Cedar Springs Retreat Center
A Sanctuary for Renewal, Celebration, and Connection
Cedar Springs, ​located in the foothills of the Sierras just 40 minutes from Yosemite National Park, offers rental space for a wide variety of retreats, including dance, music, yoga, and permaculture, as well as weddings, family reunions, and corporate events. We also produce our own workshops, camps, and retreats. We can accommodate up to 300 people on our land in different types of accommodations. We have a full-service commercial kitchen serving delicious, primarily organic meals, with chefs that can accommodate a wide range of dietary needs.
Please note that we are in a construction phase and some of these facilities may not yet be in place.
A Brief History of Conscious and Ecstatic Dance
Conscious and ecstatic dance have deep roots in ancient traditions and have evolved into modern movement practices that emphasize free expression, mindfulness, and connection. These forms of dance encourage participants to move intuitively and authentically, often in a group setting, without structured choreography or judgment.
Ancient and Indigenous Origins
The practice of using dance as a means of spiritual awakening, healing, and community bonding dates back thousands of years. Many indigenous cultures across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe have long engaged in trance-like, rhythmic dance rituals to enter altered states of consciousness, connect with the divine, and release emotions. Some key historical influences include:
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Sufi Whirling (Turkey & Persia) – A meditative spinning dance practiced by the Whirling Dervishes to reach a state of divine union.
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Shamanic Dance (Various Indigenous Cultures) – Movement used in healing ceremonies and spirit communication.
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Dionysian Mysteries (Ancient Greece) – Ritualistic, ecstatic celebrations dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy.
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African and Afro-Caribbean Dance Traditions – Rhythmic and trance-inducing movements deeply connected to drumming and spiritual practices, seen in Vodou, Candomblé, and Yoruba traditions.
The Rise of Modern Conscious Dance
In the 20th and 21st centuries, conscious dance movements began to emerge in the West, blending elements of spirituality, psychology, and free movement:
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Gabrielle Roth’s 5Rhythms (1970s) – One of the most influential conscious dance practices, 5Rhythms maps movement into five energy waves: Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness, guiding dancers through an emotional and spiritual journey.
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Trance Dance (1980s-Present) – Inspired by ancient indigenous practices, blindfolded dance experiences with breathwork and rhythmic beats are used to reach altered states of consciousness.
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Ecstatic Dance (1990s-Present) – Emerging from underground dance communities, ecstatic dance offers freeform movement in a nonverbal, sober space, typically guided by a DJ or live music, fostering community and self-exploration.
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Open Floor, Soul Motion, and Movement Medicine – Other contemporary movement practices that integrate dance with mindfulness, emotional processing, and embodied awareness.
Ecstatic Dance Today
Today, ecstatic and conscious dance movements have spread globally, practiced in retreats, festivals, and urban dance communities. Events are held in spaces that emphasize inclusivity, mindfulness, and self-expression, often starting with intention-setting and ending with reflection or meditation.
Conclusion
Rooted in ancient wisdom and modern innovation, conscious and ecstatic dance continue to be powerful tools for healing, self-discovery, and connection—offering people a space to move freely, release emotions, and cultivate presence through dance.