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Way of the Heartsong ~ An 8 Week Journey in Singing as Spiritual Practice, Vocal Freedom, and Authentic Expression
Way of the Heartsong ~ An 8 Week Journey in Singing as Spiritual Practice, Vocal Freedom, and Authentic Expression
8 Wednesdays | August 12, 19, 26; September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | The Heartsong Shala ~ 2822 Frankfort Ave (on the second floor of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church)
Way of the Heartsong is a journey in singing that is open to all voices, regardless of any singing experience or perceived singing “ability.” This is a course in vocal liberation, challenging the narratives we have been told about who is "worthy" to sing and who is not. Think of this journey as a reclamation and remembering of song and the voice as inherent, fundamental aspects of our humanity, of which every human is entitled to and deserving.
The benefits of singing, both alone and in community, are incredibly far-reaching and impressive across multiple areas of health research. Singing reduces cortisol, boosts mood via endorphins and dopamine release, reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, and increases feelings of social bonding through oxytocin release. Singing stimulates the vagus nerve, helping increase nervous system flexibility and lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Singing boosts immunity, supports neuroplasticity, and reduces feelings of loneliness.
All of these benefits are strongest with regular singing practice within a group. Way of the Heartsong does just that, while incorporating many other unique practices not commonly found in other singing groups. In Heartsong, we not only sing healing songs and chants as a group, but we also engage in meditative and somatic singing practices that allow for the cultivation of vocal freedom, expression, embodied singing, and the voice as a medium for prayer, connection, and deep intention.
It is my mission as a guide to help individuals reclaim singing as their birthright, as it is an incredibly powerful modality for healing, ritual, expression, community building, connection to self and others, holistic health, and spiritual practice.
This is a course that is my own creation, blending my many years of experience as a professional devotional singer/musician, music educator, and yoga and meditation guide. This will be the fourth cohort of this offering, and I am offering it again because I have seen the transformative power of this work.
I have five guiding principles that I use when planning the material for this course that I call the Five Pillars of Way of the Heartsong, which are as follows:
*Love - enjoy, have fun, assume wholeness, embrace ourselves and our voices just as we are
*Listen - deep listening internally to body/heart/mind, in quietude; deep listening to and cultivating loving intimacy with our own voice, our bodies, and deeply listening to the environmental context, musical and otherwise, within which our voice arises
*Explore - engage in a variety of meditative, movement oriented, and vocally oriented exercises in order to explore and observe our own unique voices, the ways in which we make different sounds, and the ways in which the vast landscape of our physical/mental/emotional/spiritual selves are a part of that voice
*Empower - strengthen our voices through reflection, practice, exercises, observation, and education
*Embody the Voice that is Yours - connect physical movement and singing as an embodiment practice, exploring singing “from the gut” and “from the heart,” cultivate confidence in authentic expression and a deep embrace of your own voice
The Five Pillars are explored within a container of community and deep intention, cultivating connection to spirit, to ourselves, and to each other. There is deep care in creating an inclusive, safe, and loving container where all voices are welcome just as they are.
More specific descriptions of certain practices we engage in are:
~practice opening and freeing the voice through a variety of exercises, including (but not limited to) breathwork, meditation, vocal improvisation, vocal play, movement, and non-performative vocal expression
~learn basic vocal technique to help strengthen range and allow for more confidence, ease, and resonance while singing
~learn and sing together a variety of heart-centered and devotional songs and chants, both in english and sanskrit
~strengthen ear training and explore harmonization
~allow for opportunities to share the voice solo for those interested (this is optional and has been reported to be a very powerful part of the experience)
~practice intuitive vocal toning and vocal improvisation with the use of harmonium, crystal bowls, drums, and other instruments
~guided group reflection and integration
The self-investment for these 8 sessions is offered by sliding scale:
Supported ~ $244
Standard ~ $288
Sustaining ~ $322
Space is limited to 16 participants.
Way of the Heartsong ~ An 8 Week Journey in Singing as Spiritual Practice, Vocal Freedom, and Authentic Expression
8 Wednesdays | August 12, 19, 26; September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | The Heartsong Shala ~ 2822 Frankfort Ave (on the second floor of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church)
Way of the Heartsong is a journey in singing that is open to all voices, regardless of any singing experience or perceived singing “ability.” This is a course in vocal liberation, challenging the narratives we have been told about who is "worthy" to sing and who is not. Think of this journey as a reclamation and remembering of song and the voice as inherent, fundamental aspects of our humanity, of which every human is entitled to and deserving.
The benefits of singing, both alone and in community, are incredibly far-reaching and impressive across multiple areas of health research. Singing reduces cortisol, boosts mood via endorphins and dopamine release, reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, and increases feelings of social bonding through oxytocin release. Singing stimulates the vagus nerve, helping increase nervous system flexibility and lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Singing boosts immunity, supports neuroplasticity, and reduces feelings of loneliness.
All of these benefits are strongest with regular singing practice within a group. Way of the Heartsong does just that, while incorporating many other unique practices not commonly found in other singing groups. In Heartsong, we not only sing healing songs and chants as a group, but we also engage in meditative and somatic singing practices that allow for the cultivation of vocal freedom, expression, embodied singing, and the voice as a medium for prayer, connection, and deep intention.
It is my mission as a guide to help individuals reclaim singing as their birthright, as it is an incredibly powerful modality for healing, ritual, expression, community building, connection to self and others, holistic health, and spiritual practice.
This is a course that is my own creation, blending my many years of experience as a professional devotional singer/musician, music educator, and yoga and meditation guide. This will be the fourth cohort of this offering, and I am offering it again because I have seen the transformative power of this work.
I have five guiding principles that I use when planning the material for this course that I call the Five Pillars of Way of the Heartsong, which are as follows:
*Love - enjoy, have fun, assume wholeness, embrace ourselves and our voices just as we are
*Listen - deep listening internally to body/heart/mind, in quietude; deep listening to and cultivating loving intimacy with our own voice, our bodies, and deeply listening to the environmental context, musical and otherwise, within which our voice arises
*Explore - engage in a variety of meditative, movement oriented, and vocally oriented exercises in order to explore and observe our own unique voices, the ways in which we make different sounds, and the ways in which the vast landscape of our physical/mental/emotional/spiritual selves are a part of that voice
*Empower - strengthen our voices through reflection, practice, exercises, observation, and education
*Embody the Voice that is Yours - connect physical movement and singing as an embodiment practice, exploring singing “from the gut” and “from the heart,” cultivate confidence in authentic expression and a deep embrace of your own voice
The Five Pillars are explored within a container of community and deep intention, cultivating connection to spirit, to ourselves, and to each other. There is deep care in creating an inclusive, safe, and loving container where all voices are welcome just as they are.
More specific descriptions of certain practices we engage in are:
~practice opening and freeing the voice through a variety of exercises, including (but not limited to) breathwork, meditation, vocal improvisation, vocal play, movement, and non-performative vocal expression
~learn basic vocal technique to help strengthen range and allow for more confidence, ease, and resonance while singing
~learn and sing together a variety of heart-centered and devotional songs and chants, both in english and sanskrit
~strengthen ear training and explore harmonization
~allow for opportunities to share the voice solo for those interested (this is optional and has been reported to be a very powerful part of the experience)
~practice intuitive vocal toning and vocal improvisation with the use of harmonium, crystal bowls, drums, and other instruments
~guided group reflection and integration
The self-investment for these 8 sessions is offered by sliding scale:
Supported ~ $244
Standard ~ $288
Sustaining ~ $322
Space is limited to 16 participants.