By Susan Temple, MA, BCC, ACEP
You have probably heard of, or maybe even experienced, sound healing using singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and other instruments. Maybe you are less familiar with Vocal Sound Healing, also sometimes called “Vocal Toning.”
Vocal Sound Healing uses the human voice to promote healing and well-being. Imagine this: our voices are not just tools for communication; they’re powerful instruments that can bring harmony and healing to our bodies and souls.
Singing or humming creates soothing sounds that resonate through us, aligning our energy and opening our hearts. It’s like a warm embrace for your spirit! Each note carries its own frequency, and these vibrations can help clear out negative energy, relieve stress, and even promote physical healing.
There are many ways this can be done. At The Healing House, I am offering both one-on-one and group Vocal Sound Healing experiences.
Here’s how a one-on-one experience unfolds:
Setting the Space: You will lie on a comfortable massage table, fully clothed, in a quiet, dimly lit room. You’ll have pillows and blankets to make you comfortable. The atmosphere is designed to help you relax and feel safe.
Intention Setting: We will talk about your intentions or areas you’d like to focus on—whether it's emotional healing, stress relief, or physical healing. This helps me tailor the experience to your needs.
Vocal Experience: I will play chimes to begin our session. Then, I will sing a series of short phrases so that you can get used to hearing the music, noticing what you feel in your body, where you feel it, and what it feels like. Then I will use my voice to sing or hum without words, just for you, holding the intention that you have set for yourself. I may also offer periods of silence.
Sound Waves and Vibrations: As the sound fills the space, it creates vibrations that can be felt throughout your body. These vibrations help to release tension, promote relaxation, and stimulate emotional healing. It’s kind of like an energetic massage for your body, mind and spirit.
Mindfulness and Presence: Throughout the experience, you’re encouraged to focus on your breath, the sounds, and any sensations that arise in your body. This mindfulness can deepen your connection to yourself and enhance the healing process.
Integration: The session ends with the sound of the chimes. After the singing session, there’s time for reflection about your experience. You might share your feelings or insights that came up, helping to integrate the healing into your life. I will share any intuitive insights that I noticed, as well.
A group experience looks like this:
We gather in a small group, sitting in chairs.
Connection: We begin by giving ourselves some calming breaths together.
Intention Setting: Each participant may share their intention, or what they are hoping to get out of the experience.
Setting the Stage: I will talk briefly about how our singing together will work.
Vocal Experience: I will play chimes, as we breathe together. Then I will start us off with one long singing tone. I will encourage you to join in with simple sounds, such as humming or singing vowel sounds. We will listen to each other, and blend our voices, creating a beautiful tapestry of sound. It is an opportunity to practice letting go of judgment of ourselves and others. As we progress, we may experiment with other sounds, or other ways of blending together.
Silence: As the experience unfolds, participants are gently led into moments of silence, allowing the vibrations of their collective voice to settle in. This quiet space fosters a profound connection to oneself and to each other, as everyone feels seen and heard.
Integration: We end the session with the sound of the chimes. We feel a sense of openness and connection with ourselves and with the others in the group. Participants may share their experience of the session, and what they are taking away from this time together.
Overall, vocal sound healing can be deeply nurturing and transformative, offering an opportunity for connection, relaxation, and healing through the power of sound.
I offer one-on-one sessions on Saturdays at The Healing House. Here’s the link for booking for that: https://BookwithSusan.as.me/?appointmentType=63333568
Or join me for a small group sound healing experience in December: https://BookwithSusan.as.me/?appointmentType=67516204