DANCING SPIRITS:
Female Lwa Embodied through Movement, Song, Writing and Ritual
is evolving and expanding!
Now in our 2nd year,
Rara Tou Limen's latest collaboration is with an incredible line-up of
Artists, Healers and Wellness Practitioners!
Dancing Spirits: VIRTUAL EDITION!
September 27th
HAITI
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CUBA
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BRAZIL
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Click HERE for Instructor's Bios
Click HERE to register!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dancing-spirits-dance-wellness-workshop-virtual-edition-tickets-118885468637
DANCING SPIRITS:
Folkloric Dance + Wellness Retreat 2019
WORKSHOPS + OFFERINGS
Dancing Spirits 2019 Promo
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Dancing Spirits Workshop Facilitators: Asatu Musunama Hall, Dandha Da Hora, Portsha T. Jefferson
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The Healers! Holly, Luanda, Sabrina, Asatu
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Introductions. Intentions. Inspirational Cards.
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Night rituals under a bright moon, enveloped in a natural setting amongst the sisterhood isn’t new.
We chose to have this particular workshop in the thick of night.
Creative flows often happen at night.
MAGIC happens at night.
We danced into the night...
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As part of the Yemaya workshop, an interactive craft project took place, where the Dancing Spirits (participants) created beautiful Yemaya inspired pieces of art. Yemaya’s power or aşę is to help people heal from trauma, pain, grief or loneliness by providing a sense of comfort, soothing and transcendence. This project allowed each individual to dig deep and tap into the depths of their creative side - perhaps a side that needed nurturing. Pearls, beads, shells, mirrors, ribbons, sequins and tons of shiny aquatic symbols were shared amongst the Sisterhood. The final projects are gorgeous! The creative juices were flowing and abundant! Take a look! Asatu Musunama Hall, a powerful woman with many talents, who constantly gives to our community: birthing, mentoring, dancing, teaching truly stepped into her power at Dancing Spirits. Asatu, what a pleasure to witness your gifts and talents unfold in one setting. Your transparency, stories and relayed messages from Yemaya flowed through your being. You dove into this project and gave so freely. You took us on a journey as we learned about the sacred waters of the mother of the fishes, who reigns over the feminine mysteries. What a treat to also take a trip to Dahomey to honor Yemoja Afreketę! Continued blessings, SiSTAR! You are loved and appreciated for all that you do! |
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When Dandha Da Hora agreed to participate in Dancing Spirits, we knew it was going to be MAGICAL!
A wealth of information, keeper of the culture, and a devoted practitioner, this woman transforms space and energy!
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While sitting in a circle, Dandha opened her workshop with a beautiful song for Oxum-Oshun. No one in that circle needed to understand Portuguese, because we FELT those words. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. With tears steaming down my cheeks, I was in complete gratitude and grateful for the sisterhood in the room. Thank you Queen Dandha!!! So much love, honor and respect for you and all that you bring to our lives. |
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"As an educator, dancer and mother, my time during the summer is so precious to me as it is time with my family, but the sacrifice to attend proved well worth it."
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Nestled within a short drive into the woods of Northern California, The Dancing Spirits Retreat was the nature-filled, spiritual highlight of my summer. As an educator, dancer and mother, my time during the summer is so precious to me as it is time with my family, but the sacrifice to attend proved well worth it.
The weekend retreat was a much-needed time to myself while in a community of sisterhood. Those women, whose backgrounds and life experiences were different than mine, were strangers to me upon arrival but quickly became more familiar because of how space was intentionally held for us. At times, it was as much spiritual as it was rhythmic and reflective. I was compelled to go inward with our time to journal, create, meditate, laugh and relax. Days were centered around dance and song along with yoga at sunrise, mid-day massages and feminine care from healing hands, and a night among the stars. And we danced! The three dancers, Asatu Hall (Cuba), Dhanda da Hora (Brazil) and Portsha Jefferson (Haiti), each messaged truth, strength and authentic femininity in each step. They worked us out! And, I have to shout out the beautiful facility and gracious hosts who never stopped feeding us fresh, well-prepared nourishing meals and fruit straight from the trees. It was amazing how much was planned for us in a weekend. I will be back! 
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I came to this retreat last year struggling to maintain my peace in a time of great turmoil and grief in my life. I needed to feel the love of womxn centered community, to be held in ritual and ceremony, to connect to Spirit, to let go of a lot of s**t. I received ALLA THAT and so much more!!!
I left this retreat singing, praising, blessing, and thanking Spirit for placing me in this space exactly when I needed it. I left as an empowered woman, restored from the inside out. The magic and energy I received has propelled and fed me throughout the entire year (which has not been an easy one by any means), and I am so looking forward to being in this sacred space again! Dance, Ceremony, Community, Education, and Healing Bodywork; all against the beautiful backdrop of a secluded retreat center in Northern California created and run by a wonderful couple who was ready to meet all of our needs and then some. Delicious homemade food for every meal and a Social Justice centered approach to holding space for healing and spiritual WORK! This entire retreat is nothing short of a BLESSING! The Teachers and Spiritual Leaders who facilitated the dance classes and ceremonial teaching are all examples of women doing the work of preserving traditions, healing wounds, and empowering themselves and therefor empowering others as well. The women’s healing collective Nueva Luna helped me somatically move grief and resentment through my body and took their time to listen to my body as well as my soul. They helped me work things out I didn’t even know I was carrying. I am so grateful to the entire team’s dedication to their practices and their willingness to share their hard-earned knowledge with us. Looking forward to being together again, with Love. |
"Yes, We DANCED in nature!
Our Soulful Spirits will keep moving while finding peace and calmness in the storm of Life!
Thank you...Muchas gracious...Salamat po to Sister Portsha, Sister Asatu, and Sister Dandha for teaching us about Ezili Freda Dahomey, Yemaya, Osun-Oxum & Oya-Iansa as well as indigenous Haitian, Cuban, and Brazilian knowledge, practices and dance/movement/ceremony.
Thank you...Muchas gracious...Salamat po to Luna Nueva Wellness Collective Healers: Sister Holly, Sister Luanda, Sister Asatu, and Sister Sabrina for your touch of love, healing and herbs.
Thank you ALL for a wonderful journey!
I am so BLESSED to know, connect, break bread and be surrounded by a positive, thoughtful
and loving Womxn community!!!!!"
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Dancing Spirits is a Wellness Workshop Series exploring Female Lwa in Haitian Vodou
Facilitated by Portsha T. Jefferson, Artistic Director, Dancer, Choreographer and Manbo Asogwe (Priestess) Participants will have the opportunity to retreat inward, channel, write, affirm, inquire about Lwa + Vodou, sing and of course DANCE! |
"In Vodou, every dance, every song is a prayer; every word and every act
becomes a lesson... One learns everywhere and at all times." - Claudine Michel 
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Holistic Treatments, Spiritual Hygiene, Balance.
Self-Care is your right! Sacred space will be created to provide an intimate setting. Participants who are interested in honoring spiritual growth, self-care, learning and healing are encouraged to attend. Contact US! Tell us your needs and schedule a workshop today! |
WORKSHOP OFFERINGS:
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"Lanmou" - Loving YOU!
Lwa: Ezili Freda Dahomey (Divine Feminine)
Maintaining a healthy sense of self-love is essential to your well-being. Now is the time to establish an abundance of love, joy, health, happiness and wealth - from within.
"My body is a beautiful expression of my individuality." "Today I choose me." "Love is my birthright. I am a manifestation of this love. I am loving and loved by many." "I am authentic, true, and expressive." |
Materials:
Sweet Scented Perfume Pink or White Roses or Pink or White Carnations A self-love affirmation, poem, or song Fan (hand-held) Medium/Large Jar or Bottle (recycled is just fine!) with lid Pen Paper Suggested Attire: Shades of Pink, White, Gold, Skirts 
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Meditations:
our backs tell stories no books have the spine to carry women of colour - rupi kaur __________________ "You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your purpose, and do it courageously." "Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we'll ever do." "Surround yourself with people who empower you to become better." |
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Materials:
Bottle of Florida Water
Wicker Basket with Foliage/Leaves - to fill basket (type of foliage: your choice!)
Affirmation: Strength, Courage, or Empowerment
Pen
Paper
Suggested Attire: Red/Royal Blue Red/Navy
"Racine" - ROOTS: reNEWal & reBIRTH
Lwa: Manbo Ayizan (Healer)
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Out with the OLD.
Let it Go. RELEASE! Make way for the NEW... Meditations:
"You always have the opportunity to let go of something and let newness in in order to rebirth yourself" "Prosperity and abundance grow abundantly as I nurture and care for myself."
Materials:
Basil White Flowers Bottle of Florida Water Affirmation: Rebirth, Healing or Rejuvenation Pen Paper Medium/Large Jar or Bottle with Lid Suggested Attire: WHITE |
"FruitFULL Flow"
Lwa: Kouzin (The Merchant)
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Come!
Tap in and cultivate your Entrepreneurial Spirit!
Let's honor and salute Kouzin's energy
through Movement, Song & Ritual!
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Affirmations:
"I have the power to create the success and build the wealth I desire." " I am grateful for the abundance that I have and the abundance on its way." "I deserve to be paid for my skills, time and knowledge." "I give myself permission to prosper and grow." ------------------- May is officially Haitian Heritage Month! May is also the feast month for Haiti's Agriculture Spirits: KOUZEN & KOUZIN, the powerful duo of farmer and merchant who are both healers. Unbeknownst to many, Kouzin is a woman, a successful Merchant (Machann), with a keen business sense, and beastly bargaining skills. She is a business woman who ensures her survival, and that of her family. What are your manifestation rituals to achieve your "FruitFULL FLOW?" What does your Financial Freedom look like? |
