Recommended in Melbourne:

ECSTATIC DANCE

All of these events are drug & alcohol-free. We will do our best to keep this current. Nonetheless, always contact the person indicated to confirm that this information is up to date. If you turn up for something and it isn't on, and you then complain to us, we will only refer you to this paragraph.

5Rhythms Dance (Fitzroy)

The Five Rhythms are designed to release the dancer within, no matter what your shape, size, age, limitations and experience. To find your dance is to find yourself, at your most authentic and creative level. It can catalyze deep healing and creative expression. The primary teaching of this work is: if you put the psyche in motion, it will heal itself. The 5Rhythms are flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness. They come together to create the Wave. Rather than having steps to follow, each rhythm is a different energy field in which you find your own expression. Each rhythm is a teacher and you can expect to meet different and sometimes unknown aspects of yourself as your dance unfolds and your practice of the 5Rhythms deepens over time.
Tuesday nights 7.30pm-9.30pm at St Brigids Parish Hall, Corner Nicholson St & Alexandra Pde, Nth Fitzroy. Off street parking is available (enter off Nicholson St) and tram no 96 stops out the front. Cost: $15. Meredith or David:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

5Rhythms Dance (Toorak)

A place to dance, to find yourself in movement, alone and with others. It's a time to let go in a safe space with a great vibe! Remember your heart, your belly, your wisdom inside. There are no steps to learn because we are learning to listen to ourselves- in the dance. Ongoing Casual Class. Drop ins welcome. Thursday nights - 7:30-9:30 PM. St John's Church, 86 Clendon Rd. Toorak, (Cnr of Orrong & Toorak Rd's.) $15. Madhuma: 0410 081 599,   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

5Rhythms Dance (Abbotsford)

Meredith and Madhuma alternate running "Sweat your Prayers" (sweats) which are a music-only 5Rhythms class for experienced students in the Rosina Room, Abbotsford Convent (off St Helliers St) on a Sunday morning from 10.30am-12.30pm. The 'Sweats' fall on the 2nd Sunday of each month unless otherwise advertised (e.g. the one exception for 2010 is Sept 5th which falls on the 1st Sunday). The dates for 2010 are: Jun 13, Jul 11, Aug 8, Sept 5*, Oct 10, Nov 14 & Dec 12: Contact Madhuma This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Meredith: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Spirit Dance (Fitzroy)

An Ecstatic Dance space with some guided framework of a tribal flavor. Held once a month, usually on a Friday evening. They also run Family Dances from time to time on a Sunday afternoon. Venue: They have now moved from South Warrandyte Hall, to the Dance of Life Yoga Studio at 1st floor, 250 George Street, Fitzroy. Currently $15. For dates and start and finish times contact Justin: 0432 963 082   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Kushala: 0413 123 847 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tribe (Fitzroy)

Powerful shamanic/tribal flavoured dance sometimes with live drumming. Monthly on Friday nights 7.15pm-9.30pm at St Brigids Parish Hall, Corner Nicholson St & Alexandra Pde, Nth Fitzroy. Off street parking is available (enter off Nicholson St) and tram no 96 stops out the front. Cost: $15. 2011: Oct 14, Nov 25, Dec 16. Stacia: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Relish Dance (Upwey)

An Ecstatic Dance space with some guided framework held on some Friday or Saturday evenings in Upwey near Belgrave. Contact Narelle for the latest deails: 0411 607 025   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SHAMANIC RESOURCES

Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society Shamanic Workshops & regular Sweat Lodges [www.sotems.com.au]

Essence Dance is a profound tool for spiritual change based on ancient shamanic Trance Dance and Hawaiian Wisdom or the Way of Aloha. Modern music featuring tribal rhythms and percussive beats frame a space where you can go as deeply as you are willing to go, propelling you forward in your evolution far beyond this lifetime and reminding you that there truly are no limits. It is an internal vision-quest, undertaken blindfolded. Courses are available, but also a monthly drop-in class to try it out: In North Fitzroy. Contact Araleena: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Shamanic Counselling. Terry Larson is a teacher of Shamanic Studies and a Transpersonal-Based registered Psychological Counsellor (& thus sessions with him may be eligible for Medicare refunds). Contact Terry at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

QI GONG

Open Sky Qi Gong - Training Courses and Classes [www.openskyqigong.com.au]

Saturday morning Qi Gong at Ceres (8 Lee Street, East Brunswick, on the lawn behind the cafe) 10am-11am, by Donation. Not on long weekends.

OTHER FINE THINGS

Transformational Therapy (Circling). Have you ever seen or heard menswork material mentioning cultivating your masculine presence? And maybe you had some idea and maybe you didn't, about what they meant. This process (run by co-founder of the Essential Man weekends Robert 'Ged' Hewitt) is effectively 'Presence' training. How to give & receive feeling/instinct-based authentic communication in a coached environment. How to be aware of yourself & another and have meaningful interactions with depth & resonance, not only without losing yourself but in fact deepening your lived experience of who you are. Robert runs mixed groups as a key part of his Transformational Psychotherapy course, and they are open for people not doing the course. For more details: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Spiritual Speed Dating is a fun night where you meet up to 15 potential partners or new friends. After your 5 minute 'mini-date', you can decide whether there is spark enough to ignite another meeting. In 2011 they are planning more diverse social events as well as the basic dating night. (Contact Kimberley & Peter: www.spiritualspeeddating.com.au)

Tantric Blossoming (Martina Hughes conducts regular social tantra evening workshops, and private healing sessions in Melbourne.) [www.tantricblossoming.com]

Intimate Wellbeing (Devashi and her advanced Tigress Yoga students run powerful transformative work for women in Melbourne and elsewhere.)