Meet Founders of Ecstatic Dance Florida, Vanessa Morales, PTA, CLT, Ecstatic Dance DJ and facilitator and Alexis Chacin, BA in Business Admin, co-founder, facilitator and Ecstatic Dance DJ.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanessa Morales and Alexis Chacin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa and Alexis, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

Initially when we began thinking about this business just over 3 years ago, we were trying to think of a place or a way for people to dance freely, safely and without judgment.

A place where you can release all emotion from the day to day and to truly take a moment and feel present in your body, just enjoying the moment surrounded by a like minded community, just being happy. We had yet to hear about Ecstatic Dance at the time.

Once we found out about Ecstatic Dance, it was love at first site. We knew we had to take part in it some how. Then when I ran into EDLA and their beach dances, We knew what we had to do. We had nothing truly like it here in Florida. So we started mentorship with them, and the rest is history.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

What sets EDFL apart, is our mission and intention. We see this as an opportunity to express ourselves freely through dance and movement, also as a space where community and remembrance of our true nature can be felt. When done properly, this is a wonderful form of healing. It allows you to tap into your inner child like nature that’s begging to come out.

We believe that hurt people, hurt people. After you leave an ecstatic dance event, you leave feeling renewed, rejuvenated and connected. Thus, allowing people to take that new disposition and outlook into their day to day. In turn, “being the light” during dark times.

Wars haven’t worked, protesting doesn’t work, separation and segregation doesn’t work… Love is the only way, so why not dance our way to it. This is what excites us the most! It practically brings us to tears knowing that we are bringing this fun, beautiful form of healing, to our beloved community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I absolutely love places like H’OM Miami if they have events going on, or places like South Point Park on Sundays, or any of the drum circles up and down our beaches. I also like all the different nature related locations such as Morikami Gardens, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, etc.

But up by where I live in Delray Beach, we have the Ave, as it’s known and Pineapple Grove. Which takes up all of Atlantic Ave from i95 to the beach. It’s full of so many wonderful restaurants, shops and things to do. Dada’s is one of my favorite little spots for dinner personally.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
By far our first main shoutout must go to our mentors and inspiration at Ecstatic Dance Los Angeles: Atasiea Kenneth Ferguson and Robin Parrish. They have been super instrumental in our growth and support during this time. I’d also like to send a shoutout to JaiStar’s Studio owner Star for motivating us deeper into our purpose. We’re looking forward to mentorship with her in January. But of course it can’t be without a huge shoutout to our family and close friends for all the selfless, emotional and physical support to keep us motivated and driven into this beautiful purpose. We truly couldn’t do this without them. And a HUGE final shoutout goes to our community… We are so divinely inspired by the amount of unconditional love, light and hope they are providing us with.

Website: www.ecstaticdancefl.com

Instagram: ecstaticdancefl

Facebook: ecstaticdancefl

Image Credits
Sasha de Almagro Photography