Zen Dance
The Freedom to Move!

Dance like no one is watching. It’s simple. Move a foot, then a knee, then your hips, shoulders and head. Let the music take you on a ride, music from all times and genres, music that will move you. If you ever had a fear of movement, are critical of your body, or just thought, "I can't dance, I don't know how", then this is the place for you. Join us to realize that we are all dancers, a great place for the seasoned as well as the new.

Zen dance is a spiritual exercise, a celebration of life and YOU. Zen dance is like a family gathering, a safe place of no judgment, not by others nor by you. It feels like coming home, to people that will be there for you when you feel stressed sad, angry or plain old happy. At Zen dance we shed all that was before and come into the present moment, exploring what come up and allowing it to be. There is just a bit of guidance during the dance, mostly it is the energy of the group that helps us get out of the head and into the body. The body starts to move on its own, no right or wrong, no pretty or ugly, and all that is left for us to do is smile and follow.

Doron has danced for years in a variety of free form dance groups, from Osho, 5 Rhythms, Ecstatic Dance, Soul Motion, Biodanza, Dance Church to Body and Soul, and is very grateful for all the inspiration it provided him.

Where: Subud house: 330 Melville Ave, (upstairs) Palo Alto, CA 943012012

When: Friday night 7:30-9:15pm
January: 20
February: 3, 17
March: 2, 16
April: 6, 20
May: 4, 18
June: 8, 22
July: 6, 20
August: 17
September: 7, 21
October: 5, 19
November: 2, 16
December: 7, 21

Investment: $20

FAQ

What people say:

"Zen Dance is one of the most significant nights of the week because during this amazing hour and a half, I feel the most REAL...The most in my body and at the same time out of my body...a combination of bliss, release, healing, and timeless energy! This is my evening of freedom! Come experience an evening of every type of music from trance to rock to world to classical." Lauren Anas.Palo Alto, CA

"A treasure space for authentic nonverbal expression, radical acceptance, and blissful release."  Carmen Casado, San Francisco, CA

"Thank YOU Doron! I really appreciated how you held the space. I also loved how you gave gentle guidance here and there, but all the time giving us full permission to follow what felt authentic and right for us. :)" Anita Landon Michelsone, CA

"A very sweet flowing energy the whole night. So familiar like family to see my dancing friends and so awesome to welcome some lovely new dancers." Danielle Seybold, Sunnyvale, CA

"Thank you Doron for providing such a warm atmosphere!" Lucy Istomina

"AFD: Absolutely Fantastic Dance :) I just wanted to express one more time my gratitude and amazement that you do such a great thing for us. Spending so much time, creating a wonderful playlist that moves your body and your soul and bringing so much great energy which is very contagious. Meditation after dancing is absolutely wonderful and great for people who need to shake their body a lot in order to quiet the mind:) Creating this wonderful sense of a warm community in the final part. I am sure, this is only the beginning of a beautiful journey." Yulia Sytenkova

"Zen Dance for me is a place of absolute abandon, visceral (characterized by or proceeding from instinct rather than intellect), riding past the body's first and false limits of fatigue by a more compelling compulsory urge to move, beyond control, to celebrate that I have a body to make motion to accompany sound-except there wouldn't be any thought to have that thought in the moment (yeah, just close your eyes and think dance-no-dance for 20 minutes). The community around Zen Dance is so, so special and sweet. For me, a sacred space to be completely alone and comfortable yet somehow non-paradoxically to allow myself to let people know how much I love, enjoy, SEE, and appreciate them through simple and quick exchanges of smiles, welcoming hugs, playful encounters in dance, and casual, natural, appropriate physical contact--like that exchanged spontaneously among family members or with close friends. It's such a treasure to be able to be authentic in the moment, allowing honest expression and genuine behavior. ALLOW-ance and Noticing. Alone, in community Sweet, sweet joy." Danielle Seybold, Sunnyvale, CA

What is the idea behind Zen Dance?
By allowing the body to move freely, we release tension and stress, move beyond what is pretty or ugly, drop into our bodies and thus allowing our head to rest. The mind does not easily drop away, but through the dance, it is much easier to let the body lead the way, and eventually let the music lead the way.

What if I don’t know how to dance?
There is no right or wrong in Zen Dance. You can move any way that the music inspires you to. Fast, slow, jumping, spinning, anything and everything is welcome. The music, maybe someone in the room, maybe an emotion will come up, and you will just follow with movement in any way that your body finds fit.

What do I wear?
Comfortable and either loose fitting, or stretchy clothing. Choose something that you will enjoy moving in, that will give you freedom to move, and maybe even something that makes you feel good. You can wear anything from yoga pants, to fun flirty skirts, come simple or add some accessories that allow you to celebrate yourself.

Do I have do dance with somebody?
Let the music decide for you. If you feel like dancing with somebody, go for it. If you want to be in your own space, go for it. Our environment gives you the opportunity to choose what you need for the evening. We do ask that you respect the other, make a moment of eye contact or just feel them out by dancing in front of them for a moment. See how they react and then decide if they need to be left alone or not. The same goes for you. If you need to be alone, don’t force yourself to dance with someone, just because they are there in front of you.

What if I can’t come on time or need to leave early?
That’s OK. We do hope that you do your best to be there on time, as the music progresses in a certain way, and there is sometimes a “theme” or some guiding info at the beginning, but better late than no show. The same for the ending, there is something very sweet to end with every one, but if you need to leave early, we are grateful for the moments we would have shared with you until you left.

Can I bring my child?
Zen Dance can be intense. Music can be loud, men may dance shirtless and women may be with sports bras or other sexy outfits, at times there is flashing lights, or just strong releases that may include some stomping or vocal sounds. We want you to be able to find your release and not need to “take care” of your child. We want others to be able to release as well, enjoying dancing with the child, without it becoming a center of attention. That being said if your child is very independent, can feel comfortable in this kind of an environment, you are welcome to try it out. Every child is different and so is every parent, so you will have to check in with yourself and your child. Feel free to contact Doron for more info. 917 658 0423

What kind of music do you play?
The music ranges from lounge electro, world music, to some rock and pop, and then some moments of trance with an ending of something softer, even classical. The music is structured to give you moments of fun and strong dance with some softer moments to go in, and find some peace and quiet. You are encouraged to find movement even if the tune played is not on your own private favorite list.

Is this related to yoga?
It is related in the sense that both provide a practice to unite the body and mind and go beyond them. They both seek to give us freedom for the mind, and both use the body as a tool. However, Zen dance is the perfect counter to yoga, as there is no alignment, no set pose, and you are encouraged to get out of the conditioned movements you may be comfortable with. Some people stretch before or at the beginning of Zen dance, and even if some of the stretches look like yoga poses, it really is not a yoga class, and you are invited to find fluid movement in your body.

Photos: Doron Hanoch

This image and others are availabe for purchase. Limited edition, canvas prints. Contact Doron for more info.

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"The world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking." --Albert Einstein

Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Materials and products presented on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

©2008- 2011 Doron Hanoch

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