Dancing For World Peace
DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE RETREAT AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING
- Dances of Universal Peace
- Sufi Zikr (singing)
- Breath and Walking Meditations
- Group music making
- Rest and Rejuvenation
- New Leaders get support and feedback
Join us in co-creating nurturing, inspiring sangha, in the beauty of the Northwest.
Learn to lead the Dances, be a Dance musician, or just come to Dance and support those who are learning, and enjoy.
July 16-18, 2026
Seattle, WA
with
Dance Mentor
Elizabeth Dequine
and
Senior Dance Mentor and
Sheikha Amara Karuna
Registration Open!
Join us in Seattle!
REnew your spirit!
REnew your spirit!
REnew your spirit!
Deepen into the Dances of Universal Peace, meditation, zikr, Sufi and other spiritual practices for a sweet and renewing event.
Each practice will be fully taught, no experience is necessary. If you cannot dance, come and sing!
Sharing hearts: Enjoy the company of those inclined to a spiritual path, with deep discussion and connection
Relax: and really enjoy a moment of renewal, with time for meditation, song and interfaith prayer.
WE welcome you!
REnew your spirit!
REnew your spirit!
Guest Dance leaders are welcome! You can join in creating shared afternoon Dance sessions, where you can share new dances. We appreciate you supporting the emerging Dance leaders.
We have spaces in the early mornings for participants to lead morning practice/ yoga.
We welcome all people, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, vaccination status or socioeconomics. We strive to make this a safe and welcoming spot for all those in our community.
We are not set up to accept children at this event, so the minimum age of attendance is 14.
The Site: TBA
REnew your spirit!
We will be Dancing in central Seattle, exact site to be announced depending on how many people are participating.
We can help people from out of town find places to stay with locals.
If you want to find a place in seattle to stay, please contact Elizabeth. More details when you register.
This retreat will include a public dance meeting on Friday evening July 17th.
the program:
We have many wonderful offerings to delight you, presented by our very skilled leaders and other guest teachers including:
Dances of Universal Peace
Singing and chanting sacred, ancient phrases creates a heart opening, full body healing vibration, and when conscious movement is added it becomes a powerful spiritual practice.
All levels welcome, no previous dance experience necessary.
Dance Musicianship Training
Experienced Leaders Sharing new Dances
Leaders in training will have opportunities to practice leading Foundation Dances and give and receive feedback on technique.
We have room for 6 Dance leaders in training and several musicians. You will be sent a separate letter to prepare a foundation dance to present.
Community Service: Everyone contributes a bit of service to help camp run smoothly. This can include tidying shared spaces, etc.
Logistics and details
Logistics and details
We ask that people give an amount that is both generous and joyful.
If you are unable to contribute at bottom of the sliding scale, please contact us – we may be able to work something out!
We have a few openings for part time work trade.
Those of you who are able to pay at the higher end of the sliding scale enable us to hold this retreat in a spirit of generosity and inclusiveness. Then we can give some discounts to others.
- Full Retreat: $215-350 sliding scale for the entire event- Thursday evening, Friday and Saturday until 6 pm.
One Day Tickets are available if we have space. Preference given to full retreat participants. We have room for about 35 people.
One day and one evening Tickets will be on a waiting list and you will be notified if we have space. So no need to send payment until you are confirmed.
Part Time: (only if we have space)
- Friday day day only 9 am -4 pm: $115
- Friday evening Public Dance- Donation
- Saturday day only 9 am -4 pm: $115
These do not include meals or lodging.
More details
Logistics and details
TO APPLY: Fill out the application and send payment.
If you want part time, wait until you are confirmed to pay.
Final payment deadline is June 15th at the latest.
You can use Venmo, Credit cards or Checks. We prefer checks.
More payment info will be sent when you register.
Youth Tickets Full Retreat ages 14-18: Please attend if you want to participate in the main program, as there will not be a separate youth program. We may have some scholarship funds available, and can recommend other places to apply for scholarships such as:Ruhaniat's Next Gen Sufi's has a scholarship fund for Dance Camps - apply six weeks ahead: https://nextgensufis.org/scholarships
Refunds
Substitutions of attendees may be made at any time. Attendees must cancel by midnight, Pacific time, June 15th, 2026 to receive a full refund minus $50 cancellation fee per person.
Cancellation requests received after June 15th, 2026 and before July 1st, will be refunded half of the fee, unless we can fill your spot. In which case you will get all but $50 back.
Cancellation requests received after July 1st, 2026 or failure to appear for the event will result in forfeiture of the entire fee, unless we can fill your spot. In which case you will get all but $50 back.
Stay offsite
Stay in your own home and commute.
An offsite option of a private room in a nearby vacation rental is also a possibility.
Leave at Home: Alcohol or recreational drugs, valuables of any sort, pets of any make or size unless they are service animals.
travel and weather
Airport Pickups:
Expect to get an Uber or Taxi.
We will help with carpooling as well.
Weather: Typically changeable. Expect hot to cold and wet to dry. Mostly wet.
Participatory Music: All music-making is encouraged & greatly appreciated. Bring your instruments, voices, and talents. Be the live music & let's celebrate you!
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We will be taking steps to insure all of our health safety, including:
*Avoiding anyone who is sick
*The best prevention is to take care of our health beforehand.
*If you have any symptoms of illness, please do not come to the event.
Sheikha Amara Karuna
Amara has been leading the Dances of Universal Peace since 1985 and is a Senior Dance Leader, and has been involved in mentoring new Dance leaders.
She has been on teaching staff for five NW Sufi Camps has led many weekend retreats, zikrs and rituals which included the Dances.
She served as Secretary, and then President, on the Core of the International Council for the Dances of Universal Peace, working as a volunteer to oversee the organization for several years.
She specializes in Dances from the Goddess and Earth traditions, and leads with lively humor and devotion. She is a Sheikha in the SRI lineage of Sufism.
Elizabeth Dequine
Discover Inner Peace with Dance and Sufi Retreats
Elizabeth Dequine is a very experienced dance leader and mentor of Dances of Universal Peace. She has lead dance leader training and retreats in Guatemala, México and the United States. Her leading style is joyful and the heart. Her greatest joy is mentoring new leaders.
