Contemplative Dance Practice: A Movement & Meditation Workshop

Schedule

Sun Oct 26 2025 at 11:00 am to 02:00 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

The Berkeley Alembic | Berkeley, CA

Advertisement
Explore presence, deep listening, and creative movement with Nick LaLa Smith
About this Event

Contemplative Dance Practice (CDP) blends movement, meditation and improvisation to cultivate awareness, connection and self-discovery. 

What to expect:

This two-hour introductory workshop will begin with 45 minutes of orientation to the practice, during which time we will:

  • Discuss practice purpose, structure, and benefits.
  • Develop tools for clear consent, non-consent and boundary-setting to create a safe and supportive space.
  • Clearly and tangibly introduce key practice components: seated meditation, solo movement, and relational movement.

Then we will move into a 60-minute CDP session which will include:

  • 20 minutes of seated meditation – arrive into stillness and present-moment awareness.
  • 20 minutes of solo movement – move intuitively, following internal impulses without judgment.
  • 20 minutes of relational movement – engage in shared, nonverbal improvisation with the group.

We will end with 15 minutes of reflection together — discussing insights, experiences and takeaways.


Who is this for?

This workshop is open to all bodies. No prior experience with dance or meditation is needed — just curiosity and a willingness to explore.


About Contemplative Dance Practice (CDP)


Developed by Barbara Dilley (dancer, meditation teacher and former President of Naropa University), Contemplative Dance Practice is an invitation to explore how awareness unfolds in and through the body.

Contemplative Dance Practice periods typically include three practice sections:


Seated Meditation Practice –  In which we arrive into stillness and present-moment awareness.

Solo Movement Practice –  In which we move intuitively, following internal impulses without judgment.

Relational Movement Practice – A shared, nonverbal improvisational space where we engage with movement while attuning to the group and environment.


CDP is not about performance but about deepening our relationship with movement, attention, and community. 

Join us for an afternoon of movement, stillness and discovery.


Nick (LaLa) Smith is a dancer, mover, meditator and silly goose who facilitates deep practices of listening, movement, attunement and relating. His offerings center on exploring play, healing, self definition and how we to relate to attention. Learn more at https://www.jaaa.am/


Event Photos
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

The Berkeley Alembic, 2820 Seventh Street, Berkeley, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 17.85 to USD 49.87

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
The Berkeley Alembic Foundation

Host or Publisher The Berkeley Alembic Foundation

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Berkeley

Sundays @ Four: Boston Trio
Sun, 26 Oct at 04:00 am Sundays @ Four: Boston Trio

Crowden School

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Mochi Factory Tour, Sun. Oct.26th
Sun, 26 Oct at 09:00 am Mochi Factory Tour, Sun. Oct.26th

1621 Fifth St

A Time To Heal Women's Conference
Sun, 26 Oct at 10:00 am A Time To Heal Women's Conference

1305 University Ave

BUSINESS CONFERENCES
It\u2019s time for CANTAMOS!
Sun, 26 Oct at 10:30 am It’s time for CANTAMOS!

JCC East Bay

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Composting Dances: Embodying Creativity for the Fall Season
Sun, 26 Oct at 11:45 am Composting Dances: Embodying Creativity for the Fall Season

The Finnish Hall, Meeting Room

ART WORKSHOPS
Cal Stadium Wedding Fair - Free Tickets Available
Sun, 26 Oct at 12:00 pm Cal Stadium Wedding Fair - Free Tickets Available

California Memorial Stadium

DANCE-COMPETITION
Docent-led tours of Julia Morgan\u2019s Berkeley City Club
Sun, 26 Oct at 01:00 pm Docent-led tours of Julia Morgan’s Berkeley City Club

2315 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA, United States, California 94704

NONPROFIT
SATYA Sundays: Somatic Awareness for Yogis w\/ Tina Rath
Sun, 26 Oct at 01:30 pm SATYA Sundays: Somatic Awareness for Yogis w/ Tina Rath

2807 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94609-3606, United States

HEALTH-WELLNESS WORKSHOPS
Breathwork & Beats w\/ Michael Giannico
Fri, 04 Nov at 08:00 pm Breathwork & Beats w/ Michael Giannico

2807 Telegraph Ave

WORKSHOPS
Sunday Morning Kum Nye, Tibetan Yoga
Sun, 09 Apr at 10:00 am Sunday Morning Kum Nye, Tibetan Yoga

Nyingma Institute

HEALTH-WELLNESS WORKSHOPS
Sacred Cacao Circle w\/ Madaly Love
Sat, 18 Nov at 05:00 pm Sacred Cacao Circle w/ Madaly Love

The Green Yogi

HEALTH-WELLNESS MUSIC
First Friday Kirtan w\/ Susannah Freedman
Fri, 05 Jan at 07:00 pm First Friday Kirtan w/ Susannah Freedman

The Green Yogi

FIRST-FRIDAY WORKSHOPS
Rewire Your Holistic Wellbeing With 9D Somatic Breathwork
Sun, 19 May at 09:00 am Rewire Your Holistic Wellbeing With 9D Somatic Breathwork

Hana Holistic Medical Center / Anas Hana MD

WORKSHOPS HEALTH-WELLNESS
BERKELEY - Schizophrenia Success Secrets
Wed, 19 Jun at 06:00 pm BERKELEY - Schizophrenia Success Secrets

Virtual via Zoom

WORKSHOPS
The Goddess Temple: A Monthly Women's Circle
Sat, 10 Aug at 07:00 pm The Goddess Temple: A Monthly Women's Circle

The Green Yogi

ART
Restorative Yoga, Sound Bath and Hot Stones w\/ Darren Main
Sun, 11 Aug at 06:00 pm Restorative Yoga, Sound Bath and Hot Stones w/ Darren Main

The Green Yogi

HEALTH-WELLNESS MUSIC
How to Balance Pregnancy & Relationship
Mon, 21 Oct at 07:00 pm How to Balance Pregnancy & Relationship

Berkeley

WORKSHOPS
Invest Together, Grow Together: A Real Estate Webinar (Berkeley)
Sat, 30 Nov at 07:00 am Invest Together, Grow Together: A Real Estate Webinar (Berkeley)

Berkeley

WORKSHOPS VIRTUAL
Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Operation City Quest
Fri, 14 Feb at 09:00 am Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Operation City Quest

Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park

CONTESTS TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Theta Drum Journey & Sound Bath w\/ Phoenix Song
Fri, 14 Feb at 07:00 pm Theta Drum Journey & Sound Bath w/ Phoenix Song

The Green Yogi

HEALTH-WELLNESS MEDITATION

What's Happening Next in Berkeley?

Discover Berkeley Events