Soul Singing

In the Light of Love - Healing Chant

2010-08-14T10:08:00.000+10:00

Thought I would share with you one of my favourite songs. A truly healing piece of music. The beautiful spirit and voice that is Deva Premal and her partner Miten. The mantra Om Shree Dhanvantre Namaha is a healing mantra, based on an appeal to the celestial healer, Dhanvantari. It can be used to enhance one's own healing skills and performance as a practitioner; or for self-healing, in which it is said to be able to work in many ways to promote healing on all levels: physical, mental or emotional. (mantra description courtesy of the siddha-yoga website).

Music Meditations and Satsangs... Rediscovering the Joy of Singing

2010-08-07T15:29:00.000+10:00

Carrying on the theme of music as a form of relaxation and as a tool for health and wellbeing, I thought I would write a little bit about my experience of what my wonderfully talented friend Rob Stevenson calls 'music meditations' and how this has helped me rediscover the joy of singing.

When Rob first started out singing and performing, he called these gatherings Satsangs, but I'm sure many of you, like me may never have heard of this type of musical gathering before, so after a while Rob began to also use the term 'music meditations' to describe the gatherings.

On his website, Rob describes Satsang as "a sanskrit word meaning 'meeting' (sangha) in 'truth' (sat). It is a form of meditation which includes music and chanting and is a pathway to inner peace. The music of mantras/chants help to deepen the silence. There is no effort required, satsangs happen naturally. It creates a sacred space where we can sit silently together. It is a time we can give ourselves that we so easily overlook. We come together in our aloneness, which brings us closer as friends, because in this sacred space together, there is no judgement - we are all one."

I have now been to many of these Satsangs held by Rob in and around Brisbane and they truly are a wonderfully spiritual experience. I always come away feeling totally blissed out!

Something you may be surprised to learn about me is that as a professional singer and voice teacher I have always felt awkward at any gathering that would involve group singing. I guess after years of training, competitions and auditions, the high expectations of opera performance had actually left me insecure about my voice. I always had the feeling that people would be listening to me and judging my voice... was it too loud, did it sound ok, was it good enough for someone to whom singing was a day job?? How ridiculous is that??!!!

Of late, as I began to take a more holistic and spiritual approach to my life in general and my relationship with music and my voice, I began to realise how egotistical and ridiculous my thoughts were. Was I really that important that I expected a room full of people to be filling their heads with thoughts about me? Even if some of them were thinking about me... it wasn't any of my business.

I realised that my old way of thinking had actually stopped me from sharing what I have come to recognise is a gift that I had been given, and I remembered when I first started singing as a child and performing with my guitar teacher in folk clubs in little pubs in Scotland. It was a wonderful experience, and you knew that once you got a song going everyone would join in and at the end everyone smiled, cheered and clapped in celebration of their own performances as much as anyone elses.

I had somehow lost that feeling of togetherness and fun that had been part of my singing as a child. It slowly came back to me a few years ago when I began attending yoga classes with a beautiful lady, Kathy, who has gone on to inspire me in many ways. At that time I had moved away from performing and wasn't really doing much in the way of teaching either... my music was on the way to becoming a distant memory.

Kathy always began her classes with a chant or simple song. It was the first time I had heard of these chants and each week there would be another beautiful piece to start the class. At first the usual feeling of awkwardness would grip me... was I singing too loud, would they think I was showing off if I sang 'properly'? Eventually as I began to relax and enjoy the classes and got to know the other wonderful people in the class I began to realise that I wasn't 'stressing' about singing and I was actually enjoying myself. I asked Kathy about the chants and songs she played and was introduced to some amazing musicians, foremost of whom was Deva Premal.

Deva's cds inspired me to look into this style of music more closely and look at how singing these type of chants made me feel. Shortly after that at a retreat I was asked by one of the ladies to sing for them as we were sitting around one evening. I started to feel self conscious and could feel myself starting to worry, but looking at the smiling faces around me I took a deep breath and sang Amazing Grace. I can't say that I suddenly had a wonderful feeling of freedom as I sang because I didn't... my throat started to close up and all I could feel were the frogs in my throat jumping around! However, after I finished I looked around and everyone was smiling and congratulating me (something else that I realise I don't deal with too well is praise). What did come out of this event was a discussion where someone asked me about my singing and what was I doing now. I started to reply and suddenly stopped and looked up rather startled... "do you know, I don't even sing in the shower any more" I said. I hadn't realised how completely I had started to close off such a vital part of myself until that point. It was a pivotal moment for me and my journey back to claiming my true self had begun.

Shortly after this period I went to a concert with Deva Premal and her partner Miten. It was a life changing experience for me. There was no clapping between songs and we were all expected to join in if we wanted to. It was truly magical. Everyone would just sit there after a piece was finished either lost in their own thoughts or smiling at those around themselves. The energy in the room was so amazing. I knew that this was an experience I wanted to recreate again and again.

During the performance Deva spoke about how they wanted to encourage others to hold gatherings like this and that they had a space on their website where people could leave messages and posts about any groups they had started or wanted to start. Without going into too much detail, it was from messages posted on this site that I came in contact with Rob. He had also been to the concert and was inspired to start running Satsangs himself.

It has now been several years since that concert and my subsequent contact with Rob and I think I can safely say that the journey for us both over that time has been a truly amazing one. Rob now runs Satsangs virtually every weekend and often twice over a weekend. He is gaining a wonderful following of people who, like me, find it to be such a wonderful experience. He has attended several retreats run by Deva and Miten and has been asked to play with them on occasion. He has also released his own album Simple Little Miracles which I can highly recommend.

As well as my teaching, I have began my own journey with sound healing, studying the work of several in the field including Jonathon Goldman, James D'Angelo and closer to home, Chris James to name but a few. As I explore sound with my voice I have managed to become less judgemental and manage to sing quite freely now without all of that self doubt.

I attribute much of my growth in this area to my experience with Satsang, and can now participate in these gatherings without any feelings of awkwardness or stress, or resorting to any judgemental mind chatter. As Rob states above, there is no judgement for we all truly are one and one place where I this experience this feeling of spiritual oneness is always felt is at a Satsang.

I now run a community choir open to anyone who just wants to sing, and again I am always delighted to see how good everyone feels at the end of singing a piece together. Community music is my passion, and I feel I have rediscovered the magic of music and can now revel in the gifts I have been given. Another wonderful songster who shares this passion with me is John Rodriquez who I had the opportunity to meet earlier this year. John runs regular Sing for Joy events and you can find out more about what John offers at his Singchronicity website.

If you would like to know more about my community choir please feel free to send me an email to angela@soulsinging.com.au or visit my Soul Singing website. If you are interested in finding out about the Satsangs that Rob holds in and around Brisbane please pop over to his website for details. You can also find more information about Deva and Miten, their music and their events on their website.

What's On in August

2010-08-06T09:32:00.002+10:00

Here are a couple of musical goings-on that any Brisbanites out there may be interested in:

Mandinka Sound - Workshop (One Africa: Body Percussion Workshop {dance and vocal})

August 11 Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre at Yungaba, 120 Main St Kangaroo Point, Brisbane.

Sinchronicity - Sing Your Voice Playshop offered by my fellow songster and founder of Singchronicity, John Rodriquez. Sunday August 22nd, from 2pm to 5pm at the Relaxation Centre.

And don't forget the 'Your the Voice' and 'Four Walls Festival' are on at the Qld Academy of Performing Arts this Saturday 7th August. (See blog archive for details)

You might also like to check out Soul Singing on Facebook where I will also be posting details of upcoming events and interesting links.

Toning for Wellbeing

2010-08-04T19:01:00.000+10:00

For me the human voice is an amazing instrument, not only in an aesthetic sense from the point of view of a trained singer, but also much more generally as a tool for self healing and wellbeing.

As Kate Marks states in her introduction to her book Circle of Song:

“Sound, especially the human voice is a powerful catalyst for healing and transformation. As we sound and sing, we harmonize our being, lift our spirits and dissolve our pain.”

There are several ways the voice can be used as a healing instrument and I will be explaining some of these over the next few posts. The first technique I would like to talk about is toning. Initially we need to understand what is meant by toning and how it is different to singing. The repeated toning of vowels creates a reverberation so that when the chanting stops, the sounds continue to echo within the mind and within the chambers of the body.

David Gordon explains toning so beautifully in his online article on toning I just had to share this excerpt with you:

Toning is the creation of vocal sounds on a single vowel - no melody or rhythm or words, just pure sound vibration. It's a simple technique, accessible to everyone regardless of vocal ability or training. With this powerful tool you can immediately experience the healing effects of sound on your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Toning synchronizes your brainwaves and helps relieve tension within a few minutes. By literally massaging your body and mind from the inside out, toning can help you release negative emotions; reduce stress; and improve stamina and concentration. You can increase your self-esteem and become more expressive and creative in your daily life. Toning is also a wonderful technique for developing your voice-ear connection and enhancing your power of listening to everything around you.

Most of all, toning can help you awaken and deepen your sense of self, and align you to the deepest vibrations of soul and spirit. On the path of toning, you move toward the source of your own inner balance, creativity, well-being, and freedom.

An extention of this toning process is the practise of toning the chakras. One of the workshops I offer is a Chakra Toning workshop and I will share with you more information on toning the chakras in my next post.

Music... A Great Stress Buster

2010-08-01T18:52:00.000+10:00

In today’s society the word ‘stress' crops up with frightening regularity. The increasing cost of stress, both socially and financially, is of concern both to the individual and to business. Stress has been reported as being the top reason for absenteeism in the workplace.

Continued stress can lead to health problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression. It is also a big factor for many who are already dealing with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, lupus or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to name but a few. Those suffering from ongoing stress are more likely to fall ill and the ill health itself can become another point of stress for the individual.

Thankfully society is becoming more and more aware of this problem and there are many accepted ways of reducing and managing stress. One of the most effective and enjoyable methods of stress management is through music. Over the next couple of months I will discuss a few ways in which we can use music to help manage stress.

Music can have a profound effect on our emotional state. Just listening to a favourite piece of music can have an incredibly uplifting effect on us. Not everyone likes the same music and what makes one individual feel happy may irritate another. If you are anything like me, you will have certain things you like listening to, depending on how you are feeling. Have a think about the music you like and listen to regularly. Why do you like certain music and how does it make you feel? Go through your music and make a list of all the pieces of music that make you feel happy, that give you that uplifting feeling - your ‘happy music’.

We have access to an abundance of electronic devices today through which we can listen to music: radio, tv, mp3 players, CD players, cassette players, computers and the list goes on. Make yourself up a tape, CD or play list with just your ’happy music’ on it. Then, next time you feel stressed or a little down put on your ‘happy music’ and let those positive endorphins start to flow.

Perhaps you could try putting together a selection of light classical or ambient new age pieces and make a ’relaxation music’ CD. Or try putting together some favourite old disco hits or boppy pop tunes for a ‘move-it’ CD. Its amazing how much easier everyday chores such as housecleaning can be if you put on the right music.

And remember we’re all different - for some of us Madonna may be the perfect stress buster, while for others a little Beethoven may be just the ticket. It’s a case of knowing how different music makes you feel and using that knowledge to create more positive experiences for yourself. Music can help us alter our moods in a positive way and relieve the build up of everyday stress.

There are many ways to alleviate and manage stress, and many health professionals and other services available to assist you. However music would have to be one of the simplest and most readily accessible tools - why not head for your music collection and give it a try today.

Camira Springfield Community Choir - A Place to Meet, Have Fun and Sing!

2010-08-01T18:30:00.001+10:00

The Camira Springfield Community Choir is a community singing group where people of all ages can meet and share in the joy of singing. There is no experience necessary and you don’t have to be able to read music. Repertoire consists of unison and part songs, rounds, chants and anything else that takes our fancy. We usually wrap up our session with a good old sing-a-long! The choir performs several times throughout the year along with students from the Soul Singing Music Studio.

The choir will meet during school terms on Tuesdays from 10am to 12pm during school terms at the Ipswich Community Aid Centre, 26 Commercial Drive, Springfield. The cost is gold coin donation and morning tea is provided. For further information contact Angela on 0411 460 337.

Your the Voice and Four Wall Festival

2010-08-01T10:51:00.002+10:00

If you are looking for something to do next weekend (7th August) why not go along and support our young musician’s from the Qld Academy of Creative Industries (QACI) and around Brisbane, Logan, Gold Coast and Ipswich as they appear on a bill with some of Australia’s top Aria award winning bands!

QACI's 'Your the Voice' will be held in conjunction with the Four Walls Festival on the 7th of August, featuring The Boat People, The Cairo’s, Wiley Reed and his Blues Band, Misinterprotato, our own Stephen Smith and the Rhythmics and Townmouse, as well as many other bands across Brisbane, from Acoustic and folk, to jazz and blues, and Indie and alternative rock. There will also be a variety of foods of the world available on the day and chill out areas to relax and catch up with friends.

Tickets for the Four Walls Festival can be purchased at Moshtix: http://www.moshtix.com.au/Search.aspx?

Soul Singing's New Blog

2010-07-31T15:26:00.000+10:00

Yeah!!! I've finally gotten around to creating my Soul Singing blog. I will be posting details of upcoming Soul Singing events as well as other local music related information. I also want to share with you some of the wonderful information that's out there in the area of singing and sound healing, so watch this blog for lots of interesting posts in the near future.

I have also created a 'Soul Singing' Facebook page for all of you who are into social networking. You will be able to post any question you may have on singing and using your voice for health and wellbeing and I will share with you some of my tips, techniques and favourite music and artists.