I remember the first time I heard a gong played in yoga class. It initiated me on a journey into sound as medicine, but on that first day my mind was carried on the sound waves into a therapeutic dreamlike state. I felt so relieved of my worries, and stresses, as if I had actually drifted on the ocean for a day or two without a care in the world. Later, when I heard my first crystal singing bowl, I actually started crying like a fissure had opened on my darkness, as the famous singer Leonard Cohen sang, 'that's how the light gets in', and poured a healing light on my soul.

(photo of Summer Soundbath at McGroarty Arts Center)

I knew this was a powerful modality, for my life and for my healing. Years later, training later, practice later, and I am now playing and singing for others in soundbaths, or as I like to think of them Sound Ceremonies. There is more and more emerging science about how sound impacts the body, and the mind. I am always interested in helping my monkey mind achieve some peace. as an over-achiever and tending to anxiety kind of a person, tools for the mind are what I personally need most from sound. My yoga and Pilates practice help me enormously, it can't be overstated, and yet I still need the sound medicine for my monkey mind.

(photo of Yin Yoga and Soundbath at the Bloom Loft in Toluca Lake)

I have heard all kinds of stories from people after soundbaths. Some people say that they have seen their grandparents, or places from their childhood. Others see the cosmos, and others find spirit guides. Still others simply find a deep sense of peace. What they all have in common is a profound experience, a delivery of sorts from the mundane to the sublime, that transports us to a place of transformation, integration and wellness. I have played at yoga studios, crystals stores, graduation parties, staff appreciation, retreats, and ersonal healing sessions (I have an upcoming baby shower!). Each session is different and unique and creates a resonate field, where the brain and body connect, via the sound waves. The sound waves penetrate the body, the tissues and create a more relaxed state, and the brain percieves the sound waves and will entrain to the sound waves. The brainwave in near sleep is theta, and in deep sleep is a delta wave.

(Photo at Mantra House, water element soundbath and yoga).

In a soundbath the brainwaves actually do slow down to the theta wave speed, mimicking what happens just before you fall asleep. Deep peace, deep relaxation. So many of us are running fast paced, lives, with endless to-do lists, focused on performance, and accomplishments, forgetting that life is meant to be lived! I invite you to experience the medicine of sound, deeply and profoundly. Allow yourself a moment of respite, recovery, and rest. I am playing this month at Satara Wellness in Burbank and it will be a lovely event where we will finish with a tea ceremony. Please join me September 22nd, from 7pm-8:15pm, register at www.satarawellness.com .

Please know that I am available to book for private sound healing, which can be at a private residence, or at the yoga studio The Bloom Loft at certain hours (I have a few other locations in La Crescenta, and Burbank). In a private session you will be bathed in sound - close up, and have the instruments near to the body and if desired some can be placed on the body for direct vibrational healing. My sound healing services are available for private events like parties, retreats, and house clearings.

Blessings,

Swan

Swan Movement Arts

Keeping you healthy and moving for a lifetime

PS I'd love to hear from you! Drop me a note anytime