Important Announcement!
We welcome the full range of connection possibilities at Ecstatic Dance Corvallis: solo, duet, or groups of any size. Consent is at the heart of emotional and physical safety in such a container: we expect everyone to get clear and enthusiastic consent before entering the personal space or making physical contact with any other dancer. Consent culture requires everyone to develop effective communication skills, including how to offer and read non-verbal cues. This is a work-in-progress for all of us, as there's always more to learn about body language and the ways we send and interpret messages.
For someone who is new to Ecstatic Dance, or someone who only wants to be in their solo practice, it can be daunting to have other dancers orbiting towards them with offers of partner dances. So we are trying an experiment in Corvallis—as long as it serves us—in order to support those folks who do not want to be approached with any offers of connection: using a red swirly wristband as a signal that, "I only want to be in my solo dance." The wristband signal is used in some other dance communities with great success.
We will have a supply of these signal wristbands available at the door. A wristband wearer may take it off and put it back on as often as it serves them throughout the dance. We kindly ask that you remember to return them to us before leaving (and we will disinfect them regularly).
Having this wristband signal is not a replacement for developing healthy consent skills. We still expect everyone to learn clear ways of asking for connected dances, as well as learning to respond with authentic yes's and no's. Let's see how this goes and how it may support our community, allowing more people to feel comfortable exploring Ecstatic Dance as a movement meditation practice.
Please let Kara or Peter know if you have any questions or further suggestions.
We welcome the full range of connection possibilities at Ecstatic Dance Corvallis: solo, duet, or groups of any size. Consent is at the heart of emotional and physical safety in such a container: we expect everyone to get clear and enthusiastic consent before entering the personal space or making physical contact with any other dancer. Consent culture requires everyone to develop effective communication skills, including how to offer and read non-verbal cues. This is a work-in-progress for all of us, as there's always more to learn about body language and the ways we send and interpret messages.
For someone who is new to Ecstatic Dance, or someone who only wants to be in their solo practice, it can be daunting to have other dancers orbiting towards them with offers of partner dances. So we are trying an experiment in Corvallis—as long as it serves us—in order to support those folks who do not want to be approached with any offers of connection: using a red swirly wristband as a signal that, "I only want to be in my solo dance." The wristband signal is used in some other dance communities with great success.
We will have a supply of these signal wristbands available at the door. A wristband wearer may take it off and put it back on as often as it serves them throughout the dance. We kindly ask that you remember to return them to us before leaving (and we will disinfect them regularly).
Having this wristband signal is not a replacement for developing healthy consent skills. We still expect everyone to learn clear ways of asking for connected dances, as well as learning to respond with authentic yes's and no's. Let's see how this goes and how it may support our community, allowing more people to feel comfortable exploring Ecstatic Dance as a movement meditation practice.
Please let Kara or Peter know if you have any questions or further suggestions.