27 Sep 2009 |
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Alien Jon (first row left) and Nick Woolsey (first row center) share poi skills An international group of 20 fire dancers and poi spinners came to Damanhur for a five-day Poi and Meditation Retreat, 23 – 27 September, organized by giada in collaboration with Nick Woolsey of Playpoi. Poi is a form of dance with weights on the ends of tethers swung in rhythmical patterns.
The lively and playful group, who all but one were visiting Damanhur for the first time, did poi workshops, visits and guided meditations in the Temples of Humankind by day, and fire danced at the Open Temples in Damjl by night.
The workshops were taught by highly skilled poi teachers Nick Woolsey and Alien Jon, from Canada and America originally. The two instructors travel frequently, bringing their art form around the world through performances and courses. The participants of the group live in America and various European countries: France, Germany, England, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Greece and Cyprus, with origins in Poland, Belarus and Australia.
The retreat group lit up Damanhur with their youthful energy. The experience stimulated much curiosity about Damanhur. Five of the participants joined the Spiritual People, and many intend to return for future poi retreats, work exchange and courses. |
