Mini Sound Bath Presentation, Winsor Hill Elementary Healthy Kids Day May 23, 2012

Winsor Hill Elementary School
100 Theresa Avenue, Johnston RI 02919
401.831.4619
http://www.johnstonschools.org
Contact: Michelle Tampella - Principle, Susan Parillo - Health/P.E. Teacher

Video by Marcia Colledge:
Enchanted Apple Photography: http://www.enchanted-apple.deviantart...
  / marcia.colledge  
[email protected]
401.480.2691

Sound Services:   / soundscapers.drumming  
Community Drumming: http://www.nedrummers.ning.com

On May 23, 2012 Soundscapers Joe Hayes & Josh Fonshaker had the immense opportunity to bring holistic energy work into the education system and provide mini sound meditation healing sessions to students ranging from grades 1 through 6 @ Winsor Hill Elementary in Johnston RI. This was to be part of the annual Healthy Kids Day that the school hosts each year in the spring time to help kids become aware and participate in health education through physical activity in an "X" number of stations set up in the school yard for them to have fun. This year however was just a bit different, because now there was an actual station for the kids to experience health in a slightly different way.

From 9:30 to 11:30 we provided 20 minute sound bath healing sessions to each grade in the school. Our arsenal consisted of Native American and African hand drums, Australian didgeridoo, crystal sound bowls, and one 30" Chinese gong. As each group of students would enter into the gym we would welcome them with the playing of the didgeridoo to already start to trip them out and then go into introductions of ourselves. Our presentation was to hit on education, involvement, demonstration, awareness, and health equally. Each piece of instrumentation would be shared with the kids and we would see which of the kids knew it's name, place of origin, it's use, how far back the piece went in history, share with them how each piece was used and then gave a quick sample sound.

After introductions we would go on with talking about that there was a second side to staying healthy that had to do with how we take care of ourselves from the inside out. Dealing with negative and dense emotions that may make us feel and act in a not so good way. Sharing with the kids that it's just as important in being able to channel negativity in a positive way so we do not let it effect us in ways we might regret later on. We talked about how we can produce sound in a relaxing way to be relieved of stress, anger, sadness, and frustration when using instruments in a more gentle way. When asked how many people have dealt with stress almost all the kids raised their hands.

Off to the races time once we gave the kids a mini sound bath and to show them how you can combine these pieces in a most relaxing, but very intense way. There may have been some moving around, talking, and a bit laughter at first. But once we got going they were more spellbound and mezmorized and in total calm by the end of the demonstration. The piece that made them laugh the most was the didge from the way that it can sound like you're farting. The piece we had that made them totally entranced were the crystal sound bowls from the constant resonance and hypnotic tone that constantly came at them and then right through them. What a fantastic time this was for the two of us, all the kids, the school staff, and all the parents that had volunteered this day and definitely not expecting what we had brought.

At the very end of the performance there was just a brief moment of a silent "WHOH" in the room, then clapping and total amazement. We had time for just a few responses and questions by the kids and adults. Earlier in the demo Joe had shared about Native American culture with the hand drum and how he to had Native Tribal Blood lines. This was definitely and interesting green light for some of the other kids to start talking about their own ancestry and what they knew to have inside them for tribal blood lines as well.

Having the chance and opportunity to go into this school and do what the two of us did was BIG, REAL BIG.....Who knows what type of impact or effect this type of experience will have on some of the kids and parents who were present....One thing's for sure thought, we had the chance to plant many seeds, crack a whole lot of skulls open, raise a lot of awareness/vibration, play a big role influentially, and maybe even become the reason that some of the kids get into music and energy work down the road. WHAT AN AWESOME TIME THIS WAS!!!!!!!!!

If you are interested in having Soundscapers come into your school to provide that special experience through music, sound, and vibration, you can reach
Joe Hayes and Josh Fonseca @ (781).254.3239, (401).225.9082