Ecstatic Dance Glasgow
With Lara
Every Second Saturday of the Month
From 6:30 - 9 pm
at Yama Studios
Ecstatic Dance Glasgow
Move Freely, Feel Deeply, Come Home to Yourself
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 in London where I went to my first ecstatic dance. I was blown away. I didn’t move as freely as I did at home at first. Instead, I found myself observing the space. People were so open and their expression uninhibited. One woman moved softly, almost as if painting the air with her hands. Another held herself as she cried. One man stood with his hands in prayer, while another lay on the ground, as if embracing the earth. There was so much beauty! People were free and it was so refreshing to witness.
I also felt self-conscious in those early experiences. 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.
How I Structure my Dances
I’ve been hosting ecstatic dances since 2023. Since then, the community of dancers keeps growing and transforming.
Each dance comes with a theme, so go deep and other invite more play, all depending on what the energy of the collective is moving through.
We begin with gentle somatic practices to open the body, along with moments of connection within the group. From there, the journey builds gradually, moving into rhythm, intensity, and collective expression, before softening back into stillness and integration. This arc supports a natural process of release, allowing emotion, energy, and story to move through and settle in a new way.
The Music
I use curated sets, either myself or through other dj’s I collaborate with, each set with a deep sensitivity to emotional flow, cultural richness, and energetic storytelling. You'll hear:
Organic tribal rhythms
Electronic beats
Ambient textures
Heart-opening melodies
Unexpected surprises
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.
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.
Why We Dance
We dance to process.
We dance to connect.
We dance to remember.
To book, click on the button below… We hope to see you there!
