Are your evenings feeling a little lacklustre? Now we’re back to nocturnal living, our instinct is to scurry from the warmth of the office to the sanctuary of our homes.  While our lives increasingly revolve around the sofa, revolutions of another kind are taking place in Baron’s Park where the dizzying dance of the whirling dervishes is reaching new, giddy heights.  Keen to shake off the stress of the working week, I head down to the Study Society to learn more.

Dervish dance lessons

The turning motion is strangely soothing and the stresses of the day soon ebb away as nagging, negative thoughts are swept aside in an effort to avoid collisions with fellow woozy whirlers. Gradually, I get into the swing of it and find myself suddenly sailing in a sea of swirling skirts.

The turning motion is strangely soothing and the stresses of the day soon ebb away as nagging, negative thoughts are swept aside in an effort to avoid collisions with fellow woozy whirlers. Gradually, I get into the swing of it and find myself suddenly sailing in a sea of swirling skirts.

Dating back to the 13th century, the dance reflects the unconscious rotations which govern our daily life, from the blood circulating round our body to the world spinning on its axis. Providing a fantastic feeling of freedom, turning is designed to bring a closer connection to the inner self and to God.  It’s also a great way to keep fit and relieve stress.

Teaching dervish dancing since 1963, the Study Society claim that anyone can learn to slow turn in one evening. As a motion sickness sufferer, I took on the challenge with some trepidation, arming myself with seasick tablets before joining the dervishes for a whirlwind lesson.

Gingerly setting off  in a counter-clockwise direction, (mimicking the rotation of blood),  we’re instructed to put the weight on our left foot while using the right one to pivot, with hands crossed over our chest and eyes fixed to the left.  It takes a surprising amount of concentration to maintain even a slow momentum and an atmosphere of quiet absorption descends.

Whirling dervishes at the Study Society

Entranced by the elegant weaving and spinning around me, I daringly pick up the pace in time with the music.  Moments later, my head starts to spin and a wave of stomach-clenching queasiness takes hold.  As I learn to my cost, the faster you spin, the less control you have.

To be able to effortlessly spin at speed requires the ability to find a still point within yourself and stay grounded to that point while remaining aware of the music, the movement and the people around you.  A tricky task which requires intensive practice and a steely determination.

Careering to a halt, I stare in new-found awe at the effortless control displayed by my spinning counterparts who possess an inner stillness that would serve us all well when caught up in the frenetic pace of the corporate world.

What new activities have you tried this year which help you switch off from work?

Turning classes take place on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month (except August)  (classes last for approximately 30 minutes, a £1.00 donation is requested)

Guest ceremonies take place on the first Friday of each month (except August)

For more information visit: www.studysociety.org