“Teaching dance teaches life lessons.” ~Anonymous
Classes
Drop-ins and both men and women 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.
Persian Sacred and Silk Road Dance
Those who register for more than one monthly dance course (not drop-in) are eligible for a $1 discount or rebate per class meeting. Ask us for details.
Our San Jose dance classes appear at the Cope-a-cabana concert and event center.
View all upcoming dance classes and workshops…
Persian Mystical Dance and Sufi Whirling
Discover the power and mystery of sacred dance and whirling as a gateway for self-growth and spiritual enlightenment through movement, music, and meditation. Persian sacred dance and whirling is inspired by nature, ancient Iranic rituals, and the beautiful spiritual traditions of Sufism. Farima’s unique teachings also include the basis of ancient rituals, science of whirling, and the sacred geometry of whirling. Class starts with breath work, a warm up, and progresses into Sufi whirling technique, and more. Iranian, Turkish, and Central Asian styling will be covered.
Learn the basic techniques, history, and concepts of sacred dances and Sufi whirling of the Silk Road. You will learn essentials of preparation, maintaining balance and posture, controlling dizziness, self-focus during turning, breath work, and more. Traditional sacred dance styles and group healing rituals of Iran, Turkey, and Central Asia are covered. This is a beginning level/ technique only class only. No experience necessary to begin participating.
- Module 1: Essential techniques and breath work.
- Module 2: Styling, dance of the four sacred elements, mystic dance traditions.
- Module 3: Building speed and confidence, additional styling including hand use, blocking and release, and an introduction to head tossing
The three month program starts in August 2022. Students are encouraged to complete all modules in their order before taking Advanced Persian Mystical Dance and Whirling.
Beginning
Learn the basic techniques, history, and theory of sacred dances and Sufi whirling of the Silk Road. Farima’s teachings are based on ancient ritual techniques, science of whirling, and the sacred geometry of whirling. You will learn essentials of preparation, maintaining balance and posture, controlling dizziness, self-focus during turning, breath work, and more. Traditional sacred dance styles and group healing rituals of Iran, Turkey, and Central Asia are covered.
Students are encouraged to complete all modules in their order before taking Advanced Persian Mystical Dance and Whirling.
Module 1 starts September 2022
Advanced
Advanced Persian Mystical Dance and Sufi Whirling resumes September 2022
Persian and Silk Road Dance
Persian and Silk Road Dance resumes September 2022
Meditation, Healing, and Sufi Studies
Sacred Circle and Sufi Lecture
Facilitated by Master Farima Berenji and Pir (Master) Seyed Salman Hosseini. Open your heart, body, and mind in this mystical session of meditation, healing, and lectures.
Sacred Circle includes
- Farima’s unique element breath work
- Meditation and chanting
- Live music and poetry reading
- Sema (whirling dance meditation ritual)
- Sufi Zikr (Yarsan Khorasan Zikr)
- Ancient Iranic rituals and mantras
- Lectures and discussion on Yarsan Sufism practice (sohbet)
- Special guest lecturers, dervishes, and musicians
More in-depth knowledge, Sema teachings, and practices for Zikr, fasting, and prayers are provided to Morids (students taking the Sufi path).
Topics vary weekly and monthly. Open for all to participate. No experience needed. Feel free to bring a poem, story, or your music to share.
Sunday 10:00 – 11:00 am PDT (GMT+09),
$5/class
By online conferencing. Register to obtain link.
Register
View future sessions..
Yarsan Sufi Zikr Practice
An online weekly practice group for Iranian Zikr facilitated by Farima Berenji. Iranian Sufi traditions covered include Yarsan, Qaderi, Qalandari, Baluchi, Turkmen and more.
Zikr is a form of moving meditation, a ritual prayer or litany practiced by Sufis for the purpose of glorifying God and achieving spiritual perfection.
Tuesday 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm PST (GMT+09),
Free
By online conferencing. Contact us to obtain link.
Persian Classical and Sacred Music
Yarsan Sufi Music Theory
History lecture and lessons in various Sufi and Yarsan Music for musicians and dancers with Pir (Sufi Master) Seyed Salman Hosseini and Sufi Dance Master and Scholar Farima Berenji.
A study of Yarsan and Iranian Sufi music. Learn the history and listen to an in-depth analysis of the seven Sufi sacred maqams and its association with Iranian Sema, sacred movements, and healing. Highly recommended for those studying Iranian Sufi instruments, music, and dance. Also includes lectures on the importance, history, and craft of the tanbur in Iranian mysticism.
Private lessons are available in tar, setar, and tanbur with Sufi Master Seyed Salman Hosseini.
Wednesday 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm PST (GMT+08)
$10 – Drop-in
$8/week – Entire month, paid in advance or first class of month
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