Ecstatic Dance: 3 Steps to Discover Your Bliss through Movement (Part 2)

In the article Ecstatic Dance Part 1: Free-Form Movement, we gave a brief overview and history of the ancient form of meditation that is now often referred to as “ecstatic dance.” During an interview with dancer Yolessa Lawrinnce, she defines her experience with this freeform dance that acts as a pathway to meditation.

Yolessa explains how ecstatic dance differs from trained dance. “While a background in dance can help a newcomer feel more comfortable, perhaps with the often novel concept of moving the body freely, Ecstatic Dance is not about a dance form per se. It’s more about discovering the possibilities; realizing you already have the rhythm inside of you and trusting that expression.

“For someone who has ‘information’ (holding judgements) about what it means to dance, that can also act as a kind of blockage to going deeper into the experience. The experience can become very cerebral. The key is to allow oneself to explore new avenues of movement and to not be judgmental. It can feel really strange at first and bring up tons of fear. But it can become the source of great liberation...because there is no right or wrong way to move in Ecstatic Dance.”

Because there are no specific movement rules in ecstatic dance, Yolessa offered this simple guidance on how to prepare your mind to get the most out of the experience:

1. Open your mind to new possibilities.

2. Breathe and relax.

3. Have fun.

She adds, “Ecstatic Dance is a form of meditation and can be the cause for healing and transformation at deep levels. As we move and let go into the dance, we move stuck energy. Naturally, as a consequence of removing the blocks, sounds, tears, gratitude and much, much more emerge. It really provides a stage for letting go. Once the heavy loads are unhinged, we become free to fly. It is definitely spiritual.”

Try this free-form, sacred, non-verbal, meditative dance form for yourself. Listen to your body and your own divine guidance as you enjoy the freedom of the experience, however it comes through!


Yolessa K. Lawrinnce is a lawyer and a former professional dancer who has been practicing meditation for more than 10 years.

Related article: Ecstatic Dance: Get More out of Meditation with Free-Form Movement (Part 1)