I am one of two leaders for Soul Sanctuary Dance, Berkeley's midday freestyle dance since 2003. Not a formal "class" - but a unique place to learn some hard-to-learn lessons in a supportive environment: - How to feel comfortable in your own body, and break through self-consciousness about dancing - How to join others and how to invite others to dance with you non-verbally - How to spontaneously teach and learn from others - How to join in and maintain connections in a community.

Every Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm, we dance to an irresistible eclectic blend of funk, soul, world music, positive hip hop, reggae, dance classics, jazz, blues, electronica, and other music to free mind, body and soul.

Soul Sanctuary Dance is a welcoming and inclusive all-ages community freestyle dance that supports free expression, community, physical and emotional health, and a spirit of generosity. The dance is organized and produced by volunteers.

Admission: we don't charge a fee for admission. Instead, we post this message at the welcome table: "Your dance today at Soul Sanctuary Dance is a gift from those who have made donations to the dance, and from the volunteers who organize and produce the dance. We invite you to pay this generosity forward for future dancers, in whatever amount or manner you choose, so that we can continue to keep this chain of gifts alive."

Wheelchair accessible. No scented products please. Shoes optional.

Organic fruit for all after the dance.

Our location: Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center, 1317 San Pablo Ave. (near Gilman), Berkeley, 94702.

For photos, sample music, directions, and a SF Bay Area Dance Calendar, see http://www.soulsanctuarydance.com.