Moving Mandala Ecstatic Dance Journey: 2026 Rising
Description
Moving Mandala: 2026 Rising
A New Year Ecstatic Dance Journey in the Sanctuary
As the new year dawns, we gather inside the breathtaking sanctuary of Trinity Memorial Church—a soaring, stained-glass temple of light—to rise together into 2026 through the ancient language of movement, breath, and rhythm.
This is Moving Mandala: 2026 Rising—an ecstatic dance journey shaped by the wisdom of the mandala: the circle as a portal, the center as the heart, and each dancer as a luminous point within a larger, rising whole.
🌅 THE THEME — 2026 Rising
2026 calls us into an era of renewal, courage, and collective ascent.
This dance invites you to rise from within—
to set down what no longer serves,
to awaken the fire of possibility,
and to step into a new year with your whole body ecstatic.
💫 THE JOURNEY
Your evening unfolds as a ceremonial arc:
Arrive & Settle — Doors open 7:30pm
Check in and step into the sanctuary, glowing with festive light and mandala projections, and begin attuning to the field. Arrive early to connect and mingle over warm, heart-opening elixirs and sensuous vegan treats from Jaya Kava & Butterfly Heart, and nourish the body with soothing bodywork by Guardians of Gaia.Opening Circle — 8pm
We gather in a shared center—breath connecting us, intention anchoring us, the mandala activating beneath us. Together, we cross the threshold into the New Year.Warm-Up + Ecstatic Dance Journey
We begin with a guided warm-up by Elana Stern, Tantra Guide and founder of Tantra Collective and ONE LOVE HUB, to ground the body and awaken the spirit—then flow into a full ecstatic journey guided by the musical wizardry of MC Timmayo the Grateful.
The music builds in waves: earthy, celestial, tribal, ecstatic.
Move how your body longs to move. Dance alone, dance as prayer, dance as release, dance as your rising. No steps, no right way—just the truth your body already knows.Sound Bath & Closing
We descend gently into a field of healing sound, grounding, and song—inviting stillness, integration, and the sealing of our intentions for 2026.
The dance journey is amplified by an RCF sound system by Vortextual, illuminating visuals by Brian MunGavin-Mraz, lighting design and face painting by Psyncus, and a sacred altar by Ade—bringing the mandala to life through sound, light, artistry, and prayer.
🙏 HOW TO PREPARE
To honor the container and your own awakening:
Wear gold, bright, or colorful clothing that feels comfortable for full-body movement—think radiant, expressive, and free.
Arrive bathed, in clean clothing, and scent-free (no perfume, oils, strong fragrances, or body odor) to respect the space and the sensitivities of others.
Bring water bottle & water, your own cup, and reusable wares to support a low-waste gathering.
Take a moment before arriving to tune into your intention— what wants to rise in you as we cross into the new year?
💃🏻 ECSTATIC DANCE GUIDELINES
This is a space of freedom, safety, and collective respect.
We welcome you into this temple with a few simple agreements:
No talking on the dance floor
Let the body speak. Let the music carry the conversation.Move however you feel
Fast, slow, grounded, wild—your dance is your medicine.Respect every body
This is a consent-based container.. If you wish to dance with someone, offer with presence—a gesture, eye contact, a smile.
If they choose not to engage, honor the “no” with grace.
A simple bow with hands at heart (🙏) is a beautiful way to decline or close a dance.Phones away—no cameras, no recording
This is a sacred, present-time space. Let yourself—and everyone around you—be fully free.Alcohol & substance-free space
This is a sober space. We rise from within with clarity and the energy of awakening.Shirts stay on for all genders
This is a family-friendly sacred container—the dance floor is our mandala, and we keep the temple clothed.Shoes off
Feel the earth beneath you, the pulse of the music, and the presence of the collective. (Exceptions for clean, indoor-only shoes if needed for support.)Family-friendly container
Adults self-regulate, and parents help children stay mindful of fellow dancers and the shared space.
To protect the safety of the space, anyone who does not honor these guidelines may be asked to leave without a refund. Thank you for upholding the integrity of the dance.
💌 THE INVITATION
Come rise with us.
Come dance your prayers, your beginnings, your becoming.
Come step into the New Year through the rhythm of your own heart.
Dance Mandala: 2026 Rising
A night to awaken, uplift, and begin again—together, in the sanctuary of the circle.
Lineup
Timmayo the Grateful
Timmayo the Grateful is a Philly native and a true wizard of his craft—an artist who feels most at home guiding dance-floor journeys that dissolve boundaries and awaken the soul. Rooted in Philly’s hip-hop and house scenes, he grew up immersed in movement culture: battling with breakdance and house crews, practicing in parks, teaching kids to dance as a way to keep them inspired and off the streets, and contributing to events alongside local legends like King Britt, members of The Roots, and other underground pioneers. His path has since carried him far and wide—from didgeridoo ceremonies with Aboriginal elders in the Outback to studying sound with maestros in Peru’s Sacred Valley, to curating ecstatic dance events on Lake Atitlán. First introduced to ecstatic dance more than ten years ago in the Bay Area, he has been a devoted practitioner and facilitator ever since, helping create and DJ Ecstatic Dance Puerto Rico and producing pop-up dances throughout Guatemala. A multi-instrumentalist, skydiver, massage therapist, and occasional yoga teacher, Timmayo brings a lifetime of movement, mysticism, and musical exploration to every set. He’s studied with artists such as Mose, Yemanjo, Captain Planet, and Scott Nice, continually evolving his sound as the digital landscape shifts. As Master of Ceremonies, he seamlessly weaves global textures and rhythmic worlds—entrancing dancers into flow states where dreams feel tangible and magic moves through the room. Arrive for the warm-up to fully sync into the experience. This is a journey you won’t want to miss. Listen to Timmayo’s grooves: soundcloud.com/timmayothegrateful
Elana Stern
Elana Stern is a devoted guide in Tantra Yoga, walking the path of love and supporting individuals, couples, and groups in cultivating sacred connection, embodied presence, and lasting transformation. She was drawn to meditation as a teenager, studied Eastern Philosophy and Religion academically, trained with celebrity fitness icons in NYC, and earned Yoga Teacher certifications in both Vinyasa Yoga (Cindy Lee lineage) and Restorative Yoga. Her foundation is further enriched by training in Tibetan Buddhist, Transcendental, Vipassana, Mindfulness, and Sonic Meditation modalities, as well as Pranayama breathwork and Reiki techniques. Her journey expanded through advanced certification with Yoga Chitta—a Black-owned yoga school serving the BIPOC community-where she mentors yoga teacher trainees. After a life-altering kundalini awakening opened the portal to deeper energetic and tantric realms, she became a certified facilitator of Tao Tantra Arts (Mantak Chia and Osho lineages) and a graduate of the International School of Temple Arts (ISTA). With a vision for evolving consciousness in Philadelphia, Elana founded the Tantra Collective—producing monthly offerings for embodied spiritual connection—and ONE LOVE HUB, the city's co-created community for conscious events. With decades of practice in movement, meditation, and energy healing, Elana's teaching bridges the physical and the spiritual. She invites you into a deeper relationship with your body, your breath, your heart, and each other—where love becomes the path home to your divine nature.
Jaya Kava
Jaya Kava began as a heartfelt, community-rooted project founded by Jen Hombach, born from backyard gatherings and speakeasies for yogis and seekers. Formerly a beloved local kava lounge and plant-based café in Queen Village, Jaya Kava has since evolved into a mobile pop-up and a cherished presence at conscious gatherings across the Philadelphia region—offering warm, heart-opening elixirs as an intentional, alcohol-free way to arrive grounded, open, and connected. Nourishment for the body is lovingly provided by Brian Stark of Butterfly Heart, whose sensuous, plant-based creations are crafted with care, creativity, and reverence for the dance. Together, these offerings support dancers in settling into their bodies, softening the nervous system, and entering the journey fully embodied and open-hearted.
FAQs
- What is ecstatic dance?
Ecstatic dance is a freeform, nonverbal movement journey. The invitation is to dance however your body wants to move. Please see the community guidelines above for the essence of the practice.
- Do I need prior dance experience?
Not at all. This dance journey is about embodiment, sovereignty, authentic movement, and freedom of expression. No experience is needed—just an open heart and a willingness to honor the container.
- What kind of people attend?
A diverse, conscious community of humans of all genders, orientations, and backgrounds. Singles, couples, families, and friends gather here with a shared desire for movement, presence, and authentic expression.
- Can I come alone or with a partner?
Come solo, with a friend, or with a partner. This is a sovereign journey into your own body, held by the support of community.
- Is there an age restriction?
This is a family-friendly event; all ages are welcome. Children under 12 are free. Adults with children are asked to be mindful of dancers, guidelines, and the space. All adults are invited to self-regulate and move with awareness and respect.
- What should I wear and bring?
- Wear gold, bright, or colorful clothing that allows full, free movement - Expect to be barefoot (exceptions for clean, indoor-only shoes if needed for support; no outdoor shoes in the sanctuary) - Bring water bottle & water - Bring your own cup and reusable wares to support a low-waste gathering
- How should I prepare?
Arrive freshly showered and scent-free—no perfumes, colognes, essential oils, scented products, or strong body odor—to honor sensitivities and support nervous system comfort for all.
- Is it important to arrive on time?
Yes. Doors open at 7:45pm, and Opening Circle begins at 8pm. The warm-up and dance set are part of a continuous journey, and we invite you to experience it from the start.
- Is alcohol or intoxicants allowed?
No. This is a sober event. The invitation is to be clear, present, and attuned in body, mind, and spirit.
- Will there be food at the dance?
Yes. Arrive early to enjoy light, tasty snacks. Our friends at Jaya Kava will be sharing warm, heart-opening elixirs and sensuous vegan treats available for purchase. To support a low-waste gathering, we warmly encourage you to bring your own cup and reusable wares.
- Is parking available?
Trinity is located in a charming residential section of Center City Philadelphia at 22nd & Spruce Streets. Limited street parking and nearby paid garages are available. Please observe posted signs; avoid leaving valuables visible; and consider ride-share, public transit, or biking. Closest garages are: E-Z Park, 2101 Chestnut Street and 1924 Chestnut Street (215-733-0700).
- Where do I enter the venue?
Please enter through the glass doors on Spruce Street, just west of the corner of 22nd Street.
- Can I buy a ticket at the door?
Advance registration is strongly recommended, as our events often sell out and pre-registration allows us to prepare the space with care. If tickets remain available, you may register at the door by completing the purchase online using your mobile device. Once capacity is reached, a waitlist will be offered.
- Why do you ask for my contact information?
Your name, email, and mobile number help us send important event details and maintain a safe, intentional space. Incomplete or inaccurate registrations may be canceled.
- What is the refund policy?
Tickets are non-refundable. Anyone asked to leave for violating guidelines will not receive a refund.
- What is the COVID protocol?
Masks are optional. Please arrive in good health, wash your hands upon entry, and stay home if you’re unwell. Your care supports the well-being of all.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
