You may have seen my posts, invites, events, blogs, who knows what else and in the back of your mind maybe you wondered, what IS it? What is she doing?
Maybe the thought ran through your mind, “I could never sing with a group”, or maybe even, “I don’t want to sing with a group”, or “Yikes!” Lol
I remember thinking all of those things. I was looking for something though, something I had no idea I was missing. I took a chance, encouraged my singing coach to start a group similar to another I’d heard about and it turned out to be so much more than we ever could have imagined.
Was it scary? Of course it was. Being in a group of other women, singing songs I’d never heard, learning by ear, not knowing what to expect, wondering if I could sing, did I sound awful, could I keep up. It was scary for introverted me, I can’t sing me, terrified of what they were going to ask me to do me and on it went in my mind.
I went though, and it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I distinctly remember having the very clear thought, “This is what they mean when they say you feel like you’ve come home”. My heart hasn’t stopped blossoming since. I want to share it with every woman who will let me!
There’s something about singing together that connects us at a deep level, regardless of ability.
In April 2020 upon request I took HeartSong virtual on Zoom. It’s a different milieu than the in person circles of course, but it turns out it’s got it’s pros too. The women love being able to sing from home. They get to hear their own voices and mine but no one can hear them so they can sing any way they want to. They get to see the lyrics online, which we don’t use in the live circles. We still get to share, see each other’s faces and hear each other’s voices. We remain strongly connected. We still leave the circle each time feeling happy, sated, uplifted, heartful, peaceful, loved and at home in ourselves.
So what do we do?
We sit or stand in a circle of women of varying ages.
We greet each other and we do warm up exercises, for body, breath, entrainment and sound.
We sing a short song to get us singing together and break the ice.
We “open” the circle with a question so we can each share briefly with authentic communication, creating connection.
We share a slower, meditative kind of song, then more songs – by call and response. Perhaps a song about the elements or lettting go, about love or rising strong. Maybe a gospel type song or one that’s meant to mimic the sound of drums. Sometimes slow songs, sometimes upbeat ones.
The more we sing together, the closer we feel, the more impressed we are with each other’s courage and thankful that we are together in learning the tune and the words. It doesn’t matter so much because it isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being together, having fun, trying something new, expanding ourselves a little and opening ourselves up.
We sing different types of songs and chants from various traditions. We might learn one in Sanskrit or an African dialect or English. Sometimes it’s even more fun to sing a song in a different language because it bypasses our critical brains and lets our voices come out more.
The songs are about love, about enlightenment, fun, women, the elements, expansion, not giving up, miracles and so on. They’re meant to connect us, uplift us and raise our spirits and they do that so very well.
We build amazing energy while we’re singing and when we close the circle we get to send that beautiful energy out to our loved ones, maybe to the planet or animals. It matters not as much to whom as that we’re sending out the loving, healing energy that we’ve created.
I love it, I love all of it. I love the women, the singing, the sharing, the laughter, the fun, the connections, the hearts, the energy and the feeling that I’m home, I’m with my tribe, my peeps. 🙂
I’ve often read that the world needs more kindness. This is mine. A kindness given and a blessing I receive over and over.
Sound like something you might enjoy experiencing?
Blessings, Beauties
From my heart to yours
With
Love,
Light
Laughter, and
HeartSong
Kim