The Sugar Dance is specifically designed and offered for fun and well-being of course, but also for the healing and strengthening of self and community. There's no right way to dance or move at the Sugar Dance. There's actually no obligation to dance at all.
You are in charge of Your Dance and are invited to be as free as you wish, while also making sure that your presence on the dance floor is safe and respectful for others.
No talking during the Dance
In order to help foster a safe, caring, respectful and in many ways, sacred environment, we ask participants to suspend conversations for the entire duration of the dance. This alone provides an opportunity to be more introspective, and access feelings and insights often difficult to access in our ordinary reality.
A Barefoot Dance
We choose dance halls with wood floors suited for barefoot dancing. If your feet are too tender, soft dance shoes (no heels or hard edges-soles) are allowed. Because most everybody is dancing barefoot, wearing street shoes is not accepted as it can be very dangerous/painful to others' feet.
Arriving on Time
Participants are requested to arrive on time which means at the scheduled time for the dance. The doors will be closed 10 minutes after the dance warm-up begins, as a means to prevent interruptions once the dance has begun (you know, kind of like in church, when someone arrives late and proceeds to go sit in a front row, it can pull dancers out of their dance-prayer and be disruptive).
Absolutely No Alcohol
We request that participants do not consume alcohol prior or during the dance as a means to keep everyone safe.
Facilitators reserve the right to refuse admission to anyone smelling alcohol. No exception!
Warming up
We offer a warm-up period for the first 15 minutes of the dance. Participants are encouraged to prepare their body for their dance by moving slowly and/or stretching. The Sugar Dances can be vigorous and engaging so we ask participants to deeply care for their body in order to maximize the safety and depth of their dance experience.
Clothing
Feel free to dress-up or dress-down (well, to a degree as clothing is not optional here!). Wear comfortable clothes to move or roll around the dance floor if you so choose (we keep the dance floor clean for that purpose). Feel free to dress up in any way that makes you feel good and honors your Spirit on that particular day. The Dance offers an opportunity to play, explore and be free-innocent in a non-judgemental place.
Eating
We recommend that participants eat their last meal at least 2 hours before dance so their energy for the dance can be optimum. Having a snack or fruit before dance is OK but a heavier meal will weigh your dance down. No eating is allowed in the dance hall.
Hydration
Just like during a hike, drinking water during dance is important. Bring a non-glass water bottle to make sure you drink plenty of water during your dance.
Partner Dancing and Respect
The Sugar Dance can be a very engaging and playful environment for free-form partner dance. We however ask participants to be deeply respectful of others' space as they may not wish to dance with you when invited. Discover that sensitivity that will tell you if and when a person is willing to engage with you in a spontaneous partner dance.
End Circle-Sharing
At the end of the dance, participants circle up, if they wish to stay for that part of the dance, and are encouraged to share their insights, healings or breakthroughs experienced during the dance.
This optional sharing can be a powerful opportunity to reveal one’s heart in the circle, and can greatly assist in developing trust and intimacy between participants, and naturally contribute to the building of community.
Volunteering
We encourage participants to join in the co-creation, governance and nurturing of the dance, as for many, such a place is the Heart of the Village. Musicians and DJ’s are invited to collaborate in the creation of a supportive, accessible to all, spirited and transformative musical landscapes for the dances.
Bringing a Friend to the Dance
Some people are shy and may be intimidated by dancing, as it can sometimes be, as we know, a vulnerable experience. Should you invite a friend to the dance, please make sure you have them read these guidelines, and make them feel comfortable that they are coming to a safe and supportive environment, regarding of their age, dance experience, physical conditions or emotional state. People dealing with loss and grief can often derive great relief from freely dancing-moving their emotions.
Bringing Children to the Dance
The dance is suited for children if they can abide by the same guidelines of no talking and respect for others. Parents must make sure that they watch over the safety of their children and that the children do not hinder participants' enjoyment of the dance.
Cost
We believe that healing,
well-being and feeling nourished by a sense of community shouldn’t be a
luxury… The Sugar Dances are thus offered on a donation basis.
No-one will
be turned away for lack of funds or for not having anything to trade.
