Workshops
Heart Dances - inspired by Sufism
The Universal Heart Dances are inspired by the work of Murshid Samuel Lewis (1896-1971), an American Sufi and Zen Master.
In the late 1960’s, he created over 50 circle dances as a spiritual practise to open the heart and “finding God within through experience”.
The circle dances are simple, meditative, joyful and easy to learn, using sacred chants and movements from many spiritual traditions.
In the Open Sky Community the dances are part of our spiritual practice and remind us that life is nothing but a joyful, energetic dance.
In the recent Winter Retreat John David introduced 4 Variations of the Heart Dances:
Heart Dances at Open Sky House
Kalama
Lyrics
La Illaha Ilallaha
La ilaha illalla hu La ilaha illalla
There is no deity but Allah
Chords
C - F - G
Choreography
Holding hands
8 steps to center arms slowly up
8 steps back ending in bow
8 steps turning clockwise
8 steps turning counter clockwise
Holding shoulders:
16 steps to the right
Turning 90 degrees
16 steps continuing same direction
Allah Humma
Lyrics
Allah
Allah Humma Allah
Ijalfi - Qalbi Noora
O Allah! Make light in my heart.
Chords
D
Cm - DChoreography
La Illaha
Lyrics
La Illah Illaha 4xLa Illa ha Illala hu -
La Illa ha Illala 2x
La Illa ha Illala 2x
Chords
Am - Em
Choreography
holding hands:
7 steps to the right, kick
7 steps to the left, kick
4 steps to center right arm to the front,
4 more steps left arm to the front, bow down
8 steps walk back, arms up
holding hands:
7 steps to the right, kick
7 steps to the left, kick
couples:
hold hands against each other -> turn around,
hold hands against each other, pass one another to new neighbor
Ishq' Allah Mabudhlillah
Lyrics
Ishq' Allah Mabudhlillah
Allah, Allah
La Ilaha el il, Allah Hu
Allah Allah
Chords
Dm - C
B - C - Dm
