Second Class Learns Skeletal Humming

Well, our second free toning, chanting, and drumming class was today and we all had a great time! We did lots of toning today and even ventured in to some skeletal humming. The class proved to be naturals for skeletal humming and the room was buzzing with vibration!

One of our members brought in her beautiful, huge crystal singing bowl and played it for us and again, the room was alive with vibration. We all commented that the bowl seem to take on a life of its own.

Our next class will be MAY 19TH. Look forward to seeing you then! Feel free to invite a friend (or two) if you'd like but do let me know in case I need to reserve a bigger room. Remember to go to the blogs or www.babyboomerarticles.com and enjoy some Google ads!

See you in three weeks. Feel free to post your comments and questions on the toning and chanting blog: www.toningandchanting.blogspot.com.

Keep the music flowing!

Toning and Chanting Classes Begin

Yesterday we started he first in a series of FR*EE classes at Healing Music Enterprises in Louisville, KY. I think it went very well and we covered the introduction to toning, chanting, drumming and music healing. The group at this first class was exceptionally musical and the toning was absolutely beautiful. The drumming and chanting were pretty good too and because I felt they could handle it, I gave them a hefty assigment to report on next Saturday!

The class will meet on April 28th from 2-4 and then again May 19-end of June. If you're still wanting to join the class, let me know so I'll have enough chairs and handouts! Hope to see you there next week!

Weekly toning & chanting group beginning in Louisville, KY

In preparation for opening the National Speakers Association conference in San Diego this July, I've decided to offer a weekly toning, chanting, drumming and music healing group on a weekly basis. I would like to invite all my friends, neighbors and other aquaintances a chance to meet weekly for two hours and learn about toning, chanting, drumming and music healing techniques.

If you, or anyone you know, is interested in this, please email me immediately at chantdoc@healingmusicenterprises.com and let me know whether Saturday or Sunday afternoon from 2-4 PM would be better for you. Location will be somewhere in the Crescent Hill/Highlands area. Donations to Healing Music Enterprises will be accepted but there will be no charge. I'd like to start this week-end April 14/15.

Space is limited so please get back to me as soon as possible!

Clear the cobwebs: Spring Cleaning with Vocal Toning

Did you know that you tone at some point most every day? "No I don't!" you say, but you really do! For example, I just finished a fabulous dessert of mango sorbet with raspberries and whipped cream. Now that was one delicious dessert and you can rest assured that I was going on and on with my "UMMMMMs" and "ahhhhhhhhhhs" and "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOs." I was expressing a wide range of pleasure with long vowel sounds, repeated at different pitch levels and held for various lengths of time. Was I doing it to practice my toning? Of course not. I was just expressing my pleasure at eating this delicious dessert.

Think of all the ways you express yourself with long, vowel sounds: seeing a newborn baby:aaaaaawwwwwwwww; seeing mouse run across your kitchen floor: eeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkk! Sitting down after standing on your feet for a long time: oooooooohhhhhhhhhhh. When you make these long vowel sounds you oxygenate your body and charge your brain. It's good for you and we do it spontaneously many times a day.

Now, think about doing it intentionally! You can order my CD toning program or sign up for my course! Do it today. You'll feel better and you'll feel happier!

I'm going outon a limb here

As you know, I was in Las Vegas this past week-end for a family wedding. I'm not really a fan of Las Vegas but we did have a great view from our hotel room. That's about all I can say. Im going out on a limb to say that I heard many people in the casino chanting the old casino chant "please, please, please" and "come on, come on snake eyes." Do these chants work? Well, they must do something for the folks that are repeating them over and over and over. Chant has to do with putting people into a "zone" and when one is gambling, I suppose they need to go to that zone to feel they are doing their best to align with Lady Luck. I don't know, what do you think?

Toning with Your Valentine

Many people simply do not realize the power of vibration in a romantic relationship. Of course there is a little device that uses the a variant of the word vibration (blush) but did you know that you can make your partner feel really good just with tone and sound vibrations? Try toning on each other's necks, backs, chests and anywhere else that inspiration suggests. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised!

Sound Healing for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and the air is full of different expressions of love! People talk about "good vibrations" but it's true, we can feel good vibrations coming from people, from songs, from gifts. Everything that exists is made of molecules and atoms and since molecules and atoms are constantly moving around, everything is actually vibrating...even though we can't see it. The way those vibrations are felt or perceived by you has a lot to do with the intent of the person, the song, the reasons the gift was given.

Vibrations can be healing, they can also be damaging. This year let's all send out positive, loving, healing vibrations.

Can you feel the good vibrations?

I think we all know that music makes us feel better. And better than listening passively to music, is actually makeing the music yourself. Singing, humming, whistling, playing an instrument or dancing to music. They all make us feel better. Why? Well, there are lots of reasons from brain chemicals being released to the vibrations that massage our bodies from the inside out! Next time to listen to some favorite music or make it yourself, put your hands on your forehead, your cheeks, the back of your head or arms and legs. Can you feel the good vibrations?? I'll bet you can!

What about the chanting at the Bowl Games?

What is your definition of chant? Many people think automatically of Buddhist chant, Gregorian chant, or Native American chant. But guess what, the "cheers" that fans chant at sports events are also a type of chant. They fit the definition: "chant is a positive statement repeated over ad over in a rhythmic fashion for the purpose of raising energy for a group or an individual." Can you imagine going to a sporting event that didn't have cheerleaders and fans jumping up and screaming and yelling to encourage the players to play their best and win one for their team? Can you imagine how boring it would be without a pep band? Think about it! It's yet another form of vibrational healing.

Well, did you experience vibrational healing today?

Today was Christmas around the world! Yesterday, there were concerts of gorgeous music of all kinds. At my church, in addition to a beautiful choir, we had a choir of brass instruments, a violinist (my daughter!) and lots of drums! I was sitting very close to the tympani and the congas and it was fantastic! I could feel the vibrations from everything as we sang "O Come All Ye Faithful" and other great Christmas hymns. At the conclusion of the service, I felt re-energized and as vibrantly alive as I've ever felt! How about you??

Vibro-acoustic therapy

As you may know, I was in Boston this time last week, doing a presentation for Indian Hill Music School. Someone in the audience asked about vibro-acoustic therapy and it's use for hearing impaired people. Vibroacoustic therapy is powerful because these folks can participate in drumming and any sort of performance where they can feel the vibrations and thus the rhythmic power of music. Evelyn Glennie is a phenomenally talented musician (percussionist) who was born deaf. She performs all over the world both solo and with orchestra and has had numerous compositions written for her. When I heard her in Louisville several years ago she played barefoot but in total concert attire. It was one of the most powerful musical experiences I have ever had.

If you know or work with people who are hearing impaired please let them know about the power of vibroacoustic therapy!

Toning and Chanting with Hypnotherapists

A few week-ends ago I did a presentation for a delightful conference of hypnotherapists. Their theme for the week-end was sound healing I participated in the first two days of workshops and sessions. They were all really excited about the power of tone and chant to lead people into an altered state that is safe and helpful. Toning and chanting are ancient methods of healing that anyone can learn and begin to utilize immediately. Want me to come to your town or city? Just contact me through my website www.HealingMusicEnterprises.com and we'll set it up! See you soon?

Todays' Drumming Workshop

Today at Healing Music Enterprises we had an awesome drumming workshop with guest music healer, Phyllis Free. We had a room full of people in the seminar room and many were first-timers at a drumming event. The drumming and rattling reached a fever pitch several times and many students reported great releases of sadness, anger, fear and other unwanted emotions.

When we added toning to that formula, the students reported feeling as though they were in a place of peace, tranquility and serenity. Several students said they felt empowered, harmonized, and as though they were having fun for the first time in a long while.

For those who live in the Louisville area, stay tuned for info about upcoming Drum Circles. You'll be glad you did!

Drumming for Vibrational Healing

Have you ever participated in a drum circle? It is really a lot of fun and frequently has healing benefits. Playing a hand drum is something that anyone can do and when you have an experienced facilitator you feel energized and empowered at the conclusion. Next Sunday, November 5th, I will be hosting a drum circle facilitated by Phyllis Free. The drum circle is free but will be limited to 20 people. We will also be videotaping this drum circle in order to put it on my website as an instructional video. If you're interested in learning how to drum for health, wellness, and fun, call 419-1698! Thanks!

What is Chant Anyway?

People ask me on a regular basis what chant really is. Not to be confusing or evasive, but chant is actually many different things. Generally speaking, chant is a spoken or sung melody that is usually fairly short, usually rhythmic and usually repetitive. The words are usually affirming a belief system, such as in Gregorian, Buddhist, or Native American chant. Chant can also be spoken as in sports cheers. They are often repeated over and over. Think of the Atlanta Braves or the FSU Seminoles. They chant what they believe to be Indian-sounding chant and they do it over and over.

Whatever chant people do, they feel more connected as a result and they feel more committed to a common cause whether that be winning a football game or committing to be a better person. If you want to learn some easy chants, you can get my program on toning and chanting in CD, tape, or MP3 download format. Check it out!

Top 10 Reasons to Tone and Chant

When you've never heard of toning and chanting, it could sound kind of strange. What is it all about? In this day of skepticism around traditional Western medical care and drugs that we were told were safe but that are now getting pulled off the shelf, people are searching for non-chemical interventions. Toning and chanting are ancient tools for modern healing, pain relief and benefits you might not know about!

Here are my top ten reasons to tone and chant:

10. Have a fabulous inner massage
9. Soothe a throbbing headache
8. Loosen a tight neck
7. Jump-start healing on scratches and abrasions
6. Create an immediate bond with a small group of people
5. Stop obsessive, addictive thinking
4. Empower small and large groups of people
3. Calm and soothe anxiety and jangled nerves
2. Energize a sluggish body and mind
1. Learn healing tools that are powerful, versatile and non-invasive!

Order my tape, CD or download today!

More questions on toning and chanting

Recently I had some good questions come to me about the difference between toning and chanting and which is more effective with addictions. Obviously I think both are good. Overall I believe that toning is more versatile because it can be done simply on the five vowel sounds and does not require buying into a particular belief system. Toning can be used for relaxing, energizing, healing or simply a good inner massage.

Chanting, on the other hand is more about empowerment, bonding with others, and strengthening a belief system. For addictions both are really good. I use a lot of Native American chants in my workshops but also talk about Gregorian chant, Buddhist chant, and other chant. I believe it is all very powerful vibrational medicine. My CD or download would be important to get if you want more information!

What do you know about vibrational healing?

Most Americans really don't know that much about vibrational healing, but the Eastern hemisphere of the planet assumes that healing takes place through vibrations. We all emit energy as long as we are alive. It is a fact that everything in the world is vibrating at a certain speed. This is because everything is comprised of atoms and molecules at some level. We know that all of our body organs vibrate within a certain range of frequencies when they are healthy. When they fall into a state of "dis-ease" they vibrate faster in an effort to heal themselves. We can also speed up vibrations with our voices, with bells, gongs and crystal bowls and even with machines that will emit high-pitched and extremely fast vibrations. This speed up healing and is an ancient method even though it is not widely known here.

How can you learn to tone?

Toning is an ancient tool for healing, calming, and energizing. Toning is basically the addition of tone or sound to the exhaled breath. There are numerous ways to add the sound, but I believe the easiest is to use the five vowel sounds. In addition, I recommend doing these sounds in a standing, sitting, and lying down posture (one at a time!) and also, try doing these combinations with eyes open and eyes closed.

The best way to really understand this is to go to my website, www.HealingMusicEnterprises.com, and listen to the clip of me toning. I also have a tape, CD, or download you can buy and tone along with the group of people I am teaching on the tape.

Toning is a powerful tool for healing and I urge you to take advantage of this simple, effective process.

Toning for different purposes

Toning is simply the process of putting sound to the exhaled breath. It can be done effectively in standing, sitting, or lying down positions. When I teach toning, I simply use the five vowel sounds (one at a time!) and I suggest a sitting position. One takes a deep breath and then slowly releases it on "aaahhhhhhhh" I've been toning for nearly 15 years so I can make my exhale last for about 30-40 seconds. don't be discourgaed if you can only do 5 or 10 seconds. Like any physical skill, it takes training.

There are many reasons to tone but the simplist reason is just to relax and give your body an inner massage. I recommend toning for only 5 minutes at a time in the beginning. It can be increased eventually to 10 or 15 minutes, but just remember that it should never hurt.

I'll continue this tomorrow.

Check out HERE
to hear a sample or to purchase a tape, CD, or download about toning!