Whirling Dance Course Closing Ceremony
Join Us for the Final Celebration of the Autumn Whirling Dance Course!
On December 3, 2024, we will gather to celebrate the end of our autumn weekly whirling dance course in a special event filled with magic, music, and joy. To mark the conclusion of this transformative journey, we are excited to welcome three incredible musicians who will bring their soulful sounds to create an unforgettable atmosphere.
Murat Ermutlu, a talented Turkish musician, will enchant us with the rhythmic beats of the Turkish bendir. Melisa Yildrim will add a beautiful layer to the evening with the haunting melodies of the Kamancha, and Petteri Kallio will lead us on a shamanic drumming journey, elevating the experience to new heights.
If you missed the previous sessions, this is your chance to join in for the grand finale. Reserve your spot today by emailing: safa.solati@gmail.com. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary celebration!
Time : 17:00 – 18:30
Place: Kumpulan Kylatila, intiankatu 31, Helsinki
Whirling Arts Ry – Autumn Whirling Dance Course
Instructor : Safa Solati, Iranian Whirling Dance artist.
Open FREE trial session on 10.9.2024 at 17:00 – 18:30
The course starts on 17.9.2024, every Tuesday at 17:00 – 18:30 and ends on 03.12.2024 same time.
There might be changes for sessions on 5.11 and 12.11 and the sessions might happen on Mondays for these two dates. We will inform the participants closer to the dates.
Full course x12 sessions price: 220 Euro
Half course x6 sessions price: 120 Euro
Single session price: 25 Euro
10% discount for students,unemployed, pensioned and low income.
15% membership discount for Whirling Arts members.
If you wish to become a member at Whirling Arts Ry and join our community, please check our website : www.whirlingarts.fi
Info and registration:
safa.solati@gmail.com
Please write your full name, and address to receive the bill.
All registrations are binding and participants cannot ask for a refund if they miss classes.
About the regular course:
The course will create an in depth journey into the vast world of whirling dance that often is known through Sufism. Yet, the course intends to take the participants a bit farther in the history where whirling dance was founded and later expanded, borrowed and implemented in different cultures, traditions and rituals all around the world. Every community has their own ways of practicing and implementing the whirling dance/meditation, but during this course the instructor will mainly focus on practices, circular dances and whirling meditation in Iran.
About the sessions:
It is highly recommended that those who wish to continue the course, attend the free trial session where all information will be given about the structure of the sessions.
-All sessions will be suitable for beginners who have no experience in whirling.
– Include breath work, seated meditation and activation of energy points ( chakras)
– Practice of circular seated mandalas to create trust and bond within the group
– Circular meditative dances rooted in Zoroastrian practices.
-Individual/Pair practices and exercises to build foundation for whirling.
– 20 minutes of Whirling, the participants will be provided with whirling skirts.
– Open reflection/discussion
A few things to keep in Mind:
- Wear comfortable clothes
– Socks are helpful.
– Eat light, do not eat at least 2 hours prior to the event. You can surely snack and drink during the session.
– Whirl at your own speed – you’ll feel more confident after trying it for a while!
– Some people experience nausea or dizziness, but that should go away after a few times.
About the instructor :
Safa Solati graduated in Psychology specializing in Music Psychotherapy, who has studied Persian dances for many years and for the past 7 years she has dedicated herself to Sufi/whirling dance. She moved back to Finland in 2020 after having lived in Italy for five years studying dance with different dance instructors. She started having short and intensive introductory whirling workshops in Helsinki in 2022.
Safa tends to find her own interpretation of whirling dance and focus on the therapeutic and spiritual aspects of the dance rather than the religious path.
More on : whirling_lifedance
Jyväskylä – LIFE DANCE through whirling 7.9.2024
Photo: Jani Salonen
Saturday 7.9.2024 : 13:30 – 16:30
Price: 65 € regular, 10% discount for students, low income, unemployed, pensioned.
Members of Whirling Arts Ry will receive a 15% membership discount.
For membership requests, please visit our website : www.whirlingarts.fi
Location : Joogashala Kunvalo, Keskustie 21, jyväskylä
No cancelation is accepted, all registrations are binding.
Info and registration:
safa.solati@gmail.com
041 720 76 78
Please send an email with your full name, address to receive the bill.
About Safa Solati
Is graduated in Psychology specialized in Music Psychotherapy, who has studied Persian dances for many years and for the past 7 years she has dedicated herself to Sufi/whirling dance. She moved back to Finland in 2020 after having lived in Italy for five years studying dance with different dance instructors. She started having short introductory whirling workshops in Helsinki in 2022. She invited and organized an intensive whirling workshop for Ziya Azazi, one of the whirling dance artists she is inspired by, in April 2023.
Safa tends to find her own interpretation of whirling dance and focus on the therapeutic and spiritual aspects of the dance rather than the religious path.
more on : @Whirling_lifedance
About the workshop
Whirling is an active meditation. While we whirl, there is a sense of loss of the mind and the ego – the ‘I’ that represents us diminishes in the movement. The heavy skirts of the Sufis represent the ego, as the skirt lifts by the movement of the dancer. Originally, the skirt is also made of the same cloth that Sufis are buried in, symbolizing their intention to ‘Die before you die’ – meaning, to be released from the ego and unified with the Universe in this life.
About Life dance
All categories of life are states of consciousness evolving through form toward some higher state of existence. Indeed, evolution is rooted in the spirit’s yearning to actualize the potential inherent within its nature. The life of every human being is truly a dance between one’s innate potential and the actualization of that potential within the crucible of outer living. It is the dance of life itself.
Dancing is an attempt by an individual (or a culture) to recognize and express some aspect of consciousness. The type of dance a person finds attractive can reveal much about his/her inner life, and what consciousness is seeking to express in the outer world. From the esoteric perspective, that which is built into the fabric of consciousness will always seek outer expression in some form. The art of dance is an example of this. However, more broadly considered, any aspect of life represents the same thing –a facet of consciousness seeking an expressive outlet.
The whirling world, as vast as it is, has remained unknown to many in the recent human generation, although being one of most ancient forms of human dance expressions and how it deeply affected our consciousness as human beings and transformed every aspect of our existence; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
The aim of Life dance workshop is to provide the opportunity for curious individuals who wish to know the basics of the ”Life dance through whirling” concept so that they can see if they wish to dive deeper into this whirling journey. This is a great possibility for those who are still unsure if they want to commit to longer whirling dance sessions in the form of intensive workshops or regular classes.
What to expect:
The session include breath work, seated meditation, warm ups and stretching, whirling exercises; paired or individually. The main aim is not to learn how to whirl but to explore individually what happens mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually during our whirling journey.
A few things to keep in mind:
— We will start with warm up exercises and stretching, make sure you wear comfortable clothes.
– Make sure that you have a little bit of space around you and other participants
– If you don’t have a Sufi skirt, any skirt with a lot of fabric will do. If these are not available, any loose
clothes will do.
– Socks are helpful.
– Eat light, do not eat at least 2 hours prior to the event. You can surely snack and drink during the workshop.
– Whirl at your own speed – you’ll feel more confident after trying it for a while!
– Some people experience nausea or dizziness that will be discussed during the session and participants will be provided with tools and insight how to overcome such sensations and move pass them.
LIFE DANCE THROUGH WHIRLING- INTENSIVE 24-25.08.2024
Photo: Iida Liimatainen
Saturday: 11:00 – 15:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 16 :00
Price: 120 €
This workshop is suitable for those who have previously taken introductory workshops or attended other intensives and wish to dive deeper into this spiral journey. Participants who have not participated in previous workshops can still participate if curious enough!
Spots are limited to maximum 10 participants.
It is essential for participants to take part in both days of the workshop.
10% discount for students, retired and low income.
The members of Whirling Arts Ry will benefit from 15% memberships discount.
If you wish to become a member at Whirling Arts Ry and join our community, please check our website : www.whirlingarts.fi
Info and registration:
safa.solati@gmail.com
Please write your full name, and address to receive the bill.
kumpulan kylätilä,intiankatu 31, 00560 Helsinki
About Safa Solati
She graduated in Psychology specializing in Music Psychotherapy, who has studied Persian dances for many years and for the past 7 years she has dedicated herself to Sufi/whirling dance. She moved back to Finland in 2020 after having lived in Italy for five years studying dance with different dance instructors. She started having short and intensive introductory whirling workshops in Helsinki in 2022.
Safa tends to find her own interpretation of whirling dance and focus on the therapeutic and spiritual aspects of the dance rather than the religious path.
more on : @whirling_lifedance
About the workshop
Whirling is an active meditation. While we whirl, there is a sense of loss of the mind and the ego – the ‘I’ that represents us diminishes in the movement. The heavy skirts of the Sufis represent the ego, as the skirt lifts by the movement of the dancer. Originally, the skirt is also made of the same cloth that Sufis are buried in, symbolizing their intention to ‘Die before you die’ – meaning, to be released from the ego and unified with the Universe in this life.
All categories of life are states of consciousness evolving through form toward some higher state of existence. Indeed, evolution is rooted in the spirit’s yearning to actualize the potential inherent within its nature. The life of every human being is truly a dance between one’s innate potential and the actualization of that potential within the crucible of outer living. It is the dance of life itself. Dancing is an attempt by an individual (or a culture) to recognize and express some aspect of consciousness. The type of dance a person finds attractive can reveal much about his/her inner
life, and what consciousness is seeking to express in the outer world. From the esoteric perspective, that which is built into the fabric of consciousness will always seek outer expression in some form. The art of dance is an example of this. However, more broadly considered, any aspect of life represents the same thing –a facet of consciousness seeking an expressive outlet.
The whirling world, as vast as it is, has remained unknown to many in the recent human generation, although being one of most ancient forms of human dance expressions and how it deeply affected our consciousness as human beings and transformed every aspect of our existence; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
The aim of this workshop is to embark on a journey and explore with the participants new potentials and horizons in the vastness of the whirling dance world, also taking this dance form out of its traditional, religious or historical background. We can respect the old yet create the new!
What to expect:
All sessions include breath work, seated meditation, warm ups and stretching. The main aim is not to learn how to whirl but to explore individually what happens during our whirling journey.
Saturday session: Remembering & Implementation
The session will be an introduction to whirling dance; theory and exercises. We all have it in us, we have just forgotten. We need to go back and remember those first experiences when we whirled alone as a child or with our friends. As we grow up as adults we tend to believe we only need to move, walk, sit and sleep in certain ways, our body gradually becomes so static that any movement out of our habits feels scary, we become very resistant to change. On Friday sessions the old habits will be challenged respecting every individual’s readiness to do so. The session will focus on constructing the base for the participants to practice more of what they have remembered. It will provide more exercises to liberate the body, mind and heart from old daily habits to gradually replace with the new. The session will allow space for all limitations, blocks, fears and hopes to arise. We will thoroughly explore the concepts of nausea that often is felt by the beginners in the whirling world and why it is and how to overcome it.
Sunday session: Celebration
In this session we will celebrate the new we have welcomed in different aspects of ourselves; physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. We will explore through more exercises how deeply whirling dance is connected to every aspect of life itself and how it helps us face the unknown in its abstract reality to see our potentials from a different angle in order to expand our consciousness let go of what no longer serves us and hold on to what will help us dance ahead in life.
A few things to keep in mind:
— We will start with warm up exercises and stretching, make sure you wear comfortable clothes.
– Make sure that you have a little bit of space around you and other participants
– If you don’t have a Sufi skirt, any skirt with a lot of fabric will do. If these are not available, any
loose
clothes will do.
– Socks are helpful.
– Eat light, do not eat at least 2 hours prior to the event. You can surely snack and drink during
the workshop.
– Whirl at your own speed – you’ll feel more confident after trying it for a while!
– Some people experience nausea or dizziness, but that should go away after a few times.
WHIRLING DANCE OUTDOOR 10.7.2024
🌀 Photo from whirling dance workshop outdoor, June 2023 🌀
Welcome to the first event organized by the Whirling Arts Association in collaboration with Safa Solati.
Price : 21€
Hopefully the weather will be lovely and the Aurinkolahti area provides a good open space for us near the beach to gather, get to know each other and also experience the basics of whirling dance.
🌀 About Whirling Dance
This dance is best known through the Whirling Sufis/dervishes who delve into continuous rotary motions until the mind starts to surrender to the heart and one enters in a deep meditative state. The Sufi skirts often represent the dancer’s ego that once it surrenders it begins to open.
🌀 About Safa Solati
Please visit our website for more information about the instructor : www.whirlingarts.fi and follow her on instagram @whirling_lifedance
🌀 About the workshop
Safa Solati will guide you to have your first steps into this beautiful mystical dance through a soft touch with it. Once you start whirling, you will be carried away by the rotary movement, the mind will quiet down and body starts speaking to the soul.
The basics of the dance will be explained to the participants and we all dance and whirl together with our whirling skirts.
The aim of this workshop is to raise awareness about the activities of the Whirling Arts Association and attract interested individuals to continue the journey into regular weekly classes in autumn.
The language of the workshop is English.
Some things to keep in mind;
Wear comfortable clothes
- Bring your water bottle
- Don’t eat before the session or eat very light. This helps your body – to be relaxed to avoid feeling dizzy or nauseous while whirling.
- Bring a swimming suit and a towel if you wish to join us for a short swim after the session at Aurinkolahti beach.
You will be provided with whirling skirts to try so no need to worry about finding a skirt.
🌀 WELCOME TO JOIN OUR COMMUNITY! 🌀
The association welcomes those who are interested in the whirling dance world to become a member. More info about membership can be found on our website: www.whirlingarts.fi
Give us a follow also on Facebook and Instagram @whirlingartsry
🌀 Registration
The session comes with a small fee that covers the instructor’s payment and requires a simple registration;
- Send us a message via the contact section on our website. Closer to the session, you will be contacted to provide you with more info, the exact location of our gathering and in case of changes or cancelation due to weather condition.
- Make the payment of 21€ via Mobilepay using the code : #13898
In case this payment option does not suit you, please write an email to safa.solati@gmail.com to provide you with other payment options.
Hope to see as many of you soon! <3
LIFE DANCE THROUGH WHIRLING – Sacred circular dances 15.6.2024
Sacred Circular dances combined with whirling
About the workshop
Upon request and shown interest after the first workshop focused on this concept that happened on May 4th, the workshop on June 15th will also be dedicated to exploring the ancient sacred meditative circular dances combined with whirling that are rooted in Zoroastrianism. These dances are usually done by women dressed in white chanting mantras and dancing with simple yet meditative and heart opening movements. At the workshop we will go through a bit of history about Zoroastrianism and the story behind these ritualistic dances.
Saturday 15th June at 11.00-14.00
Location : Kumpulan Kylätila,, Intiankatu 31, Helsinki.
Price: 80€
10% discount for students, unemployed, low income.
No cancelation is accepted, all registrations are binding.
Info and registration:
safa.solati@gmail.com
041 720 76 78
Please send an email with your full name, address to receive the bill.
The workshop has space for maximum 10 participants.
The aim of Life dance workshop is to provide the opportunity for curious individuals who wish to know the basics of the ”Life dance through whirling” concept so that they can see if they wish to dive deeper into this whirling journey. This is a great possibility for those who are new to whirling dance and wish to have a softer encounter with it and see if they wish to learn more and dive deeper.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PARTICIPANTS WEAR A WHITE OUTFIT.