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Guedra Trance Dancing Workshop
Jessica Stadtmueller, assisted by Rowan Rose
Traditional Guedra is an ecstatic folk dance practiced by women in North Africa. Drawing inspiration from overseas, the American Guedra has evolved into an experiential group dance ritual. Through clapping and chanting, a wall of sound is created, allowing the dancer to enter a trance-like state. Participants find this simple ritual gives them renewed joy and vigor. The workshop will begin with a lecture and discussion on this spiritually powerful collective experience, followed by a demonstration of the movements and chanting. Interested women can stay to participate in an actual Guedra. The movements are simple and absolutely no dance experience is needed. Students are not required to dance, they can simply watch and participate in the chanting and clapping. The majority of the dance is performed sitting on the floor, so please dress comfortably. It is also suggested to remove any jewelry, specifically rings and bracelets, prior to the Guedra. Water and light refreshments will be provided.
Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 7 p.m.
$10 per person ($7 museum members)
Pay at the door, call ahead to RSVP.
Erie Art Museum
411 State Street Erie, PA 16501
(814) 459-5477
www.erieartmuseum.org/
Jessica Stadtmueller, assisted by Rowan Rose
Traditional Guedra is an ecstatic folk dance practiced by women in North Africa. Drawing inspiration from overseas, the American Guedra has evolved into an experiential group dance ritual. Through clapping and chanting, a wall of sound is created, allowing the dancer to enter a trance-like state. Participants find this simple ritual gives them renewed joy and vigor. The workshop will begin with a lecture and discussion on this spiritually powerful collective experience, followed by a demonstration of the movements and chanting. Interested women can stay to participate in an actual Guedra. The movements are simple and absolutely no dance experience is needed. Students are not required to dance, they can simply watch and participate in the chanting and clapping. The majority of the dance is performed sitting on the floor, so please dress comfortably. It is also suggested to remove any jewelry, specifically rings and bracelets, prior to the Guedra. Water and light refreshments will be provided.
Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 7 p.m.
$10 per person ($7 museum members)
Pay at the door, call ahead to RSVP.
Erie Art Museum
411 State Street Erie, PA 16501
(814) 459-5477
www.erieartmuseum.org/
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Re: Guedra Workshop and Energetic Ecstatic Blissful Chaos
Mon, November 17, 2008 - 9:20 PM> Interested women can stay to participate in an actual Guedra
I'm curious why you are engendering who can participate?
I've been attending a Guedra workshop held by Zimra for the past couple of years at a summertime event, and probably will go whenever possible -- to get lost in trance with the sun flying in and out and in and out as the arms, head, body, and mind get lost in energetic ecstatic chaos, giving it up to the Universe and taking it in all the same...
An awesome experience... If this workshop is anything like it, I recommend it to all who can attend (male and female!) :-)
Just my 3 cents...
Cheers,
:-) Rob -
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Re: Guedra Workshop and Energetic Ecstatic Blissful Chaos
Wed, November 19, 2008 - 9:03 AMHi Rob!
I suppose I chose to do that because any guedra I have participated in did the same thing. I was taught that it is for women only, and have practiced it as such, so I am just following my teaching. I certainly don't have a problem with men participating, and I have changed my mind back and forth on whether or not to include the guys. My personal concern is that this sort of workshop is brand new to our community, and for the first attempt, I would like to reserve it for women so as to allow the girls to feel the most able to release themselves and bond as women through the feminine energy, and not be concerned that their husband, for example, is sitting next to them.
I have no problem with men being in my bellydance classes, although I know some teachers restrict their classes to just women, such as Caroleena from FatChance Bellydance, and Palika of Heavy Hips, for the same reason, to keep the female bonding to a maximum. There are plenty of workshop experiences that are exclusive to gender, for this reason, men included.
I also am not sure if men will actually sign up....if I get an interest from male students, I may open the next workshop to include them depending on the students feedback.
Men will be able to participate in the lecture, the demonstration, which will be instruction in the chants and running through the clapping, chanting, and movements. So they will see the way that it is conducted, and be able to take the knowledge with them to create their own experience with their own group if they so choose.
I put a lot of thought into my decision to conduct it this way, and I respect and understand your decision to ask why. I would love to be able to include everyone in the future, but for our first time and the type of community we have, I feel it is in Erie's best interest to do it this way.
Thanks for giving me an opportunity to explain and for being so respectful in your questioning.
Blessings...
Jessica
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Re: Guedra Workshop and Energetic Ecstatic Blissful Chaos
Wed, November 19, 2008 - 11:39 AM... and thanks for taking the time to explain the background and rational... so very much more refreshing than "just because!" :-)
Like I said before... if any women out there are "on the fence" to sign up, jump over the fence and climb aboard... based on my experiences, it should be very refreshing and maybe open a gate to something new.
l'Shalom,
:-) Rob -
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Re: Guedra Workshop and Energetic Ecstatic Blissful Chaos
Thu, November 20, 2008 - 2:54 PMand thanks for making those fence sitters jump!
I hope it turns out great too......
here are some other FAQ's I've been getting for those who are curious:
Q: Would it be okay if I brought a pillow to sit on? I can't sit on a floor for long periods of time. I know, wah, wah, wah......:)
A: Absolutely, bring a pillow or chair if you would prefer. You don't have to sit on the floor if you want to just chant, but if you want to dance, it does require sitting directly on the floor. A flat pillow, yoga mat, or blanket would be ok to sit on for dancing, as long as it doesn't skid around.
When we sit in a circle to chant, it is preferred to sit on the floor together. However if you absolutely need to be on a chair or stool, we can keep you connected in the circle with no problem. You definitely want to be as relaxed and comfortable as you can!
Q: What's the dress code for this? How dressed up or down should we be?
A: You should dress comfortably because the dance is done kneeling on the floor. You are better off not wearing a lot of bling because you're going to be asked to remove it before the guedra anyway. So...simple and comfy!
I've seen people wear jeans and t-shirt, although personally I think sitting on the floor in jeans for a while would get rather uncomfy. I used to wear harem pants or yoga style pants, tanks, tunics or tees, maybe a hip scarf. You can dress as exotically or normally as you want, the key is to feel comfortable.
You definitely want to remove all rings and bracelets if you are chanting and clapping, as the excessive clapping can make your fingers swell, and you can bruise yourself from rings too.
If you are dancing, you also should remove any necklaces or large earrings, because you can accidentally hook your fingers into them or whack yourself in the face. Anklets can be uncomfortable too, if you are kneeling.
I plan to bring ziplock baggies for people to put their jewelry into. Many times I've gone to guedras and forgot to take off jewelry, and realized I don't have pockets. So I have this little pile of jewelry in front of me, that I keep an eye on. I don't want anyone to have to do that, it's distracting.
Any other questions, feel free to post here or pm me for more details. Hope to meet some of you there......
jess -
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Re: Guedra Workshop and Energetic Ecstatic Blissful Chaos
Tue, November 25, 2008 - 8:14 PMI took a Guedra workshop from Kajira of BSBD last year and was blown away by the power of it. I only wish I was closer to Erie so I could come! I also highly recommend this type of work for any person drawn to trance or ecstatic dance, it is amazing.
I would love to hear how the workshop is received Jessica, I am thinking of making the Guedra a bit more 'westernized' for my Coven to work with and I would like some feedback.
Blessings,
Dian -
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Re: Guedra Workshop and Energetic Ecstatic Blissful Chaos
Wed, November 26, 2008 - 9:42 AMI wish you could come too!
I'll make sure to stop in and tell everyone how it goes, it's nice to have such great feedback here.
Have you seen this article?
www.bdancer.com/GuedraFAQ.html
If you scroll down to the Choreography section, you'll find this about the original traditional guedra:
"The dance begins with hand flicks to the four directions (north, south, east, west), then to the elements: heaven (up), earth (down), wind (out), water (moving down). The hands also represent time elements: to the back (the past), to the side (present), and to the front (present). Morocco also mentioned that in the east they believe the heart is fickle, so if you truly mean something you say, "I feel it in my liver!". Therefore, to truly bless someone, you flick from the stomach, the heart, then the head. Periodically you may flick toward yourself at shoulder level, to gather back in some of the energy which you have sent out. "
There are definitely some pagan/shamanistic roots to this dance that your Coven would probably identify with and use as a springboard for creating your own version. As long as it is for private use or clarified that it is your own spin on a folkloric dance, I bet no one would have an issue with it. I've combined elements of it for my own private rituals as well. It's nice to create your own sacred circle or element honoring with it.
Here's a suggestion that might be nice for a coven. Position one dancer at each direction, and have them do the movements honoring that element, towards the center of the circle. The rest of the group can alternate clapping and chanting to throw the energy into the sacred circle as well.
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Re: Guedra Workshop Feb. 7th 2009 in Erie PA
Fri, January 23, 2009 - 7:14 AMIf I could ask pretty pretty please........
If you are definitely coming to the Guedra, to please contact the museum and RSVP. (814) 459-5477
Although t's pay at the door, so you don't necessarily need to register, and there is no limit, so it's not that you won't get in.....
HOWEVER
I do need to feed you! Right now I only have 6 people officially signed up, and a large amount of people that say they will be there. So please, if you are strongly considering going, rsvp so I have a ballpark of what I need to purchase. Ro and I are buying the refreshments in advance out of our own pocket, and the workshop fee will comp us. So we kinda need a clue on what to buy, and make sure that everyone is fed, watered, and happy.
Thanks!
