Voi Spinner

What is Ecstasia? Ecstasia is a system of trance that combines the trance techniques found in the Mediterranean over the last 2,500 years. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the rapid decline of ritual folk music and dance culture from around the Med & to breathe new life into the Mystery traditions of the classical world.

So how do you do it? Ecstasia is divided into three books (only the first book is available in print for now); each book focuses on a different aspect of trance. The books are designed to teach you how to use music and dance to achieve an altered state and all the things that trance is traditionally used for.

What kind of music do you learn to play in an Ecstasia class or workshop? The classes focus on teaching you to play the frame drum using a variety of techniques from Turkish finger snapping to Southern Italian tammorra style. We apply these rhythms to simple Mediterranean folk songs such as lullabies, vendetta chants, love songs and war time chants. We cover music from any and all Mediterranean countries.

Is Ecstasia a Religion or a Spiritual Path? Ecstasia focuses on the beauty of all religions and spiritualities native to the Mediterranean. We study Sephardic culture, early Christian chant, chants and techniques of the Sufi dervishes, veneration of saints and propitiation of the Winds, music, dance and culture from the Classical and Medieval worlds, everything. Ecstasia is a tool to help you learn and understand the trance traditions of other cultures and a streamlined way to bring these practices into your own life.

How can I get involved w/ Mediterranean trance? Start  by picking up Ecstasia I so that you can gain a solid understanding of the basics of Mediterranean trance techniques and then take a look at our Musicians and Dancers Resource page for info on how to start learning the music and dances. Remember that these are folk arts so sometimes a lot of the videos and written material may be poor quality of hard to find.

Voi is a prop created in 2006 by Dana Beaufait by combining Poi spinning with the art of dancing with a veil. Its has its own movement, style, and effect to add to a persons body line and emotion in expressing your self through dance. With one Voi you can create a simple and elegant addition to the mood of a choreography and with two you can pump up the energy and flow of your spinning.

I created Voi after taking a poi workshop in South Carolina and watching Pele element’s basic fire poi spinning DVD. I practice and learned the art of spinning fire but was unable to perform with fire as much as I wanted. I would perform with my practice poi but it just didn’t give the “wowing” effect I was looking for that the fire gave so effortlessly. Being a Belly Dancer for years before I was exposed to the art of poi spinning I had plenty of experience dancing with many different props and one of my favorites is the veil. In practice for a performance one day I stumbled across the connection between the flow of veil and poi and decided to put them together. It became a challenge in a prop that I had never encountered before, I was able to achieve the amazing effect of fire and was able to perform with my two favorite things anywhere. The possibility with this prop seem to be endless and I wanted to share it. So, I created a basic DVD and began teaching workshops to who ever wanted to learn. Still the prop continues to grow with the contributions of other great imaginations. Copyright 2006 Little Sinner Productions

Today I announce upcoming workshops with Dana Beaufait-Stevens! Dana is the lovely and amazing creator of Voi, or “veil poi”. This dramatic, intense, and beautiful prop is a combination of both classic Oriental veil and Maiori poi, two disciplines that collide to make a lovely addition to your dance repertoire, and compliments every style from Classic to Tribal Fusion and beyond!

Dana will be performing in Raqs Luminaire this year, and is excited to share her knowledge of Voi, theatrical dance, and makeup artistry. Anyone who has seen Dana perform or even taken a look at her beautiful face will know that these upcoming workshops are not to be missed. Check her out!

Workshops are posted in the Purchase Classes link to the right. Dana will be teaching Tapping into your Emotion, Stage Make-Up For Guys and Dolls, and a Tribal Single Voi Choreography, designed to get you working with a single voi in the context of learning a short choroegraphy.

Space is limited, so join us for an exciting weekend beginning with some sweet classes and ending with Raqs Luminaire!

This theater is one of the prettiest belly dance show spots I have ever seen! I can not wait to dance in this historical landmark! Just imagine some of your favorite dancers pouring there heart out for you in this nineteen twenties, nouveau riche, heirloom to the people of Virginia. It will be a great opportunity for everyone to come out support art and history! Dress up come out spend $12 and treat yourself to an old school upper class experience.

The Byrd was created for luxury and this show was created for you!