Keywords
Middle Eastern Dance, Indigenous dance, ecstatic dance, 5 rhythms, Whirling Dervishes, performance
Maria describes her journey with trance dance from her teenage years through to her present practices of facilitating workshops, performing and entertaining. Exemplifying experiences with trance as a spiritual, healing and transforming practice, reference is given to trance dance festivals and workshops and trance embracing cultures including Moroccan, Egyptian and Turkish. The challenges of marrying performance with trance is explained in connection to a special performance of the Egyptian Zaar, whereby Maria shares her preparation and approach for this event, including her post trance euphoria. (pp 10-13)