SINGING BREATH

You can do this practice accompainied by a drone tape in the background, that would help you focusing.

1. Sit or stand in a comfortable position.
2. Bring your awareness to your breath, breathing in and out in a steady, natural cycle while relaxing your facial muscles and jaw.
3. Focus on listening to your breath, slowly allowing it to become softly audible. Remain focused on the breath-voices that you produce as a complete experience of "openness to new sounds". Keep your intention focused only on your breath.
4. Effortlessly start Ahhhing (the breathy sound of "Ah"). From the lower register of your voice, a slow, clear, sustained and luminous Ahhh. Notice your voice in your chest, in your throat, in your head, in your hands, and in your whole body. A repetitive melody may emerge.
5. Allow for music to come, but always come back to Ahhh, until the sound of Ahhh feels open, clear and relaxed. Remember to sing from your belly, while listening, always listening to the inner heart.
6. Remain in some moments of silence afterwards

Duration of the practice: 15min (minimum)

These therapeutic sounds are gentle vibrations that help us relax into our own voice, releasing unwanted emotions while stimulating the energy flow. In many cultures, the sustained sounding of "Ah" is one of the most powerful healing sounds generated by the voice.

SINGING AND SONIC MEDITATION ON THE LAYERS OF SOUND

1. You will need a drone tape or CD or Silvia Nakkach's "Ah" CD to work with
2. Find a comfortable position, sitting or lying down
3. Focus your awareness on the panormama of drones, listening with your whole being
4. After a few minutes, tune in to each specific layer of sound. Then listen to the whole drone environment again. Notice your natural movement from discrete to global listening
5. Now explore the healing power of your own voice by toning along with the recording. Alternate between bringing your voice forward as a "figure" and then dissolving it into the drone as "background".

This meditation is recommended to enhance deep listening and sustained focus. It encourages creativity while allowing us to relax slowly into a feeling of fulfillment and inspiration. It is also especially effective in reducing stress before or after surgery.

By Silvia Nakkach, M.A.,M.T. Extracted from "The Healing Voice", Vox Mundi, 1999