Sacred Dance of the Heart
An Annual Sacred Dance Immersion with Miriam Peretz, Alper Akçay & Special guests
July 14 - 21- Yalova- 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 seventh year Miriam Peretz & Alper Akçtay come 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 Sema dances, and traditional Central Asian dances.
LOCATION
Mutlu Baba Cultural Center Dergah, Gokcedere (Yalova,) Turkey
PAYMENT
$1000. Early bird (expires May 14th) $1150. Late bird (after May 14th)
(Includes immersion and 3 delicious healthy vegetarian meals a day. Accommodations are a separate fee.)
*$200. Non-refundable deposit due to hold place. Balance due May 14th.
*Discounts available for students attending Earth, Sand & Sea in Crete, Greece.
*Turkish Residents receive discounted price!!! $750.
* Limited work-trade options
*Places are limited so early registration is advised!
Accommodations:
Uğur Termal Residence 5 star hotel:
3+1 room (for 5-6 people) $220 -$75. per night/master bedroom (1 queen bed)
$45. per night/single bedroom (1 single bed)
$30 per night/double bedroom (2 single beds- 2 people)
$40 per night/private living room (sofa bed)
2+1 room (for 4 people) $180 - $70. per night/master bedroom (1 queen bed)
$35. per night/double bedroom (2 single beds)
$40. per night/living room (sofa bed)
1+1 room (for 2 people) $130/night - $75 per night/master bedroom (1 queen bed)
$55 per night/living room (sofa bed)
This hotel features a beautiful hamam with healing thermal waters & spa treatments
Kapri Motel:
Double rooms $27. (400 tl) per room-$13.50 per night/per person
Room for four people $34. (500 tl) per room- $8.5 per night/per person
For students who are doing work-trade or anyone financially challenged there are free dorm style accommodations in the dergah. Spaces are limited. (separate women/men rooms)
TO REGISTER
To register please download and fill out the registration form (at the top of page) send to info@miriamdance.com and pay the non-refundable deposit.
ABOUT
An Annual Sacred Dance Immersion with Miriam Peretz & Alper Akçay held at the Mutlu Baba Cultural Center Dergah, Gokcedere one hour from Istanbul in the beautiful nature surroundings of Yalova. The area is a quiet village setting that has beautiful hiking, and natural healing hot springs.
During the course of the week we will be graced with many special guest musicians including Neyzen Amir Shahsar, and frame drum circle leader Nikhan Gencer, singer Seljuk Yilmaz, and more!!
Each day will journey through heart centric practices layered with Sufi ritual including whirling, ecstatic dancing, frame drum circles, singing, chanting and creative process.
Video Samples!
2019- Here
2015- Here
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.
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 (detailed schedule coming soon!)
July 14th- late afternoon arrival (we will formally begin with opening rituals and dinner at 6:00 and continue into music and dancing until 10:00 pm)
July 15th
8:30-9:45- Breakfast
10:00-1:00- Morning movement session with Miriam
1:00-Lunch
5:00-7:00- Movement session with Alper 7:00- Dinner
8:30-10:00- Musical offerings, whirling, singing, poetry, prayer & improvisations
July 16th
8:30-9:45- Breakfast
10:00-1:00- Morning movement session with Miriam
1:00-Lunch
5:00-7:00- Shamanic Healing dance with Alper
7:00- Dinner
8:30-10:00- Musical offerings, whirling, singing, poetry, prayer & improvisations
July 17th
8:30-9:45- Breakfast
10:00-1:00- Turning Towards the Heart session with Miriam & Alper
1:00-Lunch
5:00-7:00- Singing & Drumming session
7:00- Dinner 8:00- Tea & Sohbet with Miriam & Alper
July 18th
8:30-9:45- Breakfast
10:00-1:00- Morning movement session with Miriam & Alper
1:00-Lunch
3:00-5:00- Alevi Bektashi dances with Miriam & Alper Hamam night, Dinner out!
July 19th
8:30-9:45- Breakfast
10:00-1:00- Morning movement session with Miriam
1:00-Lunch
5:00-7:00- Alevi Bektashi Sema dances with Alper & Miriam 7:00- Dinner 8:00- Free floor whirling, poetry, zikr
July 20th
8:30-9:45- Breakfast
10:00-1:00- Morning movement session with Miriam & Alper 1:00- Lunch
5:00- 7:00- Singing & Drumming session 7:00- Dinner 8:00- Fire rituals
July 21st
8:30-9:30- Breakfast
9:30-11:30- Closing Circle
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 which can be around $35. The ferry tickets are not expensive however need to be purchased in advance during the busy Summer time (around $5.) It is about one hour travel to Yalova. https://www.ido.com.tr/ (There is an English option in the top right corner.)
Once one arrives to Yalova there is 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. Tell or show the driver you need to go to Uger 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 is very close to the Mutlu Baba dergah- Gökçedere Mah. Okul Cad. Mutlu Sk. No:2/A
