The Dances of Universal Peace (DUP) are intended to be a safe space where you can feel comfortable, safe, and free. These suggestions below are ways you can tune in and tune up by taking care of yourself and being sensitive to others.
Your rights and responsibilities as a dancer include the following. Sometimes rights and responsibilities overlap, which is why they are grouped together here.
- Know your physical limits. Feel free to modify any movements that are physically uncomfortable. If you know you become dizzy when turning, feel free to stand still…If you become dizzy while turning, slow down and bring your arms down in a flowing way to cross them over your chest, opposite hand on each shoulder.
- Participate to the level at which you are comfortable. Some dancers prefer to sit and enjoy the music and dancing from their chairs. Others prefer to sit and sing along, or to sit and sing along and do the movements from their chairs. It’s Ok to sit out some dances and dance on others.
- Choose whether or how you feel comfortable hugging when it is part of a dance. Similarly, notice your comfort level in exchanging hugs with others after the dance. You can indicate that you prefer not to hug by putting your palms together in front of you in a prayer mudra and bowing to the other person instead of hugging. Please honor your boundaries and the boundaries of others—there are all kinds of reasons a person may not wish to hug. Hugging is not required.
- Sing and do the movements as you are able. If you didn’t catch the words, you can ask the dance leader to repeat them. You can sing what you hear others singing, or hum, or not sing at all. Not all of us are gifted with being able to sing in tune. The dances are not a performance. They are not about perfection but about enjoying the experience.
- Choose a level of eye contact that you are comfortable with. Cultures have varying customs around eye contact. Some partner dances feature prolonged eye contact, and some people are more comfortable with this than others. If you are uncomfortable with it, you can gaze at the spot on the forehead between and above your partner’s eyes or you can veil your gaze by turning your attention inwards or semi-closing your eyes.
- Act in a respectful way to other dancers. Pay attention to non-verbal cues and honor others’ boundaries. Some participants may be uncomfortable with hugs at the end of the meeting and indicate this nonverbally. Be sensitive to nonverbal signals such as a person putting their hands on their hearts or in a prayer mudra and bowing to you instead. DUP has ethical guidelines which are meant to make the dances safe for all. These are easily accessed through the links at the end of this document.
- Recognize that others may have needs that are different from your own and choose to do no harm. This is especially important with choices regarding perfumes, fragrances, and scented personal products. For some, fragrances may feel like a personal right of self-expression, but for others fragrance can trigger severe discomfort or allergies. For this reason, we ask that dancers, leaders, and musicians refrain from wearing fragrances at the dances.
- Take care of yourself. Please bring a water bottle and stay well hydrated. Bring a snack, or medication if needed during the program. Know and respect your physical and psychological needs and limits.
- Recognize and accept other dancer’s limitations. Your dance partner may not to want to turn as quickly or hold their held hands as high as you do, so be sensitive to and aware of those whose hands you are holding and your partner’s abilities.
Ethics Guidelines: Resources and Getting Help
We want the dances to be a safe space, and they usually are. But people are people, and people are imperfect. What does one do when things feel wrong or go wrong?
- Educate yourself. Know and follow the DUP Ethics Guidelines. DUP has clear ethics guidelines around financial, sexual, and romantic boundaries for dance leaders and musicians. You can read those guidelines here:https://dancesofuniversalpeace.org/posts/dup-agreements-read-and-sign-here-agreements If something is happening in the Dances, whether at a dance evening, retreat, or afterward with a participant, musician, or leader that causes you to feel confused, uncomfortable, or unsafe, or if you feel that your boundaries are not being respected, please let a trusted leader or organizer know. And….
- If the issue is not resolved, here are links on the DUP website to reach out for further guidance and HELP: The DUP Ethics Committee has their own webpage within the main DUP site, accessed here: https://dancesofuniversalpeace.org/spaces/21585645/page You can also email them directly at: ethics@dancesofuniversalpeace.org
To sum up, respect the diversity within the dance circle. Each dancer brings their own background, experience, and perspective to the group. By approaching each interaction with openness and a willingness to learn from one another, you contribute to a richer, safer, and more inclusive environment. Remember, everyone’s participation and presence is valued, regardless of skill level or familiarity with the dances.