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The mission of my DRUM & DANCE GODDESS RETREATS is to afford participants the opportunity to redisover the communal and healing powers of the drum and to reconnect with the traditions of drumming & dance that date back to ancient civilizations' reverence of the divine ~ Inanna, Cybele, Hathor, Aphrodite, Dionysos and many others. May we all benefit from these invigorating and fun activities vitalizing the senses and promoting well being while becoming a catalyst for change in our lives *and* the communities in which we live.
Connecting movement with rhythmic drumming expands our imagination, creativity, individual growth and fulfillment. Re-establish a bridge between these ancient traditions and our modern lifestyle. Re-create passionate soulful co-existence.
On September 26-28, 2003, Lynne Paul opened wide the doors to her beautiful oceanfront home in Fenwick Island, Delaware, where we enjoyed a weekend respite indulging in the arts of drumming and dance. Great thanks to Lynne for her hospitality.
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I was one of the first to arrive at the GRO weekend with Tahya, held at Lynne Paul's beautiful oceanfront dwelling in Fenwick Island, Delaware. The drive to this location from Media was long and unfamiliar under grey skies for most of the trip. Then the sky cleared and sun streamed into the spacious "common area" on the third floor of these magnificent accommodations.
Tahya and Lynne welcomed me and we enjoyed the calming sound of the ocean waves rolling into shore. I unloaded my bags in the cozy room assigned to me and was further delighted to learn my bathroom had a Jacuzzi tub and I had access to a sauna. These accommodations alone led me to believe I was indeed going to enjoy this ocean retreat.
Tahya keeps this event to a minimum number of participants so that
personalized instruction as well as opportunities for walks on the beach are built into the program. That said, Tahya had to forego her initial plan to offer the opening session on Friday night since the majority of the participants didn't arrive until after 10 p.m. having run into a variety of "road blocks" prohibiting their arriving by 8 p.m. as requested.
On Saturday morning we awoke to a gorgeous sunrise and everyone met on the deck to stretch and begin the morning's program. This morning was an absolutely glorious experience because the deck is almost right on the beach. After a series of gentle yoga stretches, Tahya introduced us to "Namaskaram" and the "Golden Rule" from classical South Indian dance Bharta Natyam. This is a lovely introductory dance/meditation and a great way to begin the day.
After our early morning program we headed into the kitchen for a fabulous breakfast spread. In fact, all of our meals were delicious and so abundant as each of us contributed to the pantry.
After breakfast, we gathered in the living room comfortably situating
ourselves in the plump sofas and overstuffed chairs. Tahya led a short
guided visualization encouraging a safe haven for our creative spirit to soar over the weekend. She then handed out frame drums, taught us how to hold them and proceeded to show us a few of the basic strokes. Everyone was eager to learn and Tahya had us quickly playing a simple rhythm to which she also encouraged us to stand and step while playing.
Before we knew it we were walking while playing and she led us in
processional fashion throughout the room. It was easy to imagine ourselves recreating a ritual processional that might have taken place in an ancient temple as our synchronized rhythmic stepping and drumming allowed us to drift into a calm state of mind.
Tahya invited us to drape ourselves in the veils she brought along and we really started to feel like gorgeous goddesses in these luxurious threads. As a matter of fact, we giggled with delight admiring one another and taking pictures too!
After a late lunch we were left to our own devices and invited to nurture ourselves ~ take a nap, read a book, stroll the beach, practice drumming, etc. I chose to swim in the ocean and walk on the beach. I really appreciated having time built into the program for private relaxation.
We reconvened at 5 p.m. down at the beach in a circle with our drums. Drumming on the beach! I love it. We reviewed the rhythm from the morning session and harmoniously played until we were synchronized again. Then Tahya designated groups of two and invited us to play complimentary rhythms where the "dum" fell on different notes in the measure allowing us to get the feel of different "voices" in the same "song." Next, she invited us to return to the original rhythm, playing it for 4 measures, but asking the group to be quiet (rest) on the last two measures as one by one we improvised our own combination of sounds. After several rounds we were invited to simply play our drums for pure enjoyment. Finally as the sun was setting Tahya encouraged us to sing/chant/speak a word of affirmation as we drummed. It felt good to give a "voice" to sensations. I felt empowered.
We brought the drumming to a close and left the beach after sunset. We
strolled across the sand back to the house and once again met in the
"community kitchen" for yet another feast.
The highlight of Sunday morning's session was Tahya's introduction to
Javanese court dance. The slow controlled postures of this meditative
dance flow one into another and represent the balancing within oneself.
"The healing sounds of the ocean, the healing motion of Danse Orientale, and the healing goddess energy of these women blended to create an incredible experience of empowerment." - Patti Platia of Emmaus, PA |
Kitty Holzmer of Cape May, NJ, said she felt "rested and awakened to other regions of the feminine in my body and my essence. I was brought back to remembering and embodying the wisdom, beauty, and truth of my mother, and her mother, and her mother and The Mother." Nature complemented these thoughts when Lynne pointed out to sea, indicating the pod of dolphins passing by including a clearly visible baby dolphin.
By the end of this weekend everyone looked different. The obstacles in life that caused us to arrive a bit frazzled had melted away and in place were radiant relaxed renewed women ready to greet their families and friends with restored knowledge of their beauty and the creativity
necessary to solve what ever problems we face.
I would recommend this workshop. I loved it. There was really nothing I would change. I felt grounded, renewed, and empowered. And what a great house! I needed this. Every woman needs this. Come and dance with the dolphins, the drums, and the mermaids.
- Amy Anna, Media, Pennsylvania.
Amy is an artist currently working on a series
of works on the theme of Women and Water.
She can be reached at anima_attar@hotmail.com.
More photos from the weekend ~ Click here
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