About

Move freely. Feel deeply. Come as you are.

Ecstatic Dance Uptown is a space for authentic expression, community connection, and embodied freedom. We gather to dance without judgment, without shoes, and without words — just the dance, the music, our selves, and each other.

Rooted in conscious dance and fueled by diverse rhythms, our sessions are an invitation to drop into your body, quiet the chatter of the mind, and let music move you. Whether you're dancing through joy, grief, playfulness, or release — there's room for it all.

What makes us different?

  • We Uptown, baby. We are an inclusive, grounded space that celebrates NYC’s soul and that is reflected in our community.

  • Our DJs and facilitators curate intentional sonic journeys — from ambient soundscapes to romping rhythms.

  • This is a no-booze, no-shoes, no-chit-chat zone — just real embodied movement and fellowship.

All bodies, backgrounds, and experience levels are welcome.

Come dance with us. Come home to your body.

Yo!

Straight up, I didn’t like Ecstatic Dance when I first went. I remember getting kinda pissed when I was greeted with a breathy, overly-smiley hippie who, bless her heart, I’m sure was actually nice but just seemed so fake. I stuck around to dance but couldn’t… the vibes were off…

I do not mean to rag on Ecstatic Dance, or even that particular event. I wouldn’t have started Ecstatic Dance Uptown if I didn’t truly believe in it. I started with this personal tidbit to say: 

  1. This is probably not what you think it is (especially if you are familiar with Ecstatic Dance.) 

  2. The core framework of Ecstatic Dance is what makes it special - not the fluff.

Conscious movement to a flowing soundtrack befitting the hero’s journey of the dancer done in safe community is powerful. It is transformative. 

We need it here Uptown. 

We need it in our own flavor and in our own image.

I’ve waited for it for years - before I knew I wanted it. 

Eventually, I realized there was no one better for the job of hosting it than me. Not because I was born in the Heights. Not because I love to dance and DJ. Not because I am a trained facilitator and somatic nerd. 

But because it needs to happen.

Ecstatic Dance Uptown is now here to make space for joy, sweat, play, grief, release — all of it.

No gurus. No spiritual flexing. Just music and movement.

With love and excitement,

Lewaa Bahmad

HERE’s what we Care About

We’re not here to impress, we’re here to express. Come as you are — messy, quiet, bold, grieving, hype — it all belongs.

🗽 Realness over performance

Dancing is how we reconnect. With ourselves, each other, and this wild, beautiful city we live in.

🎶 Movement is medicine

All races, genders, bodies, and identities are welcome. We are fiercely anti-intolerant — this is a space for safety, not spectacle.

🤝 Inclusivity without exception

This isn’t a downtown wellness brand. We’re rooted north of 110th — Harlem, the Heights, Inwood, and the Boogie Down. Loud, loving, and grounded.

🌆 Uptown energy, always

We’re not trying to sell enlightenment. We’re just holding space for people to move and be moved.

🌀 No gurus, no fluff