Dancing the Living Goddess

Greek and Balkan Women’s Ritual Dances, Armenian Lyrical Dances & Qi Gong

with Laura Shannon
& Francesca Stridgen

and live music from Kostantis Kourmadias

Newbold House 28 June - 1 July, 2012

Traditional women's dances from Greece, Armenia, the Balkans and the Near East provide a living link to women’s wisdom of ancient times. Their simple yet potent patterns affirm the sanctity of nature and the body, and the generosity of Mother Earth. The women’s Armenian lyrical dance form is like a hidden language, with roots in ancient shamanic rituals invoking the energies of nature. Many of the dances encode the symbol of the Tree of Life, identified with the pre-Christian Mother Goddess. This workshop is a chance to joyfully return to the sacred homeland of the dancing body, and to open to the insights which these dances, woven together with Qi Gong, story, song and ritual, can offer for our own life journey. All women with circle dance experience are welcome.

Cost:
Residential: in shared accommodation including all meals, £295 or £265 if paid in full by April 1, 2012.

Non-residential: including all meals except breakfast, £225 or £195 if paid in full by April 1, 2012.

Please bring soft-soled dance shoes, a long skirt and hip scarf, and a journal to write in. We begin with dinner at 6 p.m. on Thursday, and end with lunch on Sunday.

Laura Shannon brings an innovative, caring approach to traditional dance, balancing the authenticity of the folk dance world with the spiritual focus of the circle dance world. Trained in Intercultural Studies and Dance Movement Therapy, Laura is the author of many articles and has travelled widely to learn and to teach, bringing her visionary insight and passionate dancing all over the world. She divides her time between Findhorn and Greece. See: www.laurashannon.net 

Francesca Stridgen is a dancer, drummer, storyteller and experienced Qi Gong practitioner. Qi Gong exercises can help us open to the natural life energy (Qi) which we also perceive in the dances.

Kostantis Kourmadias is a musician and singer from Greece, a master of the violin and the saz. He specialises in the oldest forms of traditional music, from the islands and Asia Minor. Kostantis has played for many of Laura’s workshops and feels honoured to support women’s circles in this way. 

Newbold House is a gorgeous Victorian mansion dedicated to education, community and organic gardening, with delicious vegetarian food and exquisite gardens for dancing.

Booking: with a deposit of £50 (or payment in full for early booking discount) to:
Newbold House, 111 St Leonard’s Road, Forres IV36 2RE

Tel: (+44) 01309 672 659

Email:office@newboldhouse.org

Please specify residential or non-residential. For travel information or to book single or twin rooms, please contact Newbold House.

This seminar can be combined with Kostantis’ Greek music seminar for experienced musicians in Findhorn, 3-5 July (www.laurashannon.net) and/or the Findhorn Sacred Dance Festival with Laura, Kostantis, Barbara Swetina, Gabriele Wosien and others, 7-13 July (www.findhorn.org)