EDAM’s Values

Last Updated: March 24, 2026

All community members who engage with EDAM’s programming, including participants in our classes, workshops, jams and other special activities hosted by EDAM, are asked to uphold EDAM’s Values.

● Collective Care

  • EDAM is a scent-reduced space. Please refrain from using and wearing scented products at EDAM as they can cause sensitivities and allergic reactions. 

  • We ask that all participants attend classes, workshops, jams and special offerings in clean clothes and follow standard hygiene practices.

  • We ask participants to stay home if they are experiencing cold or flu symptoms.

● Take Care of Yourself

  • You are welcome to sit out at any point during a class, workshop, jam, or special offering. 

  • You may end a dance at any time: a) if you are doing an exercise with someone, kindly let them know that you need to stop and take a rest, b) if you are improvising with someone, you may use a verbal or non-verbal exit.

  • During a dance, feel free to verbally communicate with your partner what you need, especially if you are new to the practice, for example: “Can we dance with less weight sharing please?”, or “Can we slow down please?”

  • You are not obligated to dance with anyone you do not feel comfortable with.

● Be Respectful and Inclusive

  • EDAM is committed to providing a safer and comfortable experience for everyone regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, dis/ability, body size, ethnicity, religion, nationality, or dance experience.

  • We encourage people to dance with and respond to one another with kindness and respect at all times.

  • Everyone has a different level of comfort and preference for the amount of touch and/or weight they are open to sharing. Remember that this comfort and preference may change day to day and may vary person to person. When dancing with others, listen for and be receptive to both verbal and non-verbal communication in the dance; if you are unsure about something, ask verbally.

  • Consider making an effort to dance with a variety of people.

  • If you don’t know your partner, begin from the understanding that they may have less experience than you. We encourage approaching each dance with a beginner’s mind.

  • Be mindful of the language you use and how it may affect others. If you have technical feedback for someone about their dancing or in an exercise, ask for permission before giving your opinion, for example: “I have some feedback that I’d like to share with you, would you be open to hearing it?” If the other person says no, be respectful of their choice.

  • If someone asks you to refer to them with specific pronouns, respect and use those pronouns. If you are not sure what pronouns someone uses, you can politely ask. For example: “I use she/her pronouns; what pronouns do you use?”

EDAM’s Values is a living document. We are working to update our Values in Summer 2026. In addition, we are working to create a Community Agreement in 2026/27.