Workshops
Sufi Dervish whirling workshop with Sheikh Ahmed Dede - November 2008
The Sufi whirling dance usually associated with dervishes is the practice of the Mevlevi Order in Turkey. It is just one of the physical methods used to try to reach spiritual ecstasy. The name "Mevlei" comes from the 13th-century theologian Persian sage and poet, Jalal al-Din Rumi. Familialarly known as just Rumi he was born on the 30th September 1207 - 17th December 1273. According to tradition Rumi was born in Balkh in contemporary Afghanistan. Which at that time was part of the Persian Empire, and was the hometown of his father's family.
Rumi's family travelled west and eventually settling in the Anatolian city Konya located in Turkey. This was where he lived most of his life, and here he composed one of the crowning glories of Persian literature which profoundly affected the culture of the area. He died in 1273 CE, was buried in Konya and his shrine became a place of pilgrimage. Following his death, his followers and his son Sultan Walad founded the Mawlawiyah Sufi Order, also known as the Order of the Whirling Dervishes famous for its Sufi dance known as the Sama ceremony, which involves sacred prayer, song and dance. Rumi's works are written in the New Persian language. The Sufi Dervishes are known for their wisdom, medicine, poetry, enlightenment, and witticisms.
"Come, come again, whoever you are, come!
Heathen, fire worshipper or idolatrous, come!
Come even if you have broken your penitence one hundred times,
Ours is the portal of hope, come as you are."
Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi (Qad)
The Alexander Technique workshop taught by Charlotte Rolleston-Smith - May 2008
On Saturday the 10th May, 2008 I hosted an Alexander Technique Workshop for my Reiki students. This workshop was held in the Drama Studio, at the Uplands Community College in Wadhurst.
The workshop was given by Charlotte Rolleston-Smith, a Wadhurst based teacher of the Alexander Technique. This technique emphasizes poise, self awareness and freedom from strain. This was a wonderful opportunity for my students to learn about correcting their own posture whilst practicing Reiki.
