“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
CANCELED DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES OUTSIDE OUR CONTROL A weekend Sufi retreat of ancient Iranic whirling traditions and Central Asian Sufi traditions including Khorasan Sema, Uyghur Sema, Baktashi Sema, Turkmen Zikr, Gwati Zikr, Vahishta, and more. We will take on the path of the ancients, a journey of discovery, in space and time... reconnecting with our […]
After a very successful, soldout sound healing and Sufi whirling workshop in January 2017, sound healer Gabriel Gold and Persian Dance Artist Farima Berenji decided to collaborate again, this time focusing on the "Spirals of Life" as the theme. Held in a beautiful, historic chapel in the heart of San Francisco we will seek the […]
With Sufi Dance Master Farima Berenji (CID-UNESCO) and Ashraf Ali An in-depth dance and healing journey to India, with a curriculum designed specifically around Sufi-based practices of Indo-Iran, spiritual ecstasy and sacred dance, heart-opening, and love. Join Farima and her dear friend and Meditation Guide, Ashraf Ali, for an all-inclusive retreat and caravan to the […]
Friday March 9, 7:30-10:00pm: Dance Performances and Sema Performances and Sema GatheringPlan to join Farima Berenji and her Comox Valley Simorgh Collective at the Abbey Studio for an evening of Persian traditional and sacred dance performances. The show will be followed by a Sema Gathering (Sufi Whirling) facilitated by Farima. With Farima’s guidance we will […]
Learn the basic technique of Sufi whirling (Iranian and Turkish style), history, and theory. Farima’s teachings are based on Indo-Iranian ancient rituals, science of whirling, and the sacred geometry of whirling. We will learn essential techniques of whirling preparation, maintaining balance and posture, controlling dizziness, self-focus during turning, breath work, and more. For this workshop […]
Where Movement Becomes Devotion An interpretive, improvisational, and devotional dance form inspired by mystical and classical Persian poetry. Persian poetry contains spiritual messages representing the Divine essence. The words in Persian poetry speak to us, revealing the emotion of our soul. Persian poetry is rhythmic—it has an essence of melody, which guides us to dance. […]
Learn Azeri and Kafkaz dance styles in this 2hour dance workshop with master instructor, performer, and leading authority of Azeri dance: Dr. Gürbüz Aktaş. Dr. Aktaş will teach Azerbaijani men's and women's dance including the fast footwork, and some Lezginka. Both men and women may participate in this workshop. Dr. Aktaş is visiting from Turkey […]
In the first part of this series, Dr. Gürbüz Aktaş presented a 2hr session of Azeri dance technique for men and women. By overwhelming request, this additional session to teach traditional Kafkaz dance style has been added before Dr. Aktaş leaves the Bay Area this weekend. Learn Kafkaz and review Azeri dance styles in this […]
From Balkh to Khorasan – Summer Sufi Retreat in Armatlu, Turkey Metaphysical Movements, Rituals, Whirling and Music of the Mystics Join world renowned Sufi Dance Master and Dance Scholar Farima Berenji for a three day dance immersive retreat for whirling and Sufi traditions of Ancient Iran, Greater Khorasan (Land of the Rising Sun), Samarkand, and […]
Release - Receive - Awaken the Soul... A Journey of Self Reflection and Renewal Join us for a special spiritual retreat on Mt Shasta this summer with Sufi dance master and Magi (Shaman) Farima Berenji (CID-UNESCO) and Shaman and Nature Specialist Tim Corcoran. Together we will call upon the spirit of the mountain, we will […]