Twenty-two years ago I had a crash off a horse that landed me in the hospital for 4 days. I had multiple broken ribs, contusions on my lungs, and some complications from the pain meds. Thankfully, I was wearing a helmet and didn’t lose consciousness. The doctors asked me if I had hit my head, but since it wasn’t the main point of impact and I thought I was okay, the focus was elsewhere.

It wasn’t until about six months later when I started to do the bookkeeping for my husband’s growing business that it became apparent my brain had suffered some repercussions from the fall. It had been a few years since I had been involved in the business, and the accounting systems had become considerably more sophisticated. I had always been a fast learner and could stay focused for as long as I chose, but things were markedly different this time around. I had difficulties focusing, retaining information, and by early afternoon my brain was spent and I was mentally exhausted.

I decided to seek support from my friend Sylvia, an acupuncturist who incorporated sound through the use of tuning forks, gongs, and Tibetan singing bowls. The skillfully crafted sounds she brought forth from these instruments accompanied powerful vibrations that I felt resonate through my body. I had never experienced anything quite like it. My brain felt like it was getting a massage, and after just a couple of sessions, I noticed my capacity to focus had improved. 

I purchased a pair of Ohm, or earth frequency tuning forks to play with at home. The sound they produced wasn’t strong, but the vibration from placing the ends of my head or body was deeply grounding.

Next, I ventured into the world of Shamanic healing and Tibetan Singing Bowls. I met a Shaman named Kappy who had a gorgeous set of seven bowls and taught me how to play them. We would take turns drumming and lying down with the bowls placed on or around our body corresponding to our various chakras, or energy centers. She shared her wisdom and her love of a collection of indigenous instruments. Being in Kappy’s journey room was a transformative experience. She sold me her beautiful set of bowls and replaced them with an antique set that took my breath away just looking at them.

Today I am delighted to share my affinity for the amazing experience that sound healing brings. The power of the sounds, whether felt viscerally, in our bones, or as a transportive state of consciousness, allow us an escape from our day to day state of being. They have a way of opening us to new perspectives and possibilities. Mostly, it is a deeply relaxing and unique experience that you’ll want to return to again and again. Add to this the backdrop of the horses and the serenity of the farm, and you won’t be disappointed.