Sound Advice for Healing

DiviniTree, the yoga studio just steps from State Street in the heart of downtown across from De La Guerra Plaza, has new owners – and a new attitude toward events. A Breath Work & Sound Healing Workshop, slated for this Saturday, August 18, offers participants the opportunity to harness the power of their own breath as they allow the vibrations of traditional instruments to wash over them. 

Sound healer, yoga teacher, meditation, and breath work practitioner Damian Nur Das is the facilitator for the event, which will let guests learn new breath work techniques or to become more deeply acquainted with ones they might already know. Some of the breath exercises are heating and activating, while others can be cooling, balancing, and centering. Either way, the breathing that will be practiced will help oxygenate the blood and stimulate oxytocin supply to the brain, putting the body into a natural relaxation response.

Easing the process will be a sound bath featuring such traditional instruments as the didgeridoo, Native American flute, gongs, and 432Hz crystal singing bowls. Merging the two practices, along with group toning and visualizations – elements to bring participants into a meditative state of mind and act to release tension, stress, and fear – may result in any number of benefits, including deep relaxation, harmonizing the nervous system, enhancing Theta and Alpha brain waves, activating higher states of consciousness, releasing trauma, and clearing energetic blocks, enhancing clarity of mind, and even providing relief from physical pain. All practitioners, from beginner to experienced, are welcome.

Admission to the 1:30 to 3:15 pm workshop costs $29 in advance or $35 on Saturday. Upcoming workshops include Abhyanga: The Ayurvedic Self Massage with Valentina Mugnaini on Saturday, September 15, a free Fall Equinox Yoga Class and Potluck Picnic at Leadbetter Beach on Saturday, September 22, and Fall Equinox Detox with Natalie Dawn Sampila on Sunday, September 23. DiviniTree is located at 25 E. De la Guerra St. Call (805) 897-3354 or visit www.sb.divinitree.com.

Sounding off at Salt

Various vibrations reverberate through the warm pink haze in the underground cave known as Salt on lower State Street twice during the upcoming week. On Friday, August 17, Brandon Kaysen leads a Sacred Sound Journey that combines Salt Therapy with Sound Healing as a powerful way to harmonize every cell in the body through breath, harmonic resonance, and connecting with the Earth’s natural energy. Guests will breathe pure air in the salt cave while journeying deep within to peacefully connect with Mother Earth at the event, geared to open your heart space and realign your presence to all that is “Now.” Visitors are invited to meditate and/or participate by bringing your energy to the circle of pure breath and sound, thereby becoming part of the “symphony.” Kaysen, who also uses Tibetan and crystal bowls, didgeridoo, chimes and more, began studying and playing the planetary gongs in 2012, bringing his modern healing practice to the ancient modality that helps raise the collective consciousness, nurture the soul, and heal the body by strengthening the nervous system. Tibetan and crystal bowls, didgeridoo, chimes, and more. The 6 to 7 pm sessions costs $25.

Jenn Winzenried takes over the Salt Cave for a one-hour session at 5:45 pm on Tuesday, August 21, featuring a Sound Bath & Yoga Nidra. Teaming with her partner, Dominic, for an evening of bliss, meshing yoga, and sound healing, the pair invite all to let go and surrender to the practice of seamlessly flowing from one place in the body to another in a relaxing yin practice, softening into the salt earth underneath. Participants will explore just a few poses and utilize the breath to organically peel away layers of connective tissue that surrounds the muscles, stimulating and lengthening the tissues. Admission is $25.

Salt Cave Santa Barbara is located at 740 State Street. Call (805) 963-7258 or visit www.saltcavesb.com.

The Sound of Soup

Not to be outdone, Yoga Soup, home of the periodic sound bath featuring local gong and Tibetan bowl master Shane Tuunder, is launching a new weekly Soundbath Meditation featuring Anahita Holden, the harpist/musician who has frequently accompanied meditations and workshops offered by Radhule Weininger. Holden will host a traditional Vipassana-style meditation with the sounds of harp, 432Hz crystal bowls, and other healing frequencies for a practice featuring gentle stretching, restorative postures, and aromatherapy to integrate the experience into the body. The idea behind the 8:15 to 9:15 pm sessions taking place every Thursday beginning August 16 is to engage your senses and relax your nervous system in preparation for a peaceful sleep. Admission is by donation.