Community and Global Collaboration

The conscious dance movement thrives through its strong foundation in community-building and global interconnectedness. Dancers, facilitators, and allies across cultures and continents actively collaborate to share knowledge, host events, promote inclusivity, and use embodied movement as a tool for collective transformation.

This page introduces key areas of collaboration and connection, with dedicated subpages that explore each theme in greater depth.

Local and Global Networks

Conscious dance communities have taken root in cities, towns, and rural areas across the globe. Local hubs—often centered around weekly events or monthly workshops—serve as essential gathering points for people seeking connection through movement. Many of these hubs are self-organized and reflect the unique cultural, social, and geographic context of their region.

At the same time, global networks link facilitators and dancers across borders. International modalities like 5Rhythms, Biodanza, and Movement Medicine support worldwide teacher networks and offer cross-border training opportunities. A 2018 global survey of conscious dancers found participants from over 40 countries, underscoring the international scale of this community.

See: Local and Global Networks

Events, Workshops & Retreats

Events are a central feature of community-building in conscious dance. Local classes create continuity, while immersive gatherings—such as weekend workshops, seasonal festivals, and week-long retreats—offer opportunities for deep connection and transformation.

Collaborative events like OneDanceTribe, Ecstatic Dance Festival, and Conscious Dance Conference bring together facilitators from multiple modalities. These gatherings highlight the spirit of shared purpose that transcends individual techniques or schools.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many facilitators adapted to online formats, expanding access to international communities. Today, hybrid and in-person events continue to foster embodied presence and cross-cultural exchange.

See: Events, Workshops & Retreats

Collaboration Opportunities

Conscious dance is sustained by a culture of openness and co-creation. Facilitators often collaborate across modalities, offering co-led sessions, integrated movement rituals, or theme-based series. Educators, artists, musicians, researchers, and therapists frequently partner with dance leaders to enrich the field.

Emerging facilitators are encouraged to seek mentorship, share resources, and participate in joint learning spaces. Digital platforms such as DanceResource.org enable contributors to co-develop knowledge bases, publish guides, or host global conversations.

From local peer support groups to international projects, the field welcomes innovation and mutual support.

See: Collaboration Opportunities

Inclusivity and Accessibility

A core value of the conscious dance community is that everyone should feel welcome—regardless of age, background, ability, gender identity, or dance experience. Many facilitators design their spaces to be trauma-informed, wheelchair-accessible, gender-inclusive, and culturally sensitive.

Some communities offer sliding-scale pricing or donation-based entry to reduce financial barriers. Others offer targeted programming for marginalized groups, such as LGBTQIA+ participants, refugees, youth, or elders.

The emphasis on internal movement—rather than performance—allows people of all body types and mobility levels to engage meaningfully. Conscious dance thus becomes a tool for equity, healing, and personal empowerment.

See: Inclusivity and Accessibility

Embodied Activism and Collective Care

Movement can be both personally healing and socially powerful. Around the world, conscious dance communities are applying embodied practices to collective challenges—such as grief, climate anxiety, racial healing, and post-conflict reconciliation.

Dance events have been organized in support of peacebuilding, mental health awareness, women’s rights, and ecological causes. The silent, collective, nonverbal nature of dance can unite diverse groups in shared intention and solidarity.

Embodied activism invites participants to not only think and speak about change—but to feel, move, and embody it. This is where conscious dance meets the wider world, offering rituals of presence, resistance, and renewal.

See: Embodied Activism and Collective Care