Leyla and Yunus Demir

Sacred dance & movement · Voice · Drumming

Kaş, Antalya, Turkey · In person · Group sessions · Retreats

Languages: Turkish · English

About the practice

We lead small-group study in Sufi devotional movement, listening, and song on Turkey’s southern coast. Leyla Demir guides the physical preparation for turning, steady pacing, and spatial awareness. Yunus Demir guides the musical practice and accompanies sessions on ney flute. Students work slowly, pause often, and learn within their own balance and comfort. Our work draws on sustained study with teachers in Turkey and years of facilitating community movement and music gatherings. Sessions include cultural and historical context, with live tanbur lute and bendir frame drum joining the ney for selected gatherings.

Training, credentials and recognition

Leyla Demir: Sufi devotional movement study — ongoing since 2014 Yunus Demir: Ney and devotional music study — ongoing since 2012 Community movement and music facilitators — since 2019

Provided by the practitioner; not verified by SoundJourney.com.

TEACHING & PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Learn with Leyla and Yunus Demir

Leyla Demir teaches the physical foundations of turning and devotional movement. Yunus Demir teaches ney, frame-drum rhythm, and the musical setting of the practice.

Teaching: Small-group classes · Courses · Mentoring

Experience levels: Starting out · Developing skills

Available: In person

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Photos, videos & sound

Browse the photo album, watch videos, or listen to sound samples.

Photo album

A devotional movement gathering in the mountains of Turkey overlooking the Mediterranean, accompanied by live musicians on ney flute, tanbur lute, and bendir frame drum

Preparing quietly together while the musicians tune ney flute, tanbur lute, and bendir frame drum

The group settles into a listening circle before the movement practice begins

Yunus Demir and the musicians accompany a quiet evening listening session

Leyla Demir guides slow devotional movement in a mountain clearing above the Mediterranean

Tea and quiet conversation after the closing circle

Upcoming events

Leyla and Yunus Demir

Sample of Enhanced level

Retreat · In person

Devotional movement above the Mediterranean

May 12, 2027 – May 15, 2027

Kaş, Antalya, Turkey

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Four days of devotional movement, quiet listening, and shared evening music in the mountains above the Mediterranean. Leyla Demir leads the movement practice, and Yunus Demir guides the musical setting. Live musicians accompany selected sessions on ney flute, tanbur lute, and bendir frame drum.

EUR 520

With: Leyla and Yunus Demir, Kemal Aydın, Selin Kaya

Explore the complete retreat