for our fellow humans.
3) We close our journey with blessings to all beings.
4) Sharing community announcements or any necessary logistics related to the venue where we are dancing.
O N T H E D A N C E F L O O R
• No verbal communication in the space (though sounds are very welcome) : silence is a very important element to help us to “listen” to our bodies and create a safe environment for everyone to feel they can “let go”.
• Connection / dancing with others will only happen when is under mutual consent. We suggest to first find your own rhythm, by dancing with yourself first before engaging in contact with others.
• No phones, pictures or recording
• Family oriented space, children and all ages are welcome!
• Sober space
Crestone Ecstatic Dance
Crestone Ecstatic Dance offers a grounded, welcoming space where everyone can feel safe to move exactly as they are, without judgment or expectation. I believe that when we create the right container, authentic movement naturally unfolds, inviting freedom, self-discovery, and genuine connection. I have found deep healing through dancing; and my hope is for so many to discover their own beauty, self expression and joy in a container like the one we are creating here in Crestone.
Facilitator Naia Rojas Wilckens
When I was freshly new in the USA, in 2015 attented my first Ecsatic Dance, which was a dream come true. Coming from Chile, where dancing usually was asocciated with unsafe spaces and social dynamics; I was so delighted to feel I have finally found my “tribe”. Feeling safe to completely dance how it felt authentic and free, without judgement, slowly started to help me to grow in self confidence and overall better physical and mental health.
Through the years I got curious in deepening my dance journey, shaping my journey with ecstatic dance by practices such as 360 Movement (created and taught by Amber Ryan) and Authentic Movement Practices. Through them, I discovered that dance can be much more than free movement—it can become a practice of listening deeply, quieting the mind, and trusting the body’s innate wisdom. In that space of presence, I found greater joy, authenticity, healing, and a deeper connection with myself. That experience is the inspiration behind Crestone Ecstatic Dance.
Stay in Touch
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Crestone Ecstatic Dance
Sundays Dance Practice
Upcoming Woorkshops
Movement Class
Location
Baca Park
in Spring/Summer
165 Canyon,
Crestone, CO 81131
Crestone Charter School
in Fall/Winter
330 E Lime Ave,
Crestone, CO 81131