Ecstatic Dance In Eau Claire Embraces Free Form Movement, Authenticity
there’s no right or wrong way to move at this recurring dance offering in the Chippewa Valley
Evelyn Nelson, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
The human experience and the visual arts often share cycles of continuous change, frequently influencing one another. A new offering in Eau Claire fully embraces this convergence – as locals are invited, regardless of their background, to step onto the dance floor.
Ecstatic Dance in Eau Claire was originally founded in June of 2025, born from a shared love of movement, music and expression of its founders: Bevin Coffee, Rob Harrington and Sandra Mighell.
Bevin has been immersed in the concepts of ecstatic dance for close to two decades; Sandra offers talents as a heart-centered facilitator whose experience spans Nia, Tai Chi and Qi Gong; as a DJ, Rob creates his own dance mixes and can be frequently seen dancing along to local jam bands.
Still, prospective attendees might be asking themselves: What is ecstatic dance, exactly?
Movement collectives from around the country and world describe ecstatic dance as a freeform movement practice – often without the need to follow specific steps – where dancers can release their tensions and move freely to rhythm.
“People often ask what the music is like and the truth is – it’s a journey.”
bevin coffee
organizer, ecstatic dance in eau claire
“At its core, the ethos of the group is about creating a safe, welcoming space where people can connect with themselves and others through movement – without expectations or judgment,” Bevin said. “There’s no right or wrong way to move here.”
As facilitators, a large portion of the trio’s responsibilities lies in the ambiance and tone of the space. Just like the dancers who arrive to each session, every type of movement is different – because you are different every time you step onto the floor, they shared.
“Each time someone steps onto the dance floor, they are arriving as they are in that moment – carrying whatever the day or week has brought them,” Bevin said. “That might be stress, joy, uncertainty, excitement, or anything in between.”
While there are no strict rules to how attendees can move freely in the dance studio, there are guidelines each instructor offers as “supportive containers” to help attendees feel more at ease.
Sessions begin with an opening circle, where the instructors review expectations and offer a short intention – “something gentle to reflect on or carry with you as you move through the dance.”
Once the circle concludes, it’s time for the music to begin. The musical backdrop begins with slow, grounding tunes and gradually increases in energy and intensity as it progresses.
As the music builds, new layers of rhythm, percussion and bass-driven beats envelop dancers. You might hear a wide variety of genres woven together – even global music from other cultures; as humans and creatives, each attendee responds to sound in their own unique ways.
“This is where you might see people moving more freely; dancing with intensity, jumping, or expressing the energy of the music in bigger ways,” Bevin noted. “People often ask what the music is like and the truth is – it’s a journey.”
All the while, Ecstatic Dance remains grounded in non-judgmental encouragement as each leader expresses their own authentic, inspired movements as they listen to the music, she added.
“The way we move, hold the space and interact – through presence rather than words – helps model what it looks like to be open, respectful and authentic,” Bevin said.
The full dance sessions typically last an hour from start to finish, without formal breaks. Though attendees are encouraged to step away at any point during the dance, bring water and rest as needed.
Looking ahead, the collective will continue to host dance sessions at 6:30pm each Tuesday in May at Bella Black in Banbury Place (930 Galloway St., Building 13, Suite 122) in Eau Claire; an additional dance session is schedule for 7pm on June 5 at Habitual Yoga Space (518 Water St.) in Eau Claire.
No two sets of Ecstatic Dance are ever the same, just like no two dance types are the same. This remains central to what keeps the experience fresh and meaningful each time.
Visit the Ecstatic Dance Facebook page online, to learn more about its recurring events in the Chippewa Valley. A suggested donation of $10–$15/attendees helps cover costs of hosting in a given space; no one is ever turned away for lack of funds.
