Ecstatic Dance Glasgow
with Lara
Join the community for an ecstatic dance session every second Saturday of the month at Yama Studios, Glasgow, Scotland, from 6:30 - 9 pm.
Ecstatic dance encourages freeform movement, supporting somatic exploration, expression, and emotional release.
We Move Freely, Feel Deeply, Come Home to Ourselves.
What is Ecstatic Dance?
In my late 20s, I began stepping away from the rave scene. It was a time when I was becoming sober, so I needed distance from certain environments. What I noticed, though, was how much I missed that feeling of complete surrender through movement.
I danced at home. Music on, loud, moving for hours as if no one was watching. There was a sense of freedom within me that felt so alive.
It was in 2017 when I discovered my first ecstatic dance. I remember feeling completely in awe. I found myself witnessing the space. There was something extraordinary about witnessing so many people in their own world. People were so open in their expression, uninhibited, in a way that felt natural and human. There was so much beauty in the simplicity of it all. People were free, and it felt refreshing to witness.
As I continued to attend over the years, and deepened my own personal practice with ecstatic dance, my understanding began to evolve. I started to see that it isn’t only about reaching a state of ecstasy. It’s more about embodiment, self-exploration, and emotional expression, allowing what is true in the moment to move through the body without inhibition. It becomes a space where we learn to meet ourselves as we are, and in doing so, to become the alchemist within our own inner state.
Over time, I learnt to trust my body more, to move in ways that felt true rather than performative. Movement became less about how it looked and more about what it felt like to explore and express. It is in these spaces that I first learnt what it means to own my body.
That, to me, is what ecstatic dance is. A space that invites you to move as you are. To meet whatever is present in you, whether that is sadness, anger, joy or something in between, and allow it to take form through the body. In that expression, something begins to shift. What feels heavy can soften, move, and transform.
You might find yourself in stillness or in full release. The invitation is simply to stay present and listen to your body.
What you’ll find:
A wide-open dance floor
Supportive, intentional community
Music that spans genres and continents
A place to sweat, cry, laugh, and feel
You are welcome here exactly as you are, whether you're alone or with others, expressive or inward.
I’ve been hosting ecstatic dances since 2023. Since then, the community of dancers keeps growing and transforming. Are you interested in joining?
What Happens at an Ecstatic Dance Session?
Arrival
You’re invited to arrive 10–15 minutes before the session begins. There is a lounge space with tea and snacks, offering a gentle way to settle in and connect with the community of dancers before we begin.
The Freeform Dance
Each dance comes with a theme, inviting either depth, exploration, or play, depending on what the collective energy is moving through in the moment.
We begin with gentle somatic practices and warm-up connection exercises to open the body, alongside simple moments of group connection. From there, the journey gradually builds, moving into rhythm, intensity, and collective expression, before softening back into stillness and integration. This natural arc supports a process of release, allowing emotion, energy, and inner experience to move through the body and settle in a new way.
Closing Sound bath & Integration
We close the space with a 20-minute sound bath to support integration and grounding.
The Music
I curate my own sets. You'll hear:
Organic tribal rhythms
Electronic beats
Ambient textures
Heart-opening melodies
Unexpected surprises
What are the benefits of Ecstatic Dance?
Ecstatic dance offers benefits that work on both a physical and emotional level, without requiring performance or technique.
It allows the body to move through different states of activation and release in a safe, structured container. This can help shift stored tension, stress, or emotional charge through natural movement rather than suppression.
It also deepens embodiment and self-awareness, helping people reconnect with sensation, instinct, and presence in the body. Over time, this can build a stronger sense of inner trust and attunement to what you need in the moment.
On an emotional level, it creates space for expression and release, especially for feelings that may not have a clear verbal outlet. Movement can allow emotions to complete their natural cycle rather than staying held or stuck.
It can also support connection and belonging to the community of dancers, as moving in a shared space without performance or conversation often creates a sense of unity and shared humanity.
Finally, it can feel creative and liberating, offering a break from habitual patterns of control and self-judgement, and opening up more spontaneity, play, joy, and aliveness in the body.
Ecstatic Dance Group Agreements
This is a non-verbal, substance-free, judgment-free environment.
It’s important to create a safe container for everybody. That is why I ask for those who join to follow these group agreements
1) Non-verbal spaces
In some parts of the workshop, we ask that participants refrain from speaking in some sessions to maintain presence and depth.
2) Substance Free Event
This event is held in a sober container. Please arrive free from the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs.
3) Honouring the confidentiality of the space
The space includes the environment where personal experiences unfold in unique and vulnerable ways, and the bodies included, protecting the privacy of all individuals present, including the space holders
4) Holding all that is shared with reverence, and non-judgement
Ensure that all of others remain within the space.
5) No phones allowed
- No photos, recordings, or videos are allowed. The facilitators may take photo only with participants' consent.
- Keeping your phones on silent (or off) and away during the workshop. This is your opportunity to disconnect from the external world and allow a full focus on your process
6) Sovereignty
- Releasing expectations of how your own or anyone else's journey should unfold.
- Taking responsibility of any emotional triggers that arise (due to other participants and/or facilitators) are opportunities for self-inquiry, growth, and healing.
- Taking full responsibility for your yourself and your process.
- Taking full responsibility of your health and well-being before during and after the retreat.
- Recognising what feels right for YOU! Any guidance the facilitators provide is an invitation.
- Honour the emotional and energetic space of others, understanding that everyone is moving through their own unique process at their own pace.
- Seeking support when needed and bringing any concerns to the facilitators, who are here to guide and hold space for you with compassion and care.
- If at any point you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or unsure, please speak to the facilitator or designated support person. You will be heard and supported.
7) This is a Consent-Based Space
Consent and respect are core values, and connection is always optional and always mutual.
- You are the authority of your body at all times.
- Participation is always a choice, in movement, interaction, and expression.
- If you do not want to engage in contact or connection with someone, you are never obligated to do so.
- Physical contact or engagement must always be mutually agreed upon, preferably with a clear gesture or verbal yes.
- You are free to dance alone, with others, or not at all.
Dates & Time
Ecstatic dance Glasgow sessions occur every second Saturday of the month from 6:30 pm to 9 pm throughout the year.
About the Location
Yama Studios is a gorgeous dance and movement space with a vibrant, welcoming community. Located in Glasgow’s east end, it offers a warm and inviting environment to land, move, and reconnect.
The studio is based at 7 Milnbank Street, G31 3AQ.
It’s easily accessible by public transport, around a 20 minute journey from Glasgow Central by bus.
There is free on-street parking available around the studio, though it’s worth allowing a little extra time to find a space during busier hours.
Exchange
Value: £22
Supported Tickets are available by using the code DISCOUNTED10 at checkout.
If you are in a place to pay it forward, your generosity is warmly welcome.
To book, click on the button below… We hope to see you there!
Testimonials From Participants
-
Yes.
Ecstatic dance is suitable for beginners. No prior dance experience is needed, and there are no steps, routines, or techniques to learn. It is a free-movement practice where you are invited to move in any way that feels natural to you, including stillness or very gentle movement.
All sessions include a guided opening and closing to help you feel grounded and supported throughout, making it accessible even if you are completely new to dance or group movement spaces.
-
We encourage people to dance barefoot. This helps with grounding and connection to the floor. However, if you prefer, soft indoor shoes or socks are also fine.
-
The space is held with care and awareness, but I will not interfere with your process unless you directly ask for support. This is intentional, as intervening during movement can sometimes interrupt or inhibit your natural expression.
If you need assistance at any point, you are welcome to signal or speak to me, and I will support you as appropriate.
-
Tickets are non-refundable. However, they are transferable as long as you inform me prior to the dance, so you are welcome to pass your place on to someone else if you can no longer attend or transfer your ticket to the following month.
FAQ
Ready to book your spot?
Curious to explore other workshops?
