"You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle. But you are worthy of love and belonging." ~ from Brene Brown's TED Talk on "The Power of Vulnerability"

This is the theme of my “Love & Belonging” mix for Asheville Movement Collective that was recorded live on Sunday, May 8th.

I am imperfect, and I’ve been feeling extremely vulnerable and anxious lately. As hard as it has been physically and emotionally, I’ve decided to not use unhealthy coping mechanisms that I usually would turn to.

Instead I’ve decided to use this experience as a catalyst for my personal growth and awareness. I know we all have felt the pain of struggle - in one form or another in our lives. So we are all in this together.

What Brene’s TED talk revealed to me is that it is the people who embrace their vulnerability and work through it that end up the most productive, happy and resilient. They live life to the fullest, because they accept their vulnerability and they allow themselves to be seen by their support group and community when they are struggling. 

They give others the opportunity to provide love and support. 
If you're feeling called to get some fearful or anxious energy out and moving along, then my hope is that this mix will help you do just that. We're in it together. ❤

Love & Belonging {Ecstatic Dance Set by MIKAYA}

Hi Friends, to help me get more listens I have a request. Pls listen, like and repost the mix, and leave me three constructive comments on what you liked or what could use improvement and I'll private message you the tracklist. Thank you for the feedback and engagement! It helps me get more listens.

I've often tried creating an ecstatic wave journey without any lyric heavy songs. It never ends up happening. I just love using songs with lyrics both in english and other languages too much. But for this mix I will restrict myself to only songs that have instrumentals, or I will cut out any lyrics. I'm curious how it might land for our dance community and the creative direction it might take me on. 

I'm always trying to evolve and adapt my craft as a music weaver, and an easy way to do that is to impose restrictions that force me into uncomfortable and uncharted territories. If you'd like to journey into such an exploration, I invite you to come to this dance. 

The invitation there for you as a dancer, will be to explore the messages you find in music that is devoid of words. And also, the invitation is to explore how creative restrictions can fuel your creativity and dance expression.

I'm offering one on one DJ lessons for new aspiring DJs as well as for seasoned DJs who are curious to learn more about how to craft sets that use an ecstatic dance style wave progression through a diverse set of musical genres. Please email him at micahswabb@pm.me if interested in lessons.

Instrumental Restriction - live @ AMC {Ecstatic Dance Set by MIKAYA}

MIKAYA (Micah Swabb) is an Ecstatic Dance DJ and facilitator for cathartic dance events. MIKAYA’s mixes inspire meditation through movement in ways that widen the scope of one's self-awareness and self-expression.

His mixes use a wide variety of musical genres like global bass, tropical house, techno, glitch hop, downtempo, classical and ambient. These musical journeys begin peacefully, build momentum and contrast, and then land softly with resolution and grace. MIKAYA also produces mash-ups and mixes in various genres. He teaches people how to make world class ecstatic dance mixes both from his home in Asheville, NC and virtually online.

For booking MIKAYA (Micah Swabb) email micahswabb@pm.me. 

MIKAYA is also a regenerative real estate agent and eco-flipper. If you'd like help buying, selling or rehabbing homes or raw land please reach out. Regenerative Real Estate is all about living in harmony within the eco-systems of nature, society and personal well-being.

With deep gratitude... may we grow and glow together with love, courage and freedom.

Popular tracks tagged #catharticdance