A Sound Life https://asoundlife.org Wed, 24 Apr 2024 04:37:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 https://asoundlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ASL_Logo-mark-min-150x150.png A Sound Life https://asoundlife.org 32 32 Northern Rivers ASL Info Session https://asoundlife.org/northern-rivers-asl-info-session/ Mon, 15 Apr 2024 02:28:14 +0000 https://asoundlife.org/?p=9373 DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN NEED IN THE NORTHERN RIVERS?

Come to our next Info Session at BodyMindLife Byron Bay – 6 Byron St, Byron Bay and see for yourself the incredible difference ASL makes in the world! We deliver trauma informed, therapeutic yoga and music sessions to our participants to help them build resilience and cope with stress.

Our programs are tailored to meet the needs of each individual and group we serve. We work closely with leading Music Facilitators, Yoga Teachers & Therapists, and Meditation teachers to create these programs that are then delivered by our passionate volunteers. We provide comprehensive free training to our volunteers to equip and up-skill them with the skills they need to safely provide these therapeutic programs to the individuals, communities and facilities we service.

If yiu are interested in coming along, please RSVP to Sophie at A Sound Life or via our Facebook event.

Share this with anyone you think may be interested in attending.

]]> Your Voice: A Tool for Safety and Self-regulation https://asoundlife.org/your-voice-a-tool-for-safety-and-self-regulation/ Thu, 04 Apr 2024 02:57:47 +0000 https://asoundlife.org/?p=9365 You likely know that feeling safe is a fundamental human need.

But did you know that your voice can be a tool for feeling safe?

It may sound strange, but using your voice in particular ways can help you access feelings of calm and safety. By making gentle sounds such as humming and toning, you can begin to reset the nervous system and experience more ease.

How does this work?

Gentle sounds, such as humming, calm the vagus nerve, which connects to the larynx (voice box) (Thibodeaux) as well as the middle ear, chest, lungs, and gut. When we hum and make other similar sounds, we calm and soothe this nerve. This action “creates a positive state of relaxation and social engagement” and “has a calming, soothing effect, and promotes rest and restitution” (Rosenberg 34). By activating the vagus nerve in this way, we stimulate the “Social Engagement System” (Porges) which is our “face-heart” system that links the ventral vagus (heart), the face and head (facial expressions), how we listen (auditory), and how we speak (vocalisation). (Porges, qtd in Dana 7). The soothing sounds vibrate and calm this social engagement system.

What are some examples?

Think of a wonderful food or meal that you love, which may inspire the sound “Mmmmm.” With your lips together, gently make the “Mmmmm” sound and extend it a little longer than you might normally. Note any resonance as you simply make the sound. Now, put your hands on your cheeks and make this sound again. Let yourself feel the sound in your hands, noting any vibration that arises. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and exhale again on “Mmmm,” paying attention to the sound and resonance once more.

Another example is to put your hand on your chest, which the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet calls “the jewel in the left side of your chest” (Thompson 15), and say an extended, “Ohhhhh” as if you have just learned something very important. Say it a few times (keeping your hand on your chest), noting again any vibration or resonance in your chest.

As you may have noticed with these exercises, as soon as you make these sounds, you begin to resonate and vibrate. What you are doing is toning your nervous system. I invite you to come back to this simple tool throughout the day, particularly if – or when – you feel dysregulated.

What are other ways this practice works to help me self-regulate?

Incorporating gentle body movements as well for a fully embodied experience can create greater self-regulation. In addition to using the voice and hands, using arm movements and gentle stretches help to engage with the sound more deeply. An example of this is to stretch your arm, point your finger, and make an “Ahhhhh” sound as you make the circle. As your finger moves up, let the sound go up in pitch; as it comes down, let the pitch come down. (If “pitch” makes little sense, let the emphasis of the word “Ahhhh” shift as your arm moves in a circle.) Repeat this several times, going slowly and paying attention to the sound. If you are looking at your computer, perhaps you can draw an imaginary circle around the computer extending each direction gently and, if it feels right, playfully. With the body engaged along with the voice, we begin to integrate and befriend the entire nervous system with tenderness.

What if I don’t like my voice or feel afraid to make sounds?

You are not alone! Many people share this feeling. If this describes you, rather than making sounds, I invite you to try the exercises as you inhale and exhale, as the breath is the foundation of vocal sound. Your breath makes subtle sounds, and you are invited to let that be the practice instead of making audible sounds. Sound Passage is not about singing; Sound Passage is about connecting with the nervous system in tender and gentle ways.

 

Source: Trauma Research Foundation

]]> Lovefest Northern Beaches – Saturday 11 May https://asoundlife.org/lovefest-northern-beaches/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 02:56:45 +0000 https://asoundlife.org/?p=9351 On Saturday 11th May from 11am until 11pm  we are coming together for the first time on the Northern Beaches in a special funky venue supporting community called Label.

Our Wellness Facilitators will take you on a journey that flows on from sunshine to sunset and then night time. With a mix of body movement, live music, immersive experiences, community connection, inspirational discussions and a whole lot of magic!

Through CONNECTION, DANCE and CELEBRATION. We will journey together to higher states of Love and wellbeing in a safe, creative environment where we accept each other for who we are and who we want to be, creating ripples of Love.

Proudly sponsored by Billabong Retreat, SP Music Group, Ace Props, and Awake Water.

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Opening Circle with Acknowledgement of Country
  • Yoga
  • Breathwork
  • Ecstatic Dance
  • Connection Workshop
  • Kirtan
  • Live Music
  • DJ Set
  •  Sound Journey
  • Indigenous Smoking Ceremony
  • Community Drumming
  • Open Mic Space
  •  Meditation of Love
  • Storytelling

ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS

Many more attractions to come including a non-alcoholic drinks bar, state of the art sound system, lighting, props, installations, with a small children space and market stalls. Delicious plant based food will be available for purchase.

DATE & TIME

  • Join us on Saturday 11th May 2024.
  • 11AM Start. 11PM Finish

TICKETS

  • Early Bird All Access Passes – $99
  • Teens – $20, Children 0-12 – Free

If you need support with funds, please contact us and we will see what we can do. We want to keep supporting community.

You can also make a donation to help people that need support with funds to access these events,

Lovefest is bringing the connected festival experience from our weekends in nature to Bondi Beach for one day. Consciously connect in a meaningful, fun and healthy way. To be uplifted and nourished in an environment without any substances that impair cognition.

ENTRY AGREEMENT

* This will be an alcohol and drug free event. This will allow us to connect together with clarity and focused intention.

* Photography and video for promotional purposes will be taken on the night.

* Dressing colourful (is recommended)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land of this location and this special space. The Guringai country, the land of the Garigal or Caregal people. who traditionally occupied the east coast of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.

ABOUT LOVEFEST

Lovefest is about Love for Self, Love for Community and Love for planet. We connect with ourselves and each other so we can send ripples of Love to our families, community, nation and then the entire planet,

Lovefest events have 3 pillars. Health and Wellbeing, Community Connection, and Dance.

Without any substances that impair cognition so we are all on the same wavelength. We come together to connect, transform, and celebrate, whilst holding the same vision and intention to spread love into the world and take action post-event.We then start to make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. This then ripples out into the society we live in, positively impacting the community at large and eventually the country and planet.

The 8 Principles of Lovefest are:
1. INNER JOURNEY
2. EMPATHETIC COMMUNICATION
3. BEING OF SERVICE
4. HUMILITY
5. HARMONY
6. BUILDING COMMUNITY
7. CONNECTION TO LAND
8. CELEBRATION
www.lovefestaustralia.com

]]> A Sound Life Musician Training April 2024 https://asoundlife.org/a-sound-life-musician-training-april2024/ Thu, 21 Mar 2024 04:45:33 +0000 https://asoundlife.org/?p=9345 Are you a musician with a passion to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most?

A Sound Life Musician Training sessions are held every three months and our next one will be on Sunday 28 April 10-3pm, at Together2 in Rozelle, NSW (with the option to join online via Zoom).  

We would like to invite any musicians out there to come and share the gift of your music to uplift the lives of people who need it most: Children and Adults in Hospitals, Disability Centres and Aged Care Centres around Australia.

Music can heal, uplift and even transform lives but the people who need it most often have the least access to it. That is where A Sound Life comes in – we do all the legwork to make it easy for you to simply turn up and perform your music either live over Zoom or directly to patients by their bedside in hospitals.

Benefits of being a musician with us:

  • A unique experience to share your talents and kind heart to make a tangible difference to the lives of others
  • An enriching way to give back to the community
  • A sense of reward from empowering people who are disadvantaged
  • Gain confidence in your performance abilities
  • Meet people from all walks of life and know that you’re making a difference
  • Learn new skills

Location

  • Various Facilities in NSW, Victoria, Queensland & Online

Skills, Experience & Attributes

  • Must have adequate level of proficiency in your chosen instrument and/or musical presentation where you can confidently play for an audience for at least 15 minutes
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Understanding of sensitivity around issues faced by clients at the various facilities we service
  • Positive disposition, can do attitude 
  • Team orientated approach
  • Always share music from a place of safety and care for yourself and others

Commitment:

  • Minimum 10 x 45min – 1hr Music Sessions
  • You control the frequency, we would love to have you weekly, fortnightly or even monthly
  • Be compassionate and responsible
  • Current Police and Working with children check
  • Complete Online Course Pre Training – up to 1 hour
  • Complete ASL In Person Training- 5 hours

 

If this sounds like something for you, then fill in an application form here.

Please feel free to reach out to us here with any questions.

]]> The Science of Stress https://asoundlife.org/the-science-of-stress/ Wed, 06 Mar 2024 23:33:39 +0000 https://asoundlife.org/?p=9332 We all feel it. But what is it?

Having a deeper understanding of stress can help us to overcome and manage its adverse effects on our body and mind.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress

The psychological symptoms of stress include feeling overwhelmed, worry, fear, anger, tearfulness, irritability, anxiety, helplessness and/or memory problems.

Physical symptoms include heart palpitations, fatigue, stomach upset, diarrhoea, headaches, muscular aches and pains, weakened immune system and/ or high blood pressure.

Behavioural symptoms of stress include difficulty concentrating, fatigue, lacking motivation, sleep disturbance, insomnia, social withdrawal, unhealthy eating habits and/or short temper.

Sound familiar?

Definitions of Stress

The dictionary has several definitions of stress, including:

“Pressure or tension exerted on a material object,”
“A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances” and
“Physiological disturbance or damage caused to an organism by adverse circumstances.”

A stressor is anything that affects one’s well being or survival, and stress is a natural human response to a stressor designed to bring us back to homeostasis. Homeostasis is the way in which the body maintains its internal equilibrium for well being and survival.

The stressor can be an external threat, for example a bomb going off or loosing your job, or it can be internal, like feeling time pressured or worried about the way you’re perceived by your colleagues.

Acute and Chronic Stress

Stress can be acute, in greater or lesser degrees. Mild acute stress, like starting a new job or giving a presentation, can lead to developing an adaptive response to meeting life’s challenges, but severe stress, like being exposed to a violent and life threatening crime, can lead to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or other mental health problems.

Chronic stress, on the other hand, is stress that continues over an extended period of time, such as chronic health issues, relationship difficulties, financial problems, bullying, social isolation or living in an unsafe environment.

The Physiology of Stress

The body’s stress response kicks in as soon as we realise the presence of a stressor. Signals are sent to the brain and hormones are released in order to cope with the stress. The energy demands of the body are shifted from long term processes, like digestion, tissue growth and sexual functioning to processes that enable to us to deal with the situation at hand, including utilising muscles required for action, oxygen in the lungs, decreased pain sensitivity, and reduced tendency to bleed.

The hormonal response to stress happens along the HPA (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal) axis. The hypothalamus, pituitary gland and the adrenals glands control our reactions to stress, and are responsible for many body processes like digestion, immune functioning, mood, sexuality and energy.

The hypothalamus, the command centre at the base of the brain, is stimulated by the amygdala, an almond shaped set of neurons, located deep in the brains medial temporal lobe, which plays a key role in both the fear response and pleasure. The hypothalamus then excites the pituitary gland, a pea size master gland that sits behind the nose, whose main function is to secrete hormones into the blood stream, regulating many of the bodies vital functions.

The pituitary gland then alerts the adrenal glands, a triangle shaped gland that sits on top of the kidneys, and the adrenal medulla (the inner part of the gland) secretes the neurotransmitter adrenaline (epinephrine), which instigates the fight-or-flight response. This results in an increase in pulse rate, sending more glucose and oxygen to the brain (to keep you more alert), muscles and lungs, a constriction and release of protein in blood vessels to assist with clotting, and a conversion of glycogen to glucose and release of fatty acids from fat stores to supply us with a ready source of available energy. The hormone cortisol is then released, to build back up energy reserves depleted by the surge of adrenaline, by converting food into energy storage with glycogen and fat. Cortisol can continue to be released for hours after the stressor.

Stress and the Autonomic Nervous System

The stress response also activates the Autonomic Nervous System, the part of the nervous system that is in charge of bodily functions, but is not under our conscious control. There are three main branches of the Autonomic Nervous System, the sympathetic, the parasympathetic and the enteric.

The sympathetic branch is activated during the stress response and is like an accelerator in a car, triggering the fight-or-flight response and providing the body with a burst of energy to respond to perceived dangers. The parasympathetic branch, on the other hand, promotes rest-and-digest is like the brake in the car, dampening the stress response once the threat has passed.

The enteric branch of the nervous system is not widely discussed, but actually has a similar number of neurons as the spinal cord and is sometimes called the little brain. The enteric nervous system is in embedded in the lining of the gut and orchestrates various digestive functions. It is adversely affect by stress.

When the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system kicks in, it prepares you to meet the stressor, including pupils dilating, heart speeding up, digestion slowing down and blood pressure rising.

Activation of the sympathetic nervous system is designed to save our lives in times of crisis, but if it is triggered too often, it can result in stress related disease, including mental health problems, cardiovascular disease, obesity, gastrointestinal problems and more.

Good Stress and Bad Stress

Stress has received a bad reputation, but a little bit of stress can actually be a good thing. It can help to keep us stay alive when we’re in danger and it can actually improve our performance.

Yerkes-Dodson Law (figure from Storost)

Based on the work of Robert Yerkes and John Dodson, the Yerkes-Dodson Law (1908) states that arousal (stress) improves performance up to a certain point, then performance reduces as arousal increases.

Optimal performance is achieved with a moderate amount of arousal.

Responses to Stress

In their book, The Science of Stress, Neuropsychiatrists Albert Yeung, Ana Ivkovic and Gregory Fricchione describe three typical responses to stress.

Firstly, the stressor and the individuals ability to respond may be well matched, and the response results in a return to homeostasis. This is likely to be a less severe or threatening stressor.

Secondly, the stressor may be excessive or continual and be greater than the individual’s capacity to respond. This results in vulnerability as a result of stress. This is likely to be more severe or ongoing stressor.

Thirdly, while the stressor may be excessive or ongoing, there is a good match between the stressor and the individual’s capacity to respond, leading to post-traumatic growth of anti-fragility. This is not always discussed in relation to stress and trauma, but is an important and powerful catalyst for growth and developing inner strength and wisdom.

Managing Stress

The good news is that there are many strategies that help to reduce, manage and prevent stress, including counselling, relaxation training, breath work, mindfulness based practices and meditation.

My personal favourites include practicing Embodied Rest, iRest Meditation, walking in nature, practicing yoga, spending time with friends and loved ones, and finding someone you can trust to talk to about stressful issues and creating a life you love.

Originally published by Lauren Tober

]]> One Amazing Health Impact From Yoga – Reducing Inflammation https://asoundlife.org/yoga-can-improve-health-by-reducing-inflamation/ Fri, 02 Dec 2022 10:34:28 +0000 https://asoundlife.org/?p=9108 A Sound Life strives to build a more inclusive world by bringing the healing power of Yoga to people in need. We are inspired by the feedback we get from our participants about how yoga has helped them in their every day life. Additionally, it is wonderful when science gives us more insights into how Yoga helps us heal.

One of the most impactful ways Yoga has been shown to improve health and immunity is by reducing inflammation in the body. This has wide reaching effects on our overall wellbeing because Inflammation plays a significant role in our ill – health. It contributes to the most prevalent and difficult to heal diseases of our time, such as cancer, alzheimers, heart disease, asthma, diabetes and arthritis.

Yoga can play a pivotal role in health outcomes by reducing inflammation and thereby helping to boost immunity. We think it is exciting that studies indicate that yoga can create changes right down at the underlying cause of inflammation –  the DNA.

Watch this 6 min video interview with Dr Singh Khalsa Ph.D for more information about how yoga can help reduce inflammation. Towards the end of the video Dr Khalsa lists some peer reviewed studies if you are inspired to look further into these findings.

Here are links to a couple of them for you:

Yoga, Meditation and Mind-Body Health: Increased BDNF, Cortisol Awakening Response, and Altered Inflammatory Marker Expression after a 3-Month Yoga and Meditation Retreat

Preliminary indications of the effect of a brief yoga intervention in markers f inflammation and DNA methylation in chronically stressed women.

Originally published: October 16, 2020 by Yoga Alliance

 

]]> New Moon Meditation https://asoundlife.org/new-moon-meditation-by-yoga-programs-manager-rache-moore/ Tue, 24 Mar 2020 16:08:12 +0000 https://wordpress-639732-2278124.cloudwaysapps.com/?p=5975 Join ASL’s Rache Moore for a New Moon Meditation to balance and rejuvenate your energy whilst anchoring your visions for a healthy and vital future ❤

Thank you to Elijah Ray and the Band of Light for the beautiful music.

]]> Healing Meditation by ASL Ambassador Dr Badri Rickhi https://asoundlife.org/healing-meditation-by-asl-ambassador-badri-rickhi/ Fri, 20 Mar 2020 05:19:54 +0000 https://wordpress-639732-2278124.cloudwaysapps.com/?p=5935 This video, brought to you by ASL Ambassador Dr Badri Rickhi helps to reduce anxiety and fear during these uncertain times. It is meant to calm the mind and provide you with a sense of inner peace. Allow yourself to immerse in the beautiful imagery and healing sounds and frequencies. You don’t need to “do” anything. Just “be.”

From Dr Badri Rickhi, MB, BS, FRCP (C)
Research Chair, Cinim
Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Calgary

 

]]> ASL Stories: Steve’s Story https://asoundlife.org/steves-sound-story/ Thu, 03 Jan 2019 04:28:41 +0000 https://wordpress-639732-2278124.cloudwaysapps.com/?p=4477 Our volunteers are the life blood of our charity. They light up people’s lives, they keep everything going and they do it all so selflessly and graciously. One of our incredible volunteers Steven Mazabow shares his story and the breakthroughs he’s had with sound in his own life and in the lives of people he serves with A Sound Life. It’s very inspiring!

It’s the new year and there’s no better time to become a volunteer with A Sound Life and be part of a family that makes the world, and their world infinitely better. Enquire here to find out more.

]]> Launching New Music Program – St Vincent’s Hospital https://asoundlife.org/launching-new-music-program-st-vincents-hospital/ Wed, 19 Dec 2018 04:04:02 +0000 https://wordpress-639732-2278124.cloudwaysapps.com/?p=4464 A huge and heartfelt thank you to our new friends at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. We launched the first session of our new music program at the hospital and we had the privilege of performing bedside in their Neurology Ward last week.

One of the nurses told us that many of the staff got teary-eyed after seeing a non-verbal, hemiplegic patient attempting to clap their hands and a TBI patient who had been extremely aggressive dancing to the beat of the music.

We’re so touched to know that we were able to bring so much joy to these beautiful patients, families and staff. ?

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