Why We Dance: Reclaiming Joy, Expression, and Community

Julia Hyndman
Oct 11
4 min read

Updated: Oct 12

I remember the first time I heard about ecstatic dance; a part of me was so intrigued, another part scared, and an additional part totally weirded out. I thought, "That's probably just a group of immature creeps." And still, the concept planted a deep seed of desire that eventually grew into me actually attending a dance two years later, when I was getting out of a bad breakup. The first words that came out of my mouth were, "How did it take me so long to get here?! This is amazing!" I was weeping, I was full of realizations and making full-circle life connections; the experience was therapeutic and mind-body expanding!

Fast forward to today, I have been facilitating ecstatic dance for 6 years. And no, I have absolutely zero professional dance training. Sure, when I was a little kid, I took some beginner jazz and tap classes, but I can't remember anything about that time besides the costumes and the joy I felt in my body.

There is a difference between saying "I can't dance" and "I don't want to dance." There is no such thing as having "two left feet" in ecstatic dance because it's never about how it looks; it's always about how it feels. It just requires you to let go of the limiting beliefs that keep you embarrassed and small, and give yourself permission to be free to feel what's there and express that through the body in relationship to music.

A quick PubMed search on Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) reveals numerous articles highlighting the potential benefits of DMT for both mind and body. These studies suggest that DMT can aid in regulating emotions, improving the psychological and physiological impact of trauma, and stabilizing the sympathetic nervous system. Additionally, it can effectively reduce symptoms of depersonalization-derealization disorder. Evidence shows improvements in cognitive function, memory, and executive functioning in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Furthermore, those with Parkinson's disease experienced enhancements in general disease condition, balance, and gait after engaging in DMT. Participants with Down syndrome also showed improvements in their dynamic balance.

Participants have found outcomes of increased physical activity, increased emotional capacity, mind-body integration, safety, aid with trauma processing, empowerment, social support, and fun after participating. The results of these studies suggest DMT has the potential to decrease depression and anxiety and increase quality of life and interpersonal and cognitive skills.

A meta-analysis conducted in 2024 examined 218 clinical trials and discovered that dance was more effective than walking, yoga, strength training, and conventional antidepressant medications in alleviating symptoms of depression. The act of enjoying music, moving the body, and dancing with others leads to the production of dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin, which subsequently improves mood, strengthens social connections, and lowers stress levels.

The combination of enjoying the music, moving the body, and dancing with others produces dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin—which in turn enhances mood, increases social bonding, and reduces stress.

Our dance practice follows a traditional ecstatic dance format. We begin with a 15-20 minute guided warm-up to help participants connect with their bodies. This warm-up could be a brief yoga session, an instructed dance class, or a somatic movement class. Afterward, we gather in a circle to review the dance guidelines, allowing each participant the chance to share their name and intention for the dance if they wish. Dancers may choose to chant three "ohms" or hums before the playlist starts. For the following 90 minutes, there is no verbal communication nor guidance as dancers embark on a sound journey that begins slowly, builds to a peak of high-energy movement, and then gradually returns to a slow rhythm, ending in silence. We conclude by opening the floor for group sharing and reflection, making community announcements, and officially closing the dance with three "ohms" or hums.

During the open reflection, participants have shared some wonderful feedback. Many noted feeling less lonely by the end. A certain authentic connection is uniquely formed when individuals choose to interact and express themselves non-verbally for a certain period. Participants also expressed gratitude for our expanding dance community, appreciating it as a safe space where they can arrive in a raw and genuine state, allowing them to get in touch with, express, and process their feelings, regardless of how challenging those emotions may be.

When discussing the healing power of dance, it is essential to acknowledge Juan Atkins, a Black musical-pioneer based in Detroit. He was instrumental in the emergence of techno music, organizing parties that served as community-healing spaces, where people came together during challenging periods. These events have been recognized as crucial spaces for joy, resistance, and solidarity.

Join us for a recurring Ecstatic Dance event held on the first Sunday of each month at the Fort Wayne Dance Collective. The evening begins with a warm-up at 6 pm, followed by a 90-minute dance mix starting at 6:30 pm. The event concludes at 8 pm after the closing circle.

Additional dances will be included in the 2026 schedule. I suggest subscribing to our email newsletter to stay informed as we expand our therapeutic dance offerings. Whether it's Ecstatic Dance, Embodied Dance Movement, or Art + Dance experiences, we're all about hosting fun and expressive events and workshops that will get you moving, connected, and open your mind to new possibilities.