Ecstatic Dance London

ECSTATIC SATURDAYS: SOBER RAVE CONSCIOUS CLUBBING Ecstatic Dance & Cacao Ceremony in North London
2026-10-03 19:00 - 22:15, 2026-10-10 19:00 - 22:15, 2026-10-17 19:00 - 22:15, 2026-10-24 19:00 - 22:15, 2026-10-31 19:00 - 22:15, 2026-11-07 19:00 - 22:15, 2026-11-14 19:00 - 22:15, 2026-11-28 19:00 - 22:15 (Europe/London) | 2 minutes from Tufnell Park Station (full address in order confirmation email, scroll down in the email please), Burghley Road, London, England, NW5 1UJ, United Kingdom
🌙 SATURDAY NIGHT ECSTATIC RAVE
Ecstatic Movement Journeys through Sound, Rhythm & Ritual. TICKETS ON EVENTBRITE.
7:00PM–9:45PM Ecstatic Dance & Cacao
9:45PM–10:15PM Fruit Social
5:50PM-7:00PM Shaking Medicine® Workshop (Optional, see dates & tickets) Awaken your body, release deep-seated tension, and restore balance through the art of shaking. A beautiful way to ground yourself before the dance. More info further below.
Each Saturday night in our North London venue, we open the doors to a new sonic adventure, from the deep bass of Shamanic Bass Temple, to the mystical pulse of Desert Grooves, the fiery release of Catharsis or MVMNT, and the uplifting and heart-opening electronic dance music of My Ecstatic Odyssey!
Every session is a unique genre-specific experience (please check which event you’ve signed up to!), yet all follow the same timeless flow, the ecstatic wave, a rise and return through the natural rhythms of our human energy system: building from the cacao ceremony to the wild euphoric peak, then softening back into grounded peace and ending with a relaxation/sound journey phase.
✨ What to Expect:

🎶 Next-level, ecstatic dance journeys!
🥁 Live percussion to ignite the dancefloor and merge rhythm with movement
🍫 Heart-opening cacao ceremony & positive intention setting to begin the night
🔊 Awesome sound system & mesmerising visuals for full sensory immersion
💃 A sacred, safe, and playful space to dance freely, express, release & connect
🍉 Complimentary fruit social afterwards to nourish & unwind together
💫 The best Saturday night out — and no hangover!

No alcohol. No drugs. Just pure music, movement, and magic.
Join London’s longest-running ecstatic dance community- Ecstatic Dance London, pioneers of the UK’s Sober ReLOVEution since 2009.
No experience needed, all welcome.
✨ Limited free crew spaces available, scroll below for info & sign-up.
BOOK HERE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ecstatic-saturdays-ecstatic-dance-cacao-ceremony-in-north-london-tickets-120615336719
UPCOMING DATES, MUSIC GENRE THEMES:

Sat 26 Sept (Full Moon) PRANA MYSTIC: Indian | Middle Eastern | Mystical. Part of All Day Transformational Retreat 11:45am–10.15pm TRYBE: Trance Dance, Rage Ritual, Ecstatic Dance Prana Mystic (Book here)
Sat 3 Oct UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN: Deep & Organic House (+optional SHAKING MEDICINE workshop 5:50pm-7pm)
Sat 10 Oct (New Moon) DESERT GROOVES: Middle Eastern | Deep EDM
(+optional SHAKING MEDICINE workshop 5:50pm-7pm)
Sat 17 Oct CATHARSIS: Psytrance | EDM
(+optional SHAKING MEDICINE workshop 5:50pm-7pm)
Sat 24 Oct (Full Moon) SHAMANIC BASS TEMPLE: Dub | Global Bass | Shamanic Soundscapes. Part of All Day Transformational Retreat 11:45am–10.15pm THE RITUAL: workshops tbc
Sat 31 Oct HALLOWEEN BALL: music theme tbc
More dates to be added

SCHEDULE:
◈ 5:50pm doors open for Shaking Medicine session, SEE UPCOMING DATES List at the top to see when Shaking Medicine sessions will take place. (Optional workshop, please see ticket type. Scroll down to read more about the Shaking Medicine) Due to the nature of Shaking Medicine being a process that needs to be followed from the beginning, late arrivals of more than 10 minutes, unfortunately, can not be admitted.
◈6pm-7pm Shaking Medicine / Active Meditation session (Bring a yoga mat & blanket, blindfolds provided). See ticket options or pay £5 cash/ card on the door if you’ve already booked ticket for Ecstatic Dance. (Please bring a yoga mat & blanket, blindfolds provided, we also have some spare mats & blankets at the venue).
◈ 7pm-7:30pm Doors Open for Ecstatic Dance/ Check in / Dance Warm up (No entry after 7:30pm sorry, this is so we can all journey together)
◈ 7:30pm-9:45pm Cacao Ceremony, Positive Intention Setting/ Ecstatic Dance SoundWave
◈ 9:45pm-10:15pm Optional fruit social to nourish you after the dance
💜 ALL UPCOMING WELLBEING EVENTS, RETREATS, FESTIVALS +CREWING:
Website: ecstaticdancelondon.com/events
Linktree: linktr.ee/ecstaticdancelondon
Instagram: @ecstaticdance_london
Mailing list: https://ecstaticdancelondon.myflodesk.com/we-are-london
💛FREE CREW SPACES: We’d be very happy to hear from you if you’d like to help us in exchange for a free ticket! Requirement – you need to have attended at least two indoor events before you can join the crew. Please complete the sign up form and we’ll be in touch.
ANY QUESTIONS? Please send us an email to: info@ecstaticdancelondon.com
～ ECSTATIC DANCE AUTUMN RETREAT 2026 ～
💜 NOVEMBER 18-22, 2026 ECSTATIC DANCE RETREAT & RESTIVAL (Gillingham, Dorset, UK) Only 2h direct train from London. Join for 5 days or weekend only. Sober & Conscious Dance, Music, Rest & Healthy Living Gathering
Join us for the full retreat, either the Transformational Ecstatic Dance pathway or Restival Rest and Rejuvenation pathway. Tickets aren’t open yet, but you can get early access by joining the waitlist below. SIGN UP FOR EARLY ACCESS
～ ECSTATIC DANCE TEMPLE® DJ & Facilitator Training ～
12-Week Live Online Course
Dates: Monday 11 January – Monday 29 March 2027
Time: Mondays, 7:00–9:00 PM
Format: 12 consecutive live online sessions
Course Fee: £500 SIGN UP HERE
Course Purpose: Level 1 introduces participants to the foundations of becoming an Ecstatic Dance Temple DJ and facilitator. It’s designed for people who already have some experience of Ecstatic Dance, conscious movement or related personal-development practices, but who do not necessarily have previous DJing or facilitation experience.

𝗘𝗖𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦: The Sober ReLOVEution!
We are super excited to be offering Ecstatic Dances with Live Percussion & Cacao Ceremonies on Saturday nights! Ecstatic Dance London – Pioneers of Ecstatic Dance in the UK since 2009
You are invited to join us for freestyle, expressive dance & moving meditation sessions. An Evening of Ecstatic Dance with No Alcohol, No Drugs – Just Music, Amazing Rhythms and Cacao! This is a unique sober Saturday night dance in London!
No prior experience of dance necessary. All welcome. We also offer limited free crew space, scroll down to find more info and crew sign up form.
Our Ecstatic Dance sessions have guidelines of: No booze, No Shoes, No phones, No Chit Chat, Move However You Wish, Respect yourself and others. (More info about what is Ecstatic Dance – further down)
No late comers please. This is a shared journey from the beginning to the end and we aim to create a safe container for all dancers. If you are more than 30 min late from the start of the session, unfortunately you won’t be able to join the session, please respect this and arrive on time. Thank you
***Please note: this is a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol space! This is one of the very few spaces where Londoners can go out dancing on a Saturday night in London in a safe and clean sober space. Please respect this, and please don’t come drunk or high as you will be refused entry or asked to leave. No refunds!***
WHY CACAO?
At Ecstatic Dance London we LOVE chocolate, RAW chocolate-CACAO! We will provide complimentary Raw Vegan Cacao to superfood charge your dance with us! Cacao is the ultimate heart opener, it will give you energy, revitalise your BodyMind inviting you to express, release & unleash your creativity during the dance! Our Raw Vegan Cacao is prepared lovingly by Diana (who makes the best, velvety-tasting cacao in town for sure!). She uses ethically sourced, highest quality ingredients from Guatemala. (Free from Gluten/ Dairy / Nut / Refined Sugar) Super Yummy! 🙂 Join us to explore Cacao + Ecstatic Dance as a potent synthesis for Transformation!
“People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive” – Joseph Campbell
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
1. Please come already dressed in comfortable clothing suitable for movement/fitness and dress in layers. Bring a set of dry clothes/small towel as you will probably get sweaty during the session. Toilets are available at the venue but there are no separate changing rooms.
2. We dance barefoot, in soft indoor shoes or grip socks.
3. a Reusable water bottle. Tap water & lemon water refill available at the venue.
4. A healthy snack to have after the dance.
VENUE:
11 min walk from Tufnell Park station or 13 min walk from Gospel Oak station. (Exact venue details will be in your order confirmation email! Please scroll down in the email to ‘Additional Information’ section to see all details!)
-Please check tfl.gov for latest travel updates.
-If you are driving, please be aware that the venue is in an Ultra Low Emission Zone and you may be liable to pay the daily fee.
-Find parking on parkopedia and use venues postcode. There is no parking at the venue.
-There are bicycle racks at the venue to lock your bike if you are cycling.
-Venue is accessible to wheelchair users.
-Toilets are available at the venue.
PRICES:
+Eventbrite fee. Book online or pay cash/ card on the door.

Low waged/concession £15 (limited availability)
Regular £20
Abundance £25
For Shaking Medicine add extra £5

CHILDREN: unfortunately these sessions are not suitable for children. 18+ only.
EVENTBRITE ORDER CONFIRMATION: Email might be in the spam folder. Please check the email you used to purchase the ticket, might not be your primary email account. Do not print any paper tickets, we will check you in by your name.
💛FREE CREW SPACES: We’d be very happy to hear from you if you’d like to help us in exchange for a free ticket! Requirement – you need to have attended at least two indoor events before you can join the crew. Please complete the sign up form and we’ll be in touch.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
We do not offer refunds/ticket swaps for another event if you cannot attend. You are welcome to pass on your ticket to a friend, colleague or family member. If we (the organizers) need to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances, we will issue a full refund.
If you have any questions, please send us an email to: info@ecstaticdancelondon.com

DJ & FACILITATOR:
◈ Sessions are facilitated and DJed by Seth Newman – the pioneer of Ecstatic Dance in the UK since 2009!
www.urubu.com, www.ecstaticdancelondon.com, @esctaticdance_london
💗Seth Newman: As the founder of the Ecstatic Dance London, he integrates the roots of Humanistic therapies, Bioenergetics & Body Psychotherapy, Transpersonal Psychology, 5 Rhythms and Tantra. Seth has a life-long passion for active meditations and other movement, and embodiment practices. His in-depth studies, trainings and personal experiences of many therapeutic modalities infuse his approach in creating and facilitating life-transforming workshops, retreats and trainings. As a coach, Seth is dedicated to helping people calm, empower and rejuvenate their busy minds and bodies to achieve the best versions of themselves. Seth brings a wealth of experience holding heart-centered spaces and has been running various body-mind integration workshops for many years.
As a musician, Seth is passionate about the power of rhythm & drums to transform & awaken humanity, he has an MA in Community Music from Goldsmith College, and has worked as a world music percussion teacher in East London schools for almost 20 years. He formed the URUBU collective & Ecstatic Dance London back in 2009 as a Live Music Ecstatic Dance experience with Afro-Brazilian drummers & musicians, and with heart felt vision has forged the Ecstatic Dance scene in London and the UK. Seth channels his passion for rhythm into his DJ sets, incorporating Afro-centric, Cuban, and Brazilian influences, providing an electrifying and soulful experience!
Ecstatic Dance London & URUBU offers a variety of powerful holistic body-mind tools and practices.

WHAT IS ECSTATIC DANCE?
MUSIC – MOVEMENT – COMMUNITY!
Brought to you by: Ecstatic Dance London – We love to dance. We love music. We love to inspire, to connect, to heal and transform!
Ecstatic Dance is a dance/movement practice to explore the exhilarating feeling of moving your body freely. You are invited to move, play, connect, sweat, stretch, sound, unwind, renew, release, improvise, transform. Be true to yourself, while respecting your body, in this space that we co-create together. Move your body, unleash the wild dancing self without caring what people think, claim your freedom, open your heart & touch the infinite!
Our Ecstatic Dance classes create a safe and respectful environment that embraces ‘all ways’. We offer a movement practice that supports your free expression of emotions and inner space through movement and music. Our intention for these Ecstatic Dance classes is self-exploration, connection, fun, healing, expanding human potential and community building through freestyle ecstatic dance.
Enter an open space…and with your bare feet explore the exhilarating feeling of moving your body freely. You are invited to move, play, connect, sweat, stretch, sound, unwind, renew, release, improvise, transform. Be true to yourself, while respecting your body, in this space that we co-create together.
PRACTICE SPECIFICS: Warm-up: stretch, move/dance and reflect on the intention for the dance to a gentle sound wave. The Practice: freestyle dancing to a large sound wave featuring Live DJ set. Some guidance & facilitation will be provided. And then we will let the music, the community and our own inner space direct our steps, our movements, our expression, our journey. Relaxation: Ecstatic Dance usually ends with a deep relaxation.
ECSTATIC DANCE GUIDELINES:
No late comers please. This is a shared journey from the beginning to the end and we aim to create a safe container for all dancers.
1. No talking during the dance (if you wish to talk, you are welcome to chat before/after dance outside the main dance space). When we dance without the chitchat, something alchemical can happen on the dancefloor. A unified field of Being emerges and we feel both wild and free, contained within ourselves And connected to something much, much greater than our individual selves.
2. Drug-Free, Smoke-Free, Alcohol-Free environment
3. No photos or videos, Mobile phones muted and out of sight
4. Care/Awareness for the co-created space and each other
5. Move your body however you wish
6. No spectating. Stay connected to your own body, sensations, emotions, and feelings. Ecstatic Dance is about you and your relationship to the Dance. Dancers feel uncomfortable when being spectated at. Come prepared to Dance yourself free from inhibitions!
7. You can dance alone, or with as many partners as (you) like to join. (If you’d rather not dance with someone, thank them for the offer by placing your hands in prayer position at your heart – Namaste. Thank you, no thank you.)
8. This is not a pick up place. Please respect all dancers (especially women) and do not ask for anyone’s contact details. If you wish to stay in touch with someone, give them your email instead of asking for their contact details. No means no.
“Our bodies instinctively know what feels good or bad, right or wrong. However, often our heads get in the way. Ecstatic Dance is about finding our way through to what feels good. How can we use dance to consciously transform towards finding joy, without denying our anger or sadness? Ask yourself: what’s my body feeling in this moment? Does it feel good moving this way, or that? Does it feel nourishing to dance with another, or dance solo? Where do I most feel connected with Self? Let your body lead the way.” ~ Abigail Harris

💜 ALL UPCOMING WELLBEING EVENTS, RETREATS, FESTIVALS +CREWING:
Website: ecstaticdancelondon.com/events
Linktree: linktr.ee/ecstaticdancelondon
Instagram: @ecstaticdance_london
Mailing list: https://ecstaticdancelondon.myflodesk.com/we-are-london
💛FREE CREW SPACES: We’d be very happy to hear from you if you’d like to help us in exchange for a free ticket! Requirement – you need to have attended at least two indoor events before you can join the crew. Please complete the sign up form and we’ll be in touch.
～ ECSTATIC DANCE AUTUMN RETREAT 2026 ～
💜 NOVEMBER 18-22, 2026 ECSTATIC DANCE RETREAT & RESTIVAL (Gillingham, Dorset, UK) Only 2h direct train from London. Join for 5 days or weekend only. Sober & Conscious Dance, Music, Rest & Healthy Living Gathering
Join us for the full retreat, either the Transformational Ecstatic Dance pathway or Restival Rest and Rejuvenation pathway. Tickets aren’t open yet, but you can get early access by joining the waitlist below. SIGN UP FOR EARLY ACCESS
～ ECSTATIC DANCE TEMPLE® DJ & Facilitator Training ～
12-Week Live Online Course
Dates: Monday 11 January – Monday 29 March 2027
Time: Mondays, 7:00–9:00 PM
Format: 12 consecutive live online sessions
Course Fee: £500 SIGN UP HERE
Course Purpose: Level 1 introduces participants to the foundations of becoming an Ecstatic Dance Temple DJ and facilitator. It’s designed for people who already have some experience of Ecstatic Dance, conscious movement or related personal-development practices, but who do not necessarily have previous DJing or facilitation experience.
If you have any questions, please send us an email to: info@ecstaticdancelondon.com
We look forward to welcoming you!
Ecstatic Dance London team

Aerial Relaxation Pods – Sound Journey Gong Bath Meditation in Hammocks or on Padded Floor Mats
2026-10-06 19:00 - 21:45, 2026-10-08 19:00 - 21:45, 2026-10-13 19:00 - 21:45, 2026-10-15 19:00 - 21:45, 2026-10-20 19:00 - 21:45, 2026-10-27 19:00 - 21:45, 2026-10-29 19:00 - 21:45, 2026-11-03 19:00 - 21:45 and 5 more dates | The Skylight Centre, 49 Corsica Street, (please arrive only 5 min before the start of the session as there is no waiting room, thanks), London, N5 1JT, United Kingdom
AERIAL RELAXATION PODS™ London’s first multi-sensory aerial relaxation experience since 2016! With live ambient music, gongs, aromatherapy and aerial hammocks or padded comfortable floor mats. Oasis of Calm. TICKETS, AVAILABILITY AND DATES ON EVENTBRITE.

Why Hammock Sound Journeys?
Relaxing in a hammock enhances the therapeutic effects of sound, gently rocking you into a state of profound rest and relaxation. Guided by skilled sound healer & musician, you’ll be enveloped by soothing tones from gongs, crystal bowls, chimes & aromatherapy eye pillows supporting deep relaxation and nervous system balance! Plus delicious homemade chai or herbal tea at the end of the session! What better way to spend your evening!
What to expect?

Live ambient music: gongs, crystal bowls, tibetan bowl, vocals, other live instruments, nurturing electronica
Aromatherapy eye pillows and scents to calm the nervous system
Gentle guidance to deepen the relaxation state
Sky-blue soft hammocks to sway your stresses away and lift your spirit!
Additional spaces on comfortable, padded floor mats with blankets, cushions & bolsters
Grounding integration social with complimentary homemade herbal tea
An oasis of calm in our busy lives!

Give yourself the gift of stillness and calm. Book now to experience this exceptional journey into relaxation and inner peace. We also offer gift cards, see all info below.
OUR LATEST VIDEO TO GIVE YOU A TASTE OF WHAT TO EXPECT 💫 Relax, Restore, and Rebalance 💫
📷Instagram: @aerialrelaxationpods

DATES, TICKETS & AVAILABILITY FOR UPCOMING SESSIONS – SEE EVENTBRITE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/aerial-relaxation-pods-sound-journey-gong-bath-meditation-in-hammocks-tickets-84883457707

Please arrive only 5 min before session start time, no waiting room at the venue.
Choose from a space in a hammock or a space on a comfortable padded floor mat.
Provided: blankets, cushions, eye pillows & bolsters for extra comfort or bring your own.
If the session is sold out, you can join the waitlist as sometimes we receive cancellations and will contact you at least 72h prior to the event and offer to book a space.

💙OTHER SESSIONS WE OFFER / 🎁GIFT CARDS💙
-EXTENDED SESSIONS 1H 45MIN Floating Sound Journey & Gong Bath in Hammocks
-MONTHLY WORKSHOP 2H 45MIN SYSTEM RESET – Bioenergetics Exercises for Stress Release, Creative Flow Guided Meditation & Sound Journey in Hammocks
-LOMI LOMI MASSAGE Treat yourself or special someone to a 90 min massage in SE London
🎁GIFT CARDS Give a Gift or Relaxation! Buy Sound Journey Voucher

💜SEE ALL OUR UPCOMING WELLBEING EVENTS, RETREATS & FESTIVALS:
Website: ecstaticdancelondon.com/events
Linktree: linktr.ee/ecstaticdancelondon
📷Instagram: @aerialrelaxationpods, @ecstaticdance_london
IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE:
1) Strictly no latecomers! – Sorry, please arrive on time! Unfortunately, if you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be allowed entry (and there can be no refunds if you are more than 10 minutes late, very sorry!) as we need to make it a calm & peaceful space for people who are already here.
2) Our sessions are designed to be calm and restful. We welcome everyone to our sound journey sessions and aim to make them accessible and comfortable for all.
– If you are feeling unwell with a potentially contagious illness, please rest at home and pass your ticket to a friend or family member.
–If you have any accessibility needs or a health condition, including those that may cause a persistent non-contagious cough (e.g.,asthma or allergies), you are welcome to attend – we simply ask you to let us know via email in advance so we can plan for a comfortable experience for all.
-We reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone showing symptoms of an infectious illness, including a new cough. This is to protect vulnerable attendees and maintain a peaceful environment.
3) Please only arrive 5 minutes before the start of the session, as there is no waiting room at the venue, we won’t be able to allow early entrace in order to prepare for the session.
4) Clothing: Please wear a sleeved shirt that covers the armpits and leggings or yoga trousers that cover your knees. Wear form-fitting clothing. Please do not wear baggy clothing as they can snag and catch on the sling’s fabric causing accidents. Ensure that your clothing is “zipper free” and remove all jewellery (body piercings, watches and hair clips etc). These items can snag and damage the silk hammocks.
5) Weight limit is up 300 pounds (140kg) per hammock.
6) This session is not suitable for people with pacemakers and other therapeutic electronic devices or persons suffering from severe mental health issues due to the vibratory nature of the session. Please seek advice from your GP if you have any concerns prior to attending our session.
7) Our sound journeys are very gentle and not loud/intense therefore suitable for pregnant women. It is believed that there are many positive and beneficial effects to be gained from relaxation and healing sounds to the growing foetus. The advised healing practice is gentle flowing sounds around the pregnant mother for the beneficial and positive effect of both mother and baby. Please seek advice from your GP if you have any concerns prior to attending our session.
EMAIL: aerialrelaxationpods@gmail.com OR info@ecstaticdancelondon.com
VENUE:
The Skylight Centre, 49 Corsica St, Highbury East, London N5 1JT (closest Station Highbury & Islington, 5 min walk from the station)
Payment: Please book via Eventbrite (very limited spaces, advance booking is essential as we have limited capacity for these classes) No tickets on the door.
Order confirmation: please check your spam folder as sometimes Eventbrite emails don’t go to the main inbox. Double check the email address you entered to book your ticket.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
All tickets are non-refundable. Last minute refunds/ticket transfers are not available as we need to have enough time to fill the space left, at least 1 week’s notice. You are welcome to pass on your ticket to a friend, colleague or family member.

FEEDBACK FROM OUR SESSIONS:
“Words are inadequate to express the uniquely nurturing experience I had during your class… and the music was amazing! The feeling of being securely wrapped in a silk hammock from head to toe, suspended in the air, slowly rocking, with the gentle breath meditation, the crystal bowls and the ambient music created a sublime and profound atmosphere. It was as if I was in a cocoon of total support, allowing peace to flow into my entire being.” – Alison
“Being someone who is always on the move and finds it very difficult to relax, I found this session to be really valuable ‘me time!’ Initially, I found it difficult to let go and unwind where the muscles in my arms and legs were contracting. After a few minutes, I started to drift away into a soft slumber which was deeply relaxing. Despite this my senses were heightened and I became very conscious of the sounds that seemed to travel through my ears, vibrating all the way into my body. The gentle movements of the hammock with the music in the background made me feel like a young infant being rocked to sleep. A wonderfully calming and soothing experience, with the added bonus of not having to put in any physical effort. Great! I look forward to more of this.” – Navpreet

WHY HAMMOCKS? ROCK-ABYE-BABY & RESEARCH
Two new studies published in Current Biology suggest our brains are evolutionarily programmed to respond to rocking. Research also provides insight into why rocking is calming to babies. The brain wave synchronization occurs much easier through a rocking motion and allows the baby to feel more at home (i.e. it feels closer to being in the womb). And let’s not forget that we spend the first nine months of our lives being gently rocked in an amniotic sea.
“Since immemorial times we’ve rocked our babies, and often ourselves, to sleep,” says lead author on the new paper, Konstantinos Kompotis, at the University of Lausanne, also in Switzerland. “Our study provides new insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.”
Dr Michael J Breus, a Certified Sleep Specialist, states that it’s the simplest of soothing, sleep-inducing remedies, something we all naturally do: rocking a baby gently to sleep.
But why does it work? How exactly does a gentle rhythmic motion change the sleep architecture of the brain? Repetitive motions, like those experienced in the gentle rocking of a hammock, can soothe anxiety. Dr. Herbert Benson, founder of Harvard’s Mind/Body Medical Institute, recommends repetitive movement to elicit your body’s relaxation response. This reaction allows a lower heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.
The gentle rocking of a hammock will boost brain wave oscillations associated with better sleep and has been shown to provide a fertile ground for deep relaxation. More specifically, the rocking fortifies the brain waves that are naturally present during sleep which help maintain deep relaxation. Neuroscientist Laurence Bayer of the University of Geneva in Switzerland, likens the findings to our intuitive appreciation that a slowly rocking hammock can relax us and do wonders for our mood. “This is potentially a very promising avenue for future clinical research,” he notes. Rocking to sleep may have significant health benefits such as better quality of sleep and even improved long-term memory formation.
We all instinctively know about the power of a soothing, repetitive rocking motion and this in combination with live ambient soundscapes and aromatherapy is a potent synthesis for deep relaxation.

ORGANIZERS/ FACILITATORS/ MUSICIANS:
💗Diana Upite-Davis: Trained in classical music from a young age in Latvia, and later moving to UK to study contemporary music, Diana carries a life-long passion for singing, improvising and re-imagining traditional Celtic and folk songs with her own melodic vision. A singer at heart, she connects deeply with the melodies and harmonies of ancient Europe and beyond. Through her singing, her intention is to guide you on a journey of reconnection and self-discovery, reuniting you with the source of who you are! She is passionate about bringing practices of rest and embodiment to others, has trained in 1:1 and multiple-handed Lomi Lomi bodywork and also offers sauna venik rituals. Diana has a keen interest in making delicious raw chocolates and raw cacao drinks for events & private clients. She enjoyes blending spices to make her signature delicious homemade vegan & caffeine free Chai for events & is experimenting with new flavours! She is a co-creator and co-facilitator of many wellbeing classes, workshops, retreats, festivals that she co-organises with ‘Ecstatic Dance London’ for nearly 10 years. Dee is passionate and dedicated in creating the best possible experiences for attendees.
Instagram: @diana.upite, @aerialrelaxationpods, @esctaticdance_london
Websites: ecstaticdancelondon.com & urubu.com
Lomi Lomi bookings here: https://deebest.as.me/schedule/ecd82d0a

CONNECT WITH US/ GIFTCARDS/ PRIVATE & CORPORATE BOOKINGS OR BOOK 1:1 SESSIONS
🎁GIFT CARDS Give a Gift or Relaxation: Buy Sound Journey Voucher

Book a private sessions for groups of 19 participants in hammocks plus additional 8 spaces on yoga mats, all sessions take place at our venue or we can come to you with our portable hammock set up (max 28 participants) or yoga mat set up (max 50 participants).
EMAIL: aerialrelaxationpods@gmail.com OR info@ecstaticdancelondon.com
💜SEE ALL OUR UPCOMING WELLBEING EVENTS, RETREATS & FESTIVALS:
Website: ecstaticdancelondon.com/events
Linktree: linktr.ee/ecstaticdancelondon
Instagram: @aerialrelaxationpods, @ecstaticdance_london
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AerialRelaxationPods
We look forward to welcoming you!

ECSTATIC DANCE LONDON - Cacao Dance Tribe: Friday Night Dance & Cacao
2026-10-09 19:45 - 22:15, 2026-10-16 19:45 - 22:15, 2026-10-23 19:45 - 22:15, 2026-10-30 19:45 - 22:15, 2026-11-06 19:45 - 22:15, 2026-11-13 19:45 - 22:15, 2026-11-27 19:45 - 22:15 | 2 minutes from Tufnell Park Station (VENUE ADDRESS in order CONFIRMATION EMAIL, please SCROLL DOWN in the email), Burghley Road, London, England, NW5 1UJ, United Kingdom
Friday Night Ecstatic Dance, Delicious Cacao, Epic Music! No booze, No Shoes, No Chit Chat, Move However You Wish!!

ECSTATIC DANCE LONDON presents: 🌎CACAO DANCE TRIBE: Afro House & World Beats Ecstatic Dance + Cacao Ceremony. TICKETS ON EVENTBRITE.
with Seth Newman (DJ & live percussion set)
Friday Night | 7:45PM–10:15PM
Fruit Social: 10:15PM–10:45PM
Gospel Oak / Tufnell Park, North London
Immerse yourself in an ecstatic dance journey infused with Afro House rhythms, world beats, and live percussion. Move freely, connect deeply, and let the music take you on a powerful journey of embodiment, release and ecstasy.
We’ll open the evening with a dance movement warmup, then shift to a heart-opening raw vegan cacao ceremony and positive intention setting ritual, tuning in together before the main dance Wave begins.
Expect:
✨ Uplifting Afro House, Brazilian grooves, and organic world rhythms
🥁 Live percussion bringing fire and soul to the dancefloor
🍫 Raw ceremonial cacao to open your heart and elevate your energy
💃 Freestyle, expressive movement & moving meditation
🍉 Optional fruit social afterwards to nourish and connect
No alcohol, no drugs, just rhythm, breath, and community.
This is one of London’s most loved sober Friday night dance experiences, where you can shake off the week’s stress and celebrate life through movement.
About Cacao Dance Tribe
Founded in 2017, Cacao Dance Tribe was one of the world’s first Cacao Ceremony + Ecstatic Dance events, originally held in Camden. After a pause during the pandemic, we’re thrilled to have revived the tribe in Tufnell Park since 2023, co-created by the Ecstatic Dance London community, pioneers of the UK’s sober dance movement since 2009.
No dance experience needed – everyone is welcome.
We also offer limited free crew spaces – scroll below for details and sign-up.
Music Vibe: Afro House | World Beats | Brazilian | Organic Rhythms
UPCOMING FRIDAY NIGHT DATES:

Join us 7pm-10:15pm at our temporary venue, just over 10 min walk from Gospel Oak/Tufnell Park stations.

Fri 25 Sept (Full Moon)
Fri 2 Oct
Fri 9 Oct (New Moon)
Fri 16 Oct
Fri 23 Oct
Fri 30 Oct
More dates to be added

💜 ALL UPCOMING WELLBEING EVENTS, RETREATS, FESTIVALS +CREWING:
Website: ecstaticdancelondon.com/events
Linktree: linktr.ee/ecstaticdancelondon
Instagram: @ecstaticdance_london
Mailing list: https://ecstaticdancelondon.myflodesk.com/we-are-london
💛FREE CREW SPACES: We’d be very happy to hear from you if you’d like to help us in exchange for a free ticket! Requirement – you need to have attended at least two indoor events before you can join the crew. Please complete the sign up form and we’ll be in touch.
ECSTATIC DANCE GUIDELINES
📌Ecstatic Dance guidelines: No booze, No Shoes, No phones, No Chit Chat, Move However You Wish, Respect yourself and others.
📌Zero-tolerance drug and alcohol space! This is one of the very few spaces where Londoners can go out dancing in London in a safe and clean sober space. Please respect this, and please don’t come drunk or high as you will be refused entry or asked to leave. No refunds!***
📌Dancers enter at their own risk. Ecstatic Dance London accepts no responsibility for spontaneous joy, open-heartedness or sore cheeks from too much smiling (we also accept no liability or responsibility for any injury, loss or damage).
PRACTICE SPECIFICS: Warm-up: stretch, move/dance and reflect on the intention for the dance to a gentle sound wave. The Practice: freestyle dancing to a large sound wave featuring Live DJ set. Some guidance & facilitation will be provided. And then we will let the music, the community and our own inner space direct our steps, our movements, our expression, our journey. Relaxation: Ecstatic Dance usually ends with a deep relaxation. (More info about what is Ecstatic Dance – please scroll further down).
****Alcohol, drug, psychedelic & smoke free space!!! We get a natural high through dance and cacao!***
WHAT TO EXPECT:
-Next-level, conscious, inspiring and diverse dance music journey with live percussion !
-A unique conscious clubbing experience!
-A beautiful, sacred, heartful, fun & safe space for you to dance freely in
-Yummy, velvety tasting raw vegan cacao drink and intention setting ritual
-Superb sound system!
-Vibrant people who love to dance and love music!
-Optional fruit social to nourish you after the dance
-Best Friday night out and no hangover!
WHY CACAO?
At Ecstatic Dance London we LOVE chocolate, RAW chocolate-CACAO! We will provide complimentary Raw Vegan Cacao to superfood charge your dance with us!
Cacao is the ultimate heart opener, it will give you energy, revitalise your BodyMind inviting you to express, release & unleash your creativity during the dance!
Our Raw Vegan Cacao is prepared lovingly by Diana (who makes the best, velvety-tasting cacao in town for sure!). She uses ethically sourced, highest quality ingredients from Guatemala. (Free from Gluten/ Dairy / Nut / Refined Sugar) Super Yummy! 🙂
Join us to explore Cacao + Ecstatic Dance as a potent synthesis for Transformation!
“People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive” – Joseph Campbell
SCHEDULE:
◈ 7:45pm-8:15pm Doors Open/ Check in / Dance Warm up (No entry after 8:15pm sorry, this is so we can all journey together)
◈ 8:15pm-10:15pm Cacao Ceremony, Positive Intention Setting/ Ecstatic Dance SoundWave
◈ 10:15pm-10:45pm Optional fruit social to nourish you after the dance.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
1. Please come already dressed in comfortable clothing suitable for movement/fitness and dress in layers. Bring a set of dry clothes/small towel as you will probably get sweaty during the session. Toilets are available at the venue but there are no separate changing rooms.
2. We dance barefoot, in soft indoor shoes or grip socks.
3. a Reusable water bottle. Tap water refill available at the venue.
4. A healthy snack to have after the dance.
VENUE:
11 min walk from Tufnell Park station or 13 min walk from Gospel Oak station. (Exact venue details will be in your order confirmation email! Please scroll down in the email to ‘Additional Information’ section to see all details!)
-Please check tfl.gov for latest travel updates.
-If you are driving, please be aware that the venue is in an Ultra Low Emission Zone and you may be liable to pay the daily fee.
-Find parking on parkopedia and use venues postcode. There is no parking at the venue.
-There are bicycle racks at the venue to lock your bike if you are cycling.
-Venue is accessible to wheelchair users.
-Toilets are available at the venue.
PRICES:
+Eventbrite fee. Book online or pay cash/ card on the door.

Low waged/concession £15 (limited availability)
Regular waged £20
Abundance £25

CHILDREN: unfortunately these sessions are not suitable for children. 18+ only.
EVENTBRITE ORDER CONFIRMATION: Email might be in the spam folder. Please check the email you used to purchase the ticket, might not be your primary email account. Do not print any paper tickets, we will check you in by your name.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
We do not offer refunds/ticket swaps for another event if you cannot attend. You are welcome to pass on your ticket to a friend, colleague or family member. If we (the organizers) need to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances, we will issue a full refund.
If you have any questions, please send us an email to: info@ecstaticdancelondon.com

DJ & FACILITATOR:
◈ Sessions are facilitated and DJed by Seth Newman – the pioneer of Ecstatic Dance in the UK since 2009!
www.urubu.com, www.ecstaticdancelondon.com, @esctaticdance_london
💗Seth Newman: As the founder of the Ecstatic Dance London, he integrates the roots of Humanistic therapies, Bioenergetics & Body Psychotherapy, Transpersonal Psychology, 5 Rhythms and Tantra. Seth has a life-long passion for active meditations and other movement, and embodiment practices. His in-depth studies, trainings and personal experiences of many therapeutic modalities infuse his approach in creating and facilitating life-transforming workshops, retreats and trainings. As a coach, Seth is dedicated to helping people calm, empower and rejuvenate their busy minds and bodies to achieve the best versions of themselves. Seth brings a wealth of experience holding heart-centered spaces and has been running various body-mind integration workshops for many years.
As a musician, Seth is passionate about the power of rhythm & drums to transform & awaken humanity, he has an MA in Community Music from Goldsmith College, and has worked as a world music percussion teacher in East London schools for almost 20 years. He formed the URUBU collective & Ecstatic Dance London back in 2009 as a Live Music Ecstatic Dance experience with Afro-Brazilian drummers & musicians, and with heart felt vision has forged the Ecstatic Dance scene in London and the UK. Seth channels his passion for rhythm into his DJ sets, incorporating Afro-centric, Cuban, and Brazilian influences, providing an electrifying and soulful experience!
Ecstatic Dance London & URUBU offers a variety of powerful holistic body-mind tools and practices.

WHAT IS ECSTATIC DANCE?
MUSIC – MOVEMENT – COMMUNITY!
Brought to you by: Ecstatic Dance London – We love to dance. We love music. We love to inspire, to connect, to heal and transform!
Ecstatic Dance is a dance/movement practice to explore the exhilarating feeling of moving your body freely. You are invited to move, play, connect, sweat, stretch, sound, unwind, renew, release, improvise, transform. Be true to yourself, while respecting your body, in this space that we co-create together. Move your body, unleash the wild dancing self without caring what people think, claim your freedom, open your heart & touch the infinite!
Our Ecstatic Dance classes create a safe and respectful environment that embraces ‘all ways’. We offer a movement practice that supports your free expression of emotions and inner space through movement and music. Our intention for these Ecstatic Dance classes is self-exploration, connection, fun, healing, expanding human potential and community building through freestyle ecstatic dance.
Enter an open space…and with your bare feet explore the exhilarating feeling of moving your body freely. You are invited to move, play, connect, sweat, stretch, sound, unwind, renew, release, improvise, transform. Be true to yourself, while respecting your body, in this space that we co-create together.
ECSTATIC DANCE GUIDELINES:
No late comers please. This is a shared journey from the beginning to the end and we aim to create a safe container for all dancers.
1. No talking during the dance (if you wish to talk, you are welcome to chat before/after dance outside the main dance space). When we dance without the chitchat, something alchemical can happen on the dancefloor. A unified field of Being emerges and we feel both wild and free, contained within ourselves And connected to something much, much greater than our individual selves.
2. Drug-Free, Smoke-Free, Alcohol-Free environment
3. No photos or videos, Mobile phones muted and out of sight
4. Care/Awareness for the co-created space and each other
5. Move your body however you wish
6. No spectating. Stay connected to your own body, sensations, emotions, and feelings. Ecstatic Dance is about you and your relationship to the Dance. Dancers feel uncomfortable when being spectated at. Come prepared to Dance yourself free from inhibitions!
7. You can dance alone, or with as many partners as (you) like to join. (If you’d rather not dance with someone, thank them for the offer by placing your hands in prayer position at your heart – Namaste. Thank you, no thank you.)
8. This is not a pick up place. Please respect all dancers (especially women) and do not ask for anyone’s contact details. If you wish to stay in touch with someone, give them your email instead of asking for their contact details. No means no.
“Our bodies instinctively know what feels good or bad, right or wrong. However, often our heads get in the way. Ecstatic Dance is about finding our way through to what feels good. How can we use dance to consciously transform towards finding joy, without denying our anger or sadness? Ask yourself: what’s my body feeling in this moment? Does it feel good moving this way, or that? Does it feel nourishing to dance with another, or dance solo? Where do I most feel connected with Self? Let your body lead the way.” ~ Abigail Harris

💜 ALL UPCOMING WELLBEING EVENTS, RETREATS, FESTIVALS +CREWING:
Website: ecstaticdancelondon.com/events
Linktree: linktr.ee/ecstaticdancelondon
Instagram: @ecstaticdance_london
Mailing list: https://ecstaticdancelondon.myflodesk.com/we-are-london
💛FREE CREW SPACES: We’d be very happy to hear from you if you’d like to help us in exchange for a free ticket! Requirement – you need to have attended at least two indoor events before you can join the crew. Please complete the sign up form and we’ll be in touch.
～ ECSTATIC DANCE AUTUMN RETREAT 2026 ～
💜 NOVEMBER 18-22, 2026 ECSTATIC DANCE RETREAT & RESTIVAL (Gillingham, Dorset, UK) Only 2h direct train from London. Join for 5 days or weekend only. Sober & Conscious Dance, Music, Rest & Healthy Living Gathering
Join us for the full retreat, either the Transformational Ecstatic Dance pathway or Restival Rest and Rejuvenation pathway. Tickets aren’t open yet, but you can get early access by joining the waitlist below. SIGN UP FOR EARLY ACCESS
～ ECSTATIC DANCE TEMPLE® DJ & Facilitator Training ～
12-Week Live Online Course
Dates: Monday 11 January – Monday 29 March 2027
Time: Mondays, 7:00–9:00 PM
Format: 12 consecutive live online sessions
Course Fee: £500 SIGN UP HERE
Course Purpose: Level 1 introduces participants to the foundations of becoming an Ecstatic Dance Temple DJ and facilitator. It’s designed for people who already have some experience of Ecstatic Dance, conscious movement or related personal-development practices, but who do not necessarily have previous DJing or facilitation experience.
If you have any questions, please send us an email to: info@ecstaticdancelondon.com
We look forward to welcoming you!
Ecstatic Dance London team

EXTENDED Floating Sound Journey Gong Bath Meditation in a Hammock or on Padded Floor Mats
2026-10-22 19:15 - 21:00 | The Skylight Centre, 49 Corsica Street, (please arrive only 5 min before the start of the session as there is no waiting room, thanks), London, N5 1JT, United Kingdom
Announcing EXTENDED floating hammock sessions! Guest musicians, vocals, crystal & tibetan bowls, gongs, aromatherapy, homemade chai & more! TICKETS, AVAILABILITY & DATES ON EVENTBRITE.

💙You asked and we listened! Announcing special EXTENDED 1h 45min sessions! A very unique, next level floating sound journey experience in hammocks!💙
💫 Relax, Restore, and Rebalance 💫
📷Instagram: @aerialrelaxationpods
Escape the bustle of city life with a deeply calming 1h 45min sound journey in a suspended hammock or on a comfortable padded floor mat. These unique extended sessions offer a rare opportunity to fully unwind as healing sounds and vibrations flow through you, creating a deeply immersive experience designed to calm the nervous system and melt away stress.
Why Hammock Sound Journeys?
Relaxing in a hammock enhances the therapeutic effects of sound, gently rocking you into a state of profound rest and relaxation. Guided by skilled sound healer & musician, you’ll be enveloped by soothing tones from gongs, crystal bowls, chimes & aromatherapy eye pillows supporting deep relaxation and nervous system balance! Plus delicious homemade chai or herbal tea at the end of the session! What better way to spend your evening!
What to expect?

Live ambient music: gongs, crystal bowls, tibetan bowl, vocals, other live instruments, nurturing electronica
Aromatherapy eye pillows and scents to calm the nervous system
Gentle guidance to deepen the relaxation state
Sky-blue soft hammocks to sway your stresses away and lift your spirit!
Additional spaces on comfortable, padded floor mats with blankets, cushions & bolsters
Grounding integration social with complimentary homemade herbal tea
An oasis of calm in our busy lives!

Give yourself the gift of stillness and calm. Book now to experience this exceptional journey into relaxation and inner peace. We also offer gift cards, see all info below.
📌UPCOMING DATES, AVAILABILITY – PLEASE SEE EVENTBRITE:
BOOK HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/floating-sound-journey-gong-bath-meditation-in-hammocks-extended-sessions-tickets-1059692642219
-Please arrive only 5 min before session start time, no waiting room at the venue.
-Choose from a space in a hammock or a space on a comfortable padded yoga mat.
-Provided: blankets, cushions, eye pillows & bolsters for extra comfort or bring your own.
-If the session is sold out, you can join the waitlist as sometimes we receive cancellations and will contact you at least 72h prior to the event and offer to book a space
💙OTHER SESSIONS WE OFFER / 🎁GIFT CARDS💙

-SHORTER SESSIONS 1H 15MIN ON TUE & THU EVENINGS Sound Journey & Gong Bath in Hammocks Aerial Relaxation Pods
-MONTHLY WORKSHOP 2H 45MIN SYSTEM RESET – Bioenergetics Exercises for Stress Release, Creative Flow Guided Meditation & Sound Journey in Hammocks
-LOMI LOMI MASSAGE Treat yourself or special someone to a 90 min massage in SE London
🎁GIFT CARDS Give a Gift or Relaxation! Buy Sound Journey Voucher

💜SEE ALL OUR UPCOMING WELLBEING EVENTS, RETREATS & FESTIVALS:
Website: ecstaticdancelondon.com/events
Linktree: linktr.ee/ecstaticdancelondon
📷Instagram: @aerialrelaxationpods, @ecstaticdance_london

IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE:
1) Strictly no latecomers! – Sorry, please arrive on time! Unfortunately, if you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be allowed entry (and there can be no refunds if you are more than 10 minutes late, very sorry!) as we need to make it a calm & peaceful space for people who are already here.
2) Our sessions are designed to be calm and restful. We welcome everyone to our sound journey sessions and aim to make them accessible and comfortable for all.
– If you are feeling unwell with a potentially contagious illness, please rest at home and pass your ticket to a friend or family member.
–If you have any accessibility needs or a health condition, including those that may cause a persistent non-contagious cough (e.g.,asthma or allergies), you are welcome to attend – we simply ask you to let us know via email in advance so we can plan for a comfortable experience for all.
-We reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone showing symptoms of an infectious illness, including a new cough. This is to protect vulnerable attendees and maintain a peaceful environment.
3) Please only arrive 5 minutes before the start of the session, as there is no waiting room at the venue, we won’t be able to allow early entrace in order to prepare for the session.
4) Clothing: Please wear a sleeved shirt that covers the armpits and leggings or yoga trousers that cover your knees. Wear form-fitting clothing. Please do not wear baggy clothing as they can snag and catch on the sling’s fabric causing accidents. Ensure that your clothing is “zipper free” and remove all jewellery (body piercings, watches and hair clips etc). These items can snag and damage the silk hammocks.
5) Weight limit is up 300 pounds (140kg) per hammock.
6) This session is not suitable for people with pacemakers and other therapeutic electronic devices or persons suffering from severe mental health issues due to the vibratory nature of the session. Please seek advice from your GP if you have any concerns prior to attending our session.
7) Our sound journeys are very gentle and not loud/intense therefore suitable for pregnant women. It is believed that there are many positive and beneficial effects to be gained from relaxation and healing sounds to the growing foetus. The advised healing practice is gentle flowing sounds around the pregnant mother for the beneficial and positive effect of both mother and baby. Please seek advice from your GP if you have any concerns prior to attending our session.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
All tickets are non-refundable. Last minute refunds/ticket transfers are not available as we need to have enough time to fill the space left – at least 1 week’s notice. You are welcome to pass on your ticket to a friend, colleague or family member.

FEEDBACK FROM OUR SESSIONS:
“Words are inadequate to express the uniquely nurturing experience I had during your class… and the music was amazing! The feeling of being securely wrapped in a silk hammock from head to toe, suspended in the air, slowly rocking, with the gentle breath meditation, the crystal bowls and the ambient music created a sublime and profound atmosphere. It was as if I was in a cocoon of total support, allowing peace to flow into my entire being.” – Alison
“Being someone who is always on the move and finds it very difficult to relax, I found this session to be really valuable ‘me time!’ Initially, I found it difficult to let go and unwind where the muscles in my arms and legs were contracting. After a few minutes, I started to drift away into a soft slumber which was deeply relaxing. Despite this my senses were heightened and I became very conscious of the sounds that seemed to travel through my ears, vibrating all the way into my body. The gentle movements of the hammock with the music in the background made me feel like a young infant being rocked to sleep. A wonderfully calming and soothing experience, with the added bonus of not having to put in any physical effort. Great! I look forward to more of this.” – Navpreet

WHY HAMMOCKS? ROCK-ABYE-BABY & RESEARCH
Two new studies published in Current Biology suggest our brains are evolutionarily programmed to respond to rocking. Research also provides insight into why rocking is calming to babies. The brain wave synchronization occurs much easier through a rocking motion and allows the baby to feel more at home (i.e. it feels closer to being in the womb). And let’s not forget that we spend the first nine months of our lives being gently rocked in an amniotic sea.
“Since immemorial times we’ve rocked our babies, and often ourselves, to sleep,” says lead author on the new paper, Konstantinos Kompotis, at the University of Lausanne, also in Switzerland. “Our study provides new insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.”
Dr Michael J Breus, a Certified Sleep Specialist, states that it’s the simplest of soothing, sleep-inducing remedies, something we all naturally do: rocking a baby gently to sleep.
But why does it work? How exactly does a gentle rhythmic motion change the sleep architecture of the brain? Repetitive motions, like those experienced in the gentle rocking of a hammock, can soothe anxiety. Dr. Herbert Benson, founder of Harvard’s Mind/Body Medical Institute, recommends repetitive movement to elicit your body’s relaxation response. This reaction allows a lower heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.
The gentle rocking of a hammock will boost brain wave oscillations associated with better sleep and has been shown to provide a fertile ground for deep relaxation. More specifically, the rocking fortifies the brain waves that are naturally present during sleep which help maintain deep relaxation. Neuroscientist Laurence Bayer of the University of Geneva in Switzerland, likens the findings to our intuitive appreciation that a slowly rocking hammock can relax us and do wonders for our mood. “This is potentially a very promising avenue for future clinical research,” he notes. Rocking to sleep may have significant health benefits such as better quality of sleep and even improved long-term memory formation.
We all instinctively know about the power of a soothing, repetitive rocking motion and this in combination with live ambient soundscapes and aromatherapy is a potent synthesis for deep relaxation.

ORGANIZERS/ FACILITATORS/ MUSICIANS:
💗Diana Upite-Davis: Trained in classical music from a young age in Latvia, and later moving to UK to study contemporary music, Diana carries a life-long passion for singing, improvising and re-imagining traditional Celtic and folk songs with her own melodic vision. A singer at heart, she connects deeply with the melodies and harmonies of ancient Europe and beyond. Through her singing, her intention is to guide you on a journey of reconnection and self-discovery, reuniting you with the source of who you are! She is passionate about bringing practices of rest and embodiment to others, has trained in 1:1 and multiple-handed Lomi Lomi bodywork and also offers sauna venik rituals. Diana has a keen interest in making delicious raw chocolates and raw cacao drinks for events & private clients. She enjoyes blending spices to make her signature delicious homemade vegan & caffeine free Chai for events & is experimenting with new flavours! She is a co-creator and co-facilitator of many wellbeing classes, workshops, retreats, festivals that she co-organises with ‘Ecstatic Dance London’ for nearly 10 years. Dee is passionate and dedicated in creating the best possible experiences for attendees.
Instagram: @diana.upite, @aerialrelaxationpods, @esctaticdance_london
Websites: ecstaticdancelondon.com & urubu.com
Lomi Lomi bookings here: https://deebest.as.me/schedule/ecd82d0a
We will also have guest musicians joining for some special sessions. Please see Eventbrite description with more details.

CONNECT WITH US/ GIFTCARDS/ PRIVATE & CORPORATE BOOKINGS OR BOOK 1:1 SESSIONS
🎁GIFT CARDS Give a Gift or Relaxation: Buy Sound Journey Voucher

Book a private sessions for groups of 19 participants in hammocks plus additional 8 spaces on yoga mats, all sessions take place at our venue or we can come to you with our portable hammock set up (max 28 participants) or yoga mat set up (max 50 participants).
EMAIL: aerialrelaxationpods@gmail.com OR info@ecstaticdancelondon.com
💜SEE ALL OUR UPCOMING WELLBEING EVENTS, RETREATS & FESTIVALS:
Website: ecstaticdancelondon.com/events
Linktree: linktr.ee/ecstaticdancelondon
Instagram: @aerialrelaxationpods, @ecstaticdance_london
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AerialRelaxationPods
We look forward to welcoming you!

Autumn Reset: Ecstatic Dance & Restival Retreat 18-22 Nov or 20-22 Nov (@ the Leela Centre, Gillingham, Dorset, UK)
2026-11-18 16:00 - 2026-11-22 17:00 | The Leela Centre, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, England, SP8 4RE, United Kingdom
MORE INFO ABOUT OUR AUTUMN RESET: ECSTATIC DANCE & RESTIVAL RETREAT, PLEASE SEE HERE:
https://ecstaticdancelondon.com/autumn-retreat-2026/
This autumn, step into a journey of dance, connection, rest and transformation. Join us for our annual Autumn Reset retreat, a heart-opening gathering devoted to Ecstatic Dance, embodiment, nervous system reset & rest practices, and down-to-earth spirituality.
Make the most of the beautiful Autumn time of year and enjoy all that comes with it -the fresh, crispy Autumn air, colourful leaves, lovely atmosphere and a lot more that we’ve included in this transformational Autumn Reset retreat! Join us for the whole 5 days or weekend only.
We invite you to explore the tools & practices during this deep dive of 5 days and discover the positive benefits for yourself. Using music, movement, ritual, rest and connection to achieve a unified field of being. Attune to Nature and the living environment, release stress and come home to your Ecstatic-Self! Your body, mind and soul with thank you!
Our retreats are about awakening the dancer within; reconnecting body, mind, and spirit through conscious dance and embodiment.
Learn powerful exercises for grounding, releasing fear, stress, tension, and trauma from the body, and develop deeper presence and body awareness.
Our Autumn Reset retreat will be more of a personal growth retreat than a festival. It is simply an invitation to bring more fun, joy, depth, expansion, rest and balance into our lives through a variety of transformational workshops.
Autumn Reset retreat weaves together ecstatic dance, embodiment practices, sound, breath and spacious integration time.
Journey through a rich, diverse programme of embodiment, wellbeing and movement practices designed to support emotional release, nervous system regulation, deep connection and creative expression.
Explore the tools & practices during this deep dive retreat and discover the positive benefits for yourself.

Example Daily Schedule
(full programme will be ready & published a month before the retreat on Ecstatic Dance London Autumn Reset retreat page)

Below is an example of how a typical day may flow. Timings and session details may shift slightly to allow flexibility and to respond to the atmosphere of the group.

7:00 AM – 8:10 AM | Active Meditation OR
7:30 AM – 8:15AM | Yoga
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Yummy Breakfast
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Morning Gathering, Ecstatic Dance & Sharings, Workshop
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Magnificent Lunch
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | *Dishes Help
2:30 PM – 3:10 PM | Yoga Nidra – Conscious Sleep Meditation
3:15 PM – 4:20 PM | Workshop or Free Time | Nature Walk | Massages
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Sauna | Cold Plunges (includes venik experience, body scrubs, herbal teas, fruit)
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Delicious Dinner
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | *Dishes Help
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Evening Ecstatic Dance or Workshop
10:10 PM – 11:00 PM | Sound Journey | Restful Meditation | Campfire | Dance Party (as offered in the programme)

*As part of a shared community experience at Leela, each participant is allocated to take one turn helping with washing up after one of the meals. A small act of care that keeps our space nourishing for everyone.

MORE INFO ABOUT OUR AUTUMN ECSTATIC DANCE & RESTIVAL RETREAT 18-22 NOVEMBER, SEE HERE:
https://ecstaticdancelondon.com/autumn-retreat-2026/
