Haft Sema Workshop and Retreat

Haft Sema – Haft Magham

(7 Sema – 7 Modes)
Sufi Whirling and Iranian Sufi Music Retreat

Three day intensive Sema (Sufi whirling) training and healing workshop for the seven styles of Sufi whirling based on the ancient Persian seven sacred elements of life.

With master instructor Farima Berenji,award winning dance ethnologist, shaman, and master of Iranian mystical and Sufi whirling tradition.

The number seven has been a sacred and symbolic expression among the Indo-Iranian culture. For ancient Iranians, Mesopotamian and Zoroastrian sacred traditions, the number Seven means “Worship of the Seven Creations or Yazatas,” including seven sacred animals, birds, flowers, colors, elements, planets, music modes… believed to have carried the spirit of the divine.

It was believed that a mystical seeker or whirler must manifest all the seven creations in order to become 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 Sema (Sufi Whirling) movements.

The retreat and workshop will include and focus on:

• Ancient Iranian Mystical Sema based on the Sacred Birds
• Ancient Iranian Mystical Sema based on the Sacred Animals
• Ancient Iranian Mystical Sema based on the Sacred Creation Elements
• Ancient Iranian Mystical Sema based on the Sacred Flower and Sacred Geometry
• Ancient Iranian Mystical Sema based on the Sacred Planets and Sun (Mithraism)
• Turkish (Mevlavi) and Baktashi Sema
• Khorasan and Uyghur Sema

The retreat will also focus on:

• Ancient Indo-Iranian Shamanic rituals
• Farima’s 4-element breath work training
• Persian mystical poetry and poetry in motion
• Ancient Indo-Iranian Shamanic Rituals and Gwati (Medicine Dance)
• Iranian Zikr (Sufi Prayers) and movement therapy based on Seven Maghams (Sufi Music Modes)

Location

The retreat will be held in the magical and ancient village of Çirali at the Myland Nature Hotel Retreat Center (http://mylandnature.com).

Fee

Full package: workshop, lodging and breakfast at the Myland Nature Hotel Retreat Center (lodging is based on a 4 person-shared room):
Non-member: 625 TL
Simorgh Members: 550 TL

Workshop Only
Non-member: 400 TL
Simorgh Members: 325 TL

Registration and deposit is required by July 10th

Inexpensive Accommodations

Camping at the Garden area of the retreat center.
Nearby Camping Sites.
Nearby Hotels and Motels are also available.

More details and images available at our Facebook event page.