The Focus On series is all about sharing the diversity of meditation journeys and experiences. An opportunity to come together and share stories, practices, and insights .. to listen and learn from each other.
Sound baths. Gong ceremonies. Crystal bowl vibration. Chanting.
What a wonderful gift .. music and voice .. bringing peace and heartfulness to others. You know I am completely besotted with chanting (yep .. every damn day) but it is such a very special and sacred gift to be able to support others on the journey within, down to their deepest vibrational selves, through the combination of voice and music.
And on one dark chilly night, a few months ago, I took my bestie girlfriend for her first sound healing experience.
Just a little drive out of town we found our way to a little yoga studio. Greeted with warmth and humor, a camaraderie amongst guests, we were guided to find our place on the floor (ahh .. lying down) supported with a range of blankets and bolsters, and eye pillows. And here we settled and let go. Invited to rest awhile, guided by Katie’s gentle guided meditation and soothing sound journey with various drums, chimes, crystal bowls, and Tibetan singing bowls, and Katie’s magical multi-layered overtone singing.
Open
Sound healing uses voice and instruments to resonate on a deeper physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level, to encourage healing and rest. Sound helps to facilitate shifts in our brainwave state, using rhythm and frequency to entrain our brainwaves to slow from our normal beta state (waking consciousness) to alpha (relaxed consciousness), theta (meditative or creative state) and delta (sleep and deep healing).
A truly beautiful evening, so I was super excited to receive Katie’s new CD ‘Journey to Mantra’ a few weeks later. And then .. I simply had to ask her for an interview .. which I am thrilled to share with you.
Thank you Katie
Name: Katie Underwood
Special Interest: Sound Healing & Meditation
Website: www.underwoodhealing.com
Katie is a singer, sound healer, remedial massage therapist, reiki practitioner and meditation teacher. She holds a Diploma in Sound Therapy, Diploma of Remedial Massage, Reiki 1 & 2 and is certified as a meditation teacher with Melbourne Meditation Centre. Katie studied Tibetan sound healing with Lama
Katie has birthed two wonderful album’s: ‘Madrigal’ and this year, ‘Journey to Mantra’. You can find her on all digital platforms or visit her site and purchase her CD .. she also runs regular workshops Greater Melbourne.
1. Katie, tell us about your special interest
I feel blessed to be gifted in singing but my passion now is helping others discover and experience deep meditation and relaxation with music.
2. How long have you been walking this path? Tell us a little about your ‘journey’.
My personal path into meditation began 15 years ago but my step into healing began 10 years ago. I started by working as a massage therapist, then reiki practitioner and finally completed my diploma in sound healing therapy and meditation teacher training. This has enabled me to combine my love for music with my passion for healing and teaching meditation to others.
I have explored the deeper states of relaxation while awake, and the spiritual connections it has triggered along the way
3. How did you find meditation, the when/where/how?
Meditation was my savior
4. Do you have a regular practice – daily, weekly, other? Am or PM?
I will often meditate in my bed, either morning or night depending on the day. For longer meditations, seated is best as otherwise, I am inclined to sleep. (which is still sometimes the goal)
5. Do you have a particular technique(s) that you have found resonates with you?
I enjoy all forms of meditation but sound meditation (music or mantra) definitely works best for me.
It makes me feel like I have a secret superpower!
6. Could you share what benefits you have observed from your practice?
Regular meditation improves all areas of my life – I am a better friend,
7. Do you have a dedicated space for your practice? Or, elements that support your meditation practice?
At the moment I don’t but I am about to move house so I will hopefully set up another space there. somewhere I can see plants, light a candle and sit comfortably while listening to music or in silence. Colour inspires me too so I like to fill the space with beautiful artifacts and some scattered colored cushions.
8. Have you attended a meditation retreat or a space of deeper learning, if so, could you share some of your experience and insights?
My last personal retreat was a
9. Any favorite inspirational books or resources that you might share?
I have bought many books on meditation over the years but one I enjoyed meditating on deeply while reading was the 81 verses of the Tao – as translated by Wayne Dyer. It contain the verses of the Tao along with an affirmation for each one as well.
10. Any wise words to share with those who are new to meditation?
Be patient and be kind to yourself when you are starting out. No-one is good at meditation in the beginning – it is a process of training your mind to be still and to focus – and that takes practice. Be your own best friend and support yourself with positive self-talk each time you sit and meditate, whether its for 3 mins or 30 minutes.
11. 6 Random things about you?
*I was born in Adelaide
*I can’t whistle
*I have moved house 25 times over the last 25 years
*I have dyed my hair almost every
*My middle name is Ashley
*I love gardening (great for grounding!)
Here are two of my favorite offerings .. each with a different flavor:
I was intrigued by the title, The Sidhe Song and this is what I found: Sidhe (pronounced ‘shee’) is the Gaelic name for the fairies in Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland, and literally means “people of the fairy hills”. These are the noble, human-like and magical fairies that make their home near the lakes, mountains
And from ‘Journey to Mantra’ the track Mrityunjaya has been on high rotation in my home. The great mantra dedicated to Shiva, the maha