Sound Event Info
|
|
What sounds do you typically use during events?
A bunch! You can listen to some on the Sound Clips page.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable clothing, a yoga mat to meditate or lie down on, a blanket, water, and an eye mask to block out light if preferred.
How do your Sound Journeys compare to Sound Baths or Sound Healings?
My take on Sound healing in the form of Ceremony is unique. I gained great insight from spiritually impactful personal experiences with sound, intuitive guidance, and suggestions from others in sound healing sessions. I am a certified Reiki Master with experience in removing energetic blocks. My background as a former Licensed Massage Therapist has led me to believe that transforming the room into a safe container is a critically important part of each session. Being in a safe space is what allows our bodies to deeply relax--similarly, in massage, our muscles can either melt with gentle touch, or, tense up (guarding) under too much pressure.
Overview:
What are your qualifications?
I attended Master Level Sound Medicine Training in 8/2024 with Rich Goodhart at Omega Institute. I was formerly a CT Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), NASM Personal Trainer (CPT) & Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS), and Group Fitness Coach for several gyms. I am currently a Reiki Master and Certified Yoga Teacher (RYT-200).
After years of suffering from chronic pain, depression, and fatigue, I decided to attend Chronic Pain Support Group Leader Training in September 2019 through the U.S. Pain Foundation. My experience as a group facilitator for over 5 years has given me hours of practice holding space for people of many ages, races, and backgrounds. I have had the pleasure of facilitating dozens of powerful group discussions about pain which taught me that my notions of separateness and fear of judgment are simply illusions.
I listed my ventures and acronyms above to explain where I have directed my energy throughout my own healing journey! Self-healing has been the primary focus of my life over the last decade. I started off trying to find a cure for my increasing physical pain, which in turn lead me to explore my emotional and spiritual pain. I have grown in unexpected ways, such as incorporating shamanic practices into my routine like smudging with Palo Santo (my favorite!), listening to Spirit, and following up on intuitive hits.
Are you a shaman?
No, and we should be extremely wary of anyone claiming to be a shaman! Those claiming to be a "shaman" are acting from a place of ego rather than selflessness and unconditional love. One cannot choose to become a shaman like other professions; shamans are chosen by Spirit to serve a specific role in their community. The souls chosen by Spirit may not be aware that they have been chosen without proper guidance, can reject the role, become prey to their own ego when the powers granted by spirit begin to manifest, or die during the initiation process.
I often see the term "shaman" used as a spiritual buzz word, a way to add to a practitioner's credentials and attempt to gain the trust of their audience. Shamans must be initiated by Spirit, or, an existing shaman in their community through a daunting training starting at a young age. Initiates may be faced with a near-death experience, survive a severe illness, or even be hit by lightning as a child to indicate that they have been chosen! There are seven key stages to shamanic initiation (aka the Hero's Journey). The stages are: the Call, Separation, Descent (aka Dark night of the Soul), Transformation, Return, Integration, and finally, Mastery. This process may take a decade or longer to complete.
A shaman in modern context is far different than the traditional usage but this term must be used with reverence. Shamans were responsible for guiding their community toward spiritual growth through selflessness, wisdom, intuition, and individual skill to connect with the spirit world to bring this energy into our physical world. I think lightworker is a more accurate label to describe practitioners who have dedicated their lives to serving others and leading from their heart instead of their ego.
What are your favorite sound tools?
I love to produce gentle rhythmic vibrations using light palm techniques on my first African Djembe from Ghana. Simple, repetitive beats give the brain something to focus on externally which turns off the mind's dialogue. This allows participants to quickly melt into a meditative state. I also LOVE my chakapa reed shaker! It makes the coolest "swooshing" sounds that remind me of the wind moving through tree branches. My wave drum and maraca are awesome as well--I can't pick a favorite.
How does sound affect our physical bodies?
Physics explains how vibrating fields of energy can be therapeutic. The Law of Entrainment states that oscillating bodies have a tendency to synchronize and then vibrate together in harmony as if they were ONE! My goal is to slowly raise the collective vibration of the room through the Law of Entrainment and then sustain that vibration throughout ceremony. The vibration of sound waves can help bring the body's organ systems back into harmony. Sound waves carry the innate potential to balance our entire bodies in ways that other modalities cannot.
Can sound cure illnesses and disease?
There is no scientific evidence to support sound's ability to cure illnesses or disease. However, sonic waves are used in many medical settings. For example, there are piezoelectric shockwave therapy guns that can precisely break apart kidney stones, pneumatic shockwave (concussive sonic wave) devices PTs use to break up fascial adhesions, and much more out there. I can personally testify that attending drum circles or sound healing events reduces chronic pain I have experienced for over 12 years. Sound is not a cure-all but it does not have nasty side effects like medications or painkillers.
A bunch! You can listen to some on the Sound Clips page.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable clothing, a yoga mat to meditate or lie down on, a blanket, water, and an eye mask to block out light if preferred.
How do your Sound Journeys compare to Sound Baths or Sound Healings?
My take on Sound healing in the form of Ceremony is unique. I gained great insight from spiritually impactful personal experiences with sound, intuitive guidance, and suggestions from others in sound healing sessions. I am a certified Reiki Master with experience in removing energetic blocks. My background as a former Licensed Massage Therapist has led me to believe that transforming the room into a safe container is a critically important part of each session. Being in a safe space is what allows our bodies to deeply relax--similarly, in massage, our muscles can either melt with gentle touch, or, tense up (guarding) under too much pressure.
Overview:
- Optional: Palo Santo smudging.
- Participants are encouraged to set an intention for event.
- Brief introduction. Ceremony begins and ends with tingsha bells chiming three times.
- Instruments typically used: crystal and/or metal singing bowls, shakers (maraca, chakapa, cacho seed), wave and frame drum, and vocal tones.
- Energy clearing usually involves a chakapa (Peruvian shaker made of bundled leaves) or maraca.
What are your qualifications?
I attended Master Level Sound Medicine Training in 8/2024 with Rich Goodhart at Omega Institute. I was formerly a CT Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), NASM Personal Trainer (CPT) & Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS), and Group Fitness Coach for several gyms. I am currently a Reiki Master and Certified Yoga Teacher (RYT-200).
After years of suffering from chronic pain, depression, and fatigue, I decided to attend Chronic Pain Support Group Leader Training in September 2019 through the U.S. Pain Foundation. My experience as a group facilitator for over 5 years has given me hours of practice holding space for people of many ages, races, and backgrounds. I have had the pleasure of facilitating dozens of powerful group discussions about pain which taught me that my notions of separateness and fear of judgment are simply illusions.
I listed my ventures and acronyms above to explain where I have directed my energy throughout my own healing journey! Self-healing has been the primary focus of my life over the last decade. I started off trying to find a cure for my increasing physical pain, which in turn lead me to explore my emotional and spiritual pain. I have grown in unexpected ways, such as incorporating shamanic practices into my routine like smudging with Palo Santo (my favorite!), listening to Spirit, and following up on intuitive hits.
Are you a shaman?
No, and we should be extremely wary of anyone claiming to be a shaman! Those claiming to be a "shaman" are acting from a place of ego rather than selflessness and unconditional love. One cannot choose to become a shaman like other professions; shamans are chosen by Spirit to serve a specific role in their community. The souls chosen by Spirit may not be aware that they have been chosen without proper guidance, can reject the role, become prey to their own ego when the powers granted by spirit begin to manifest, or die during the initiation process.
I often see the term "shaman" used as a spiritual buzz word, a way to add to a practitioner's credentials and attempt to gain the trust of their audience. Shamans must be initiated by Spirit, or, an existing shaman in their community through a daunting training starting at a young age. Initiates may be faced with a near-death experience, survive a severe illness, or even be hit by lightning as a child to indicate that they have been chosen! There are seven key stages to shamanic initiation (aka the Hero's Journey). The stages are: the Call, Separation, Descent (aka Dark night of the Soul), Transformation, Return, Integration, and finally, Mastery. This process may take a decade or longer to complete.
A shaman in modern context is far different than the traditional usage but this term must be used with reverence. Shamans were responsible for guiding their community toward spiritual growth through selflessness, wisdom, intuition, and individual skill to connect with the spirit world to bring this energy into our physical world. I think lightworker is a more accurate label to describe practitioners who have dedicated their lives to serving others and leading from their heart instead of their ego.
What are your favorite sound tools?
I love to produce gentle rhythmic vibrations using light palm techniques on my first African Djembe from Ghana. Simple, repetitive beats give the brain something to focus on externally which turns off the mind's dialogue. This allows participants to quickly melt into a meditative state. I also LOVE my chakapa reed shaker! It makes the coolest "swooshing" sounds that remind me of the wind moving through tree branches. My wave drum and maraca are awesome as well--I can't pick a favorite.
How does sound affect our physical bodies?
Physics explains how vibrating fields of energy can be therapeutic. The Law of Entrainment states that oscillating bodies have a tendency to synchronize and then vibrate together in harmony as if they were ONE! My goal is to slowly raise the collective vibration of the room through the Law of Entrainment and then sustain that vibration throughout ceremony. The vibration of sound waves can help bring the body's organ systems back into harmony. Sound waves carry the innate potential to balance our entire bodies in ways that other modalities cannot.
Can sound cure illnesses and disease?
There is no scientific evidence to support sound's ability to cure illnesses or disease. However, sonic waves are used in many medical settings. For example, there are piezoelectric shockwave therapy guns that can precisely break apart kidney stones, pneumatic shockwave (concussive sonic wave) devices PTs use to break up fascial adhesions, and much more out there. I can personally testify that attending drum circles or sound healing events reduces chronic pain I have experienced for over 12 years. Sound is not a cure-all but it does not have nasty side effects like medications or painkillers.
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.
-Bob Marley