Community Guidelines
Be Kind and Do No Harm
Treat yourself and others with compassion and care. Listen and stay aware. Get clear, ongoing consent—look for verbal and nonverbal cues, and check in if unsure. Stop immediately if consent is withdrawn. Honor boundaries, communicate openly, and support safety for all. Harassment of any kind is not tolerated. Speak up and care for yourself if your cues aren't being read. Speak to a Space Holder if you need support.
Physical Safety
Contact Improvisation carries inherent risk. Know your limits, take mindful risks, and stay aware of your surroundings. Don’t push or lift partners beyond their skill level, and avoid grabbing—this can be unsafe and feel violating. Learn to fall safely and let others protect themselves. Increase your skill through classes to dance with confidence and care.
Leave Without Explanation
You are free to exit any dance or situation at any time—no explanation or justification is necessary.
Welcome Others Warmly
If you don’t know someone, introduce yourself. Acknowledge new faces with warmth and presence.
Be Mindful of Shared Space
Please do not lie down or remain stationary in the center of the dance floor. Use the upstairs area for rest, bodywork exchanges, or witnessing.
Honor the Dance Floor as a Silent Space
Refrain from social conversations or phone use on the dance floor. Use the side yard for verbal conversations or digital engagement.
Consent Before Feedback
Always ask before offering feedback. A simple, “May I offer you some feedback?” is both respectful and necessary.
Respect Space Holders
When facilitators are speaking, pause your own conversations and give them your full attention.
Ask When in Doubt
If something is unclear, ask. Clarify rather than remain in confusion or assumption.
Take Radical Responsibility
Be accountable for your actions, your energy, and how you contribute to the space.
Physical Health & Contagious Infections
Do not attend the jam if you have or suspect a contagious illness that can spread through touch, breath, or bodily fluids. Cover any wounds or skin conditions securely, wash hands often, and clean your clothes and gear after dancing. Only return when you are fully non-infectious.
Sexuality
This is not a space for seeking romance or engaging in sexual behavior. If sexual energy arises, shift the dynamic or leave the dance—no explanation is needed. Everyone must feel safe witnessing what's happening in the room. Avoid intentional sexual touch or touching under clothing without clear consent. Unwanted sexual advances are never acceptable and carry serious consequences. If something feels wrong, stop the dance, leave, and reach out to a Space Holder.
Power and Awareness
Power imbalances—shaped by identity factors like gender, race, age, ability, experience, and more—can impact how safe others feel. Be aware of your position and how it affects others. Never use your power, intentionally or unconsciously, to influence or pressure. Forceful, aggressive, or intimate dancing (like cuddling) requires strong mutual trust and clear consent. You are responsible for how your actions impact your partner and the space.
Dress
Wear clothing that fully covers erogenous zones—shirts are required for all genders. This supports cultural sensitivity and equity.
Suggested: Knee pads, non-slippery clothing, long pants, and extra shirts.
Cultivate Awareness and Connection
Practice attention, generosity, compassion, and curiosity. Ask yourself: How can I be a supportive partner and member of this community?
Consider the Collective Impact
Even if an activity is consensual between individuals, consider how it affects the group. Prioritize collective awareness.
Photos and Videos
Please respect all attendees of the jam by refraining from taking any photos or videos without consent of all those who are in the room. Talk to a Space Holder if you are interested in capturing this form. There will be dedicated jams for this.
Balance Individual and Collective Needs
Your needs matter. The group’s needs matter. Both can be true—practice holding this balance with care and awareness.
Community Safety and Exclusion
The safety of the community comes first. Space Holders reserve the right to deny entry or remove individuals from the space at any time to maintain safety and wellbeing.
Patterns of harmful behavior in this or other communities may be grounds for exclusion, even if no incident has occurred at this jam. Boundaries may be set indefinitely when the community lacks capacity to provide ongoing monitoring or feedback.
No Weapons Policy
Weapons of any kind are not permitted in the space. This includes firearms, knives, batons, or any object intended to cause harm.
Personal safety items such as pepper spray or similar self-defense tools are permitted only if they remain secured in bags or personal belongings and are not brought onto the dance floor or used in any way during the event.
If a weapon is visible, carried on the body, or creates discomfort or concern for others, Space Holders may ask the person to secure it, remove it from the space, or leave.
This policy exists to support a felt sense of safety for everyone. Previous safety concerns in other communities may be sufficient reason to deny entry
Removal From the Space
If someone is asked to leave, Space Holders may use a direct and supported approach. Instructions will be clear and firm. Failure to comply may result in further action, including trespass notice or contacting authorities. This is a last resort and used only to protect the community.
Bodywork at Jams
Bodywork may occur only through clear, mutual consent between individuals. It must remain non-sexual and aligned with the values of care, safety, and respect held by this space.
If bodywork is offered or received, it should be:
- Explicitly agreed upon by both people
- Easy to pause or stop at any time, without explanation
- Attentive to power dynamics and experience levels
- Appropriate for a public, shared environment where others are present
Bodywork is not an invitation for sexual touch, intimacy, or partner-seeking. If sexual energy arises, shift the dynamic or step away from the interaction.
When in doubt, choose clarity, ask for consent, or check in with a Space Holder
Access Needs and Introduction
Sharing access needs is always optional. Participants are welcome to share their name and, if they wish, pronouns, injuries, or anything the group should know to support them.
Facilitators may model this practice when appropriate. No one is required to disclose personal information.
Disability and Sensory Awareness
We strive to support diverse access needs, including sensory and hearing considerations. If you need support, please speak with a Space Holder so we can explore what is possible.
Clarifying the Jam's purpose
This jam exists in service of the larger Wiggle Room community. Participation supports the sustainability of the space and the offerings held here.