I Walked Into a Room Full of Strangers and Danced Until I Cried

Alexis Chacin
May 18
4 min read

Written by Alexis Chacin

The first time I walked into an ecstatic dance, I almost turned around.

I stood at the door, watched a room full of people moving like nobody was watching — because nobody was — and felt every insecurity I had ever carried rise up at once. What do I do with my arms? Is that woman actually crying? Why is that man moving like he is underwater?

I stayed anyway. And twenty minutes later, I was the one crying. Not from sadness. From something I did not have a word for yet. Something like: relief.

What is ecstatic dance?

Ecstatic dance is a free-form movement practice with no choreography, no mirrors, no alcohol, and no talking on the dance floor. Just music, your body, and permission to move however you need to.

It started in the 1970s with dancer and choreographer Gabrielle Roth, who developed a practice called 5Rhythms — a system of moving through different energetic states: flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical, and stillness. Modern ecstatic dance is rooted in that tradition but has evolved into something beautifully unstructured.

There is no right way to do it. Someone might be spinning in circles. Someone else might be lying on the floor. You might sway for an hour or stomp, shake, and leap. All of it is welcome.

Is ecstatic dance spiritual?

It can be, but it does not have to be. Many people come for the physical release — the joy of uninhibited movement — and leave with something they would only describe as sacred. Others come specifically for the ceremonial, intentional quality of the practice. Both are valid. The dance holds whatever you bring to it.

What makes it feel spiritual for most people is the absence of performance. When you stop moving for an audience — even an imaginary one — something in you remembers how to just be. That experience of pure presence is what many traditions have called sacred for thousands of years.

Why does South Florida need ecstatic dance?

Here in South Florida, we live fast. We are in the car, in the heat, on the clock. We move our bodies to look a certain way, perform a certain way, be productive a certain way.

Ecstatic dance asks a different question: What does your body want to do right now, without anyone watching? That question alone can be revolutionary.

At Ecstatic Living Florida in Lake Worth, our dance nights are held in a sacred space intentionally designed for this kind of movement. The lighting is warm. The sound system is full. The community that shows up has one thing in common: they are ready to feel something real.

What should I expect at my first ecstatic dance?

Before the dance, there is usually a brief opening circle or grounding practice — a moment to drop in, breathe, and set an intention.

The warm-up music starts slow and gentle. This is your invitation to reconnect with your body. No pressure. As the DJ weaves the journey, the energy rises. You might find yourself moving in ways that surprise you. Let them.

The cool-down brings the music softly back to stillness. Often the most profound moments happen here, in the quiet after the storm. Afterward there is community gathering, connection, sometimes tea. The people who dance together tend to know each other in a way that is hard to explain.

Do you need dance experience for ecstatic dance?

None whatsoever. We have danced with people in their 70s and teenagers. With grief that had nowhere else to go. With joy that needed a body to live in. With people who had not danced since childhood and people who dance professionally but needed to forget everything they knew.

You do not need rhythm. You do not need a partner. You do not need to know what you are doing. You just need to show up.

Where can I find ecstatic dance in South Florida?

Ecstatic Living Florida hosts regular ecstatic dance nights in Lake Worth — both in-person and online so you can experience it from wherever you are first. If something in this post made you feel even the tiniest pull? That is your body already saying yes.

Come as you are. Move as you need. Find us on the floor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ecstatic Dance

Is ecstatic dance safe for beginners?

Yes. Ecstatic dance is one of the most beginner-friendly movement practices there is because there is no right or wrong way to move. There are no steps to learn, no partner required, and no performance expected. You simply move your body however feels natural.

What do you wear to ecstatic dance?

Comfortable clothes you can move freely in. Most people wear yoga pants, loose pants, or whatever they would wear to a casual movement class. Bare feet or soft-soled shoes are common. The most important thing is that you feel free in your body.

Is there alcohol at ecstatic dance events?

No. Ecstatic dance is an intentionally sober practice. The philosophy is that your natural state — supported by music and movement — is more than enough to access joy, release, and connection. Many people find this the most freeing part.

Can ecstatic dance help with anxiety or stress?

Many people report profound relief from anxiety and stress through regular ecstatic dance practice. Movement is one of the most well-researched tools for nervous system regulation, and the combination of music, intentional space, and community amplifies that effect significantly.

How long does an ecstatic dance event last?

Most ecstatic dance events run between 90 minutes and 3 hours, including the opening circle, the dance journey itself, and community time afterward. Check the specific event listing at Ecstatic Living Florida for exact timing.

Alexis Chacin is a movement facilitator, community builder, and regular face on the Ecstatic Living FL dance floor. She believes the body holds more wisdom than the mind is ready to admit.