Ecstatic Dance Arlington - New Year w/ Rubaba (Ecstatic Kirtan)

Name: Ecstatic Dance Arlington - New Year w/ Rubaba (Ecstatic Kirtan)
Start: 2026-01-24T14:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-01-24T17:30:00-05:00
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA

Schedule

Sat Jan 24 2026 at 02:00 pm to 05:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA | Arlington, VA

Join us for our monthly Ecstatic Dance Arlington at our beautiful, welcoming home at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington! All ages, backgrounds, religions, and emotions are welcome!
W͟h͟e͟n͟? Saturday January 24 | 2-5:30pm
W͟h͟e͟r͟e͟? The Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington @ 4444 Arlington Blvd
Tickets here: https://theticketing.co/e/edancearlnewyear26
(NOTE: FOR JANUARY ONLY - we will gather the 4th Saturday on the top floor in the Fellowship Hall, there will be no separate chill out room)
Community favorite, Rubaba will be our guide for the whole dance journey for a special Ecstatic Kirtan activation! 💫
✨ Gentle movement opening
✨Kirtan electronica dance: classical Indian instruments and chants fused with live electronic looping and samples, blending the ancient, spiritual world with modern EDM to create a space for release, play, and enlightenment.
✨ Closing: Naad Yoga Soundbath
Rubaba is a multi-instrumentalist, classically trained musician, and vocalist who has dedicated his life to exploring the intersection of music and spiritual awakening. With over 30 years of experience, he has woven together his deep love for sound and his lifelong quest for truth into a powerful offering of Kirtan, Naad Yoga, and Swara Samadhi.
Rubaba has trained extensively in both South Asian and Western classical music, blending their rich traditions into a unique devotional experience. He integrates sacred chants from Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Sufi traditions, using the power of Naad Yoga (the yoga of sound) to guide listeners into deep meditative states. His kirtans inspire call-and-response participation, spontaneous dance, and profound emotional release.
His performances create vast, intricate soundscapes, layering instruments such as guitar, keyboards, ethnic flutes, percussion, harmonium, and the rubab. Audiences frequently describe leaving his sessions with a profound sense of peace, clarity, and inner stillness.
What is Naad Yoga?
Rooted in ancient Indian traditions, Naad Yoga is based on the understanding that the universe itself is vibration. The practice aligns one’s consciousness with the natural flow of existence, transcending ego and allowing one to experience unity.
Listening as a Path to Oneness: The mind, constantly seeking external pleasure, finds stillness through deep listening, a key principle of Naad Yoga.
Kirtan as Seva: Chanting together amplifies interconnectedness, cultivating gratitude and service to one another.
Five Energies as Drivers: Instead of resisting human vices, Naad Yoga teaches how to channel them through sound for transformation
✨ The community is invited to co-create the New Year altar space with meaningful items and intentions for the year ahead. 🕯
✨ Family friendly experience! Bring your littles and be supported by our Kid Ambassdaor, Hailey. Crafts, snacks, and play time.
☕️ Tea provided (just for this dance) Future dances, we will have a tea and elixir bar with a local vendor.
Volunteer opportunities available, DM us to learn more.
Can’t wait to see you soon! ♥️
Early bird tix on sale now 🎟️🦋 https://theticketing.co/e/edancearlnewyear26
______________________________
~~ What is Ecstatic Dance? ~~
Ecstatic Dance is a freeform movement meditation inviting you to embody joy and playfulness in a safe, welcoming space.
This unique collaboration between the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington and Soul Fire Experiences is hosted by Ari Azizkhan-Gould (DJ Electro-Cute)—a local DJ and conscious event curator passionate about creating spaces for connection, community, and embodied expression. Expect a global mix of sounds and rhythms designed to open hearts and move bodies.
Our intention: to create a sacred dance container where all ages and walks of life can expand consciousness, build community, and let the inner child dance freely. Families are welcome! Kids will be celebrated with crafts and snacks led by our Kid Ambassador, Hailey (age 11).
The journey includes:
⭐ Embodiment Warmup
⭐ Dance Meditation with Live DJ
⭐ Sound Healing Cool Down
Enjoy a two-room experience:
Dance Floor for full expression
Chill-Out Room for rest, tea, and offerings from local vendors—energy & tarot readings, bodywork, jewelry, and more.
Enter our village and leave connected to a loving community.
The rules of the container are simple:
1. Consent first! ALWAYS wait for consent before dancing with someone or touching them in any capacity. If you don’t wish to dance with someone put your hands in a prayer position to thank them and move along. If someone is not understanding your consent cues, talk to an organizer and we will intervene.
2. No shoes. So we don’t step on anyone’s toes.
3. No chit chat on the dance floor. Yelling out in joy is allowed!
4. No alcohol or substances. This allows us to be present with each other and our bodies.
5. No photos or video of the dance floor. This allows us to fully express without being judged or documented. Photos and videos of the DJ are allowed with the DJ’s consent.
6. All forms of movement or rest is encouraged! Go cuddle up in the chill-out room with a blanket and pillow and take a sensory break. The music will be waiting for you when you’re ready to return!
Schedule of Events:
2-2:15pm: Welcome and time to get settled. You're welcome to hang out in the chill space until we start opening circle.
2:15-2:20pm: Opening Circle
2:20-2:45pm: Embodiment warm up
2:45-4:15pm: Dance experience with live DJ
4:20-5:15pm: Sound healing cool down
5:15-5:30pm: Community sharing circle: share one word to describe your experience, longer discussion about anything that came up for you, and share community announcements
Plenty of parking available in the large parking lot.