We are very excited to announce the January 5 – 12, 2020 “Sound Healing Journey to India” certification seminar that I am am hosting with my dear friend Aurelio, the creative director of SVARAM Music & Research center in Auroville. It is the first sound healing certificate program combining Vocal Yoga with instrumental sound healing. As many of you know, Auroville is my spiritual home and the birthplace of Vocal Yoga.
Aurelio is a musician, music therapist, educator, ethnomusicologist, researcher, master sound designer and sound healer. He is world-renowned as a cutting edge pioneer in the development and manufacture of innovative musical instruments specially designed for use in sound healing. Inspiring students of the healing arts, Aurelio shares his expertise freely, supporting the emergence of a network of sound healing practitioners and researchers in India.
Joining us is Mallika Prasad, a multi-award-winning director and performer who has produced a number of documentary films and starred in seminal Bollywood films such as “Devi” Ahilya Bai (Hindi – 2002) and Kanooru Heggadathi (Kannada – 1999). She is also a well known personality in Kannada television. Her work combines physical exercises that are based on principles found in Yoga, Kalaripayattu Martial Arts, Alexander Technique, Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Japanese Butoh and sound healing.
In addition to working with the three of us, you will also have the opportunity to meditate in the Unesco World Heritage Site, the Matrimandir!
Topics covered in the workshop will include:
– A deeper look into Vocal Yoga
– Understanding fundamentals, formants and frequencies of the human voice
– The SVARAM sound healing method
– Fundamentals of Indian rhythms and drum circles
– The power of Mantra and Sargam
– Neo-pythagorean tradition of Harmonic Science
– Different systems of chakra toning
– Fitzmaurice Voicework
– Shamanic breathwork and sounding
– Tuning fork resonant activation and humming
– Circle singing and harmonization
– Om Choir
The calendar is coming together and some of the extra activities will include: Meditating in the Matrimandir, experiencing the ultimate sound bath, “The Svaram Sound Journey” in the Unity Pavilion, an evening of “Om Choir” with Narad, meditation with the Aurovilians in the Matrimandir Garden on Sunday, an evening of learning about facilitating drum circles with British drum master Paul John Dear and a sunset trip to the magnificent Shiva temple in Irumbai.
There are also evening music and entertainment events in Auroville https://www.auroville.org/contents/252.
Travel:
I recommend leaving on the 2nd of January at the latest. Leaving earlier will allow you to spend a few days in Pondicherry, a French Colonial city on the water and home of The Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which is a must to visit. Many of the buildings in the White Village of Pondicherry are owned by the Ashram and have very interesting art. The paper factory is very cool! January is a big time of pilgrimage to the Ashram and the city is filled with devotees; you may find yourself having an interesting conversation of yoga philosophy with someone sitting at the table next to you. People from many countries are in Pondy at this time and there are also great French restaurants!
Visas:
You only need to get a Tourist Visa. These can be obtained (in the USA) online, 30 days in advance of your travel date, at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html. Check it out now, in case of any issues, especially if you are not coming from the USA. Let me know if you need assistance.
Health:
There are no required inoculations for those traveling from the U.S. Take note of required inoculations if you are traveling from a different country and consider recommended ones, as well as asking your doctor for prescriptions or recommendations (antibiotics or over-the-counter meds) for 2 different types of intestinal bacteria—one for diarrhea and one for constipation.
The course takes place at Adashakti Arts https://adishaktitheatrearts.com/about-us/We have use of their gorgeous theatre for our course.
Accommodations include:
-Simple guest rooms with fans, with a toilet and shower in each room. The price is for double occupancy although we may have a few singles open up.
The course fee of $1,650 includes:
-The course
-Your room
-Vegetarian breakfast, lunch, & dinner and chai tea and snacks
-Use of two meeting and meditation halls
-A swimming pool!
Not included are hotels outside the course, taxis or airfare.
Workshop days and hours:
We will arrive in Adashakti on January 5 and leave on the 12th, 2020. If you are just coming from Pondicherry, you will be able to make your own arrangements for a taxi or shuttle to Adashakti. We will assist you in pickup form the airport. We will be arranging groups to travel with as well as recommend flights. Your room assignments and room-mates, meet-up instructions, venue and times of meals, and studio directions will be emailed to you in early December.
We will work in the morning with Heather, have lunch and work with Aurelio/ Svaram in the afternoon. http://www.svaram.org
Money exchange:
-ATM’s are widely available where you can get cash (rupees).
-In Auroville there is a bank, post office, supermarket, cinema, cafes, shops, art exhibitions, massages and music most evenings.
Transport:
-You can rent mopeds and scooters or taxis.
Climate:
-Auroville is located in a subtropical zone on the coast of the bay of Bengal. January is the perfect weather! You even need a sweater in the evening. The temperatures from December to March are usually around 24 to 30° C (74 to 85° F) daytime. Nights are generally about 5° C (9°F) cooler than the days—around 64-75° F.
Finally: I also suggest that you check out some of the works of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. They had some cutting edge philosophy.
