Christmas Drumming on Frankfort Avenue?

Yes, I've decided to do a Holiday Drumming for peace and serenity on December 21st at my office on Frankfort Avenue! I read about carol sings and traditional Christmas holiday music but decided we need to have some drumming and chanting too at this time of year!

I think I can accomodate about 25 people if we overflow out into the hall. We could even do it in the hall I guess! As you know, I have 8 or 10 drums but invite you to bring your own drum or rhythm instruments! I'm asking for a $5-10 donation but if that if prohibitive, please come anyway!

Hope to see you there! It will be from 7:30-9 on Sunday, December 21st. Please call me at 419-1698 to let me know you'll be there!

Thanks y'all!

Alice

Vibrational Healing: A Matrix of Tools

Have you heard about "vibrational healing?" It's really not too mysterious. When I first learned, years and years ago, that everything in the universe is vibating all the time, I was amazed! But then, that's what childhood is about. Once you understand that atoms and molecules are constantly moving at a microscopic level it makes sense. Yes, trees, rocks, plants and animals, even humans are made of atoms and molecules that are in motion 24/7. Then I was told that each of our organs vibrates within a certain range of vibrations per second and that when an organ is in a state of "dis-ease" it vibrates faster to begin the healing process, I was again amazed. Who knew?

I don't have long today to go in depth here, but just be aware that toning, chanting and drumming are all easy ways to get the vibrations really humming along and create healing and wellness in your body and in your life. Want more info about this: Go to www.healingmusicenterprises.com/products.html and there you'll see my eBook on "Drumming for Health, Wellness, and Fun" as well as a download of an hour-long workshop on "Toning and Chanting!" These healing tools are very easy to pick up and use. Why not get started??

Difference between Toning and Chanting

Vocal Toning is different from traditional chanting, and allows for more flexibility and creativity. Because it is hard to drum and sing at the same time, you may find that vocal toning is easier than chanting. Instead of using words we use tones (such as om, ah, hey). Vocal Toning is about releasing. Toning in a circle with others is empowering. You will feel inspired by the others in the group. Using tones instead of words allows the mind to relax and take a rest from thinking. This allows the brain to be refreshed. After each session, you will find yourself feeling totally energized! The combination of vocalizing and drumming has a dramatic effect on your mind and body. If doing both at the same time is difficult, an option is to alternate. With a little practice you may be able to do both simultaneously.

Did you know that Dr. Cash has an ebook called "Drumming for Health, Wellness, and Fun?" It's one of her best-selling and most popular products. To get it NOW click HERE. You're going to love it and feel the difference!

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This chair has soft, comfortable leather pads. The manual hand controlled reclining feature allows for easy gliding of your body into the Zero-Gravity position at the touch of your fingers.

Is drumming therapeutic?

Is drumming therapeutic? Needless to say, I think it is. Recently I've been using it in my counseling sessions at Crescent Hill Counseling/Healing Music Enterprises for anxiety management and self-esteem building. In both cases, it helps to calm and focus the patient and put them squarely in the present. A wise person said that anger is about the past and fear is about the future. Life is lived in the present and want to spend most of out time there.
In most cases, the patient has never drummed before and feels fear and anxiety about even trying. However, I hand the patient a large, lightweight djembe and ask them to match my simple right, left slow beats (demonstrated at right). After a few minutes I ask the patient to continue this slow, steady pulse and I slowly begin to add sub-divded beats and eventually a little syncopation. After 5-10 minutes, the patient is visibly calmer, feeling more confident and smiling broadly. Give it a try!

Toning, Chanting and Drumming with Holistic Nurses

Last week I spoke to the the KY Holistic Nurses Association and taught them about te many benefits of toning, chantingand drumming with patients. Several of the nurses were already experienced in toning, chanting and drumming many interesting questions were asked about music and sound with death and dying. I told them about the "Chalice of Repose Project" at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, Montana and how many hospices now employ music and music therapy, often administered by nurses, chaplains and even volunteers!
I willbe speaking again to their state convention next month, May 17th at IUS. I'll do three consecutive workshops starting at 2:30. The public is invited!

Vocal toning for your sonic spring cleaning

About this time of year many of us begin to think of Spring Cleaning. The weather is getting warm, doors and windows are staying open more and there is a strong desire to sweep away the accumulated dust, dirt, and pet hair that gathered over the winter. But have you thought about doing that for your body? Thanks to the powerful technique of vocal toning, we can get the “cobwebs” out of many of our body systems.Think of your Respiratory system: over the last six months you might have had two or three common colds. You might have even had the “flu.” Sitting or standing with your legs about shoulder’s width apart, take a deep breath from the bottom of your lungs and exhale it very slowly on the syllable “ah” using a tone that is comfortable for your voice. Probably 4 or 5 deep breaths and exhalations on “ah” each morning and evening will begin to clear the lungs and also the mind. Now lets take the Circulatory system: many of us like to hibernate during the winter and not even stick our noses out if the temperature is below freezing. Therefore, our bodies and our circulation find it hard to get going when Spring first appears. Try some toning on a slightly higher pitch and the syllable “ehhhhhhhhhhhh.” At first just try it sitting in a chair or on the side of your bed. Then as you begin to move around in the morning, continue the toning on that syllable. You’ll find yourself beginning to feel strangely invigorated and more motivated to begin your day happily. Finally let’s look at the Musculatory-Skeletal systems. Again, winter has done a bit of a number on us and we’re feeling (I’m feeling!) a bit creaky. Every time before you get up from sitting or lying down, take a deep breath and as you lift your body from its resting position, take a deep breath and let it out slowly on the “ouuuuuu”(rhymes with shoe) vowel. When you’re ready to sit again, tone on “ooooooo” (rhymes with toe). You’ll find the soreness disappearing faster and the joints feeling more limber. I do this most every day lately and am beginning to feel the benefits of my “Sonic Spring Cleaning.”

Want to go deeper with toning and chanting?

Hundreds of people have been reading this blog since I started it a little over a year ago. Many of you have been in my classes and workshops and are now teaching it yourself to peers, colleagues, students and family. People are so fascinated and impressed with the power of tone and chant that they asked me to create an online class. This class is ready now and I'm offering it for only $47 for all five lessons. The lessons include step-by-step instruction as well as video clips and audio clips of me and my students toning and chanting. If you want to learn more about toning and chanting, sign up for the class HERE. You can't lose because there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if it's not everything you expected! Toning and chanting are as ancient as life on this Earth. Learn this simple technique and start calming down and relaxing in a way you never thought possible!!

The "Grandmother Drum"

Rhythm is powerful; rhythm is the universal language, then toning, then chanting. What do you think?

How can toning and chanting assist recovery from addiction?

Are you or someone you know in recovery from drug,alcohol, or other addiction? If so then you're probably aware that "The Serenity Prayer" is an integral part of a 12-step recovery program. We've talked about toning a lot in this blog, probably more than chanting, but I wanted to introduce you to a chant that is base on the Serenity Prayer. As Thomas Aquinas said "he who chants prays twice." Try listening to this chant several times in a row and then try doing it yourself when you're upset, angry, or tempted to give in to addictive behavior! And let me know if I can help you!

Have you tried Toning and Chanting?

I think most of know that music is an ancient form of healing, calming, soothing and of course, entertainment. Have you tried toning and/or chanting? I have been teaching these two techniques for nearly two decades and thousands of people in my classes and seminars have reported that toning and chanting are now part of their daily wellness routine. Why? Because they are easy to learn, easy to practice and unbelievably powerful. I even have a CD that will guide you through these techniques or you can get the same program with a simple download.
Toning and chanting are ancient techniques that anyone can learn. They are useful for chronic pain, anxiety management, depression management, looking inside for answers and addiction withdrawal.
I'm also excited about coming to YOUR town and presenting a workshop on this topic for your organization or club. To learn more about this program or buy the CD or download, go to www.HealingMusicEnterprises.com/products/toning_chanting/toning_chanting.html
As always, call me at 502-419-1698 with any questions.

Chanting and Singing all through the holidays

This is a wonderful and fun video of acapella singing that I think you'll enjoy...sent to me by Don Campbell, author of "The Mozart Effect." Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving: Let the Vibrations Begin!

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and many Americans enjoyed the healing vibrations of delicious food and loving conversation with family and friends. Can "non-musical" vibrations be healing or can only music be healing? I believe that the world is made of vibrations. A key element of what makes certain vibrations more healing than others is the intention behind the vibration. If food is prepared with love and energy is expended with love then the result is healing vibrations. I think we know this intuitively because something as simple as a smile or a need or a pat on the back can do wonders for both the giver and the receiver.

Think about that this holiday season. You don't have to give expensive gifts, buy fancy foods or go to expensive concerts (although I enjoy doing that if possible!) in order to enjoy the healing vibrations of the season and of every day! I offer this very special healing music package to you:

http://www.HealingMusicEnterprises.com/listmailings/Thanksgiving_Special_2007.htm

Please keep your eyes on all my blogs this season for tips on using music to enhance every aspect of holidays and the family experience!

Kid's Drumming Circle a Big Hit

Yesterday I led a children's drumming circle at the Unity Church in downtown Louisville. It was part of the Rainbow Healing Festival and we had an awesome drum circle! The was one little boy there who was 3 and 1/2 years old. He had been very quiet through the first 30 minutes or so. I kept introducing chant after chant and finally he said "I know a song." We were thrilled that he wanted to teach us his song. Turns out it was "Old McDonald" done in pow-wow style! It was really cool. Then an 8 or 9 y.o. girl said that she knew a song she'd like to teach. Again, we were all thrilled that she was participating and going out on a limb. Turns out hers was "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven! We asked her to sing a little of it (and of course it has no words) and so she began playing one drum beat to each note she hummed. Sure enough, she was humming the Moonlight Sonata! I never thought I'd hear that at a drum circle but it was a beautiful thing! When's the last time you went to a drum circle??

Vibrational Healing at the Beach

I spent a wonderful week in Florida at the end of September and couldn't help but noticing the soothing, calming, lulling sounds of the sea, the birds, and the wind through the seagrasses and palms. To me, the beach and the ocean pretty close to Heaven. If you've heard my lectures and workshops at all, you know that I always talk about the music of nature being the original music of our planet. My trip to Florida and Lido Key definitely felt like what early humans must have experienced at the shore. We have very old artwork of various media showing people at the seaside...Greek, Roman, South Pacific, American Indian and from all over the world.
When you're feeling stressed out and anxious, try putting on a recording of ocean waves and all the accompanying healing sounds.

Chanting and Toning at Clemson University

Saturday afternoon I had the thrill of doing something I had not done in about 50 years!! I went to Clemson football game and it was soooo much fun! Clemson was playing Furman University and I was in town a few days earlier delivering the John C. Calhoun lecture at Clemson! Since there just happened to be a home game that week-end, I thought I'd try to catch that. To my delight, the Strom Thurmond Institute arranged for me to be in one of the beautiful, air-conditioned boxes and so I watched the game in luxurious comfort. The picture in the upper right corner is me sitting in the part of the box that had cushy chairs, delicious food and drink and a big screen TV. The rest of the time I was actually watching the game out of the beautiful big windows and enjoying the excitement of a Clemson home game!
Not surprisingly, Clemson won and a good time was had by all! I even won a beautiful potted plant there--a little rubber tree!

Oh, and by the way, the crowd was toning and chanting throughout the game. Everytime when they would kick off, the crowd would go "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" and when they were about to make a touchdown, the crowd was chanting C-L-E-M-S-O-N T-I-G-E-R-S! Both, perfect examples of the power of toning and chanting!

Toning and Chanting for Recovery

Today, people talk a lot about "being in recovery." Usually, this refers to 12-step recovery for addictions such as alcohol, drugs, gambling, spendingor even sex. One of the common threads in recovery is the cravings to do an illicit substance or activity.

From my experience as a therapist for people in recovery, I believe that toning, especially, can be a powerful tool for getting through the cravings of early recovery. After working with recovering folks for nearly 20 years, the consensus is that it really does work!

For more information and instructions on how to tone, read this blog from the beginning as well as visit my regular site: http://www.healingmusicenterprises.com/.

The link about will take to you to a download or a CD you can purchase of a live workshop I conducted recently. Give it a try!

Just how powerful is your voice?

Recently I did a presentation in San Diego for over 2000 professional speakers. When the program was over, people were flocking to me, asking if they though they could use the vocal toning process to improve their "Charisma Quotient." When you practice vocal toning, you go to a whole new level of control and awareness of the multitude of subtleties possible within your voice. As a music lover you are acutely aware of speaking voices that soothe you, grab your attention, or annoy you instantly. Physicians are usually tuned into to the patients tone of voice, the vocal volume level and the speed at which they describe their illness. As a therapist as well as a musician, I gather loads of information about a new client at their first session, simply from what their voice tells me in addition to the words they use. The voice is powerful, totally independent of the singing voice. Consider working on your voice by doing some simple toning for 5 minutes, a couple of times a day. You can order my toning CD or you can set up an appointment to learn more about this, either by phone or at my office! Hope to see you soon!

Chantdoc returns from toning presentation in San Diego

It's hard to believe that the big trip to NSA is over and I'm back in Louisville. Teaching 2000 people to tone was a real high and a profound joy. I wasn't sure what the reaction was going to be since vocal toning is just not something that you run into every day, but I'd say that 99% of the audience really got into it and were all very excited and enthusiastic to learn a technique that is so easy and yet so powerful. On the last night, at the banquet, they had Dale Irvin, who is a "professional summarizer" and comedian, to summarize the general sessions from the conference. He had a good time lampooning the toning session but he did it in a very good-natured way and, as they say, there's no such thing as bad publicity! So many people were fascinated by the information that 10 minutes of vocal toning is equivalent to 5 mg of Valium, that I think the NSA members will definitely learn to master this simple technique. Now who wants to learn toning? I have a CD or a download of a toning workshop so rush to the link above and get your download or CD now!! You'll be glad you did!!

Chantdoc makes her NSA debut in San Diego!

Here I am in beautiful San Diego and yesterday was the big toning and chanting debut at NSA!! (The National Speakers Association's Annual Convention)I've beenlooking forward to this for almost two years and it finally happened yesterday! I don't have a lot of time right now to tell you all about it and my computer battery is rapidly running out of juice, but suffice it to say that, in front of 2,000 people, I had everyone toning and chanting and many people say they are now "believers" in the power of tone and sound vibration to calm and focus and energize and intergrate the mind, body and spirit! What more could I ask?? More later! Alice