Omar Aena
Connecting Hearts Through Sacred Music, Movement and Meditation
“The Beloved’s song rises in the heart,
A music of pure joy,
A whisper of the divine,
That calls the soul to dance.”
- Hafiz
Greetings friend,
I'm Omar Aena — a New Yorker with Iraqi roots, a Sufi heart, and a lifelong obsession with bringing people together.
Everything I do begins in the same place: a practice of turning toward the Beloved. From that turning, everything else grows — the music I create, the gatherings I host, the films I make, the communities I cultivate. It's not a career so much as a way of being that keeps finding new forms.
I lead sacred music and dance pilgrimages around the world, produce conscious ecstatic dance festivals in the US, and anchor the Sufi whirling tradition through Sema Collective in the Northeast.
As a musician, I blend electronic composition with live oud instrumentation, collaborating with other artists to create a sound that carries the Sufi spirit into the body — made for movement.
For those interested in diving deeper into Sufism, I offer Heart Space — a Sufi meditation community rooted in the art of turning toward the heart. We gather monthly, and you can begin a 28-day journey through recordings anytime.
I'm based in the Hudson Valley, rooted in New York City, and always in motion. If something here speaks to you, you're probably in the right place.
Current Projects
Founder, Curator, Producer
LILA is a doorway into the heart of spiritual and artistic traditions worldwide. Through engaging documentaries, immersive international trips and local events, we explore the deep connections between music, dance, and spiritual practice. Our vision is to celebrate and share the beauty of these traditions, while making them accessible to a wide audience for a richer, more inclusive experience.
Founder + Lead Producer
Dance Beyond is a vibrant NYC-based community with a global presence. We bring Ecstatic Dancers from around the world together for transformative experiences, including festivals, retreats, local events, and online trainings. Our gatherings are a celebration of movement, connection, and joy.
Co-Founder & Facilitator
Sema Collective is a community dedicated to the living practice of Sema — the whirling meditation rooted in Rumi's Sufi path. Through monthly gatherings in Brooklyn, Philadelphia & the Hudson Valley, extended ceremonies, and an annual 24-hour Sema, we hold space for devotional music, poetry, and the turning that opens the heart.
Founder & Facilitator
Heart Space is a guided meditation journey rooted in the Sufi practice of Murāqaba — turning toward the heart and resting in the awareness of the Divine. Through monthly gatherings & also 28 recorded sessions, this self-paced experience invites you into a daily practice of remembrance, presence, and inner stillness. Open to all, no prior experience needed.
Music
My music begins in the body and moves toward something beyond it. As a DJ, I blend traditional songs from around the world with electronic sounds that move the body and open the heart. As a producer and oud player, I draw from Middle Eastern and Sufi traditions to create original music that carries moves the body and awakens the spirit.
With my duo Nur ala Nur ("Light Upon Light"), I collaborate with multi-instrumentalist Abu Zeyn to bring two ancient civilizations — Mesopotamia and the Nile Valley — into fully improvised, live electronic expression.
Listen to Mixes Here
Ways to Collaborate
Book Me As A DJ
Elevate your event by inviting me to play a musical journey that weaves together a tapestry from around the world. I'll craft a sonic atmosphere that will infuse the space with connection and joy, guiding your community through a soulful exploration of ecstatic beats and melodies.
Facilitate Sema Sufi Whirling
Invite me to facilitate a Sufi Whirling experience at your event, festival or other conscious gathering. I can teach the basics of the whirling dance meditation, hold space for sacred Sufi chanting and facilitate the overall ceremony.
Conscious DJ Classes
Learn to be an Ecstatic Dance DJ and bring dancers on a transformative, embodied journey. From DJ mixing essentials to finding your unique sound and reading the dance floor, I can train you to create transformative dance experiences with confidence and skill.
Leadership Coaching
Drawing from over a decade of experience building heart-centered communities and producing 1,000+ conscious gatherings, I support aspiring leaders, community organizers, and facilitators in creating sustainable and impactful offerings. Gain essential skills in event logistics, heartfelt marketing strategies, vision refinement, and financial sustainability.
Connect
Interested in working together or want to just connect and say hi? Fill out some info and let’s get in touch!