Sacred Dance of the Heart
10th Annual Sacred Dance Immersion with Miriam Peretz, Alper Akçay & Many special musical guests
July 8-13 - Yenice Vadi- Turkey
In the Sacred Circle we will join our hearts in dance, song, breath and prayer to receive deep healing for our full being. Journeying through embodied prayers and intentions we will embrace dance as movement medicine for the heart. This will be the tenth year anniversary of Miriam Peretz & Alper Akçay’s coming together to offer this transformational journey. Together they will weave their knowledge and practices rooted in sacred dance forms, Sufi ritual and whirling, Alevi Bektashi Semah dances, traditional Central Asian dances, and Shamanic healing practices. Several special guest live musicians will accompany the immersion, including percussionist Faysal Maćit who will offer daily frame drum classes, and Pinar Bayrak who will offer daily singing sessions. This year the immersion will be held again in the beautiful Yenice Vadi, surrounded by inspiring nature and deep quiet.
LOCATION
Yenice Vadi- https://yenicevadi.com/
PAYMENT
*Immersion only price- $750. Early Bird (until May 1st) $850. (until June 1st) $950. (after June 1st)
(limited scholarships/work exchange available please inquire- info@miriamdance.com)
*Accommodations must be chosen from Yenice Vadi & paid separately. View accommodations options - HERE
*Accommodation prices include 3 delicious healthy vegetarian meals a day and tea & snacks throughout the day.
*$250 non-refundable deposit to register, and balance due by May 15th (June 1st for late bird)
*Discounts available for repeating students of previous years & students attending multiple immersions.
*Places are limited so early registration is advised!
TO REGISTER
1. To register please fill out the registration form and pay the non-refundable deposit. (Deposit can be sent also through Venmo, Paypal or Wise.)
2. Choose accommodations (see below)
Miriam & Alper
Miriam Peretz is a lifelong dance instructor, performer, and visionary devoted to creating transformational experiences for her students and audiences worldwide. Her unique dance format, Nava Dance is rooted in intentional movement and ritual to awaken the highest potential of self individually and communally. Miriam draws deep inspiration from Central Asian themes and aesthetics, as well as from the practice of devotional whirling. Each session she offers is a journey through the physical, spiritual and emotional realms of being, and a call to open one’s hearts to others and to the universe. The dance sanctuary, (in this case the “dergah”) is a place to move, sweat, sway, breath, love, pray and embrace personal empowerment as well as a deep sense of humility. Miriam has been walking on the Sufi path of love for the past 15 years.
Alper Akçay is a Sacred - Ritual Dancer, Performer, Body Therapist and Medicinal Movement Instructor from Istanbul, Turkey. Alper offers heart centric workshops in movement healing practices, Anatolian-Central Asian Sacred Dances, meditative and circle dances for peace. Recently he has become a Middle Eastern dance leader on Dances of Universal Peace. He is also a member of Unesco International Dance Council CID. Alper is walking on the path of Sufism and Tasavvuf (Islamic mysticism) and has been practicing Mevlevi Sema and Alevi – Bektashi Semah for the past fifteen years. For more information-www.alperakcay.com
Schedule (details subject to some changes)
July 8th- mid-late afternoon arrival
6:00- Opening Circle 7:00- Dinner 8:30- Meshk
July 9th
8:30-9:45- Breakfast
10:00-10:30- Morning prayers & meditation 10:30-12:30- Movement session
1:00-Lunch 3:00-4:30- Frame drumming with Faysal & Singing with Pinar
5:00-7:00- Alevi Bektashi Semah 7:00- Dinner
8:30- Musical offerings, whirling, singing, poetry, prayer & improvisations
July 10th
8:30-9:45- Breakfast
10:00-10:30- Morning prayers & meditation 10:30-12:30- Movement session
1:00-Lunch 3:00-4:30- Singing with Pinar & Frame drumming with Faysal
5:00-7:00- Alevi Bektashi Semah & Afghani Dance
7:00- Dinner
9:00-10:30- Musical offerings, whirling, singing, poetry, prayer & improvisations
July 11th
8:30-9:45- Breakfast
10:00-12:30- Turning Towards the Heart session with Miriam (introduction to Mevlevi whirling rituals)
1:00-Lunch 3:00-4:30- Singing with Pinar & Frame drumming with Faysal
5:00-7:00- Drum Dancing!
7:00- Dinner 8:00- Tea & Sohbet with Miriam, Alper & friends
July 12th
8:30-9:45- Breakfast
10:00-12:30- Morning movement session with Miriam & Alper 1:00- Lunch
3:00- 4:30- Frame drumming with Faysal & Singing with Pinar 5:00-7:00- Baksi dance- Shamanic Healing Dance 9:00- Fire rituals, music, free whirling
July 13th
8:30-9:45- Breakfast
10:00-1:00- Final session (review of everything!) 1:00- Lunch 2:30- Closing circle 4:00- Goodbye & Departure
*Possible Sacred Site/Waters tour following the immersion July 13-17. Please inquire if interested.
Travel
*The closest airport to Yenice Vadi is Dalaman Airport (DLM) -approximately 1 hour 15 min. to the retreat center
*The other airport in the area is Milas-Bodrum Airport (BJV)- approximately 1 hour 45 min. to the retreat center
*One month prior to the immersion a google doc. will be offered for everyone to post arrival/departure times to help students to find other friends traveling at similar times to connect and travel together. We will also offer taxi ride information.
