I believe that each of us has within us a unique and special way of expressing ourselves through our singing voice. I deepened my own exploration of improvisational vocalizing 5 years ago, after I lost my voice and started singing in nature, to gently reawaken my voice in a prayerful and healing way. A unique new vocal practice developed. By quieting my mind and tuning into nature, then beginning from a place of inner stillness, I began to express what emerged vocally, with new freedom and inspiration. I was called to share this deeply nourishing experience.
During Freeing Your Voice, we explore our voices alone and together, and learn how to wake up and warm up our vocal cords with some fun and easy exercises. We step into a place of child-like wonder, in such a way that helps us overcome our fears, judgments, and limited beliefs about how we sound. Creating ease with ourselves and each other, we form a safe environment to release our songs, both with words and sounds.
Walking through the forest and stopping to sing at the river, we connect with nature in a new way that builds a bridge to the beauty and mystery of our individual voices. By tapping into our intuition and opening up to the inherent wisdom in nature, new pathways through to our own songs are welcomed and teased out. It is an honour to share and hear each other’s voices. Each unique song is a gift to be unpacked and cherished.
I thank my music and vocal improvisation teachers Par Ahlbom and Rhiannon, for preparing my foundation to do this meaningful and connective vocal work. I also give gratitude to my Nature Connection mentors (Wisdom of the Earth and Helpers Mentoring Society), who have opened me up to new portals of information and knowledge, that help inform what our voices can express in song, born in response to the magical and mystical moments outdoors.
Original article from the August, 2024 issue of Cowichan Valley Voice