Yoga and Sound are a divine combination, a melding of two devotional practices to create a deep connection to Self.

During a Yoga and Sound class, the frequencies of Crystal and Tibetan Bowls, chimes and gong are first taken into the body in a conscious way because we’re hearing these beautiful sounds, often for the first time. As we continue further into our class, we shift to unconscious listening. We’re paying closer attention to our movements and the Sounds are being internalized. The body begins using the frequencies like a healing, flowing river, a river that carries us through our movements in an easy, graceful way.

The intentionally played sounds serve as a relaxing balm for the parasympathetic nervous system. Our breathing becomes a bit deeper, we’re less tense, not as much in our heads. The muscles throughout our body are allowed to relax and lengthen and we can assume poses with less or no straining. We begin to use our whole brain effortlessly, learning new techniques easily, seeing our workouts as a creative, meditative dance. This is due to our brain transitioning into altered states of consciousness brought on by the complex, resonating tones of the beautifully crafted instruments.

As this happens, everyday concerns become non-existent and our bodies are allowed to de-stress, to relax and drop the tensions we normally hold. The deep relaxation we experience through Yoga and Sound can become a powerful meditation practice that helps to anchor and stabilize the mind’s awareness in a pool of deep tranquility and peace.

I'll be co-creating several Yoga and Sound events in April in Carson City and Gardnerville. One is Sound combined with Restorative Yoga and the other is a powerful Re-Birthing Ceremony.

If you are interested in combining Yoga and Sound in an event, please contact me.

I’m often asked about my gongs and what are they made of.

I’ve had a few different gongs, a 22” Wind Gong, a 34” Chao Gong and my last and favorite, a 36” Paiste Symphonic Gong.

The Wind Gong is Chinese in origin, made from B20 bronze or sometimes M63 brass and is flat with a gentle slope and no rim. The 22” can be carried around when doing Sound Healing sessions or at events and has a crashing, shimmering sound. I find I use it more for accents and short bursts.

The Wuhan Chao Gong, also Chinese, used in orchestras and for Sound Healing, is made of cast bronze (76%copper, 23% tin and traces of zinc and iron). The Chao has a fundamental note, mine was E, and gives off some harmonics and shimmer. And they're very heavy, much heavier than the Paiste! They can also crack if dropped on a hard surface because of the brittleness of the metal. I used mine for many years but found I really enjoyed the variety of tones and harmonics I could achieve with the Paiste.

The conditions for creating a Wuhan Chao Gong are pretty primitive, at least the pictures I've been able to find.

The Paiste Symphonic Gong has a beautiful range of tones and notes and is made from a nickel-silver alloy. It begins as a round disk which is then coaxed into it’s unique shape and sound capacity by master craftsmen whose goal is perfection!

I consider my Paiste Gong with a loving respect. Before I play an event or a personal sound session, I always say an intentional prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving for the privilege of having such a beautiful instrument. Each time I play, I hear new sounds, tones and melodies. It’s voice is in response to my intentions and to the souls that have come to receive the Sound Healing.

All of the gongs will have different sounds according to what mallets are used. And there are a huge variety of mallets made for gong playing! There are heavy Paiste mallets with very padded heads and from there, the mallets decrease in size, firmness and texture of the heads. There are also flumies which are friction balls on a stick developed from the little super balls. These are dragged across the surface of a gong to achieve haunting, whale and dolphin-like sounds. I love playing these as I use a mallet. I've been able to discover a variety of evocative sounds while playing at events or personal sessions. I feel like the gong is gifting us with messages just for us at that specific time.

I feel blessed that I have been guided in this lifetime to follow this amazing path, the Path of Sound Healing, the Yoga of Sound.

I invite you to come to my next event on the Spring Equinox to hear the amazing voices of the Paiste Symphonic Gong!