Ecstatic Dance Evolution
…is part of a global emergence of communities promoting free-form sacred and conscious transformational dance events to cultivate authenticity, vitality, inspiration, passion, freedom, and outrageous joy!
Developed by Houston native Sydney "Samadhi" Strahan and her facilitators teams over the years, the events welcome people from all walks of life to express themselves freely in mind, body, and spirit with an accepting and creative community. Ecstatic Dance Evolution’s magic is in it's structure, music, intention, and the creativity of everyone who comes to share the experience.
Events are all ages and experience levels, substance-free, chatter-free, critique-free, and shoe-free!
Together we create a safe and inclusive space for all.
Who We Are
We are a community of people who enjoy evolving through free-form movement and self expression. All types of people come to our events, from students to artists to executives. Some attendees are experienced dancers, and many show up who have never danced before. Children are often present, as well as elders. We are people from all walks of life who desire a rich, deep, authentic, and connected experience of living.
Our Community: Children of All Ages, Movers, Shakers, Quakers, Teachers, Learners, Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, Burners, Ex’s, Grand Pa’s, Grand Ma’s, Yogi’s, Quantum Physicists, Metaphysicians, Micro-Biologists, Psychologists, Aerospace Engineers, Light Workers, Love Activists, Dancing Taoists, Intenders of the Highest Good, Healers, African Drummers, Artists, Painters, Sculptors, Bikers, Skaters, Students, Professors, Nia Dancers, Ballerinas, Belly and Barefoot Ballroom Dancers, Modern Dancers, Post Modern Dancers, Contemporary and Contact Improv Dancers, Rhythm Tap Dancers, Funk – Hip Hop – African – Authentic Dancers, Sweat Your Prayers and Sacred Dancers, New Warriors, Fire-Walkers, Women With-in, GoGo-Goddess’es, Respected Elders, Priests, Priestesses, Rabbi’s, Rainbows, Authentic Relaters, Reiki Practitioners, Oneness Givers, Gardners, Actors, Songwriters, Singers, Social Workers, Native American Shaman, Holotropic Breath Workers, Hypno-therapists, Hipsters, Holistic Health Practitioners, Counselors, Co-opers, Commuters, Computer Analysts, Jungian Analysts, Conscious Ravers and DreamDancers, Source Painters, Sales Managers, Videographers, TV Producers, Airline Pilots, Tyco Drummers, Marshall Artists, Massage Therapists, Urban Farmers, Organic & Raw Food Activists, Acrobatic Yogi’s, Accountants, Bee Keepers, Musicians, Writers, Visionaries, Secretaries, Entrepreneurs, Agents of Real-Estate, World Travelers, Silk Fabric and Circus Performers, Nurses, Geologists, Geophysicists, Graphic Designers, DJ’s, Fire Spinners, Face Painters, Stilt Walkers, Chefs, Translators, Masters of Ceremonies, Poets, Peace Advocates, Lawyers, Benevolent Beings, and YOU!
Join us and tell us who you are!
Why We Dance
Dance explorers each have their own reasons why they enjoy participating. Some dance to release inhibitions in a natural healthy way, to release stress and tension in the body, to express themselves freely without being judged or criticized. Some dance to heal and overcome challenging situations by gaining new perspectives, allowing love to flow more freely, or connect with others in a safe environment. Some dance to crack the matrix, to set themselves free and activate their inner child, to celebrate and regain joy. Some dance as a meditation to experience deep authentic parts of themselves or to simply exercise with a like-minded creative group of people.
Our events are created as unifying platforms to bring together the feeling of sacred ritual into a modern-day setting. Our Dances feel like a global tribe of conscious community in a healing master mind of seeing the best in each other and appreciation for each adding their own uniqueness to the group.
The attitude of inclusion gives permission for each of us to practice exploring who we are creatively through physical, mental, energetic, emotional and spiritual freedoms. What we find through this movement exploration is an outcome of abundant self-love and great appreciation for our co-empowerment and shared humanity.
Samadhi Love - Founder
Spiritual names act as portals… to bestow supreme qualities or aspirations that transcend the Maya of our conditioning. When called by a mystical moniker, its essence activates a remembrance and the name becomes a mantra that ignites passion, purpose and practice towards its perfection.
From the article by Samadhi:
“Creating platforms for connection is my purpose. Activating creativity through movement, art, and dance is my passion. Expanding unity is my goal.”
- Samadhi
Samadhi Love returned home to Houston in 2002 awakened and inspired by the Ecstatic Dance of Austin Body Choir, determined to create a similar free-form dance community and new family to call home. Her first dance in November 2003 had over 60 attendees and changed the face of Houston. Over the past years she has continued refining the systems around her Dance offerings – experimenting with various formats and special events that to this day explore a wide variety of conscious movement and connective community experiences.
Samadhi is a graduate of Texas Christian University and a life-long learner in creativity, spirituality, and expressive healing arts. She has danced, performed and facilitated dance for 25+ years as a dynamic art experiential-ist whose evolutionary vision is best expressed through ancient modalities of free-form movement as a catalyst for self-discovery and community connection.
Since 2003 she’s been creating elevated experiences for her Ecstatic Dance Communities;
Dance Evolution Weekly Community Ecstatic Dance’03-’14, Conscious R.A.V.E. ’12, Barefoot Ballroom, DEFT - Ecstatic Dance Facilitator Training ’09-’14, Earthdance Houston’s Annual Global Dance for Peace ’05-’18, Journey Dance Houston, Give Peace a Dance, New Years Day Burning Bowl ~ Wishing Well Ceremonies ’07-’20, The 9 Energetic Functions (For Ecstatic Practice), What the Bleep is Ecstatic Dance, The P.E.P. Shop (Principals of Ecstatic Practice), Sacred Sound Sacred Body, Dance Portation, and BlackLights & BodyPaint for the general public as well as for Meditation Groups, Alcoholics Anonymous, Crazywood Dance Spa, The Texas Yoga Conference, The Oneness Community, and Unity Church. She produced Ecstatic Dance for Peace radio shows- KPFT ’05-’07, was the Featured Ecstatic Dance Artist for a Fox News segment, as well as co-creator of Sacred Dance church services for Creative Life Center, Center For Spiritual Living, Unitarian NW and the Mary Magdalene Community at Rothko Chapel.
EDE was featured in a Platinum Award Winning film called House Of Dreams ’07, performed in a PBS Special on The Artery ’09, and was featured in a show & tell performance with Discover Dance at Discovery Green ’14. EDE was a featured company in the Dance The Dream Houston MLK 50 Celebration at Discovery Green, Facilitator at Archaic Revival Transformational Festival and Art Outside, and soon featured in a TV series called SOUL SEARCH. Samadhi’s current adventures include the creation of EDEN (Ecstatic Dance Evolution Network) and WWEE a World-Wide Ecstatic-Evolution Global Dance Community ~ Stay Tuned and Join the Fun!