Journal
Your First Ecstatic Dance in Palm Beach County: What to Expect, What to Wear
Never been to an ecstatic dance? Here is what it is, what an evening at The Womb in Lake Worth Beach looks like, what to wear, and the questions first-timers ask.
Maybe you have been thinking about it for a while. "I want to try ecstatic dance, but I have no idea what I am walking into."
I remember that feeling. I wrote about my own first night in I Walked Into a Room Full of Strangers and Danced Until I Cried. This post is the practical one. The one I wish someone had handed me before I went.
What is ecstatic dance?
Ecstatic dance is free-form dancing to music, with no steps, no partner and no one teaching you moves. A DJ plays a long set, and everyone moves however their body wants to. There is no alcohol and no talking on the dance floor. You do not need any dance experience.
That is really it. The rest is details, and the details are what make people nervous, so let's go through them.
Who is ecstatic dance for?
Anyone with a body that wants to move, or even just wants to be in a room where other people are moving.
Most people at their first ecstatic dance have never done one before. There are no steps to learn and nothing to get right. You can move, rest or simply watch. I mean that. If you want to spend the first part of the night sitting at the edge of the room, that is a completely fine way to start.
You do not need rhythm. You do not need to be fit or flexible. You do not need to bring a friend, although you can.
What does an evening at The Womb look like?
Every event is a little different, and each one has its own page with the details. But here is the general shape of an ecstatic dance night at The Womb, our event space in Lake Worth Beach.
You arrive. Most people dance barefoot, so find a spot for your shoes, your things and your water.
There is usually a short opening. Often a brief circle or a few minutes to land in the room and breathe. If it feels right, you can set an intention for yourself. It is yours. You do not have to share it.
The music starts slow. The first part of the set is gentle. This is your time to warm up, stretch, sway, or just stand there and get used to being in the room.
The energy builds. The DJ moves the music up over time. This is where you will see people spinning, stomping, jumping, shaking, or moving very slowly with their eyes closed. All of it belongs.
Then it comes back down. The music slows toward stillness. Some people lie down on the floor here. It is often the quietest and sweetest part of the night.
Afterward, people linger. There is usually some time to connect at the end. Some people chat. Some people just sit for a while.
The room itself helps. The Womb has an open movement floor and a professional sound system in an acoustic-treated room, and it holds up to 40 people. Big enough that you can disappear into the music. Small enough that it does not feel like a crowd.
How is ecstatic dance different from going to a club?
People in Palm Beach County who have only ever danced at a club or a wedding ask me this a lot. A few big differences:
- No alcohol. Ecstatic dance is a sober practice. Whatever you feel on the floor is coming from the music and your own body.
- No talking on the dance floor. If you want to chat, step off the floor. On the floor, the music does the talking.
- No one is watching you. At a club, people are often dancing to be seen. Here, people are mostly inside their own experience, some with their eyes closed.
- The music takes you somewhere. A club DJ usually keeps the energy high all night. An ecstatic dance set has a shape: it starts slow, builds, and comes back down.
The best way I can put it: a club asks you to show up a certain way. Ecstatic dance asks you to show up however you are.
What should I wear to ecstatic dance?
Wear comfortable clothes you can move in. Think of what you would wear to a casual movement class. Layers are good, because you will warm up while you dance and cool down when the music slows.
Bring:
- A water bottle
- A layer for afterwards
- Whatever helps you feel comfortable in your body
We provide mats and cushions. Most people are barefoot.
How do I find ecstatic dance near me in Palm Beach County?
Every gathering we host, with its date, time and how to join, is on our events page. When an event asks you to RSVP, please do, so we know you are coming.
The Womb is at 1202 Lucerne Ave, Unit D, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460. If you are coming from West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach or anywhere else in Palm Beach County, use that same address.
Want ecstatic dance at your own event instead? We also offer Private Ecstatic Dance Facilitation for private groups, retreats and celebrations, and an Ecstatic DJ for dance nights, silent discos and gatherings. You can see both on our Experiences page.
Questions first-timers ask about ecstatic dance
Do I need dance experience?
No. There are no steps to learn and nothing to get right. Most people at their first ecstatic dance have never done it before.
What if I feel awkward?
Almost everyone does at first, me included. Start at the edge of the room. Sway. Close your eyes if that helps. Nobody is grading you, and most people are too busy with their own dance to notice yours.
Can I come by myself?
Yes. You do not need a partner or a friend for any part of the evening.
How much does ecstatic dance cost?
It depends on the event. Some community gatherings are free, and ticketed events are usually modest. Each event shows its own price on the events page.
Is ecstatic dance spiritual or religious?
It does not have to be either. Some people come for the music and the movement and nothing else. Others find it meaningful in a quieter way. Both are welcome on the same floor.
If something in you is curious, that is enough of a reason. Come once. Stand at the edge if you need to. I will be glad you came.