The Heart Sings: A Course in Vocal and Inner Freedom
Mondays, 6-8pm | Nov 17-Jan 12
Four Bodies Community Wellness Center
28 Levesque Dr, Eliot, ME
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 space to explore, express and accept your unique voice, as it is now, through community singing - without critique or judgement.
I created this 9-week course based on decades of experience as a devotional singer and community builder, and a recently certified sound healer, and Vipassana meditation practitioner. And because I saw a true need for it. 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.
What to Expect:
We will gather on a weekday for 9 weeks to:
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Learn healing songs and chants - many of which are spiritual in nature
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Practice freeing the voice through a variety of exercises including vocal toning, relaxation techniques, improvisation, and call and response (with some movement and rhythm thrown in!)
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Strengthen the ability to center yourself within through guided 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 hold space for each other through weekly check-ins and optional group sharing
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 (yet).
Let's gather to give voice to what is in our hearts, find ease within ourselves, and connect inwardly and with each other, through song.
Course Details:
Our weekly gatherings will take place 6-8pm on Mondays at Four Bodies Community Wellness Center | 28 Levesque Dr, Eliot, ME, beginning Nov 17 for 9 weeks. As this course takes place during the holidays, and some folks may miss a class here and there, there will be a free make up session during the 10th week (Jan 19th) for anyone who missed a class.
Monetary exchange: Sliding scale of $30-$40 per week (or $270-$360 for 9 weeks). The going rate is $35 per week, but a sliding scale has been provided for those who would be hindered from paying the full rate, as well as those who are able to give more and offset the discounts others receive. If the discounted rate is not accessible to you, please email me at jessica.f.gaines@gmail.com and we will find what works. Finances should not hinder anyone from participating.
