“If you put the psyche in motion it will heal itself” Gabrielle Roth, the founder of 5Rhythms
What is Earth Beats?
Earth Beats is a conscious dance in Stroud. It is a meditative, mindful, embodied, and ecstatic dance inspired by Open Floor International and Gabrielle Roth’s 5Rhythms. It's also inspired by ecstatic dance, Joanna Macy’s the Work That Reconnects (WTR), Tantra the Celtic Wheel of the Year and other earth-based spirituality. Earth Beats is also a laboratory and a place for experimenting, so it's not possible to get it wrong. And everyone is welcome.
Earth Beats is a dance space where we are free to can be ourselves regardless of how we are feeling. It is one of the few places that allows us to express our natural response to the challenging times we are living in instead of suppressing it as we normally do. It's not a place for wearing the "I'm fine" mask, it's a place to be real, genuine, authentic and heartfelt. Earth Beats teaches us resources for living in a mad world, for example remembering to breathe, grounding, centring, moving rather than freezing, and being mindful. With practice Earth Beats can help us feel more joyful, access our personal power and reach our the full potential and our magnificence.
Over the years Earth Beats has become a warm and inclusive community where everyone is welcome. It is a supportive community space in this time of unprecedented personal and global change, challenge and opportunity.
Open Floor and Joanna Macy's WTR work remind me that we are all one and inextricably interlinked. Earth Beats is a dance to reconnect to ourselves – our hearts and souls; to connect to each other; the planet, the more than human world, and the ancestors and future generations. It also deepens our sense of belonging on the land, and gives us a sense of place within our local communities, in the web of life and on the earth.
For those on the spiritual path: Earth Beats is a continually evolving prayer for planetary healing. It was born from the desire to create a space where we might experience ourselves as part of the earth and the greater mystery. Times when we can experience the reality of who we are are rare for many of us. When humanity collectively knows this experience of oneness we will stop damaging the earth and learn to live in harmony.
What’s it like?
Earth Beats may feel like a night club because of the low lighting and the music is ecstatic trance dance, tribal beats, funky grooves and world music. But it is a drug and alcohol-free zone and a guided space so you may notice a sense of safety, permission and liberation. There is space to dance without guidance and opportunities for meeting other dancers.
Earth Beats will probably include a journey through the Open Floor movement cycle of Open Attention, Enter, Explore and Settle. It may incorporate the five elements (Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and Spirit) and over the course of a year echo the cyclical journey around the Celtic wheel of the year and include seasonal celebrations, small rituals and elements of the Work That Reconnects and Tantra.
Wear clothes that will allow free movement for example leggings, yoga pants or track suit bottoms. Wearing layers will help you to regulate your temperature. (Please see the New To This page).
What is it and who is it for?
Earth Beats is for everyone. It is an inclusive community space for others to get involved and share creative skills and talents to make this truly a shared offering and a dynamic, community offering. Some classes will involve local musicians. I always need crew to help me set up the dance. If you want to get more involved please let me know.
The benefit of the dance is dedicated to the Earth and all creatures and beings that live with her, in her and on her lands, rivers, lakes and oceans.
Timing
From 7.15pm-9.15ppm
Next Dances in Stroud on Fridays in Landsdown Hall or St Lukes
- Check date for venue
Autumn/Winter term until end of 2018
All dances at Landsdown Hall except 2 November
5 October - Landsdown Hall
19 October Samhain (Actual date of samhain is 31 Oct) Landsdown Hall
2 Nov - St Lukes Therapy Centre, 53 Caincross Road, Stroud, GL5 4EX
16 Nov Landsdown Hall
30 Nov Landsdown Hall
14 Dec Winter Solstice (Actual date of Winter Solstice is 21 Dec) Landsdown Hall
Venue Addresses:
Landsdowne Hall, Landsdowne, Stroud, GL5 1BB
St Lukes Therapy Centre, 53 Caincross Road, Stroud, GL5 4EX
Cost: £12 on the door, £10 for those on low income, £8 concessions, free for crew.
Please speak to me in advance if money is an issue. I am always looking for new crew to add to the current rota. Please drop me an email or give me a call.
These classes are drop-in. Pre-booking is not required.
Call Clíona on 07960 235 442 or email cliona@earthbeats.co.uk for information and bookings. Or join: www.facebook.com/groups/536431699704061 for updates or to contact other Earth Beats dancers.
Past Dances:
Peace Festival, Landsdowne Hall, Stroud, 24 September 2017
Seed Festival, Hawkwood College, 9 August 2017, www.seedfestival.co.uk
Schumacher College, Devon short course Immersion 9 May 2017
The Exercise Club, Bristol BS8 2XS (regular fortnightly dances September 2016-)
Staverton Village Hall, Devon (regular monthly dances) - October 2012 - July 2016
Buddhafield Festival, Culmhead - July 2013 & 2015
Bristol University, Bristol - Autumn 2015
Quest Festival, Newton Abbot, Devon - July 2014
Hem's Acre Camp, Littlehempston, Devon - July 2014
Barefoot Dance, Exeter, Devon - Summer 2013 & 2016,
Marina Saldanhada Dance Studio, Buckfastleigh, Devon - Winter 2013
Kevvics Dance Studio, Totnes, Devon - Autumn 2013
