The Heart Sings: A 9 Week Journey of Vocal and Inner Freedom
Mondays, 6-8pm
Starting Feb 9th
-OR-
Wednesdays, 12-2pm
Starting Feb 4th
Do you want more opportunities to sing with others, in a supportive and nurturing environment? Not to rehearse for a performance, but for the pure joy of it? The Heart Sings is a 9-week journey of exploration and embodiment of singing as spiritual practice, as medicine, as nervous system regulation, and as community-builder, through engaging with healing songs that connect us to spirit - without critique or judgement.
We are not a choir. We are not rehearsing. We are not performing. We are expressing. We are communing. We are enjoying! Through song.
I created this 9-week course based on decades of experience as a devotional singer and community builder. So many of us want to sing. So many of us are tired of not being ourselves (not singing or speaking up) because of what others might think of us. So many of us want real community. And every heart yearns to express itself.
Who this Course is For:
This space is for those who do and do not consider themselves singers, because singing is a birthright. Expressing our emotions and giving voice to what is in our hearts is essential to our wellbeing. And singing is a potent, healing and liberating vehicle for this vital expression.
Yet it makes sense that many of us are not comfortable with our voice - we are sorely lacking opportunities to sing together. Why would we be confident in a muscle we rarely get to use? Let's change that! And reclaim our voice as a tool for authentic expression and healing - as a tool for spiritual practice.
What to Expect:
We will gather on a weekday evening for 9 weeks to:
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Explore a spiritual concept each week informed by quotes from various spiritual paths. Concepts such as our divine nature, loving-kindness, release from ego, reflecting the Light, etc.
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Learn healing songs and chants from diverse traditions associated with each concept
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Practice freeing the voice through a variety of exercises including vocal toning, relaxation techniques, intuitive singing, and call and response (with a little movement and rhythm thrown in!)
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Strengthen the ability to center yourself within through guided meditation and mindful noticing, rather than worrying about other's opinions and perceptions of you (or your singing)
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Bolster the voice through singing in rounds and in harmony with each other, often accompanied by crystal bowls, drums and the Shruti Box
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Be nourished by community as we support and encourage each other through check-ins and optional group sharing. This has proven to be an extremely enjoyable and life-given component of the group.
While this course will help heal your relationship with your voice and your perception of yourself, it is also for those who are already comfortable singing. It truly is for all voices - those who consider themselves singers and those who don't.
Course Details:
We have two sessions starting soon. Each session (or cohort) meets once a week for 9 weeks. You may choose whichever cohort you prefer (or both, if you like!):
Wednesdays, 12-2pm at a private residence located at 1768 State Rd, Eliot, ME, beginning February 4th.
AND/OR
Mondays, 6-8pm at Four Bodies Community Wellness Center located at 28 Levesque Dr, Eliot, ME beginning Feb 9th.
Monetary exchange is $35 per meeting ($315 for 9 weeks). If the exchange rate is not accessible to you, please contact me at jessica.f.gaines@gmail.com and we'll find what works. Finances should not be a hindrance. Many participants have received substantial discounts. The most important thing is that you participate. We'll get you in the room!
