Dancing Done Differently

Twelve years ago, Belle Taylor stepped into the infamous Yoga Barn in Ubud, Bali, and experienced a form of powerful,  soul-awakening, movement that left her on a high for weeks.

Today Belle Taylor and Jessie McLennan share that very same magical experience with like-minded people through Ecstatic Dance Warragul, held every month.

‘After my first Ecstatic Dance, I felt completely transformed. During the dance, I lost all sense of time, fully immersed in the rhythm, stretching, moving, laughing, sweating—and sometimes even crying,’ said Belle, who is also a respected acupuncturist and Spinal Energetics practitioner.  ‘Ideas and visions flowed through me, and I felt a deep sense of spaciousness within my body.

‘For the next three months in Bali, I danced every Friday and Sunday, fully immersing myself in the magic of movement and connection. Later that year, in San Francisco, I experienced another life-changing Ecstatic Dance, deepening my love for this powerful practice.

‘When I left, it was like a massive weight had been lifted from my shoulders. My entire perception of the world shifted, colours seemed brighter, life aligned more effortlessly, and my nervous system felt deeply calm and regulated. It was pure liberation, medicine for the spirit.’

For Jessie, a popular artist, teacher and arts advocate in West Gippsland, the introduction to Ecstatic Dance came after she ended a relationship where she endured years of trauma.

‘Trauma creates a disconnect with the body. Counselling, meditation and yoga were all recommended to connect me back with my body, but it was conscious dance that gave me the relief I needed,’ she said. ‘I wanted to seek out a safe dance community and I found Ecstatic Dance Melbourne early in 2024.

‘My first Ecstatic Dance experience was transformational. I entered a beautiful space full of strangers and was free to express myself through movement. I loved that I was not going to talk to anyone and that no one was going to talk to me. I felt completely accepted as soon as I arrived. We were of all ages. We were given a small cup of Cacao that felt nourishing. The awkward first stretches developed into moving my head, shoulders, hips and then feet.

‘Some people sat or just moved their head to the music. We were free to honour ourselves and be in the moment. The music slowly increased its energy as my dancing also increased in energy. The peak felt amazing. I was so sweaty. The music  then slowly descended and became soulful and reflective.

‘We were guided to find our way to the floor. The facilitator spoke, asking us to be conscious of how we felt and to give gratitude. It had taken me on a journey through my life. I felt completely connected to my body. My trauma was gone and had been replaced by peace. I had to share this with friends in Warragul, so I set about making it happen. I booked the hall, made the posters and purchased a kick-ass sound system. I trusted everything else would flow.’

Belle was attending a local festival when she saw the posters advertising Ecstatic Dance in Warragul, met Jessie soon after, and they connected instantly.

Now, the power duo meet once a month to bring their shared vision to life, converting the VRI Hall on Queen Street into a fairly lit temple adorned with greenery and the aroma of sage and incense to calm the senses and welcome individuals into the safe, alcohol and drug-free space.

Unlike traditional dance styles, there are no choreographed steps—just an open area for individuals to move intuitively, allowing the body to express itself freely and authentically. They dance barefooted to deepen the connection between the earth and body, and talking is limited to allow for movement and music to become the primary language of expression. 

The DJ creates a playlist from many different genres of music and arranged to allow the tempo to slowly build and peak and then descend- a wave which is common to all Ecstatic Dances over the world.

‘Rooted in somatic movement, ecstatic dance is a powerful tool for releasing tension, processing emotions, and reconnecting with the body’s innate wisdom,’ Belle said.

‘At its heart, ecstatic dance is more than just movement—it is a community experience, bringing together like-minded souls who value authenticity, openness, and connection. The dance floor becomes a sacred space for exploration, joy, and transformation, where hearts open, energy flows, and the dance itself becomes a moving meditation, guiding participants toward inner and outer harmony.’

The event has been widely popular with locals, and at times has reached capacity. One attendee described the atmosphere as a mixture of Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, and Bali culture in the heart of Warragul. People wanting to attend are encouraged to pre-book their tickets to avoid missing out. Tickets are $25 with a limited number of discounted double passes available online. There may be tickets available at the door, depending on capacity.

Belle and Jessie encourage everyone to attend and give it a go. 

‘The biggest hesitation people have about Ecstatic Dance is the fear of looking silly or thinking they ‘can’t dance.’ But the beauty of this practice is that it’s not about how you look or how you move,’ Belle said. ‘The space is dimly lit, and most people dance with their eyes closed. It’s an internal practice, a way to connect with yourself, create space within, and awaken the spirit.’

Find out more by visiting the Instagram Page @ecstaticdancewarragul or Facebook page Ecstatic Dance Warragul

Photo: Jana Woodhouse Photography