“Tradition is not a place to stay. It is a place to begin. Whirling is not about repeating the past, but awakening the present.”
— Ziya Azazi
For more than twenty-five years, Ziya Azazi has been exploring whirling as a contemporary practice for body, mind, and spirit. In Dervish in Progress, whirling is not approached as a religious ritual or a performance technique alone, but as a practical tool for developing awareness, balance, resilience, and presence in everyday life.
Whirling Beyond Myth invites participants to experience whirling beyond its historical and cultural image. Through movement, breathing, awareness exercises, improvisation, and contemporary whirling practice, participants gradually discover more efficient ways of moving, using less energy while expanding physical, emotional, and mental awareness.
“Science is self-questioning, and we can perform experiments and observations to test our ideas.”
— Carl Sagan
This intensive weekend offers time to slow down, challenge personal limits, and reconnect with oneself. It combines scientific understanding of balance and perception with the artistic and transformative potential of movement, creating a space where participants can experience greater openness, clarity, and freedom.
The workshop welcomes both newcomers and experienced practitioners. Beginners should participate from Friday onwards, as the first evening establishes the essential foundations for the entire weekend. Participants who have previously attended Dervish in Progress workshops and already know the basic principles may join on Saturday and Sunday only.
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there.”
— Rumi
SCHEDULE
Friday, 18 September 2026 19:00–22:00
Saturday, 19 September 2026 12:00–18:00
Sunday, 20 September 2026 10:00–16:00
LOCATION
TQW Studios
Tanzquartier Wien
FEES
Full Weekend (Fri–Sun): €290
(Beginners & experienced)
Weekend Only (Sat–Sun): €240
(Experienced DIP participants only)
DIP Family: €220
(10+ workshops • Fri–Sun or Sat–Sun)
DIP Family – One Day: €150
(Advanced DIP Family only)
WORKSHOP LANGUAGE
English (German if all participants prefer.)