Persian Classical, Sacred, and Folkloric Dance Workshops

Three 90 minute workshops in Persian classical, sacred, and folkloric dance lead by Farima Berenji. Class space is limited to 20 participants.

Poetry in Motion: Persian Classical Dance

Sunday Jan. 8th 1:00-2:30 PM

Experience one of the world’s most enchanting dances. Persian dance is inspired by medieval Persian poetry, miniature artwork, sacred elements, animals, and geometry. Persian dance comes from an ancient culture of 8000 years and its movements often reflect the swirling of a birds, beautiful gesture and feelings, footwork patterns, and dazzling spins. Many great Persian poets extolled dance in their poems and used it as a symbol of the power of life and represented dance as a spiritual instrument to become one with the Divine.

Persian classical dance is delicate, intricate, subtle, and full of meaning. Delicate hand movements, gentle upper body undulations, and facial expressions are the essential elements of this dance. The dance emphasizes feeling, rather than movement. The dancer tells a story, by displaying a variety of expressions.

We will focus on various expression and feelings used in Persian Classical and Miniature Art dances and work on various motion and techniques. Samples of Persian Miniature artwork will be shown in class for inspiration and re-creation of the art works into dance. Please feel free to bring an artwork or a picture that inspires you.

Poetry in Motion workshop will includes a brief look into:

• Persian Classical Dance – Technique and History
• Persian Miniature Art Dance – Dances inspired directly from sensuous Persian miniature
• Persian Hands – Symbolic meanings of Persian hand movements and history from the pre-Elimit Dynasty until the Safavad Dynasty
• Poetry in Motion – Persian Dance through Persian Poetry. The Art of Expression – Learn the beautiful art of storytelling through facial and body expressions, how to portray emotion in movement, and the connections between expression and movement
• Brief look at influential sacred elements within classical Persian dance – Sacred Animals, Geometry, Flowers, and Elements

Dance of the Soul Workshop – Turns, Circles, and Spirals

Sunday Jan. 8th 2:45-4:15 PM

This workshop will include Turns, Spirals, Whirling, & Candle Dance. Included will be a short Sufi training and dance workshop helping people of all experience levels to whirl for a sustained period. Please do no eat a large meal 2 hours prior to workshop.

Sema is a powerful meditation ritual with music, poetry, and movement that originated over 700 years ago with the Sufis. Whirling is the customary dance of Sema whereby one attempts to abandon ego, pain, and personal desires and reach the source of all perfection. Whirling connects us with our center, our heart. There are no spectators when we enter this sacred gathering together. “Sema” means “listening”. Participate with us in this practice of deep listening, become filled with the energy of blessing, and create a channel of healing for all.

An in depth dance journey covering various spotted and non-spotted turns, spirals and circles based on Sufi whirling traditions, sacred geometry, and sacred elements, as well as featuring beautiful and dazzling spins from Iran and Central Asia.

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.

Farima’s signature project Dance of the Soul combines Persian and Near Eastern sacred and mystical dances, history, poetry, and the Sufi and healing rituals of the Persian, Turkic, and Altai Mountains. Having over 20 years of research in the field of performing arts and Persian Dance, internationally acclaimed and award winning performing artist and dance ethnologist, has researched and documented various Persian and Central Asian nomadic cultures, rituals and sacred elements. In collaboration with scholars and Sufi masters of Iran and Turkey, Farima presents new archeological discoveries and research upon Sufism and its connection to the ancient Sun Goddess and Zoroastrianism, the human body, and its symbolic meaning in the Universe along the pathway to the soul. Discover the power of dance as a gateway for self-growth and spiritual transformation through movement, music, love, and stillness.

Nomadic Caravan: Iranian Folk Dances

Sunday Jan. 8th 6:00-7:30 PM

Iranian folk dances reflect the ancient mythical stories, celebration of solstices, a tribute to the ancient sacred animals, Gods, and mother earth. It reflects lifestyle of people who lead a simple and spiritual nomadic life. They are rhythmic and elegant movements that reflect a nomadic way of living, beliefs, work, struggles, and battles. We will learn the great mythical history, costuming, and diversity of expressive movement vocabulary and dance styles of these nomadic cultures, which originate from 10000-year-old tradition.

We will take a dance journey to Iran and explores the beautiful dances, culture, and music of this country. In this workshop, Farima will teach various/ brief fun folk dances and background history of various nomadic cultures of Iran.

• Basket and gypsy style skirt for Basket Dance
• Light hip scarf for Persian Gulf (Khalij Dance)
• Small hand scarves for Qashqai dance

Farima might have some extra props but not enough for all

Cost is $30.00/Workshop or $75.00 for all 3 with the Full Day Pass

Follow the link to register and reserve your spot today. Space is limited to 20 participants/class.