Dance of the Soul

Join Farima Berenji for a 3 day intensive retreat and venture deep into the heart through sacred circles and sufi whirling practices, practices based on the sacred number seven in Iranian mystical traditions and Sema rituals, Zikr (sufi prayers), and Shamanic healing, music, and sohbet (Sufi spiritual talk).

Retreat and training will focus on Farima’s intensive breathwork technique, her unique whirling techniques, and styles based on the Seven Pathways of Love.

The number seven has always been a sacred and symbolic expression among the ancient Persian mystic culture. For Indo-Iranians, Mesopotamians, and Zoroastrians, the number seven represents the “Seven Creations” or “Yazatas.” For that reason, it is believed that a mystical seeker must manifest the seven Creation of Life to be one with the Divine. These sacred movements and healing rituals later became the traditions of Iranian Sufi path in Greater Khorasan (Land of the Iranian Mystics) and are the origins of Sacred Dance and Sema (Sufi Whirling) movements.

Retreat Includes

• Element therapy and breathwork
• Meditation and Visualization
• Music therapy based on 7 Maghams (Iranian Sufi Music Modes)
• Basic whirling techniques for beginners (Iranian & Turkish)

Nightly Activities and Healing Ceremonies

• Drum Circles, Zar, Gwati, and Zikr (Sufi Prayer and Indo-Iranian Shamanic Rituals and Medicine Dance)
• Sema Gathering and poetry reading
• Sohbat – Sufi talk based on the Seven Pathways of Love

Evening events on Friday and Saturday are open to everyone not just those registered for the retreat. Pay at the door upon a sliding scale basis: $5-$15.

About Seven Sema

Founded by Farima Berenji based on her research, Seven Sema is the connection between the human soul, dance movements and the Seven Sacred Elements of Life. Farima will introduce you to ritual movements and techniques celebrating the grace and joy of life and to a society where and when people lived in harmony with each other and with nature. As a scholar and dervish Farima will present new archaeological discoveries and research upon Sufism and its connection to the ancient Zoroastrianism, the human body, and its symbolic meaning in the Universe along the pathway to the soul.

Venue

Perched on the majestic mountains of Akoura, Guita is a eco-friendly guesthouse and organic farm. It’s the ideal place to reconnect with yourself, tradition and nature, for a weekend getaway from the city’s hustle & bustle. Beirut.com has featured it as number 1 most picturesque guesthouse/b&b in Lebanon and it’s review score by other guests is 5 on 5! It’s truly a little piece of heaven, a land that has centuries of history and stories. Guita means in Persian “the one who sings” and this definition truly embodies the essence of the project. Each room is uniquely designed and inspired by nature. It also offers tents!

Things you can do around the venue during your free time:
Reading, painting & drawing, working, chilling and swinging, ping-pong, social games, stargazing, bonfire at night, fruits & vegetables picking, hiking, cruising around Akoura village to see old churches, old monks’ caves, old roman inscription rweiss cave and river etc..

About Farima

Farima Berenji is an Iranian-American scholar and dance ethnologist, an award winning internationally acclaimed dance artist, a choreographer, instructor, and an archaeologist specializing in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia, Ionia, and the Silk Road. She is a third generation artist—her devotion to the world of arts inspired by both her mother and grandmother as performing artists, poets, and musicians of Azerbaijani heritage. Farima has spent her lifetime studying Persian/Iranian and Central Asian dance, culture, and history. Recognized as one of the few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical dance ethnology, she travels worldwide to lead people to the historic beauty and richness of Persia and the Silk Road culture and to aid them find inner bliss through dance, music, and spirituality. Read more…

Payment

Payment for the retreat includes: all workshops and evening events for 3 days and 2 nights accommodation including home made meals.

Accommodation

• ROOM: $250 (Beautifully designed, shared bedroom for 2 to 4 people)
• TENT: $150 (Tents will be provided along with mattresses, blankets and pillows)

A deposit of $100 sent by June 6, 2019 will secure your registration. Balance to be paid upon arrival. Refund is not possible.

Payment options

• We can meet anywhere in Beirut and you can pay by cash (you will have in return a payment receipt)
• Western Union (under the name: Aya El Hibri – Beirut)

Full retreat capacity
Space is limited to 25 people (15 in the rooms and 10 in the tents zone)

Friday and Saturday evening events are open to everyone not just those registered for the retreat. Pay at the door upon a sliding scale basis: $5-$15.

For coordination and questions
Call or WhatsApp: 00961 76738181
aya.hibri@gmail.com