Adviser, Chinese Mantic Arts Practitioner
Two fundamental conditions seem to have developed in all ancient cultures – the interplay of practical “survival techniques“ and elaborate “shamanic“ rituals. These two forces created a context for individuals and cultures to evolve. In China this interplay led to the emergence of the Mantic Arts which include medicine, astrology, divination and Feng Shui.
AnaStacia White’s life has been a journey of studying and teaching these magical, yet practical sciences. Additionally, she has embodied practices of dance, yoga and Qi Gong to more consciously navigate the sacred river of life. She has spent decades assisting people to heal and self cultivate via her Chinese medical practice and Zi Wei astrological readings. She has trained Western medical doctors and holistic health practitioners the application of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Wisdom helping to integrate more amalgamted and holistic practices in modern medical systems. AnaStacia has been studying with Banafsheh since 2018 and has began advising her and the Dance of Oneness Team since 2020. Check out her website.
Banafsheh’s Assistant
Kelebek was drawn to Dance of Oneness in December 2019. That winter, Banafsheh held a retreat in the chilly Catskills of New York, highlighting the connections between Sufi Whirling, Tibetan Buddhism and Quantum Physics. Kelebek has great curiosity for all three of these topics and so journeyed from the west coast to attend. Already a student of dharma and science, she became hooked by whirling, which she considers medicine for the body and soul.
Kelebek’s background is diverse. She studied math and computer science, but landed in a delightful career of 3D animation and visual effects — where art and math come together beautifully. Creative expression became a passion and a necessity for her. She has also studied silversmithing, creating a signature style of cuff bracelets that she custom designs for each client and forges herself. You can find more about her work and passions at www.KelebekDesigns.com.
Dance of Oneness® is the dance I had been waiting to do all my life. From a young age I had danced, read watched and followed Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, Joffery Ballet, Margie Gillis, Gabriel Roth and many more than I can name that moved in a way that spoke to me. Dance of Oneness® is the culmination of all that I had been drawn to in the other dance forms which seemed to be missing the main ingredient. Banafsheh has found the missing thread which is the opening to the Beloved, to truly give yourself in movement to the Divine energy that resides and moves through all of us from the Earth and the Heavens. I felt that for the first time in our dancing. It also reintroduced me to my own body, allowed me to accept my imperfections and for the first time in years swim naked in the ocean. All of this and more.
Janet Sawatsky
Transformative! Banafsheh skillfully takes us step by step to an experience of dance that brings me deeper into my body, to peace, feeling grounded and open to beauty and to love. Most importantly for me, the process brought me to experience a lovingness toward myself. I appreciate her presence of gentleness and fierce passion, and I’m inspired to bring my best self into my world.
Mary Regis