Using Sound to Ground and Center

I love to have things to listen to that help me ground and center. I am very sensitive to sound and vibration, and love to find things that shift me quickly. Listening to and creating Sound have become tools that I am very grateful to have discovered!

Recently, I added the "Getting into the Vortex" meditation CD by Abraham-Hicks to our store, and I love it. The first night I listened to the meditation, I had this amazing dream about QuietStar's (future) retreat center. I woke up inspired and passionate (and had been feeling overwhelmed before listening). Now I listen to it every night before I go to sleep. In fact, it helps me go to sleep, which is sometimes a challenge.

Tom Kenyon's voice really resonates with me: Lightship, Songs of Magdalen and the Golden Orb all shift my energy to a vibration of love and expansion.

Other favorite sound healers: Jonathan Goldman, Sophia, Dean Evenson

Simply humming balances the "emotional body" (a layer of the auric field), and there is so much research out there about the power of toning and sound. My favorite part is that it bypasses the conscious mind and goes directly to the more primitive/unconscious parts of the brain to create balance and relaxation.

I also love to "do" sound. It connects me directly to Spirit! When I play the crystal bowls, the native flute or use my voice for toning, it brings me fully into the present as all my awareness goes into creating the sound. I started out years ago just humming to Enya, then "humming out loud" and my sound channeling developed from there. All I have to do is remember that I have this amazing tool, and USE IT when I am feeling scrambled. Now I get to "do" sound in my sessions, in classes and at our Sunday Vortex. It is truly amazing!

Tonight, I am excited that we have Jay Schwed doing a crystal bowl concert at QuietStar. I am looking forward to experiencing his great wisdom and learning so much from him! That's his picture above!

Sound at Snow Canyon, Utah

We have done it! "Shot" our first video out in the red rocks in Utah. What a wonderful, powerful experience! Bob and I were guided by our host here in Utah, Bud Howard, to an amazing spot out in Snow Canyon. We carried in 5 antique singing bowls, a didgeridoo, rattles, a drum and of course, my voice. We were joined by Bud, his wonderful flute playing, and the local spirits and had a powerful experience aligning to the energy vortex there. I was visited by ancestors, nature spirits, animal spirits, who all had something "to say". Blissful, deep healing energies. Powerful connection to the web of light in and around Gaia. We tried to capture it all on video and audio recordings, so we can share it with you soon! Thanks to all who are holding the vision for us during this journey of transformation.

I have been so "in the moment" that it wasn't until today that I felt inspired to do any sharing at all. We were scheduled to spend two nights here in St George, but we haven't left yet! Bud is encouraging me to plan a QuietStar retreat here...and I just might. Imagine Sedona, but less discovered. Barbara Howard, our other host lead a yoga class on Thursday morning that was also powerful and deep. I am, personally, feeling like I am letting go of so much accumulated debris, allowing me to move gracefully into the next level of my soul path.

We are grateful to the land and the energies here for welcoming us! Stay tuned for a video upload when the spirits smile on our technological awakening.
Love and Light, Elaina (and Bob)

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