Blindfolded Contact Dance is a slow and gentle experience—for both beginners and experienced dancers alike. The constraint of the blindfold invites dancers to explore other senses to find connection, expression, pleasure, and safety. These workshops take participants on a journey of somatic self-discovery and non-verbal consent via solo and group exercises—both with and without blindfolds.
Blindfolded Contact Dance can be adapted to corporate team settings and private events.
Candice is a writer and coach with a focus on reclaiming erotic embodiment through exploring shame and shadow. She brings her passion for movement, play, and creative self-expression to her work as a group facilitator. She has trained in various healing modalities such as yoga and orgasmic meditation as well as studied Alexander Technique and theatrical movement while getting her BFA at NYU. theorgasmiclife.com
Gabriel is a long-time dancer who has practiced many modalities of conscious movement. He has developed a passion for exploring how blindfolds can be be used as a medicine and tool for transcending biases, cravings, and aversions. His work as an artist explores the intersection of activism, street theatre, shadow work, and embodiment. He is the co-founder of Vulnerable Rally. He is a filmmaker by trade with a background in theatre. outsidefilms.com
Join us for our signature 3-hour workshop at Studio 12 in Berkeley, CA.
Join us before Ecstatic Dance SF at 10am for a 45-minute long version of our workshop.
Join us for our inaugural daylong version of our popular Dance Roulette workshop. More info and tickets coming soon.
We abide by three pillars to anchor our practice. All participants agree to this code before the start of every class.
1. Agency
– Take care of yourself
– You can take off your blindfold anytime
– You can end a dance anytime
– You can leave anytime
2. Attunement
– Strive for attunement with yourself and with your partners
– Slow down, quiet yourself, and listen
3. Consent
– Honor verbal and nonverbal cues of consent
– The workshop is a nonverbal space unless needed for safety
– No lifts
– This is a nonsexual space
– Please arrive sober
“Most profound experience of my life. This is what the world needs now.”
“A beautiful exploration of touch, movement, and breath. A complete surrender into bliss.”
“This is a very powerful practice of feeling vulnerable whilst knowing that one is in a safe container. It is very healing.”
“I came into this as a shy person that never danced. The blindfold and the instructions made me comfortable to be myself.”
“Blindfolded contact may sound scary but it’s SO accessible and liberating. TRY!”
“This workshop was enlightening. I felt a level of freedom and connection I don’t get in my regular life. I am going to recommend this to as many people as I can.”
“Thanks for bringing my soul back to life.”
“I’m beginning to realize that your class is much more than a dance/movement class. It’s a deeply personal journey in a community settling.”
“Profound experience. I found myself thinking “wow” this person I’m dancing with is so beautiful over and over, despite not knowing who these people were. Eye opening and heart opening.”
“I discovered how everyone’s being can feel like my beloved in my arms. What matters is the nurturing and heart exchange. I have that to give to everyone. The blindfold taught me that.”
“Expectation challenging. Physically affirming. A celebration of human joy.”
“It wasn’t what I expected. It was better!”
“I came burnt out and left feeling energized. This class gave energy that my body and mind needed and left me with greater presence.”
“Connection in dance has been historically been hard for me, i.e. will this person want to dance with me and will they enjoy themselves if they do? The blindfolded contact experience helped me get out of my head and feel what contact improv could be like.”
What happens when blindfolded contact dance comes to the streets? Watch this short film to see BFC create connections between strangers.
For those seeking instruction in traditional contact improv as well as other creative dance events in and around the SF Bay Area, check out these links.
Contact Improv Thursday Jam Finnish Hall (Berkeley)
INTERKINECTED Tuesday Jam and Class (Berkeley)
Dance Calendar (Bay Area)
Ecstaturday Conscious Dance Events Calendar by Stephen Melter
Contact Improv Calendar (Northern California)
Ecstatic Dance (Bay Area and Worldwide)
Ecstatic Dance Oakland Wednesday night/Sunday Morning
Underbelly (Mondays Berkeley/San Rafael)
West Coast Contact Improv JAM Festival (Bay Area)
SoulPlay Festivals (Northern California)
Northern California Dance Collective (Northern California)
