Opening up your voice

Here are the tips I promised for opening up your voice. (Not in any particular order; you can just start with the one that seems easiest!)

Ok, you'll notice that many of them mention QuietStar. I LOVE sound and I can't help but share what I love! So, I have created many opportunities at QuietStar for exploring and making sound! Our store offers demos of many CD's that you can come and listen to; we have singing bowls that you can play, and books to look at. And I have gathered together a wonderful collection of practitioners who use sound and vibration (through their voices and instruments) to assist in the opening of the energy field. The QuietStar Band has its own Facebook page, if you want to check that out.

1. Find some music you like and sing along. Start in the privacy of your car or your own home, then branch out to trying it with friends you trust.
2. Find a group that does "toning" and practice with them. It always helps to be around people doing what you want to do. Try humming along, then become louder as you are ready.
3. Remember to breathe! And relax your throat.
4. Close your eyes and IMAGINE toning. Pretty soon you will be able to do it out loud.
5. Read, study, educate yourself about sound and the human energy field. There are some great professional sound healers out there, with wonderful CD's and books. Have you heard Tom Kenyon or Jonathan Goldman. Also be sure to check out two Central Coast artists, Sophia (Song Healer from Carmel and Aleya Dao from Carpinteria) Visit QuietStar's website for a look at some of their CD's. Click here and choose the sound and vibrational healing subcategory. Just by listening and imitating, you will learn how to use your voice!
6. Use a singing bowl as background. There are metal "Tibetan" bowls, and quartz crystal bowls. You are welcome to come play ours during our open store hours...we'll even close the door so you can sing along and be alone! And for a real treat, check out Deborah Van Dyke's beautiful book "Travelling the Sacred Sound Current".
7. Sing, sing, sing! I like to go to churches and sing all those hymns from my childhood. (Sometimes I change the words in my head to match my current philosophy).
8. Chant, chant, chant! Chants are great because they are repetitive, so the words are easy to learn! Their purpose is to open and connect with the Divine. Google "kirtan" and find a group chanting that you can attend.
9. Visit QuietStar for Sunday Circle. On the first Sunday of the month (except July, closed for the 4th!), we gather to use our voices to create a Vortex of healing and transformational energy. The QuietStar Band provides didgeridoo, singing bowl and drum accompaniment.
10. Open your throat chakra. Usually if you have closed down your voice, you have closed down this chakra. It is located in the center of your neck, about where your "adam's apple" is located. Imagine a ball of blue light centered here. Imagine it being completely safe to express your voice. Breathe into this ball of light, energizing and expanding it. For further assistance try essential oil of lavendar or peppermint (put a drop on the skin or take a gentle breath of it. If you're still feeling stuck, try working with an energy healer.
11. (Shameless self-promotion)....Buy the QuietStar CD "The Bliss of Transformation" and practice along with us. I hope this helps you to find your voice and have lots of fun using it!

Love and Light, Elaina