Sufi Flamenco Workshop, Level 2

Additional and advanced technique and choreography workshop in Sufi Flamenco fusion presented by Farima Berenji.

Explore Sufi Flamenco fusion as a stunning journey from Southern Spain to Persia and Turkey. Learn the history and the beautiful movements of Flamenco, combined with Sufi Whirling traditions of Iran and Turkey in this workshop lead by Master Whirler and Dance Ethnologist Farima Berenji.

There is a historic, lively cross-cultural exchange between the cultures surrounding the Mediterranean sea since the 11th century. In both Spanish and Persian traditions, rhythms and dance are a source of releasing energy and becoming one with the divine. In fact, the word, the exclamation Ole! is derived from the name of Allah in order to call upon the divine.

Farima will teach her unique technique of Sufi whirling and will guide and teach the movement of the Iranian/Turkish Whirling and Flamenco dance with the rhythms of the Ilahi’s and Iranian Makhams.

The workshop will:

1. Present a brief history of the cultural influence of Sufism and Flamenco tradition.
2. Pave into Farima’s unique breath work in technique and relaxation, with a focus on the Spanish and Arabic words used in breath and dance movement.
3. Teach various hand movements, body movements, and expressions of sacred movements of Flamenco used in Sufi whirling traditions throughout Iran and Turkey.
4. Put movements into use and students will be drilled on technique and patterns during flamenco whirling, while listening to both Iranian and Turkish style Sufi music to learn rhythms and makams.
5. Explore and apply the movements into open floor whirling.

“Dance as if you are Praying” ~Farima

Farima Berenji

Farima Berenji is an award winning dance ethnologist, internationally acclaimed dance artist, choreographer, instructor, and an archaeologist specializing in ancient, sacred, classical, and folkloric dances of Persia, Ionia, and the Silk Road. Recognized as one of a few world scholarly experts of ancient and mystical Iranian dance by UNESCO, she travels worldwide to record, research, lecture, perform, educate, and to inspire dynamic creativity and healing through dance and movement. As a Magi (Iranian Shaman), Sufi, and Semazen, Farima teaches original findings, methods, techniques, and exercises to embody the connection between soul and dance movement of an artist not just a dancer.

Farima is the founder and artistic director of the Simorgh Dance Collective (founded in 2007). She is the first Iranian dance artist to found a worldwide collaborative devoted to preservation, performance, and promotion of ancient, classical, and folkloric dance of Persia and the Silk Road. Farima is the founder of the Lioness project, Poetry in Motion project, and the Awakening project. She has appeared in scholarly documentaries hosted by National Geographic and the U.N., and has been highlighted in various international media Farima is the recipient of the prestigious UN award and has been recognized by Congressman Mike Honda, by the Iranian Women’s Rights Committee “30 Voices,” Music and Cultural Organization of Turkey, and is the first Iranian woman to be awarded the National Folk Dance Award and the Cultural Dance Award. Farima and her Simorgh Dance Collective was the first Persian dance company, directed by an Iranian to perform during a reception for US President Obama. More details…