We had the good fortune of connecting with Kat Carter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kat, what matters most to you?
Community. Hosting alcohol-free events for my community is my number one passion project right now. Community is so important because it reminds us that we are not alone. Community events teach us to ask our community for help, everyone has something to contribute. Doing this builds value and also shows us who we can reach out to for support in times of crisis.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve been space holding for the past ten years as a yoga teacher. Growing up as a dancer, everything was choreographed. Ecstatic Dance is about free form expression. Once I discovered Ecstatic Dance and its mental health benefits, I started incorporating it into my yoga classes and also began monthly Ecstatic Dance offerings in Summit County.

It was challenging at first to find spaces that were big enough to dance in but also didn’t serve alcohol. I realized they go pretty hand in hand in our culture. After doing this for three years, I have a preferred list of spaces that are either alcohol free or have agreed not to sell it during events.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We are fortunate in Breckenridge to be very close to nature. I’d take them to my favorite secret spots in the mountain valleys and rivers. We’d grab a coffee at my favorite local shop that has lots of vegan treats. Depending on the season, we’d ski or paddleboard.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shout out to my best friend and DJ for Ecstatic Dance, Emily Baughman. She is great at reading the room and inspires me to do more with music as a female musician.

Website: https://www.katarinamedicina.com

Instagram: @katarinamedicina @ecstaticdancecolorado

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