Dance Friday Freedom Weekend Class OUI DANCE OUI YOGA - Sophie Laurent

Dance Friday/Freedom Weekend "OUI DANCE OUI YOGA" is a conscious movement practice that combines yoga and expressive dance to help participants connect with their bodies, emotions, and hearts. Founded by instructor Sophie Laurent, it serves as an active meditation, using semi-structured routines and free-spirited dance to foster joy, self-expression, and mental well-being in a judgment-free environment. Key elements of Oui Dance Oui Yoga include: Heart-Centered Movement: The sessions focus on connecting with one's, needs, and desires through conscious, authentic movement. Blend of Techniques: The practice incorporates yoga, dance, singing, breathwork, and, at times, therapeutic tools like tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique). Holistic Wellness: It is designed to help participants "let go" and find inner harmony, often incorporating elements of nature. Accessible Approach: It is aimed at promoting self-care, and for many, it serves as a way to release emotional stress. bio Sophie Laurent I love sharing the joy and energy that dance and yoga bring. Originally from Brittany, I know how essential it is to take care of ourselves and to connect with others, especially when far from our roots. I first trained at the Conservatory of Brittany, then in Movement, Rhythm & Voicewith France Schott-Billmann, Cécile Lasalle and Henri Samba in France. This dance therapy is inspired by the extraordinary Katherine Dunham Method as well as the work of Herns Duplan, a remarkable Haitian dancer and choreographer. Each year, I continue to deepen my practice, cultivating my love of rhythm and exploring the transformative power of this therapeutic approach. After moving to Boston, I expanded my practice to include yoga, NIA, and African dance. In a world where screens and remote work often keep us apart, I see dance as a powerful way to reconnect, with ourselves and with one another. For me, movement is not only a form of self-expression but also a path to building bonds, realigning body, heart, and spirit, and finding joy in shared rhythms. Class is part of Dance week end. Register for DANCE FRIDAY/FREEDOM WEEKEND March 27th and 28th, 2025 74 Pleasant St, Arlington Come for the whole event or single dance or class. Full weekend early bird pricing… $85 in advance (until March 8th), or bring a check to March 13th Dance. $110 day of event. See www.dancefriday.org for discounts and full list of options 2026 Weekend Schedule FRIDAY, March 27th St. John's Episcopal Church, 74 Pleasant St, Arlington, MA OPENING DANCE 7:30pm - 8:30 — Tuning Moving Meditations — Helena Froehlich 8:30pm - 10:30 — Live Music for Dancing with Stan Strickland with DJ'd interlude(s) by DJ das Mojo (Dave Sheppard) SATURDAY, March 28th Full Day of Classes, Dinner & Performances, Evening Dance St. John's Episcopal Church, 74 Pleasant St. • Arlington, MA 1:30 Registration and Opening Circle. Class Period 1 — 2-2:50pm Contact Improv Partnering — Olivier Besson (Parish Hall) Class Period 2 — 3-3:50 Movement, Rhythm & Voice in Community: A Transformative and Holistic Experience Time to Release & Connect **** with Live drumming **** — Sophie Leurent (Parish Hall) Embodying Stories From Our Lives — Christopher Ellinger (Parlor Room) Class Period 3 — 4 - 4:50pm The 5Rhythms®: The Shamanic Journey — Margaux Skalecki (Parish Hall) Class Period 4 — 5pm - 5:50pm Belly Dance to Bliss — Johara (Parish Hall) Foot Reflexology — Bill Kennedy (Parlor Room) SATURDAY Dinner & Evening Dance, March 28th: 6:pm - 8:30: Dinner and Bardic Circle (Time includes Set up) with Carrie , Paul, Ellie Harrington Jessica Lupien Patti Gurekian and many more talented folks singing songs reading poetry. 8:30pm - 10:30: DANCE — DJ das Mojo (Dave Sheppard) Then, closing circle St John's 74 Pleasant St., Arlington Ma. March 27th&28th Dance weekend, Additional dances in Arlington 3/13/26, 4/10/26 Dance Friday/Freedom will hold In–person Dances 8pm-10pm at 8 Inman st. Cambridge Fridays 4/24/26, 5/8/26, 6/12/26