Dance of the Soul (Sufi Whirling Workshop & Gathering)

Join us at this monthly Sufi Whirling Workshop and Sema Gathering, with live/recorded music, meditation, whirling, Zikr (Sufi Prayer) and Sohbet (Sufi Talk). We will create a sacred, supportive space where we can all release whatever energy no longer serves us, relax and open our heart, body, and mind. We will discover the power and mystery of ancient dances and rituals – a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation– through movement, music, love, and stillness. Be moved by beautiful, sacred music performed live with daf, ney, and setar.

Overview
Our gathering is NOT a performance. More details about Farima's sacred dance and Sema training may be found at http://farimadance.com

For the first hour join for a welcoming circle and Farima will lead us into her unique 4 element breathing meditation or 7 mode music meditation and relaxation.
We will progress into various Sufi whirling workshop techniques, styles, and rules (Turkish Sema, Khorasan Sema, Ancient Iranic Sema, Baktashi Sema, Uyghur Sema).
For the second hour we will progress into a prayer and open floor whirling with both live and recorded world sacred music, poetry, and drumming.
We will close with a Zikr (Sufi Prayers), ancient Iranian Shamanic rituals, sharing, a gratitude circle, and Sohbet (Sufi Talk) by Dervish and Semazen, Farima Berenji.

Farima’s teachings are based on ancient Iranic rituals, science of whirling, and the sacred geometry of whirling. We will learn essential techniques of whirling preparation, maintaining balance and posture, controlling dizziness, self-focus during turning, breath work, and more.

Farima’s monthly Sema Gathering offers a unique expression of sacred culture, inspired by nature, ancient Iranic rituals, and the beautiful spiritual traditions of Sufism. We will whirl and journey together to celebrate love, unity, and allow the light to enter our soul.

Open your heart! Listen! Turn, dance, and move in anyway that makes you feel alive!

Read more details at http://farimadance.com/event/sema-gathering/
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Organizer of Dance of the Soul (Sufi Whirling Workshop & Gathering)
Organizer Website Website
Farima Berenji is an award winning Dance Ethnologist and internationally acclaimed dance artist, choreographer, instructor, and Sufi dance master. Recognized and certified as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical Iranian dance ethnology by UNESCO.

Farima has worked as a UN scholar, researching and led an excavations team of Iranian archeology emphasizing the preservation of ancient and mystical Iranic dances. Farima teaches her own unique movement and techniques that are researched and inspired during her various studies in Khaneqas (Sufi Houses) and Fire temples of Khorasan, Kurdistan, Tehran, Shiraz, and various areas in Central Asia. Farima has traveled and devoted many years of her life, excavating, researching, and uncovering the mysterious history of ancient warriors and commanders of ancient Persia. Along with her archaeological and dance research Farima has studied ancient battle movements, armory, and the connections between these movements with modern dance form.

Farima is one of the few Iranian women who has been allowed to teach, write and perform the Gwati and Vahishta Sema Rituals in Iran and around the world and has been recognized by Iran and UN as the pioneer of bringing back the original mystic Rituals of Khorasan. She is the first Iranian woman to have received the UNESCO award and certification and is currently the dance ambassador of UNESCO, the first Iranian woman artist to receive the National Folk Dance Association award, and the first Iranian woman and dancer to have been chosen to speak and perform for TED Talk.

Farima & her collective were the first Iranian, to have been invited & perform during a reception for US President Obama, Governor of Alaska, United Nations, European Union, Ambassador of Canada, & for the Ambassador of Spain.