Join host Matthew Nelson as he welcomes Christina Sasser, an ecstatic dance DJ and event producer from Portland, Oregon. In this episode, Christina shares her journey from lifelong dancer to DJ, creating and holding spaces like Ecstatic Dance Portland and the Medicina Camp Out. They delve into the principles of ecstatic dance, its powerful impact on community and personal transformation, and the unique challenges and joys of DJing for this dynamic, improvisational practice. They also explore the intersection of music, dance, and psychedelics as a tool for healing and transformation. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or new to ecstatic dance, this episode offers deep insights into the world of conscious movement. 00:00 Introduction to the Brave Space Podcast 01:01 Christina Sasser's Dance Journey 03:42 Ecstatic Dance: Principles and Practices 05:46 Origins and Evolution of Ecstatic Dance 08:33 The Power of Bass in Dance 18:15 Creating a Coherent Dance Community 24:29 The Importance of a Good Dance Floor 26:34 Holding Space and Building a Team 29:40 Balancing Respect and Accessibility in Ecstatic Dance 30:48 The Emotional Labor of Holding Space 31:54 Navigating Drama in Ecstatic Dance Communities 33:15 The Power of Community and Team Support 34:34 Facilitating Large Dance Events 35:08 Setting Boundaries as a Facilitator 37:10 Creating Safe and Transformative Spaces 44:26 The Challenges of Being an Ecstatic Dance DJ 51:36 The Role of Psychedelics in Dance and Music 57:13 The Healing Power of Breathwork 59:22 Connecting Through Dance and Music Want to connect more deeply with your own body in ecstatic flow? Try my free masterclass on Building Sensual Intelligence: https://be.bravespaceembodiment.com/start
In this episode of the Brave Space Podcast, host Matthew Nelson invites Madazon CanCan, a trans performance artist, to discuss their experience queering societal norms and personal identity. Madazon shares how gender fluidity, authenticity, and transformation have manifested through their life, and how they have embraced the challenges. The conversation delves into the somatic experience of living between gender binaries, the courage required to live differently, and the societal implications of challenging gender and power structures. Join Matthew and Madazon in a discourse about bravery, vulnerability, and the radical act of embracing change.
00:00 Introduction to the Brave Space Podcast
00:42 Meet Madazon CanCan: An Artistic Journey
01:33 Exploring Gender Through Experimentation
02:49 Understanding Bravery and Courage
04:25 Transformation and Fluidity in Identity
06:29 The Trans Experience: Beyond the Binary
12:01 Power Dynamics and Gender
15:11 Personal Stories of Gender Exploration
22:02 The Role of Drag and Burlesque
29:19 Queering the Script: A New Perspective
33:51 The Challenge of Trans Identity
34:30 Confronting Societal Norms
35:14 The Trans Experience and Duality
38:51 Navigating Relationships and Solitude
42:50 The Intersection of Art and Identity
55:05 Medicalization and Authenticity
59:15 Facing Death and Embracing Authenticity
01:00:42 Closing Thoughts and Finding Madazon Can Can
Find Madazon at www.madazoncancan.com
Join host Matthew Nelson on the Brave Space Podcast as he dives into the complex themes of power, domination, submission, and co-creation with two remarkable guests: Susan Coates and Claire Rumore, both seasoned dancers and sex and relationship coaches. They explore how these dynamics manifest in contact improvisation, partner dancing, and their intersections with sexuality and spirituality. Engage with insightful discussions on the nuances of dominance, submission, conscious leadership, and the potential of co-creative relationships. Discover strategies for navigating erotic energy, trauma, and consent, and envision new ways to create inclusive and empowering spaces. Whether you're a dance enthusiast, relationship coach, or someone curious about power dynamics, this episode promises to broaden your understanding and inspire deeper connections.
00:00 Introduction to Power Dynamics
01:21 Meet the Guests: Susan Coates and Claire Rumore
02:47 Exploring Dominance and Submission
06:17 The Role of Attunement in Relationships
08:50 Devotion and Leadership in Dance
21:42 The We Space Concept
23:42 Partner Dance Dynamics
29:56 Integrating Tantra and BDSM
33:53 Creating Safe Dance Zones
36:10 Navigating Power Dynamics in Dance
40:10 Understanding Trauma and Erotic Energy
52:42 The Role of Consent and Feedback
01:01:24 Co-Creation and Relational Skills
01:07:26 Conclusion and Contact Information
Join the contact list at www.bravespacesomatics.com to know when episodes are published and stay informed about BraveSpace retreats and workshops.
Claire Rumore is an innovative intimacy coach, erotic educator and conscious sexuality researcher based in the SF Bay Area. With a rich background in the Erotic Blueprints, Urban Tantra, somatic sex coaching, emotional intelligence, and more, Claire’s eternal delight is guiding individuals and couples to explore and embrace their multidimensional sexual, spiritual, and relational identities through private coaching, local events, bespoke intensives, personal retreats, and adventures she calls “Erotic Odysseys.”.
Find out more at www.ClaireRumore.com
And say hello here: Hello@ClaireRumore.com
Susan Coates is a sex, intimacy, and relationship coach in Denver, Colorado, and works both online and in person with individuals and people in relationships. Also a faculty member of the Somatica Institute® in Berkeley, CA, Susan also teaches accredited sex and relationship coaching certification programs worldwide. She has a M.A. in International Relations/Human Rights, is a certified Somatica® practitioner, is a certified Unitive Justice Facilitator, and co-founder of the Boulder Contact Improvisation Lab, CO. Susan speaks at college campuses and offers keynotes on the topics of sexuality, intimacy, sovereignty, unconventional relationships, women's life cycles, and power dynamics. For inquiries and booking you can find Susan at the following:
Email: shoesandcoates@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanCoatesCoaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susancoatescoaching/
TikTok: @susanthesexcoach
Medium (blog): https://medium.com/@susancoates
In this episode of the Brave Space Podcast, host Matthew Nelson engages in a conversation about how authentic artistry applies to all of us with Jane Hawley, the director of the dance program at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Together, they explore Jane's pioneering approach to dance education which she has been developing and refining over the past 25 years. Unlike the mainstream dance movement, Jane's program is founded on a somatic perspective that includes contact improvisation and integrates life force and spirit into the artistry. They discuss how dancers can learn to love their bodies, expand their creative capacities, and find meaning beyond traditional dance forms through Movement Fundamentals. The conversation also dives into the importance of somatics, the significance of authentic self-expression, and the transformative power of community and witnessing in dance. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the intersections of dance, somatics, and spiritual growth. 00:00 Introduction to the Brave Space Podcast 00:40 Meet Jane Hawley: A Pioneer in Somatic Dance 01:47 The Essence of Somatic Dance 03:01 Jane's Journey: From Traditional to Somatic Dance 08:03 Exploring Movement Vocabulary 09:24 The Role of Contact Improvisation 13:50 Witnessing and Authentic Movement 29:11 Reflective Watching: How Do We Observe? 30:03 Creating Art and Witnessing Each Other 31:21 The Power of Vulnerability and Belonging 32:31 Exploring Authenticity in Performance 32:55 Artistry in Everyday Life 35:04 Rewilding Ourselves 38:52 Spirit and Energy in Artistic Practice 43:32 Body as Primary Source Material 48:06 The Artistry of Living and Giving Back 50:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In this supplemental episode of the BraveSpace Podcast, host Matthew Nelson continues with Burcs—a layer deeper into his personal spiritual journey. The conversation covers his experiences with lucid dreaming, the nature of consciousness, and the profound realizations about existence and authenticity that have shaped his life. Burcs shares transformative moments, philosophical insights, and the emotional impact of feeling both the loneliness and connectedness of God. This episode encourages listeners to explore their own inner truths and the beauty of life’s dualities. 00:00 Introduction to Burcs' Spiritual Journey 01:26 Exploring Hermeticism and Lucid Dreaming 04:04 The Loneliness of God and Existential Realizations 07:01 Integrating Spiritual Insights into Daily Life 08:52 The Gift of Existence and Authenticity 22:18 Cymatics and the Power of Sound 25:38 Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity 31:52 Conclusion and Reflections
In this episode of the Brave Space Podcast, host Matthew Nelson sits down with Burcs, a DJ, music producer, and ceremonialist behind the Light Language Project. Matthew and Burcs delve deep into the practical spirituality of ecstatic dance, discussing Burcs' unique approach to creating live, dynamic music that resonates with the energies of the dance space. They explore the BraveSpace principle of interbeing, the role of intention in healing and community energy exchange, and the surprising overlap of the sacred and profane. Burcs shares insights on his creative process, and the profound impact of bass frequencies. Tune in to discover the harmonious blend of music, spirituality, and community in Burcs' unique ceremonial dances.
00:00 Introduction to the Brave Space Podcast
00:39 Meet Burcs: Master of the Light Language Project
01:41 The Art of Ecstatic Dance
03:09 Improvisation and Interbeing
03:21 The Concept of Interbeing
06:12 Intention in Facilitation
07:57 The Role of the DJ in Ceremonial Spaces
15:50 Healing Through Joy and Community
21:28 The Importance of Acceptance and Celebration
29:22 Interdependence and Interbeing
31:34 Understanding Interdependence and Interbeing
32:57 Embracing the Ego and Shadow Work
34:39 The Importance of Self-Awareness
37:53 Navigating Addictive Patterns
40:17 The Power of Music and Dance
52:36 The Sacred and the Profane
58:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In this episode of the Brave Space Podcast, host Matthew Nelson speaks with Vanessa Dietzel, an executive team member of the International Breathwork Foundation and breathwork practitioner for over 15 years. Vanessa shares her personal journey with breathwork, starting from playing the bassoon as a teenager to finding conscious connected breathing in her late twenties. The discussion covers the science and various styles of breathwork, exploring how breath can be a bridge between our conscious and unconscious selves, and delves into the emotional and spiritual aspects of breath. Vanessa also guides listeners through a short breathwork exercise and highlights the importance of presence and gentleness in breath practices. The episode emphasizes that how we breathe is deeply interconnected with how we live our lives.
00:00 Introduction to the Brave Space Podcast
02:28 Vanessa Dietzel's Journey with Breathwork
04:33 The Science and Philosophy of Breathwork
10:25 Experiencing Breathwork: A Guided Session
16:17 The Healing Power of Breath
22:52 Breathwork Practices and Their Impact
29:26 Training the Brain Through Breath Control
30:22 The Impact of Fast Breathing Practices
31:14 Rewiring Neural Pathways with Breathwork
32:47 Physical and Emotional Sensations in Breathwork
33:45 Expanding Sensory and Motor Ranges
35:10 The Role of Transformation in Breathwork
36:19 Exploring Different Types of Breathwork
36:50 The Importance of Presence in Breathwork
52:32 Navigating the World of Breathwork
55:21 Embracing Self-Love and Compassion
In this episode of the Brave Space Podcast, host Matthew Nelson delves into the ten core principles of brave space, exploring what it takes to create a space for authenticity, vulnerability, and somatic connection. Matthew discusses somatic research, de-shaming, transformation, improvisation, response-ability, heart-centeredness, tensegrity, risk, eros, and inter-being. He provides insights on how these principles can help individuals stay true to their bodies and connect deeply with others, creating a collaborative and humane environment. Matthew emphasizes the importance of movement and awareness in somatics and shares personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate the transformative potential of these concepts.
00:00 Welcome to the Brave Space Podcast
00:38 Understanding Brave Space Principles
01:56 Exploring Somatics and Movement
02:34 The First Principle: Somatic Research
03:56 The Second Principle: De-shaming
06:05 The Third Principle: Transformation
12:40 The Fourth Principle: Improvisation
14:46 The Fifth Principle: Response-ability
18:37 The Sixth Principle: Heart Centeredness
21:07 The Miracle of Healing Presence
21:39 Understanding Innate Harmony
22:43 Exploring Compassion
23:13 Selfless Service and Humility
24:07 The Seventh Principle: Tensegrity
28:22 The Eighth Principle: Risk
31:29 The Ninth Principle: Eros
35:05 The Tenth Principle: Interbeing
38:44 Conclusion and Future Directions
In the inaugural episode of the Brave Space podcast, host Matthew Nelson introduces the core concepts of soma and spirit. He delves into the field of somatics, emphasizing the subjective experience of the body and the importance of movement and awareness. Nelson explores the intersection of somatics with spiritual practice, discussing the significance of experiencing life from within and embracing both joy and pain. He explains the role of improvisation in dance and life, and hints at future discussions and guests who will further explore these themes. Join Matthew in creating a brave space for authentic connection and self-discovery.
00:00 Welcome to the Brave Space Podcast
00:44 Understanding Soma and Somatics
01:32 The Science of Somatics
02:39 Cultural Impact on Body Awareness
03:05 Connecting Soma and Spirit
05:31 The Role of Authenticity and Community
11:03 The Power of Dance and Movement
15:18 Improvisation and Global Challenges
16:45 Introducing BraveSpace Principles
17:57 Conclusion and Next Steps