“Everything in dance is poetry. Every movement describes a story, a feeling. The dancer takes the audience into a world of fairy tales.” ~Farima Berenji
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February 2020
Tarsa
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzMwSDRvEtU&w=560&h=315] From the mystic East comes an epic tale befitting Romeo and Juliet, a tale of love between a Sufi Shaikh, a Christian maiden, and a simple love that grows despite the divisions of their beliefs. Based on the 12th century story by Attar of Nishapur, Tarsa is a dance drama accompanied by traditional Persian music played live and expertly narrated by award winning Iranian actor and director Sadegh Hatefi. The story is as follows: San'an, a celebrated sheikh,…
Find out more »Dance of the Soul (Sufi Whirling Workshop & Gathering)
Join us at our 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…
Find out more »March 2020
Whirling Workshop Series 2: Emptiness as Fullness
Emptiness as Fullness: In Nothingness, We Find Everything Sufis believe that as you whirl, you find harmony in the motion of the universe, that as you turn with outstretched arms, you collect the energy from your environment -- enabling you to direct it within yourself and back to the earth. In this class, we will learn turning techniques and movements as we explore the notion of emptiness as fullness. Register online For more information, call the Montalvo Box Office at…
Find out more »Dance of the Soul: Sufi Whirling Workshop and Gathering
Join Farima for a Sufi Whirling Workshop and Sema Gathering, with sacred music, meditation, and whirling. 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. Overview Our gathering is NOT a…
Find out more »April 2020
Dance of the Soul Workshop
Discover the power and mystery of whirling as a gateway for self-growth and spiritual enlightenment through movement, music, and meditation. Inspired by nature, ancient Iranic rituals, the science of whirling, and the beautiful spiritual traditions of Sufism, join Farima to learn the essentials of whirling meditation including preparation, balance and posture, controlling dizziness, self-focus, breathwork, and more. Whirling in the practice of devotion, healing, and meditation originated thousands of years ago with the ancient Persians using it as way of…
Find out more »Whirling Workshop Series 3: Silent Whirling
Silent Whirling: Sema and Dancing to the Rhythm and Melody of the Heart Whirling in silence, solely to the rhythm of one’s heart, enables us to focus on finding calm and peace within moving meditation. Although circumstances vary, those who practice silent whirling meditation within a group are often more likely to experience and share a wide range of emotions. In this class, you will learn to find peace in the silence. Register online For more information, call the Montalvo…
Find out more »May 2020
Caravan of Mystics: Roots of Mysticism
May 24-28, 2020 - IRAN (Tehran and Kermanshah only) With Yarsan Sufi Order and Masters: Farima Berenji, Seyed Salman Hosseni, Mehrdad Maleki, and Seyed Vessal Hosseni. Discover the roots of mysticism! This unique travel experience and opportunity focuses on the history, mysticism, art, music, and dance traditions of the Yarsan Sufi Order. Retreat/Tour includes: In-depth studies of the origin/roots of mysticism and Sufism, ancient Iranic rituals, zikr, poetry, sema and semah, (Shams Sema, Rast Sema, Yarsan Sema), and Yarsan culture…
Find out more »June 2020
Caravan of Mystics: Origin of Mysticism
The Origin of Mysticism June 1-5, 2020 - TURKEY (Bademhan Sufi House and Retreat Center and Çanakkale) With Yarsan and Khorasan Sufi Order and Masters: Farima Berenji, Seyed Salman Hosseni, Mehrdad Maleki, and Seyed Vessal Hosseni. Learn the ancient wisdoms, dances, whirling and healing ritual practices of the Anatolian and Khorasan Sufi mystics. Our journey will be an experience like no other. Retreat/Tour includes: In-depth studies of the origin/roots of mysticism and Sufism from Khorasan to Konya, ancient Iranic rituals,…
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