Sacred Dance of the Heart

Annual Sacred Dance Journey- Yalova, Turkey

Sacred Dance of the Heart
Annual Sacred Dance Journey in Turkey

August 24 - August 31 - Mutlu Baba Dergah, Yalova

*Early Bird expiration extended until July 15th, 2020
*Please note the prices have decreased due to Covid- 19, and scholarships are available for those in need!

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A full week-long immersion of deeply heart centric sacred dance, song, chant and prayer in the beautiful countryside thermal town of Yalova in the Mutlu Baba Dergah. We will be joined by several special guest musicians including master Neyzen Amir Shahsar and many more!! Each day will begin with a deep movement exploration led by Miriam, honoring the sacred space of the dergah and the movement of circles, cycles and spirals in the physical, energetic and cosmic body. The afternoon/evening will include musical sessions, movement, and ritual. Special guest instructor Alper Akcay will offer sessions in Anatolian-Sufi Sacred dances (Sema-Semah) whirling practices, and healing rituals. Some evening will have improvisational time for free whirling, music and singing sessions, poetry, prayer or other creative expressions. During free time students can enjoy the incredible healing thermal waters of Yalova in local Hamam’s just walking distance from the dergah. The thermal waters of Yalova are known to be among the top sources in the world for healing properties.

Arrival- June 27th afternoon (we will formally begin with opening rituals and dinner at 6:00 and continue into dancing until 10:00 pm)

Approximate Daily Schedule
August 24 - August 31

8:30-9:45- Breakfast
10:00-1:00- Dance Session with Miriam
1:00-Lunch
4:30-5:30- Music (singing/drumming) Session 5:30-7:00- Workshop with Alper
7:00- Dinner
8:30-10:00- Musical offerings, whirling, singing, poetry, prayer & improvisations

*Some days will give a longer break in the afternoon or evening for hamam/hot spring adventures!

August 31st-
10:00-1:00- Final session & Closing rituals

Tuition:

Early Bird- 675 Euro (until July 15th)

Late Bird- 775 Euro (after July 15th)

*Sacred Sites tour expense- (400-450 Euro- Includes airfare travel, hotel, cultural immersion. Meals not included. Final price depends on number of participants but should not exceed 450 Euro.)

*The tuition above includes around 40 hours of dance, music and ritual immersion over the course of the week, and 3 delicious healthy vegetarian meals per day (including afternoon snacks- fruit, teas & desserts) Fee does not include accommodations and travel.

*Work Trade positions available, however limited….

*Accommodations are a separate fee and there are options available below.

FREE (For students wanting to stay in the dergah, however space is limited and volunteers have priority. Also the dergah is very simple, rustic dorm rooms, very basic.)
Motel rooms close by at approximately $35/night for a double room (for 2 people, $17.50 each.)
Beautiful Hotel with Hamam (and thermal waters) between $35-$60/night.

*Accommodations booking can be arranged, email Miriam for the full price list and booking.

*There are many hotels in the area, and its also totally fine to make your own hotel reservation elsewhere, but should be in the village Gokcedere and ideally close to the dergah.

Travel Arriving to Yalova from Istanbul:

For students flying into the Istanbul International Airport its closest to travel to Yenikapi (ferry station.) For those flying into Sabiha airport its closer to travel by the Pendik (ferry station.) It is best to take a taxi, even though its a bit expensive since the airport is far. It can be around $35. There is also Havas buses, but I am not sure if they go all the way to the ferry station. The ferry tickets are not expensive at all (around $5) and it is just about one hour travel to Yalova. In Summer it is good to purchase in advance of travel (however a few days before is plenty early) - https://www.ido.com.tr/ (There is an English option in the top right corner.)
Once one arrives to Yalova you take a mini bus to arrive at the Dergah or the motel/motel. The bus station is just next to the ferry station. It is about a 45 minute ride up the mountain, and is a beautiful scenic route! Make sure to take the minibus to Gokcedere/Termal. You will tell or show the driver you need to go to Kapri motel, or to Uyer hotel. The bus stop is close by and then there is a short walk straight up the main road which will lead to the motel/hotel and then the dergah. The address of Kapri motel which is very close to the Mutlu Baba dergah is- Gökçedere Mah. Okul Cad. Mutlu Sk. No:2/A
Termal/YALOVA. Not everyone knows about the dergah, but you can also try ask Mutlu Baba Dergah. The Dergah is around the corner from Kapri motel, so its easiest to arrive to the Kapri motel and then ask there where is the dergah.
- For those that prefer to not travel alone, Miriam will arrange 1 or 2 groups to travel together from Yenikapi and Pendik. There will also be help arranged for hotel check in, so that everything is smooth.

Miriam Peretz is an internationally celebrated dance instructor, performer, and director of Nava Dance Collective. Over the past twenty years, Miriam has led groups around the world in sacred dance journey’s. Her work weaves devotional elements into every dance session drawing upon her background as a dervish and as a child of mystics. Miriam’s format Integral Dance is rooted in intentional movement and ritual to awaken the highest potential of self individually and communally. Her dances are inspired by the movement of circles, spirals and cycles that are found within the physical, energetic, and universal body. Classes integrate intensive dance experience, sequences focused on healthy alignment and spinal fluidity, focused breath work, improvisation and choreography. 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.

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

*Places are limited so early registration is highly encouraged.