Moving Mandala: Open Sky

Outdoor Summer Sanctuary & Ecstatic Dance Journey

Step out beneath the open sky as Moving Mandala returns for a special summer edition in the heart of Chestnut Hill's beloved Pastorius Park.

As golden light filters through the trees and the evening air begins to cool, we'll gather in one of Philadelphia's most cherished green spaces for an immersive journey of yoga, live music, ecstatic dance, and sound.

The evening begins with a grounding tantric warm-up guided by Elana Stern, accompanied live by percussionist Ian St. Germain, inviting breath, presence, and embodied connection before we enter the dance.

From there, Timmayo the Grateful guides an expansive ecstatic dance journey, joined by live percussion from Michael Blount and Ian, whose rhythms weave organically with the music—creating an immersive dance floor where movement, nature, and community become one.

Throughout the evening, enjoy vibrant superfood smoothies and cacao elixirs from Raw Monje by Monica Bookbinder, nourishing vegan, gluten-free, delectable foods from Intuitive Green Chef Sarah Sunshine, restorative bodywork with Ariel Monroe, face painting and henna by Isabelle Mangoni, and a sacred altar honoring the elements by Ade—thoughtful touches to support an evening of connection, creativity, and care.

As the journey settles, Krystina Vázquez and Elana gently guide us into a restorative live sound bath beneath the evening sky—offering space to integrate, soften, and simply be.

Surrounded by towering trees, birdsong, and the beauty of summer, this family-friendly gathering is an invitation to reconnect—with your body, with nature, and with one another.

No dance experience is necessary. There are no steps to learn and nothing to perform.

Simply arrive as you are, listen to your body, and allow the music to guide you.

🌞 THE THEME

Open Sky is an invitation to exhale.

Summer reminds us to slow down, open our senses, and remember our place within the living world. Beneath the trees and open sky, we gather to celebrate the simple joy of movement, music, nature, and community.

🌿 HOW TO PREPARE

To honor the container and your own blossoming:

Wear vibrant attire that feels comfortable for full-body movement—think bright, expressive, and alive like the glowing summer sun.
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 within you is ready to be more fully expressed this summer?

🕊️ SACRED AGREEMENTS

Ecstatic dance is a freeform, nonverbal movement journey. The invitation is to dance however your body wants to move. This is a space of freedom, safety, and collective respect.

We welcome you into this summer sanctuary with these sacred agreements:

🍃 Come without agenda
Release expectations and allow the experience to unfold naturally. Arrive open to presence rather than outcome.
🕺🏻 Move your own dance
There is no right way to move. Honor your body, trust your rhythm, and allow your dance to unfold naturally.
🤫 Let the body speak
Please refrain from talking in the dance space. Let the music, movement, and presence carry the conversation.
💧 Substance-free container
We gather in clarity. Alcohol and recreational substances are not part of this experience.
👣 Barefoot encouraged
Feel the Earth beneath your feet whenever possible. Supportive footwear is welcome if needed.
📵 Phones and cameras away
No cameras, photos, or recording. This is a sacred present-time space where everyone is invited to be fully seen—and fully free.
🙏 Consent always
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.
💗 Respect every body
Move with awareness, care, and sensitivity for everyone sharing the mandala. If connection isn't reciprocated, gracefully move on, honoring each person's space as we co-create a field of safety, presence, and belonging.
🌬️ Non-interference
Allow others their own experience without guidance, correction, interpretation, or interruption.
🧘🏽‍♂️ Self-responsibility
Honor your body, pace yourself, and take space when needed. Stay rooted in your own experience while remaining mindful of the collective.
👶 Family-friendly mindfulness
Adults self-regulate, and parents are asked to help children remain mindful of fellow participants and the shared container.
👕 Shirts stay on
To support our family-friendly container, shirts remain on for all participants throughout the event.
🌎 Care for the Earth
Help us leave the space more beautiful than we found it. Please carry out everything you bring in and honor the land through Leave No Trace practices.
🤝 Foster a culture of accountability
If concerns arise, communicate directly and compassionately with those involved whenever appropriate. Rather than gossip, speculation, or rallying others against someone, we encourage honest dialogue, curiosity, and, when needed, facilitated repair.
🛠️ Accountability & repair
When appropriate, facilitated repair may be offered after the event to help address conflict or unintended boundary crossings and restore safety, trust, and integrity within the community.
🛡️ Zero tolerance for harmful behavior
Harassment, discrimination, aggression, non-consensual touch, sexual misconduct, or other harmful behavior will result in immediate removal without refund.
🕊️ Uphold the container
These agreements help create the sanctuary we share together. Anyone unable or unwilling to honor them may be asked to step out of the container or leave the event without refund.

To protect the safety of the container, 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 breathe.
Come move what longs to be freely expressed.
Come celebrate the vitality and joy of summer.

Step beneath the open sky.
Step onto the Earth.
Step into the mandala.
And let the dance carry you home.

Contact the host of Moving Mandala Ecstatic Dance Journey: Open Sky

There were 0 errors found in the information you submitted: