Events - Whirl your art

Whirling Disco – Winter edition 2025

Thanks to the generous grant we received from the City of Helsinki , we are happy to once again create this magical journey for whirling dervishes to wander and dance at the labyrinth of Love in the depth of dark season in Finland.

A collaboration between Whirling Arts ry, Safa Solati, a whirling dance artist and Riikka Arte UV artist and Sir Michael Madness Visual artist.

Location : THE ZODIAK C4 dance studio at Cable factory.

Doors open at 16:30 and the event starts at 17:00.

At Whirling Disco you will enter the Labyrinth of Love to whirl with your Dervish skirts designed and decorated with LED lights to take you on an inspiring journey into a magical space garden. Organic elements are joined with intergalactic worlds to create a unique experience that transports the experiencers into another planet. Hundreds of meters of hand painted UV-fabrics, lights, hidden treasures and moving images immerse the dancers into an unforgettable experience.
Music is selected and crafted by Sir Michael Madness to set you on a magical journey of whirling dance to create your own dance of life, whirling and traveling with your Dervish skirts into the spiral of love.

TICKETS
Children ticket : 5€ , adult ticket : 25€ , reduced ticket : 20€

The number of tickets are very limited ;
20 adult ticket
20 reduced ticket
5 child ticket

Please don’t wait too long and purchase your tickets soon!

TO SUPPORT US REMOTELY
Postcards by riikka arte , a set of three postcards : 12€ , one postcard 4€ FREE SHIPPING !

The tickets and postcards can be purchased via Mobilepay using the code #13898

Info : Safa Solati, safa.solati@gmail.com
The more detailed program of the night will be announced closer to the event.

PLEASE NOTE :
Whirling Disco is alcohol free, if you wish to eat, consider having a meal no later than 1 pm and allow your body to have time and digest your food. We provide energizing snacks +tea during the event.
REMEMBER! This is a spiritual enchanting whirling journey!

About Safa Solati
She graduated in Psychology specializing in Music Psychotherapy, who has studied Persian dances for many years and for the past 9 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 has been offering short and intensive introductory Whirling workshops in Helsinki, Jyväskylä and Turku since 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 instagram : @whirling_lifedance

About the artists Riikka Arte & Sir Michael Madness
They have been working together since 2010. From then on their multimedia art installations have amazed viewers around Finland all the way from Helsinki to northern Lapland.
More on instagram: @riikka.arte @labyrinth.of.love

Autumn Whirling dance/meditation course

Photo by: Auvo Takkinen

Instructor : Safa Solati, Iranian Whirling Dance artist.

Open FREE trial session on Saturday 4.10.2025 at 10:00 – 11:15

The course starts on 7.10.2025.

Tuesday sessions : 17:00 – 18:30

Saturday sessions : 10:00 – 11:15

The dates : 7.10, 18.10, 21.10, 1.11, 4.11, 11.11, 18.11, 29.11, 2.12

CLOSING CEREMONY : 9. 12

x10 sessions price: 150 Euro ( members only)

x10 sessions price: 200 Euro ( non-members) 15% goes to Whirling Arts.

x5 sessions price: 80 Euro ( members only)

x5 sessions price: 120 Euro ( non-members) 15% goes to whirling arts.

Single session price: 25 Euro, 5 Euro goes to Whirling Arts

This course is organize by Whirling Arts ry, If you wish to become a member at Whirling Arts Ry and join our community, please check our website : www.whirlingarts.fi

Payments are via mobilepay using code #13898

About the 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 9 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 @whirlingartary

FREE EVENT – Whirling Dance outdoor

Picture from whirling outdoor in 2023 at Kumpula organized by Social choreography.

Once again we are gathering for an outdoor Whirling dance gathering on August 17th at 18:00 – 20:00 and this time at käpylän lippakioski cafe.

There will be a short whirling dance performance by Safa Solati and right after all people will be invited to join a short fun whirling dance workshop.

The relaxed and joyful whirling gathering is FREE for all and for everyone, and the workshop is suitable for all without any prior experience with whirling. Surely we encourage those who have previously joined our whirling classes to come join our gathering. This is a great opportunity to know as whirling arts and our activities and see if you wish to be part of our whirling community.

Come whirl with us under the open sky, meet and reconnect with the community!

More about us : www.whirlingarts.fi

WHIRL TO FEEL, Intensive workshop with Safa Solati

Photo: Auvo Takkinen

Whirl to Feel
An Intensive Whirling Dance Workshop
Turku, Finland
August 23–24, 2025
Each day: 3.5 hours

This workshop is organized by Whirling Arts ry as an attempt to bring Whirling dance and meditation to different cities around Finland. With this workshop we wish to also attract new members to our association and expand our activities beyond Helsinki. We warmly invite you to join us. If you wish to become a member, you may send us a membership request via info@whirlingarts.fi
The membership fee for 2025 is 30€

Regular fee: 130€ .
For members of Whirling Arts ry, 80€
3 spots available for students, unemployed, pensioned, low income for the price of 65€ ( no membership needed).
Deadline for registration 16.8.2025.

Registration, membership & info : info@whirlingarts.fi, include your full name & address in your email to receive the bill.

Step into the spiral.
Return to the center.
Let memory move you.

“Whirl to Feel” is an immersive weekend workshop exploring the ancient art of whirling as a path to embodied memory, emotional release, and joyful celebration. Over two transformative days, we’ll reconnect with the innate freedom of spinning—something most of us experienced spontaneously in childhood—now held within a conscious, meditative container.

Safa is a trained psychologist specializing in music psychotherapy, with a deep passion for dance as a path of healing and spiritual exploration. She has studied Persian dances for many years and, over the past nine years, has devoted herself to the study and practice of Sufi whirling.

After five years in Italy, where she trained with various dance teachers, Safa returned to Finland in 2020 and began offering introductory whirling workshops in Helsinki. In 2023, she hosted Ziya Azazi – a globally renowned whirling artist who deeply inspires her – for an intensive workshop.

Safa’s unique approach called “Life dance through whirling” centers on the therapeutic and spiritual dimensions of whirling, rather than religious tradition.

Her workshops are welcoming, inclusive, and rooted in deep respect for the inner journey.

Each session begins with a grounding introduction to the technique, allowing all levels—from complete beginners to experienced movers—to enter the practice with clarity and safety.

Saturday: Remembering & Implementation
We begin by tracing the thread of childhood memory—when whirling was instinctive, free, and untamed. Through guided movement and reflection, we rediscover that natural expression and begin to embody it with mindful presence. This session plants the seeds for building personal whirling practice.

Sunday: Celebration
The final day is a moving ritual—a celebration of all that has been remembered, felt, and released. We gather the threads of the weekend into a joyful dance of connection: with ourselves, each other, and the ever-turning flow of life.

No prior experience is needed—just your presence, curiosity, and willingness to move.
Please do not eat on the days of the workshop at least 2 hours before we start. Wear comfortable clothing and bring bottle of water and light snacks and an open heart.

This is the first intensive whirling dance workshop happening in Turku so Join us and whirl your way into feeling.

Intensive Two-day Whirling Dance workshop

Saturday May 3rd : 11:00 – 15:00
Sunday May 4th : 12:30 – 16 :30
Price: 130 €

Location: Intiankatu 31, Helsinki

This workshop is suitable for anyone who wishes to dive deeper into this spiral journey. You do not need to have experience in whirling, this is a step by step soft dive into the whirling practice in which you will be guided back to your childhood when you once danced and whirled freely like nobody was watching!

Spots are limited to maximum 10 participants.
It is essential for participants to take part in both days of the workshop.
10% discount for early birds, students, unemployed, low income and retired who sign up by 31.3.2025.

15% discount for Whirling Arts members, if you wish to become a member you can send us a membership request.

Info and registration:
safa.solati@gmail.com
041 720 76 78
Please write your full name, and address to receive the bill.

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!

Photos: Auvo Takkinen

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

On Saturday 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 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:

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

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.

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

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.