Brattleboro Conscious Dance

04/21/2026

JOIN US TO CELEBRATE , CAUSE EIGHT IS GREAT!

This coming Sunday, April 26th, Brattleboro Conscious Dance is celebrating our 8 year anniversary. After dance (about 2:30 ish) we'll gather at Top of the Hill Grill (super close by). Dance fam member and new owner Alex will have some food from his menu, and it's a potluck too. Rain or shine!

01/25/2026

This Sunday, January 25th

CANCELLED!

Hey dance fam,

We went back and forth…

"there won't be all that much snow yet"

"it's gonna be coming down hard, so visibility won't be great"

"it sure would be nice to dance today"

"likely people are hunkering down and settling in"

so, in the end…. we're cancelling today's dance.

Stay safe, sound, and smart in the snow.

See ya another Sunday.

Love,

Les and Ben

01/24/2026

They say a big storm’s rolling in,
Which makes you ask… are we dancin’?

The truth is, we don’t know yet —
Stay tuned awhile, there’s no sure bet.

We’ll email you on Sunday AM
with the official yes-or-damn.

My wish is both of these come true:
White fluff to shovel… and dancing with you.

Till soon, macaroon!

07/31/2025

Thanks to the support we received, not only are we able to offer the event, but now we can offer a generous sliding scale too! See below for more details about the offerings, schedule, meals, camping, prices, etc.

This retreat focuses on the sacred practices of Sufi mysticism, and includes a few sprinkles of other traditions on top!

Friday evening: Opening Ceremony of The Path of the Heart, Rumi poetry & devotional music

Sufi mystic and ecstatic visionary, Jalal al-Din Rumi, of the 13th-century, dedicated himself to writing poetry, chanting, and the circling dance that became known as whirling, still practiced by the Sufi Dervishes of the Mevlevi order. Rumi's poetry speaks of love, longing, and union with the Divine and remains one of the world’s most popular poets, even eight centuries later. His poetry, as translated by native Persian speaker, Haleh Liza Gafori, comes to life in a magical and modern interpretation, through music and recitation. Her two books of Rumi translations will be available for purchase and autographs.

Saturday daytime: Yoga, Zikr and Murāqaba + swimming in the river

Zikr means "remembrance” and is a practice of remembering the Divine through the repetition of sacred phrases or names of God.

Murāqaba is a meditation of observing the heart and deepening one's connection to the Divine Presence. Throughout the centuries, seekers have used this practice to attain a state of constant awareness of the Divine Reality, where one feels perpetually close to the Divine and recognizes that a Loving, Divine Presence is witnessing their every state and activity.

Saturday evening: Sema

Sema is a tradition, founded by Rumi, that combines devotional chanting, live music, and whirling meditation. Through the spinning movement and the power of sound, the ego dissolves, and the tangible world fades away, revealing the deep peace that has always been within.

Sunday: Conscious Dance + more swimming in the river

Special guest live DJ, Omar Aena, is on a mission is to create spaces where people can connect with their deepest, truest selves and shine their light in service to collective liberation. Whether facilitating intimate devotional gatherings in NYC, DJing an Ecstatic Dance, leading international pilgrimages to sacred lands, or producing films that illuminate spiritual music and dance traditions, each offering is an invitation to awaken to our true nature.

Participation Options and Sliding Scale Prices:

We consider our prices to reflect the generosity that we received and we hope the chain of generosity will continue!

If money was no concern for you when you saw the original prices, please consider paying at the top end of the range. If, despite these reduced prices and sliding scale, money still keeps you from saying "yes", then please reach out to us about helping out before, during and after the event, as an energetic exchange.

$20 - $40 – Friday evening (no meal, cabin rentals extra)

$60 - $75 – Saturday (includes two meals, cabin rentals extra)

$50 - $75 – Sunday (includes two meals, cabin rentals extra)

$130 - $175 – Full weekend pass (includes all events and four meals, cabin rentals extra)


Camping is available:

On our land: BYO tent or van. Outhouse, outdoor shower and outdoor kitchen available. Free, donations gratefully accepted.

Close-by: (5 minute walk) Rent a cabin with a twin mattress and basic amenities. (BYO sleeping stuff) $20/night

Pre-registration is Required!
To register, fill out this form. One form for each person attending.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLMKCP5d2dap2g3UVwCZ0PPh3Lr0PiJaw8nv0DrpczsrQYaw/viewform

Rough Draft Schedule (subject to changes)

Friday, August 22

Opening Ceremony

Performance by Rumi translator Haleh Liza Gafori.

Fire circle & introduction to Sufi traditions

Saturday, August 23

Morning Yoga & Muraqaba Meditation

Devotional chanting (Sufi, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Kirtan and some in English too!)

Live Sufi music + whirling instruction

River swim

Evening Sema (sacred chanting, live music & whirling meditation)

Sunday, August 24

Brattleboro Conscious Dance – OUTDOORS with Omar Aena as our live DJ!

River swim

Closing drum circle & ceremony

For questions:
[email protected]
(202) 425-7637

Much love,
Les & Ben

04/22/2025

The Great Judgment Shakeout!

This month's theme is "Recognizing and Releasing Judgment of Self and Other" and we're gonna explore it in a playful way. Come play with us!

But first, a reminder of why it matters:

When we judge ourselves, when we judge others, and when we assume they are judging us in return, it's salt on the wound - and it stings! Holding onto those judgments is like keeping salt on the wound. It's occupying valuable healing space. Not useful.

You are not a storage container for judgments.

When you act like one, it can paralyze you — keeping you isolated, trapped in mind-melting chatter that helps nobody. Instead, let's release those judgments together on the dance floor. Release the salt and bring out the flavor!

The medicine of release is the shake.

The Shakers saw the body as a vessel that could be used to clear spiritual blocks. They danced, quaked, and shook as a way of purifying the spirit.

In the same way, we’ll use shaking to cleanse ourselves of our judgments. Shaking is an act of letting go, an ancient ritual of release.

This Sunday at dance, I invite you, the judgment-generating creature that you are, (and that I am) to:

The Great Judgment Shakeout!

Together, we'll shake out the judgments we’re ready to leave behind.

When we shake—really shake—for much longer than feels comfortable or socially normal, healing happens. At first, it may feel awkward. After a while, an energy stirs. Like a chain reaction, more and more of us are bouncing, jiggling, trembling, shaking. Eventually, something shifts. Our body can’t hold on to judgment anymore. It spills out.

We keep shaking and our body releases the tension that judgment leaves behind—the stiffness in the spine, the guardedness in the chest, the frozen breath.

What’s left is aliveness and even joy.

Want to add some playfulness to the practice?

BRING YOUR SALT SHAKER TO DANCE! LITERALLY.

No matter how greasy, just bring it! It represents your old self, holding onto the judgments, holding salt on the wound. Here's a picture of our salt shaker. It will be on the altar - a symbol to hold the ritual in my memory. Bring yours too.

Releasing judgment isn’t only a personal shift—it’s an energetic gift.

They say that when you release a burden or free an unwanted energy:

You move more freely.

You’re more open to connection.

You take up space with less fear.

Others feel more permission too.

So... what judgments are you ready to shake loose?
Hit reply and tell me. (I'll share mine too!)

With love,

Leslie Zucker

Co-Founder of Brattleboro Conscious Dance,

Founder of Dance as a Practice: a new writing community (keep reading for more info about it)

P.S. Don't forget to bring your salt shaker to dance this Sunday!

TLDR:

You are not a storage container for judgments.
You are a living, breathing, dancing shaker—meant to release judgments.

Come to dance with a judgment you dismay,
See it, feel it, then shake it away!

"Dance as a Practice" is a new writing community for people who enjoy BOTH dancing and writing for the amazing benefits of:

focus and presence,
safety and aliveness,
self-discovery and self-expression,
heightened awareness or insight,
shaking up energy,
getting curious about triggers,
appreciating music and silence,
diffusing difficult emotions, and
finding connection, beauty, and fun!
If that sounds like you, here’s what you can look forward to:

Private Community: A members-only online space where you can express yourself freely in written words and connect deeply with others on a similar path.
Safe Sharing: Opportunities to share your written stories, reflections, and emotions in a supportive environment that celebrates authenticity.
Encouragement and Feedback: Receive positive reinforcement and thoughtful feedback on your writing that uplifts and inspires your journey.
Healing Through Connection: Experience the profound transformation that comes from being truly seen and supported by others.
All this for $25/month in 2025. Two week free trial available.

https://www.paralabs.net

02/09/2025

A winter storm is rolling through,
How many inches will accrue?

We'll awake to whiteness,
May its beauty delight us, not stop us.

No news is good news,
It means dance is on, don’t be confused.

But should the storm leave quite a mess,
And roads are a safety guess,

If we must cancel, rest assured—
We’ll let you know with timely word.

Check your email (or Facebook, if you must!)

Photo credit: Dummerston Bridge in Winter by Tom Singleton

01/09/2025

Like to write? Dance as a Practice: a new writing community for people who enjoy BOTH dancing and writing for the amazing benefits of:

focus and presence,
safety and aliveness,
self-discovery and self-expression,
heightened awareness or insight,
shaking up energy,
getting curious about triggers,
appreciating music and silence,
diffusing difficult emotions, and
finding connection, beauty, and fun!

If that sounds like you, here’s what you can look forward to:

Private Community: A members-only online space where you can express yourself freely in written words and connect deeply with others on a similar path.

Safe Sharing: Opportunities to share your written stories, reflections, and emotions in a supportive environment that celebrates authenticity.

Encouragement and Feedback: Receive positive reinforcement and thoughtful feedback on your writing that uplifts and inspires your journey.

Healing Through Connection: Experience the profound transformation that comes from being truly seen and supported by others.

Learn more here:

ParaLabs welcomes and brings together open-minded, personal growth-oriented people who aspire to authentic connection, collective wisdom, and higher levels of personal and relational awareness (the "para" in ParaLabs) to collaboratively, creatively and playfully experiment with facilitated processes...

12/28/2024

As we begin 2025, I have a special invitation for you!

Do you know the healing power of writing the feelings and experiences that come up / come down / come in / come through when you dance?

What if you could combine the magic of dance with the joy of writing and the power of being witnessed and encouraged?

That’s exactly what we'll do in Dance as a Practice. We’re a new community of heart-led souls weaving dance and writing into a creative journey that helps us unlock our emotions and inner worlds.

Unlocking our inner worlds, we'll discover greater self-expression, self-awareness, and belonging.

We'll inspire great adulting!

Nothing like a fresh new year for better adulting, right?!

Starting in January 2025, we’ll explore monthly themes inspired by the guide Dance as a Practice. (Thanks to Ben for writing it back in 2018!)

DANCE AS A PRACTICE: A New Writing Community

This writing group is for humans of all genders, journeys, ages, sages and roots with incredible emotions and stories that deserve to be danced and shared.

This is for people who enjoy BOTH dancing and writing for the feelings of focus, presence, safety and aliveness, self-discovery and self-expression, to shake up energy, get curious about triggers, explore states of heightened awareness or insight, appreciate music and silence, sort out the mental confusion of conflicting thoughts, diffuse difficult emotions, find connection, beauty, and fun!

As one member wrote "I dance to chase the shivers of Spirit".

You need not consider yourself a writer or an author, but if you're someone who sometimes puts written words to your experiences, you're welcome here. Poetry, memoir, fiction, non-fiction, blog, or a list on a paper towel, it all counts. We welcome the absurdity, the uncertainty, the vulnerability, the cursory, the gritty, the witty, the bumpity, the cacophony of diversity.

This is not for people who either dance or write for competitive purposes, nor is it for people who are looking to find a producer, agent, publisher, book deal, promotional or performance opportunity.

To share our writing, we'll have our own private, online space within the greater ParaLabs Community website. ParaLabs is a Collaborative Experiment in Awakening to our Individual and Collective Potential, founded in 2018 by us, Ben Homola and Leslie Zucker.

This new writing community is the latest of many initiatives of the ParaLabs Community, along with Brattleboro Conscious Dance, Conscious Cannabis Circles, Embody Your Higher Self (a women's embodiment program), The Creative Act: A Way of Being (a creativity group), and The Publishing House (version 1.0 of this current offering).

I'm Leslie Zucker and I'm the facilitator of this writing group. I'm also (usually) the one who writes the emails for Brattleboro Conscious Dance. Maybe you saw my article that was published in The Commons about an experiential, death-doula training called "We Showed Each Other The Way to Die" about someone in our local dance family?

I also published a book called "Deliver Workshops That Bring in Clients" back in 2016, but most importantly, however, I've always kept a journal where I admit the hard s**t. Yep, that was the best place to admit the hard s**t. Until now.

Starting in 2025, it will be in the new Writing Community "Dance As a Practice".

If you're curious or have questions, join me for

Check It Out Night! (on Zoom).

It's completely free and with no obligation to join.

Monday, January 6th from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.

Click to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2509570266

I'll explain how this new writing community will work, all the many benefits you will receive, show you around our private on-line space within the ParaLabs site, answer your questions and, assuming I don't chicken out, I'll even share one of the reasons why I've created this group. It falls in the category of "the hard s**t to admit".

The investment in this community is $25 per month, and membership will open on January 1st.

Come thrive in 2025! (Thanks to Karen Knight for that rhyme!)

With love,

Leslie
Co-Founder of Brattleboro Conscious Dance and Host of Dance as a Practice: A New Writing Community

08/20/2024

If you haven't caught a ceremony by Movement Medicine before, you're in for a real treat! Don't miss this chance to dance outdoors while the weather is so inviting.

Send a message to learn more

08/12/2024

This sweet video was created by Christina Morassi who was at Brattleboro Conscious Dance last Sunday at our place. Super fun! And, awesome groovin; ya'll!

Send a message to learn more