Questions and Answers from Celeste
Is yoga or dance training required?
Experience in yoga or dance is not necessary. If a position or movement is uncomfortable, simply accommodate the movement to your abilities and desires.
Do I have to remember or learn steps?
There is no choreography to remember or learn. We either follow the movements of someone else or do our own on the spur of the moment.
I'm overweight and out of shape, how will that effect my participation?
You are in charge of the movements you choose to perform. You are in charge of perceiving what movements your body can perform. just do what you can, you will receive the full benefits of the practice in this way.
Will it help me to lose weight?
The movements in class do not use up a lot of calories. However, through the practice of Ecstasyzing you will experience increased awareness of your body and increased ability to discern its needs. As a result, the choices you make that affect your weight may change.
I'm disabled, can I do this?
I have an injury or am recovering from surgery, can I do this?
Yes, this is a healing activity and it is perfect for the injured or recovering. Please don't wait until you are injury-free to try this, because it can help you heal!
What if I can't sit on the floor?
We often move on the floor. If you feel unable to sit on the floor, you may adapt the movements while sitting in a chair.
Are there any men in class?
Men and women derive equal benefit from Ecstasyzing. At this time, class membership reveals more women than men in attendance.
Is there an age limit?
The class is open to those age 16 and above.
I have a dance background, will it be too easy?
For dancers, Ecstasyzing is a growth path, a marvelous technique to increase awareness and increase your ability to connect technique to your inner self. Dancers find that this awareness improves their performance in other venues.
I have no meditation experience, can I do this?
Yes, this is a great way to learn to meditate.
Who does Ecstasyzing?
My students include yoga teachers, massage therapists, belly dancers, doctors, chiropractors, authors, dancers, therapists, musicians, software developers, copy editors, students, accountants, teachers, students, artists, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, homemakers, millwrights and just about any profession you can imagine.
Who doesn't do Ecstasyzing?
Ecstasyzing is a form of meditation and meditation is a discipline. Some people find that not talking for an hour and a half is a great challenge. Others are looking for free-dance instead of the guided process that is Ecstasyzing. Participants who are willing to experience some difficult moments along with the ecstatic moments are the people who will derive the greatest benefit from Ecstasyzing.
Is there music?
Yes, I use recorded music. On occasion I have specially trained musicians who are sensitive to the type of work that is being done in class. Most of the music is instrumental, since words can be distracting. If there are words in the melodies, most likely they will be in languages other than English so that their meaning is not a distraction to the practice.
Why do you set aside rest periods?
Resting as a part of class provides the body and mind time for integration of the knowledge acquired as well as restoring the energy required to continue actively learning for the rest of the class time.
Is this "free-form" dance or similar to a barefoot boogie?
On the surface it may seem that way, since you are often doing your own movements. However the process is structured and controlled – where the free-form dances may be about expression, Ecstasyzing is the discipline of awareness of your own body and your total self through movement.
Is this a religious practice?
Ecstasyzing itself is not a religion. Much like yoga, the practice of the movements is not religious in nature, but the art/science did emerge from a religious tradition. There are no religious teachings in this class.
What is the purpose?
Ecstasyzing facilitates physical, mental and emotional healing and personal growth.
