PAUSED- NO CURRENT- Wednesday Soul Dance Ballarat

Soul Dance is a conscious dance experience, which draws on other conscious dance practices. It centres around presence, and is a space to move, notice, and reconnect to ourselves, our surrounds, and also each other. No choreography. No expectation. Just a space to be present. Come as you are, whether that be tired, excited, nervous, happy, sad, uncertain, and all of the other feelings that arise along the way. We can allow all of these to move us. The space we create together aims to be a comfortable, nourishing space, where you are free to be as you are. This is a place where the dance takes you on a journey, and you feel moved, rather than moving in a prescribed or set way. It’s a freeing experience, often described as a whole body and soul experience, like a moving meditation, but with moments of energetic grooves moving us to pure ecstasy. The main invitation when you join is simple - bring your curiosity, leave any expectations of yourself at the door, and just move with whatever arises. Whether you've rarely if ever danced, or whether you dance all the time, there is something special to be experienced when we move in the same space. If you've enjoyed dancing in darkness, this is a step beyond that, towards being seen, and feeling connected and accepted as you are, in the light. Music is carefully curated, from arriving in the space to feeling connected to your surroundings, your body, and sometimes the whole group, the music guides you on a journey and then moves you to a point of stillness. Zilke (she/her) has been in training as an Open Floor teacher, and also has a background dancing 5Rhythms. She also has a long history of utilising dance as an expressive or healing modality, and is currently training in Gestalt Therapy. PLEASE READ: Please bring a drink bottle, wear comfortable loose, layered clothing that allows you to move. Bare feet, or non-slip socks, or soft soled shoes, or indoor-only footwear- no street shoes. Be mindful of your own capacity, do not push yourself especially if you have prior injuries. This is a non-competitive space. This is a digital-device free space, unless you are on-call for emergencies. No photos, no pressure to perform or look great. No recording or Shazam. Phones are a distraction to all of us as we strive for presence. Silence is welcomed- Conversations on the dance floor are best reserved for afterwards, so that we can truly connect deeply with ourselves and our bodies, and notice our being beyond words. This is an intoxicant free space. If you are unable to be present without the use of alcohol or other substances, this is not the space for you. Whilst deodorant is welcome, please refrain from using strong perfumes as this can affect other people's experience. Cash on the door is welcomed if digital tickets aren't your thing. If you can't make it to our Wednesdays, you are also welcome to join us on Sundays in Creswick, the 3rd of the month (except June), at the Neighbourhood centre hall, 10:30am.