May 23-25, 2008
Asheville, NC, U.S.
A Partner Yoga, 5 Rhythms™/SpiritDance Weekend Workshop with Ellen Watson.
In this weekend workshop, find the poet within, engaging in the ancient spiritual practice of ecstatic dance in order to release what has been deeply held in your body and heart. This practice will open the door to your own inspiration, that land where the divine comes through you. The workshop is inspired by the poems on connection to divine love by Rumi, Hafiz, and other Sufi poets. The beloved poet Rumi was the world's first "Whirling Dervish," spinning himself into a state of ecstatic union with the divine.
Within the structure of the 5 Rhythms ecstatic dance practice, you will be introduced to the seven doorways or portals to the realm of the ecstatic dancer and poet. These doorways are related to the seven chakras, the wheels of energy in the body that support, in order: grounded, creative, powerful, heart-full, truth-full, visionary and conscious living. Ellen will blend Partner Yoga poses, and a Chi Gong Kata into the ancient practice of ecstatic dance. Partner Yoga is especially useful for bodyworkers wanting to include more movement in their bodywork sessions. Chi Gong (Energy Skill) is the ancient Chinese Health Care System. You will learn a few simple exercises from Chi Gong that have been practiced for centuries to maintain health and promote vitality.
With Ellen's compassionate and experienced guidance, we'll learn to spin ourselves into the deepest cores of our selves, discovering where we hold energy and how to release control of this powerful part of ourselves. On empty stomachs we will relearn to enjoy dizziness, to go through the doorway of dizziness and enter the land of childlike glee in the present moment, the world of Rumi and the whirling dervishes.
This workshop is open to all levels of experience. Come ready to investigate the power of your being as we create a sacred space together. We'll share our favorite ecstatic poetry, move, talk, meditate, and journal together. Be prepared to move and be moved by your Spirit.
About the facilitator: Ellen Watson is celebrating her 24th year on staff at Esalen Institute, where she studies, practices, and teaches various moving meditation practices including Gabrielle Roths's 5Rhythms™, Esalen® Massage, Holotropic™ Breathwork, Liquid Yoga, and SpiritDance.
The workshop will begin on Friday 7-10 pm with an introduction and opening dance. Guests who are not participating in the full workshop are welcome to join us on Friday evening for $50.
COST: $300 for early registration (pay in full one month before the workshop) and $325 paying day of the workshop ($25 to reserve space). Discount for students registered at Asheville School. Limited work study available. No one turned away for financial reasons.
CEUs available, please request upon reqistration.
For details and registration contact:
Shala Worsley, Director
Asheville Massage School
ashevillemassageschool.org
77 Walnut Street
Asheville, NC 28801
828.252.7377
Price: $300
Deposit: $25