Community
Code of Conduct
Partner dance is physical, social, and personal. We want Motion Lab to feel safe and welcoming for beginners, regulars, visitors, leads, follows, and everyone in between. This page describes the standard we hold each other to — students, teachers, and the studio itself.
Consent on the dance floor
- Asking is the norm. Invite a dance with a clear "Want to dance?" — verbal, gesture, or a warm look across the room.
- "No" is a complete sentence. Anyone can decline any dance, at any time, for any reason (or no reason). "Maybe later" and "I'm taking a break" are also full sentences.
- Stop means stop. If a partner asks to stop, slow down, change a move, or step off the floor, do that immediately — without explanation or negotiation.
- Contact stays where it belongs. Partner dance has frames, embraces, and lifts that require touch. Touch outside those frames — or that lingers after the song ends — is not part of the dance. Default is hands on the upper back, shoulder blade, or hand.
- Hygiene is a kindness. Fresh shirt, deodorant, a towel for sweaty sessions. If you're unsure, bring a spare top.
Roles, leads and follows
- Anyone can lead. Anyone can follow. Switch within a song, between songs, between classes. We don't gender our roles.
- Inviting someone to switch is normal. Declining is also normal — see "No is a complete sentence" above.
- Skill level is not a status. Advanced dancers dance with beginners. That's how a scene grows. If you only dance with the top of the room, this isn't the place for you.
Unsolicited corrections
- The social floor is not a classroom. Don't teach mid-dance unless your partner has explicitly asked. If something hurts, say so. Beyond that, leave the teaching to teachers.
- Teachers teach in class. If you want feedback, ask a teacher during the "Ask the teacher" half-hour or after class.
- Praise is welcome. "That felt great" never needs a permission slip.
Inclusion
- We welcome dancers of every gender, sexuality, age (18+), background, nationality, body type, dance level, and language.
- Slurs, racist or sexist jokes, and unwelcome remarks about anyone's body are not tolerated — full stop.
- If a class or social isn't accessible to you for any reason (mobility, sensory, neurodivergence, language), tell us. We'll figure it out together.
Substances
- Don't come to class intoxicated. Socials are different — adults, music, sometimes a drink — but if you're past the point of dancing safely, we'll ask you to sit out or head home.
- We don't tolerate drug use on premises.
Photos and video
- We sometimes photograph or film classes and socials for the website and social media. You can opt out at any time — tell the teacher or the photographer.
- If you don't want to be filmed, you have priority. We'll re-frame, blur, or cut.
- Don't film or photograph other students without asking them first.
Reporting
If something happens — to you, or that you witness — tell us. Three ways, in order of how directly you want to reach the owner:
- In person — pull a teacher aside during or after class. They'll listen first and act with you, not over you.
- WhatsApp or email — WhatsApp the studio or mlrgdance@gmail.com. Owner reads both.
- Anonymous — coming soon: a form that reaches the owner without your name attached. Until that ships, the email route above is read only by the owner if you ask for it to stay confidential.
You will be heard. We respond to every report within 48 hours. If the report concerns the owner, we'll arrange a third party (a senior teacher or trusted community member) to handle it — tell us in your message that you'd prefer that route.
Consequences
Most issues are resolved with a conversation. For serious or repeated violations of this code, the studio may pause your membership, remove you from a class or social, or — in clear cases of harassment, assault, or deliberate harm — bar you from Motion Lab permanently. We err on the side of the person who was harmed.