Workshop: October 24th – 26th, 2014
Location: The Swabian Jura, (Schwäbische Alb) sometimes also named Swabian Alps in English, is a low mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Instructors: Annette Ki Salmen and Gudrun Fischer
This gathering will be include a trance posture in the cave where the oldest known example of prehistoric art – a female figure known as the “Venus of Schelklingen” – was discovered.
The seminar will be held in German with an English translation. Translation and assistance is provided by Bettina Duesmann. There are no special preconditions for enrolment. Beginners will receive a short introduction in the technique.
During this weekend we plan to honor the life and work of Dr. Felicitas Goodman and to celebrate her 100th birthday. Felicitas Goodman (1914-2005) spent many years researching ancient body postures (used together with rhythmic auditory stimulation) for their ability to enhance both physical and spiritual awareness. The effectiveness of the postures was confirmed by laboratory experiments which she carried out in co-operation with several universities. Many reports of actual experiences with the postures were published, and during the 90’s Felicitas reported on her findings at a number of international congresses.
The ritual body postures developed by Felicitas make it possible to expand our consciousness and to enter a completely other reality where we can make contact with our ancestors.
During the weekend we will use several different body postures in a ritual which, together with trance-inducing rhythms, will allow us to enter realms of this other reality. The healing power experienced in the ritual can produce deep-seated physical and spiritual changes.
With our seminar in the Swabian Alps we will be following the traces of our Stone Age ancestors. Many Paleolithic artifacts have been found in the region – wonderful creatures, flutes, animal-humans – and a recent sensational discovery is the “Venus of Schelklingen” the oldest known representation of a human being. This “Earth Mother” was placed in the Hohle Fels cave some 40,000 years ago. Over the last 100 years many female figures have been found, with ages of from 20,000 to 40,000 years. When we begin our trance journey with their help, these figures connect us to the long line of our female ancestors.
We will use the body posture of the “Earth Mother” statue at the site where she was discovered: the cave “Hohle Fels”. Accordingly, this promises to be an especially intensive trance experience.
Another posture, taken from a different figure found in the Alps, is known as the “Lion-Man”. Lion man of the Hohlenstein Stadel is an ivory sculpture that is the oldest known zoomorphic (animal-shaped) sculpture in the world This dignified being leads us into the realms of power and expansion. With the help of this posture we will undertake a journey to experience our own animal nature.
We are really looking forward to a powerful seminar weekend with many participants.
If people come from far away we are happy to help with finding places to visit after the seminar. We decided to do do this on a more informal personal level. First see who might be interested and then take it from there. The weather is usually still warm during October and we have lots of places worth visiting in Germany .
We like everybody to feel invited.
We can help to design holiday days after the seminar for participants from other countries.
Please contact Ki Salmen info@dream-visions.de .
For the seminar please bring: A rattle or drum, painting and writing materials, comfortable loose clothes, sturdy footwear and warm clothing for the cave.
For the seminar house please bring: slippers, bed linen (bed linen can be also be hired).
Location: 89601 Schelklingen-Hausen, Germany (www.albgarten.de)
Cost: 170€ for early bookers, 190€ after July 1st
Accommodation/food: 140-150€, payable on-site
Registration: Annette Ki Salmen
Tel: +49-231-7225424
Email: KiSalmen@dream-visions.de
or
Gudrun Fischer
Tel: +49-7666-8839905
Email: info@gudrun-fischer.de
Arrive: 5 pm Friday 24th October
Start: 6 pm with evening meal
Ends: Sunday 26th around 1 pm with lunch
Gudrun Fisher: The rediscovery of the state of trance was a deeply moving and life changing experience, as well as meeting Felicitas Goodman and her work. I became a student of Felicitas in 1988 and received my certification of Trance Postures in February 1997.
In 1995, I went to Cuyamungue and took part in a mask dance ceremony and returned in 1999 to assist in another mask dance ceremony. In 1997 I was co-founder of the Felicitas – Goodman – Institute and have been a trainer of the Institute since 1998. During this time, I certified 24 people in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy.
Felicitas opened the door to archaeological studies of the stone age culture, specifically with the “ Venus of Galgenberg“. Also, I became very interested in megalithic cultures. Trance postures are a part of workshops and guided journeys to sacred sites I offer in Malta, Cornwall, Switzerland, France, Austria and Germany. Healing is one of my main interests particularly, healings through trance postures for sick people , not only through private practice, but also in hospitals – also accompanying dying people on their way to the other side. I also do shamanistic work like sweatlodges, Vision Quests (in Sahara) and healing rituals.
In 1989, I founded the Institute für Körper, Tanz und Trance“ where I continue to offer workshops and trainings in ritual body postures, Trance-dance, Bodywork and Massage.