“Teaching dance teaches life lessons.” ~Anonymous

Classes

Drop-ins are welcome. Teens are welcome to attend all adult classes. In advance of your first class send us an e-mail to let us know which class you are interested in and what day you will come. We’d like to help and get to know you. For the best price, students normally register and pay at the first class of the month for all meetings that month. Otherwise drop-ins pay at each class. Look to the schedule below for pricing. Ask us for discount pricing if you plan on purchasing multiple classes.

All class times are Pacific (San Francisco, CA) time zone.

Sacred Dance and Whirling

Study and practice movements to various sacred dances of the Near East, breathing techniques, whirling movements, vocabulary, and styles. We will explore both spotted and unspotted turns.

Tuesday 6:30 – 7:30 pm, resumes December 2020
$20 – Drop-in
$15/week – Entire month, paid in advance or first class of month.
By online conferencing. Register to obtain link.

Dances of Persia and the Silk Road

Experience one of the world’s most enchanting dance forms! Inspired by Persian poetry and miniature artwork, Persian and Silk Road dance combines swirling arabesques, sweeping gestures, shoulder isolations, footwork patterns, and dazzling spins. In this class we will learn various Persian and Central Asian dance movements, vocabulary, styles, expressions, turning, and short sequences. Class will also focus on the historical aspect of each dance style, costuming, and music.

For November our guest lecturer on Persian dance and music is Dr. Lloyd Miller and Katherine St. John of Eastern Arts.

Tuesday 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Suggested donation $5
By online conferencing. Register to obtain link.

Registation open by donation. Submit name and e-mail below to request participation.

Sacred Circle and Sufi Lecture

An hour of ancient mystical and Sufi healing rituals facilitated by Master Farima Berenji, including

Sufi Zikr (Yarsan and Khorasan Zikr)
Hu Meditation
Poetry Recitation
Farima’s unique element Breath Work
Ancient Iranic Zoroastrian rituals and Mantras
Meditation and Chanting

Open your heart, body, and mind in this mystical session of meditation, breath work, and healing. Includes lecture and Q/A of Yarsan Sufism or mysticism.

Sunday 10:30 am – 11:30 am
By online conferencing

Dance of the Soul

Monthly Sema Gathering (Sufi Whirling) and Zikr

Join us on a path for healing and self growth through the power of meditative whirling and sacred dance to live music, mystical poetry, and Zikr (prayer). With us create a sacred supportive space where we can all open our heart, body, and mind.

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 of creation.

We will open with sacred and mystical Persian poetry and meditation, journey into whirling, healing, and Persian and Near Eastern healing dances/rituals with live music, then close our gathering with chanting, drumming, and sharing.

Please wear comfortable clothing (white or light colored if possible) and wear socks or soft soled shoes. If you choose to turn avoid eating a large meal 2 hours prior. Feel free to bring a poem, story, or music to share. Our gathering welcomes musicians and other spiritual or healing teachers to come and share their art.

Dates, times, and locations vary. Please visit our calendar