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Evie Gray's avatar

What a supportive format to encourage the vulnerability needed in this space. I love how you've reflected on the group by sharing how YOU feel. Two things:

1 - "I feel excited for the version of myself who continues to come each week, who does the work, and who one day will get to enjoy the compounding benefits of all this effort." Having had the pleasure of chatting with you, I see the benefits of this effort coming through loud and clear now.

2 - We have something in my city call 'No Lights, No Lycra'. I'm sure there's something similar where you are, but it's basically a weekly dance party, but the lights are off. You can see enough not to bump into each other, but not enough to watch anyone else dance. And no-one is watching you. You can cut sick however you like without any fear of judgement. Highly recommend as a form of therapy!

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Mark Black's avatar

Aww always appreciate the support Evie ❤️ Also thank you for the 'No Lights, No Lycra' rec. I checked out the website and it does look similar to Ecstatic Dance here but maybe a lil darker 🪩

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Bear Wiseman's avatar

I wonder if I would benefit from a light's out dance space. I have a weeeeird history with dancing (likely related to deeply ingrained toxic masculinity that I developed as a tomboy child). Cool concept! I can't even dance completely alone most of the time.

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Mark Black's avatar

The last time I danced was a Sunday morning a couple years ago. I basically had to keep my eyes closed the whole time. A friend danced with me for a while and she just kept me focused on her.

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Bear Wiseman's avatar

Most of my memories of situations where there was dancing (weddings etc) involved people trying to drag me out of my seat because they just assumed I wasn't having fun. It felt completely against my autonomy. I'll dance if/when I feel like it, thank you. Just because I'm a biological female does not mean my lack of desire to dance is bad. It often made me put my feet down even harder about dancing 🥲

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Evie Gray's avatar

I can highly recommend a dance in the dark event then! I love dancing, as I get older I’m aware I do not cool in the slightest but it is straight up fun for me. Movement is important for processing stored energy 😉

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Bear Wiseman's avatar

Did you ever see Always Be My Maybe? Maybe if I had a smoke alone in my room, I'd dance into a mirror and have fun 😅 maybe with the lights off!

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Evie Gray's avatar

I haven’t! I dance around my house ALL the time. Often singing loudly at the same time.

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Aaron Mazel-Gee's avatar

I love this!! I love that you are bringing awareness to the practice, and that you are sharing it with your own real and raw vulnerability. It is so much more powerful than an abstract discussion of vulnerability. And I relate to your fear of dancing, which I shared for many years. Aho.

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Mark Black's avatar

Thank you @Aaron Mazel-Gee 🙏

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