Autumn Equinox Movement Medicine & Cacao Ceremony - LONDON

A warm invitation to join our ceremonial dance journey as we gather to welcome in the powerful time of the Autumn Equinox. 

When we consciously tune into the cycles of nature - like our ancestors through the ages did with rituals to honour the changes in the seasons - our relationship to our own inner cycles begin to deepen. Autumn is a time of reflection where we recognise the blessings of the summer months and give gratitude for what we have. As we look within - we can take a step in shedding what no longer serves. The invitation is to dance deeply and open ourselves to the wisdom of the wild and the whispers from deep within. As we anchor ourselves into the strength of our beating hearts, we can empower our dreams through the potent creativity and the medicine of our movement. Together in community, connecting to the balancing energies of the time and dedicating our dancing prayer for all our relations - past, present and future.

To celebrate this special time of year, we will work with the beautiful heart opening medicine of Cacao. Cacao has been used through the ages as a health elixir and ceremonial medicine by our Central American ancestors to heal the mental, physical and spiritual body. We will set our intentions and enjoy a beautifully prepared cup of ceremonial cacao - sourced from ancient Cacao gardens in Peru.

A beautiful bright and spacious  dance studio with a lovely ambience will be our home for the afternoon. Hope you feel the call to join us in ceremony and celebrate this special time of the year.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

“Excellent- deeply moving and a true invitation and support to dive deep.” - Ben

“An incredibly beautiful and masterfully held ceremony.” - Anonymous

“Beautiful, transformative – expertly and sensitively held by Mira. High quality on every level – a safe, expansive, empowering and healing space. SO grateful.” - Lydia

“Mira’s solstice dance was quite simply the most fabulous conscious dance I have ever been to. Healing, nurturing, expansive and exhilarating. Would recommend to everyone, from relative novices (like myself) to experienced alike. Just awesome. Thank you.” - John

“I loved every mesmerising second… tears, laughter, joy and total respect… keep spreading your art!” - Katie

EVENT TIMINGS

• Saturday 17 September 2022
• Doors open: 12:30pm
• Arrival & Smudging: 12:30 -12:55pm
• Doors close: 12:55pm
• Movement Medicine & Cacao Ceremony: 1-5pm

Following the ceremony we will start a series of Movement Medicine journeys called The A L C H E M Y Sessions which will take us to our Winter Solstice Ceremony in case you feel to join.

BOOKING // CANCELLATION POICY // PAYING IT FORWARD

• Limited spaces so booking early is recommended.
• If you feel a strong call to join and cannot afford the lowest option - please get in touch so we can find a way for you to join. Email mirakhanya@gmail.com.
• If you consider yourself to be a high earner - paying a supporter fee/ making a donation helps to subsidise lower income or further reduced places.
• Tickets are not refundable, but transferable to another person - please email details of name change to mirakhanya@gmail.com and organise finances between yourselves at least 24 hours before the ceremony. You can also check with me if there is a waiting list or get in touch if you need to discuss.
• To give thanks, a percentage of the profit will be donated to our dear medicine music brother Kailash Kokopelli in support of his new album. His music nourishes the heart and soul of many and it's an honour to offer back with deep gratitude. This will be part of my fundraising for the Summer Long Dance 2023.
• You will receive an IMPORTANT CONFIRMATION EMAIL upon booking with all the relevant information for our ceremony - please do read!

YOUR FACILITATOR // MOVEMENT MEDICINE

Mira Khanya has a deeply rooted and embodied understanding of the transformative and healing power of movement. Creativity and commitment to her own inner-work and wholeness have always been central in her life. From an early age she explored visual and performing arts which led her to a BA (Hons) Drama degree, focusing on Physical Theatre. She expanded her experience of embodied transformation through practices such as Meditation, Shamanic journeys, Yoga, 5Rhythms, Butoh, Embodied Listening and Contact Improvisation. Mira’s calling to support healthy self-expression inspired her to develop a unique creative approach to working with individuals on the autistic spectrum. Dance had her heart though, and movement is her medicine. An in-depth Apprenticeship, Professional Training and Continuous Professional Development advance training programme with Ya’Acov and Susannah Darling Khan - founders of the School of Movement Medicine - followed.

Movement Medicine integrates ancient wisdom and modern understanding of how change happens. It directs our awareness to our movement, thoughts and feelings - opening the way to deep internal reflection. Through the dance we are invited on a journey of personal empowerment, relationship with community and connection with the creative life force within and around us.

Today the rich tapestry of Mira’s experience as a dancer, therapist and artist is woven into her work. She offers beautifully crafted immersive and transformative dance meditations - activating the embodied imagination through a weaving of words, tribal rhythms, ethno electronica, medicine songs and sacred sounds.

GUIDELINES

• This is an alcohol, drug and substance free space.
• Please turn off your mobile phone/ put it on airplane mode.
• No chatting in the space while the music is playing please - if you need to communicate something please whisper.
• Please be responsible for your own body & its wellbeing. Adapt your dance according to any injuries & physical limitations you may have & stay aware of others and your surroundings.
• Please keep your body clothed throughout the dance. We dance barefoot. If you need to wear shoes because of an injury then please wear indoor shoes.
• Please read the cacao contraindications below - and take action accordingly.

MINDFULNESS IN DRINKING CACAO

• Please be aware of the following when drinking ceremonial cacao:
• Our beautiful blend contains date syrup, tahini (sesame seeds) and spices. If you cannot have any of these or have a NUT ALLERGY please get in touch no later than 24 hours prior to the event - mirakhanya@gmail.com
• Arrive hydrated - drink lots of water before - and avoid caffeine or other stimulants on the day and alcohol the night before. Eat something light a few hours before the ceremony (plant based is great) and then we suggest you refrain from eating so that the cacao can be easily absorbed.
• As cacao is a stimulant, you may want to start with less and then gradually increase to find the balance that works for you. After your first sip of cacao, you may want to wait about 30 mins before drinking water, so the cacao has time to land in the body. Cacao is great for detoxing, so drink plenty of water afterwards.
• Important to note that certain medications, such as some SSRI and MAO inhibitor antidepressants, do not mix well with cacao due to the tyramine in chocolate. Check your medications.
• If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, please be aware that the active ingredient theobromine increases heart rate and lowers blood pressure.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women - please be aware of the stimulating effect of cacao.
• Our movement is the medicine - so even if you choose not to imbibe the cacao or have a micro dose or enjoy some spring water instead, we are all held in the strong container of our dance together.

We look forward to welcome you!

Warmest wishes, 

Mira & the lovely team

IG & FB @movementmedicinewithmira

www.movementmedicinewithmira.com