MOVEMENT MEDITATION

Adnan Sarhan first used the veil as a meditation. He realized that the effort to keep the veil afloat, to follow the music, to make the veil dance graceful developed a very deep concentration which brought you to the present, to a natural state of meditation. Dancing with the veil is free of premeditation. You cannot know how it will move next so you need to flow with it , to stay in the moment with it and to surrender as if the veil was moving you. With the work of Adnan Sarhan the veil dance became an ecstatic experience that gave me a way to express moments of complete connection with beauty, with love and with my being. It has also kept me very strong, flexible, graceful and accident free.

With all the methods and postures and steps we learn the most exciting thing is to let it move through us without thought, and build into a crescendo of feeling and rapture that taps the life force and becomes like a flight, and veil dancing can take us there quite quickly.

In Sufism ecstacy destroys the ego. It comes from our natural ability to move, breath, relax and become in the moment. Without the ego we are free to connect with something that is deeper.The Sufis refer to it as the spirit, and this force creates a powerful inner transformation of our being, moment by moment. As Westeners we are just starting to wake up to the profound nature of being in the moment, of conscious integrated concentration that is an act of the whole being, not just of the mind, or the body. The veil dance brings us directly to that very quickly. The joy, the relief and the happiness that arises out of dancing with the veil shows us that we have been released from the negative tension of the ego and given a new energy and perception of ourselves.

THE CLASSES

A lot of focus is give to the circular wave of motion that comes from deep inside. This is really good for anyone planning to have a child or anyone who wants to discover their inner power to create.

The music is Arabic, Persian, Morrocan, instrumental, evocative and often unfamiliar and beyond what we usually hear. It makes the movement more original and subtle.

You don't have to be a dancer to do these classes, or female. It is designed for everyone. Whether you are an advanced yogi, a mother to be, an office worker, or just wish to move differently, it does not matter. The point is you. To see and feel ourselves mirrored in the soft motion of silk as it takes on a reflection of what is inside us and pulls us out of the mind into an action.

Practicalities

For practical purposes there are things you can do to make the experience deeper for yourself.

Try not to eat before classes. When you eat your body is focused on digesting and when your stomach is empty it is easier for your body and mind to focus and go deeper in the work.

Wear comfortable, clean clothing that you like to move in. When we dance women often wear dance skirts if they want. I wear silk skirts which I make and sell so you can look on this site if you would like to get one. Skirts are not necessary so whatever you like to wear is good.

A yoga mat and a blanket is good. Sometimes we lie down with our eyes closed and listen to Adnan's drumming so it is good to feel warm enough and comfortable.

Often an effect of these classes is to not want any stimulants anymore so if you have any of these habits you may find that after you just don't want them anymore.

I ask that people don't wear perfumes or oils. I don't light incense because the breathing is key to the methods. Air is how we connect through breath to the world and for the work it is not necessary to embellish the air.

If you have any questions or are just curious please contact me and I will be happy to answer any questions. you have. Look forward to sharing the classes with you. All the best Nahari

Contact me at 917 287 6138 or 1877 684 8021 or nahari@silk-veils.com

WHY

I have been dancing with the veil for years in the workshops with Adnan Sarhan. He uses ithe veil as an active meditation and people easily fall into a deep state of meditation when they dance wtih the veil. This state of meditation frees us from thought and we can go into an experience of unity where we feel at one with ourselves and over time these states bring us freedom from many haibts of thought and feelings that are negative and destructive to our health and creativity. The veil and the exercises bring a very centered and contented feeling. Most people feel very happy after and their hearts feels open. It brings grace, poice, balance, subtlety and a general feeling of well being and expansion.

If we move enough in the right frame of mind we move the way we need to open ourselves. Veil dancing produces a great feeling of well being, happiness and detachement from the negative feelings which block our creativity and connection to what we are doing in life.

2010 Schedule

February 4th, 11th, 18th, 2010, Byron Bay, Australia, - For Flyer and info CLICK HERE

For classes please email nahari@silk-veils.com . Silk veils are provided at the classes for the class and can also be bought at the workshops.