The drum is a voice. And a distinctly feminine voice at that. This is especially true for drums of old. The ones made of this earth and whose sound reminds us that we too, are made of earth, our mother. .
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Steady. Strong. Intoxicating. The drum (when played well, in my opinion) does not demand to be heard, but rather she makes it impossible to ignore. Impossible to not be seduced by her trance. .
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Once she has you, she doesn’t tell you what to think or what to feel. But rather she holds you in her sonic womb, where the fault line of your heart can burst open, exposing what has been buried.
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Fear. Grief. Anger. Sadness. Wisdom. Truth. Bliss. Ecstasy. Oneness. Power.
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This is what the drum does — it gives expression to that which cannot be expressed. It takes the formless and turns it into form. .
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This, too, is the power of the feminine. To create something out of nothing. A child, a community, a work of art, or a spontaneous offering to the universe played out on the head of a drum.
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This weekend I had the great honor to sit before a group of talented, powerful, and intuitive women and give them the tools of the drum. .
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The tools of the basic strokes, each one connected to one of the four sacred elements. And also the tools to unlock the unique and absolutely essential sound of their own voice.
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The drum is a powerful amplifier. Of our voice, of our message, and of the potency of the truth we have to share. .
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If there was ever a time for woman’s voice to be heard, it is now. And I believe that whether the drum is in our hand or not, building a relationship with this instrument can help us find the courage and confidence to be seen, heard, and known.
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I send a special thanks to my teachers @sharon_silverstein and @mirandasmuse for first sharing these sacred instruments with me. And also to @freedomfitnessandyoga for seeing me and inviting me to share in your community. I am so very grateful to continue this legacy. 💗🙏🏽
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#drum
#framedrum
#whenthedrummerswerewomen
#divinefeminine
#divinemother
#femininerising
#shaktirising
#soundheals
#drummingheals
#singingheals
#sacredsound
#jaima
#ॐ
Within the human instrument of the body, the voice is the means through which we express our deepest truths. When this powerful tool is harnessed and directed for spiritual purposes, it becomes a means to transcend ordinary consciousness and directly communicate with the Divine. Through this process, we sing our spirits into being, becoming more fully embodied in our true essence as beings of Light and Sound.
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I am so excited to announce that tomorrow night I will be hosting an experience that is quite near and dear to my heart — a workshop I am calling Singing the Soul Embodying the Spirit.
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Over the course of two and half hours, we will explore singing Sanskrit Mantra as a method for self actualization and spiritual exploration. We will discuss the history and science of chanting as a spiritual technology to reach higher states of awareness, allowing access to personal healing and spiritual insight. Participants will tap into their unique singing voice, and be given tools to allow the voice to blossom. Several Sanskrit Mantras will be explored from a variety of perspectives, including their translations, archetypal energies, pronunciation, and the healing power of their vibration through chant. And most importantly, we will sing. 💗
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A little about me and my background... my work with sound and singing as a therapeutic modality was born of her greater mission for my own self-healing — a path that also includes yoga, meditation, and various spiritual practices from a wide range of traditions. I also have a Masters in Sociology, where I studied the social psychology of identity, embodiment, gender, yoga, and spirituality. Really, no matter the modality I am working with, my goal is always the same — to help us (myself included) recognize, experience, and activate the innate healing power of own bodies and minds so that we may awaken to who we really are. 💫
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With all this being said, I hope you will join me for this super special night of community, healing, and empowerment. 🙏🏽💓
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Singing the Soul: Embodying the Spirit
Friday 7/26, 6-8:30pm
Authentic Yoga Scottsdale
More info and registration in bio .
#chanting
#singing
#healing
#awakening
#rememberwhoyouare
Posted @withrepost • @thestoicwomen 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙧𝙚𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣?
Last summer, I fell really hard for a man. He was tall. Handsome. Intelligent. Funny. And our interests aligned perfectly. .
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I told him of my feelings. Learned I wasn’t alone in them. (Whew!) But also that he just wasn’t open for a relationship.
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Heart. Smashed.
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I think this may have been the first time I ever experienced significant rejection. At least of the variety that is totally world rocking.
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This experience sent me into nearly a year long process. A process of grieving. A process of healing. And ultimately a process of learning to love myself, hard.
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For these reasons, I believe this rejection is one of the best things that ever happened to me.
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When I fell for this man, here is what I didn’t see... I didn’t see see how I was evaluating my own self-worth based on his approval and validation. I didn’t see how much of my attraction to him was actually an attraction to the person I imagined MYSELF to be with him. And I didn’t see that by seeking his love, I was bypassing the work I needed to do to learn how to love myself. .
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His rejection was the gift that forced me into these deeply painful, but ultimately liberating acknowledgements.
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This, I believe is the medicine that rejection offers us. It offers us a glimpse into the unconscious parts of ourselves that seek love and validation from external sources. It opens our eyes to where we are not whole, and offers insight into how we desperately look for our fragmented parts in the arms, hearts, and words of others.
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Hint: we will never find them there. And will likely only hurt ourselves and everyone else involved by insisting so. .
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Maybe I sound crazy for being grateful for my experience of rejection. But without it, I would not have been forced to feed and nourish these hungry parts of my soul from my own bounty.
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I pray for me, I pray for you, and I pray for us all that we heal our wounds with the only balm that is ever truly sustainable — our own self love. 💗
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Big fat juicy blessings to you my sweet soul friends. 🙏🏽 .
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#thestoicwomen
#strongwomen
#rejectionheals
#soulmedicine
#soulwisdom
The best medicine, at first, can appear as poison. It can be fowl tasting and feel sickly going down. For a time, it may even make you feel worse. .
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But this is a sign that you’ve got your hands on some really good medicine. And in time, it’s fruit will be unmistakable.
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This video is of my back bending practice as found in the astanga vinyasa system. .
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This — is really, really potent stuff.
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Which means that in the beginning, I thought for sure it was poison.
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“This is crazy,” I thought. “How could this be healthy?” I reasoned. “Surely I’m going to hurt myself.”
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But, if we want to experience something new, we have to do things we’ve never done. Go to places we’ve never been. And walk bravely — or in this case, bend over backwards — right into the unknown.
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As humans, our most primal instincts tell us not to move in this way. Not to expose our most precious and vulnerable internal organs. And certainly, not to do so hanging upside down while putting our equally liable head and neck in jeopardy. .
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To be sure — I am certainly not recommending someone attempt this without proper training and guidance. For that would, indeed, be poisonous.
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However, with the proper skills, strength, and counsel — the skillful descent into this most triggering territory, while remaining poised, grounded, and confident — produces a kind of medicine that runs deep.
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To move in this way communicates to our nervous system that we are safe to explore that which frightens us. .
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And that doing so makes us strong. .
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It shows us that we’ve got our own backs... in this case both literally and figuratively. .
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And of course, it teaches us that when we open our hearts, there is massive, massive healing.
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This practice has been my most long standing discipline. I didn’t get here over night. But I am grateful I have stuck with it, because its reward is so, so sweet.
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I would be honored to walk with you as you take this journey too. Here’s how you can you can join me...
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Mysore Style Astanga Vinyasa
*One-on-one instruction in a group setting
Monday and Wednesday 6-8am
*Show up anytime during this window
@urbanyogaphx .
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#deeppractice
#deepmedicine
#yoga
#love
#jai
#ॐ
I have had a love-hate relationship with astanga yoga since I started practicing four years ago. But aren’t all relationships this way?
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In them, don’t we see the best and worst of one another? Don’t we see the best and worst of our selves? Are their not highs and lows? Peaks and valleys? Times of smooth sailing and times of turbulence?
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You know what I’m finally seeing? That all of this is part of the practice. All of it. Not just the practice of astanga, but the practice of life.
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The times I’ve walked away. The times I’ve returned. Everything in between. In all of it there has been growth, lessons, expansion.
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I’m certain the universe, despite my efforts, has conspired so that I cannot give up on this practice.
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There is just something about it. The quiet. The depth. The incredible peace that comes after an hour and some odd minutes of binding... of sweating... of breath with sound.
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All I know is that I am grateful that I am still here, and I am honored to hold space for others to build their relationship with this practice as well. To learn from it. To see their reactions, their resistances, their repetitive thoughts. And also their strengths, their spaciousness, and their grace.
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As of this week I am teaching Mysore Style Astanga Yoga twice a week at @urbanyogaphx — Monday and Wednesday, from 6-8am.
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Mysore Style is a self-led practice. I work with you individually, and you learn at your own pace.
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As you become familiar with the practice, it quickly becomes deeply meditative and introspective. There are no distractions — no music, no teacher calling out poses — just you, your breath, and your mat.
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Like any relationship, a Mysore practice isn’t always easy. It requires discipline and consistency. But it is not a punishment. Far from it. .
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This practice is a celebration. A personal ceremony you have with yourself, while held up by the like-minded souls experiencing their own journey along side you.
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And... It’s fun! And I am going to do the best I can to bring these elements to life each week.
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I so hope you will join me. Blessings. 🙏🏽💓
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#mysore
#astanga
#practice
#devotion
#blessing
#awaken
#yoga
#love
#jai
#ॐ
I remember when I picked up a drum for the first time. Though I had no prior experience, it felt so natural. Like something I had done my whole life.
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I remember feeling like the drum was an extension of my own voice, able to express the things that words simply cannot.
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The more I learn about the history of drumming, the more I am convinced that this instrument is as human as the beat of our own heart. Like our natural impulse to dance and to sing, I believe drumming is encoded in our DNA. As a result, learning to play this powerful instrument feels like a beautiful and long awaited homecoming. .
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While the practice of drumming can be powerfully transformative for everyone, I believe that learning to play can be especially impactful for women. In the modern west, the drum has come to be seen as a masculine instrument. It's big, bold sound seemingly in contrast to everything women are often taught not to be. .
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What's more is that this masculine classification is a modern phenomenon. In truth, if we look back far enough, we find a rich and robust history of women drummers, and in particular, frame drummers. .
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The frame drum itself is a symbol and celebration of the feminine principle of the universe — representing the womb, the cycle of life, and cycle of women's bodies. Further, the women who played these instruments were regarded as priestesses, using the drum as their sacred tool during ritual and ceremony. .
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Since I began playing this incredible instrument, I feel this history has been awakening from a place deep within me. And I want nothing more than to help awaken this powerful legacy within you too.
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I hope you will join me for my very first drumming workshop:
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Drumming For Women: Remembering a Sacred Legacy
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When: Saturday, 5/25 2-4pm
Where: @spacephx
Investment: $30 in Advance, $40 day of
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More info and to register click the link in my bio.
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Drums: I have seven (now five) drums available to use on a first come first serve basis. These drums will also be for sale at the end of the workshop. You are welcome to bring your own drum.
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#drum
#framedrum
#handdrum
#remo
#whenthedrummerswerewomen
Time is a funny thing.
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I’ve noticed that as certain times of the year cycle back around, I’ll unconsciously “remember” important moments that occurred around the same time. Like they’ve left an imprint on my being that I only recognize in hindsight.
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May 14 is one of those days. When I was in graduate school, my best friend passed away. May 14 was her birthday. .
Over the years, special things seem to occur on this day. Even when I don’t remember that this day is special.
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One year on May 14th, I taught my first yoga class after graduating from teacher training. Another year on May 14th, I embarked upon one of the most beautiful adventures I’ve ever had — a road trip with no destination, filled with experiences that would expand my mind and heart forever.
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Every year, big or small, something magical seems to transpire on May 14th. And this year, it was especially beautiful.
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When my friend died, I moved across the country and started my first yoga teacher training program. This is where I was first introduced to @trevorhallmusic and his music.
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I came home one night and listened to every song I could find.
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I remember laying outside, looking at the stars, and the song that I am playing above came on — The Lime Tree. Something about it moved me and I felt my friend’s presence so strongly. I wept and wept and wept and wept. Listening to this song on repeat. .
Through watery eyes, I looked to the stars as if asking them “What am I supposed to do with all of this inside me?” And in that moment I heard her voice, “Just keep your eyes on the stars.” And then, a shooting star streaked across the sky. 💫
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I’ve wanted to learn this song since I started playing guitar. But every time I tried to learn, for whatever reason I couldn’t. .
Then a few days ago, I finally picked up my guitar, and the song just poured out of me. Effortlessly. It was only after learned it that I realized that her birthday was just a few days away.
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So yesterday, on May 14th, I played this song, in the courtyard of my second YTT program, in her memory, in her honor. .
Time. It’s a funny, beautiful, amazing thing. .
#thelimetree
#singingheals
#timeheals
#guitar
#devotion
#yoga
#love
#jai
