Blog # 11: Music Therapy & Spirituality

In almost every culture that I have witnessed, vicariously or directly, music plays an essential role in connecting people to a higher power, nature, each other, and most importantly themselves. Music used with intention becomes a powerful resource that supports transcendence and enlightenment. The primary components of spiritual music are usually rhythm, melody, sometimes lyrics, and specialized instruments that have unique timbres.

• Rhythm: No one can underestimate the power of rhythm. From a spiritual aspect, rhythm has the potential to connect us with our heartbeat, and the heartbeat of someone else and can even manipulate how fast or slow your heart and respiration rates can go. Many Indigenous cultures globally, have specific rhythms that are only taught to healers in training. Fast rhythms may also be typically played by the Healer of the community to induce an altered state of consciousness. Rhythm is used as a primary way to support someone in looking deep within themselves to negotiate with their energy and see what is hindering their spiritual growth. Within times of trial and strife, rhythms have also been used to summon courage and perseverance. This has been seen in many cultures globally in times of war or people who suffered enslavement. Within Music Therapy specific cultural rhythms are not appropriated, but discussed. Certified Music Therapists may engage the client in discussing if rhythm plays a role in their spirituality and ask if they are comfortable sharing how. Rhythm clinically may also be applied to support mindfulness. For instance, I may ask a client to take a moment to listen to the rhythm of my voice, guitar, or drum. I may then direct the individual to notice any sensations or memories that arise or to simply focus on how long they can keep their attention. Another way this may be achieved is by getting the client to make the rhythm for themselves using their body by either stomping, snapping, clapping, or tapping. These tools are taught with the intention that if the client finds themself in a distressful situation, they may self-regulate. Medically we may also use rhythm to alter someone’s respiration and heart rate to a more optimal pace that can actually be read on the biofeedback monitors. This is often used to support people dying within Medical and Hospice environments.

• Melody: Within Western music theory there are specific modes or specialized scales said to induce different emotions and moods. Ionian (the Major happy mood), Dorian (whimsical, dreamy), Phrygian (mixed mood, energetic, sensuality), Lydian (intrigue, discovery) Mixolydian (contemplative, confidence), Aeolian (grief, lament), Locrian (anger, release, aggression). The beauty of melody is that it is subjective. The above scales may have a total different effect on you because of how your culture perceives melody. Other musical systems offer other scales and melodies that bring out other perceptions of emotion. For instance, Weddings are a good example. In Western contexts, wedding music is usually jovial, but in areas of the East like Ukraine (where I am from), wedding songs can be quite grievous and lamentful. Globally, we have assigned specific patterns of sound to different events in life and our environment and use melody to recognize them in our lives. Melody can evoke visceral memories and put us into specific emotional states. Clinically, using this awareness and knowledge, music therapists can offer clients many opportunities to experience a wide range of emotional expressions., especially when clients are celebrating and mourning life. This may induce feelings of connection otherwise not felt without that melody.

• Lyrics: Lyrics can be very specific and provide spiritual music with explicit intentions and some may call prayers. Words sung can elicit a lot of specific images and can be used to narrate what the spiritual experience is for. While rhythm and melody do the same, it is more of an unconscious and subliminal experience. It is easier to project yourself on the music, while lyrics are more concrete. In Music Therapy, this is where lyrical analysis comes into play. Lyrical analysis is where the music therapist invites the client to review the lyrics for themselves and offers them the opportunity to change the lyrics for the sake of personalizing them. This also provides the client an opportunity to contemplate what their spirituality means to them. Within some organized faiths, individualizing written spiritual lyrics are not welcome. Within a clinical context, the wishes of the client are always respected and honoured. Composing an original song inspired by music from before may be another alternative.

• Instruments: Cross-culturally, we as a collective have also assigned specific meanings to instruments and perceive some to be more effective in connecting us to a higher power than others. It also lends itself to how a culture perceives its higher power. Some Faiths may perceive their higher power as being grand, and outside of themselves. For instance, in Catholic churches back in the day, grandiose organs, pianos, and choirs were used to orchestrate the music. Experiencing this music and hearing the timbre of these instruments can elicit that visceral feeling of being in the presence of the Divine for some. For other Faiths, the instrument used may be as small as a rattle, but this timbre and sound elicit the same feeling of Divinity and Connection. Clinically, this is another variable of spiritual music that I admire and also explore by using pre-recorded music or instruments shared by the client. These receptive musical experiences can prompt the client to reflect further on their spiritual experiences.

Music and spirituality are so deeply entwined and provide many with a deep sense of empowerment. Music therapists support clients in deepening their relationship with music in a variety of environments including:

• Long-Term Care & Hospice: Music is often used to promote comfort, physical relief, and spiritual support when the client is passing away. Receptive musical experiences such as listening to fondly remembered songs supports families and their dying loved one to connect and communicate. This is especially the case when the dying loved one is no longer conscious. Music therapists also support individuals dying when they may not have family members present in their lives to support them through this process. In either context, music is used to support communication, emotional expression, and catharsis for the individual and families.

• Funerary Rites: It is also not uncommon for music therapists to collaborate with funerary directors to offer musical performances at the funeral of their clients. Music therapists can act as an advocate for the family with the directors to ensure that the musical needs of the family and the deceased are actualized. Services may also be offered after the ceremony to the family to continue to support them through grief.

• Hospitals: Individuals undergoing long stays at the hospital may miss being able to connect spiritually and may benefit from music therapists supporting them in their experience. If awaiting surgery, the individual or family may want to use music to ease any anticipatory anxieties. Music therapy can also be applied when the patient is recovering to support rehabilitation and an alternative way to connect with family if need be. Hospitals are not always conducive to spirituality and music therapy offers an alternative way to connect when it may not be available.

• Recovery: At times, recovery is not always physical. Many use music as a spiritual resource when recovering from mental health struggles, trauma and addiction. Exploring alternative ways to use music as a way to connect to a higher power, when appropriate, can be very empowering and uplifting. Music is known to alter mood and offers individuals and groups an opportunity to develop new insights into their experiences and develop wellness tools.

The key word is Their. It is not my job to push my ideology of what spiritual music is or when someone needs spiritual music, but to have an awareness as to how music is used clinically and culturally to support Spirituality. It is also my job not to assume based on skin colour, ethnicity or gender, what music will best fit you. It is my duty to discuss with the client what type of music is spiritual for them and know what I am comfortable and ethically obligated to offer.

Blog # 10: 5 W’s of Mindfulness?

What is mindfulness?

Sarah Fader with Better Help defines it as “a state of being completely focused on the present moment, without dwelling on or reacting to your thoughts”. The keywords here are without reaction. Often, our thoughts can be emotionally charged and even distressful. Not only can our thoughts be a lot, but even the surroundings we find ourselves in can be triggering too. It becomes a cycle of reacting to your thoughts and surroundings rather than observing them. When I underwent counseling training, one of my teachers often said that counselling or psychotherapy is about supporting someone in developing their “observer” and honing their “Blue Feelings”.

One popular approach within Psychotherapy that greatly informs what my counselling teacher taught is Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). DBT was created and tested by Dr. Marsha Linehan (A.L. Miller, American Psychotherapy Journal, pg 9), in 1991 to specifically support people who have extreme emotional dysregulation and maladaptive behaviours. DBT has since been used in a variety of settings including; educational, social developmental, long-term care, and forensics. The way DBT conceptualizes mindfulness is by dividing the mind into three different categories.

• Reasonable Mind - Pertains to facts, logic, rationale

• Emotion Mind - Relates to how you feel (physically & emotionally), impulses, urges

• Wise Mind - Combines the two minds together. It is intuitive, peaceful, and calm. You use your rational mind to observe what you are feeling in the moment, right here and now.

(D. Spiegel, S. Makary, L. Bonavitacola, Creative DBT Activities Using Music, 2020)

Another perspective that has informed my approach to mindfulness is the practice of Reiki. Reiki found its origins in Buddhism and teaches a variety of meditations to support mindfulness. Within Reiki, mindfulness can be defined as observing energy but then having a conscious intent for the energy. Reiki practitioners may also use the principles created by the founder, Mikao Usui. He asks practitioners to state:

“Just for today:

I will not be angry

I will not worry

I will be grateful

I will do my work honestly

I will be kind to every living thing”

Inherent in these principles is the use of mindfulness because in order not to be angry or worried, you need to make a conscious effort to observe and choose what to do next.

How can you develop Mindfulness?

A Certified Music Therapist working within the DBT framework may gently challenge their client to observe what mind they are using or to simply describe what is going on in their body. This can be done using improvisation where clients explore different sensations felt when listening to particular sounds or songs. Music Therapists also can rely on the Iso Principle to support someone’s regulation by isolating the rhythm of someone’s breathing or heart rate, matching it rhythmically by tapping or drumming and subtly shifting it to the desired pace. Another activity used is composition. Clients are given opportunities to practice verbalizing their feelings and needs by making their own songs. Another is where the client is directed to listen for a certain sound or word in a song and count how many times they heard it repeated.

A Reiki practitioner achieves mindfulness by:

• Connecting to the breath, Life Force Energy

• Visualizing it going into different areas of the body

• Observing the heat emanating from the hands

• Observing how the energy flows and see if it triggers any emotional material

• Visualizing symbols and empowering them with intent

Who can develop mindfulness?

Everyone can learn to cultivate being in the present moment with time, curiosity, patience, and possibly with the support of a professional.

Where?

Mindfulness tools and concepts can be applied anytime and anywhere. Once you learn what works best for you, you can choose to apply it any time you wish.

Why?

There are so many ways to hone and become mindful, but why? Why is mindfulness so important? I’d say because we live in such a fast-paced world that it has become too easy to lose yourself in it. Without mindfulness, it becomes easy to fall prey to reacting to life rather than actually enjoying it. We begin to rely on our survival instincts rather than consciously living. This can make life feel stressful and actually teaches your brain to stay stressed, creates more stress hormones, and exhausts your nervous system to a point where it can just shut down. When you observe, you activate your wise mind, your frontal lobe; your higher level of thinking. This reduces stress hormones in the brain and teaches the nervous system that it does not need to be so reactive. It gives you permission to release what no longer serves you which promotes feelings of bliss or at least relief. This, in turn, promotes positivity not only within you but also in your environment. You will become more focused on the “Blue Moments” rather than the “red”. When you give yourself permission to observe, you give yourself permission to thrive!

Blog # 9: What is the Point of Therapy Anyway?

I used to ask this question myself, especially when I felt resistant to what therapy had to offer. Typically, people still may visualize a therapy session being one where you lie down on a couch and share your woes with a silent listener; Psychoanalysis. Some therapists still practice Psychoanalysis today and some clients find it to be beneficial. Countless therapies have emerged since Freud, “The Father of Psychology”, put his two cents into what therapy should be. Each has the potential to work for anyone; all that is required is a curiosity of yourself and a willingness to engage. The thing is, many people are scared to do this work, and rightfully so.

Our Warrior brain or the Amygdala is our biggest and oldest source of protection. It is found right at the base of the skull where the neck and head meet. These cells work hard to perceive threats, react to them and move on. When we are in a stressful situation, our survival instincts kick in almost immediately. Instincts that we have had since we were prehistoric. Some Amygdala may be inclined to make you fight for your life. Others, “Freeze, don’t move, don’t breathe, don’t do anything”. Sometimes it may tell your body to “Flee, Fly, Run, LEAVE NOW!” or You may just black out, and collapse because your Amygdala, at this point, doesn’t know what to do; aka Fawn. These powerful instincts are the reason humanity still exists. These powerful sensations are difficult to deal with and it makes a lot of sense why people are hesitant to explore them in a therapeutic setting.

The hardest part is telling your Amygdala,

“Hey, you don’t actually need to respond that way anymore. The threat is not a threat anymore.”

But our Amygdala is overprotective and asks:

“Are you sure? I just want to keep you safe and if I don’t hold on to this energy I may not be able to do that.”

We say, “No no, I have faith that you will be able to protect me, but you reacting like this in the grocery store or where ever else I go, is doing more harm than good.”

“Fine,” the Amygdala says, “I hear you. Thank you for having faith in me. I love you.”

This is the point of therapy. To have a safe space to have a conversation with your Amygdala, nervous system, and body and reprogram it so that it serves you rather than controls you. This is not easy work. It means needing to face the reactive Warrior in your brain, make peace with its role, make peace with what it is trying to protect you from, and find strategies to do so.

Within a therapeutic setting, music therapy interventions are created to address the specific needs of the individual(s). This may look like this:

• Composition - Creating personalized compositions that provide the person an opportunity to express their experiences.

• Lyrical Analysis - Listening to a piece of music and seeing if the client can relate to its meaning and explore how it can relate to their own experiences.

• Improvisation - Using instruments to explore sounds and music to create coping tools, or to explore personal experiences.

• Movement and Music - Listen to music and explore different movements that the music is inspiring.

Reiki is another way individuals can have a conversation with their Amygdala. Reiki is an energetic healing practice that utilizes light touch and life force energy to revitalize the body, mind, heart, and even soul. When learning Reiki, you develop a self-care regime and process of channeling the Reiki to different areas of the body for either yourself or another. In Reiki, it is understood that different parts of the body can store trauma. This is a known fact now shared with current research on trauma. When the energy is sent to these areas of the body, it is a gentle way of letting the Amygdala release stagnant, stressed energy that no longer serves the person. It can be another powerful way to reset and reboot your system and begin the process of making amends with your inner Warrior.

I wish everyone all the best in their journeys with making peace with their inner Warrior and their experiences. May you all find peace, a safe space to be vulnerable and positive relationships that nurture and support you during these times.

Blog # 8: Music, The Brain, The Body

When my grandmother had a stroke, I had the honour of caring for her. During this time, I realized that her memory, speech, and motor functioning were affected. I did not have formal training in music therapy, but I would often sing with her. I noticed that she may not be able to remember how to write or prepare a meal for herself, but she did remember all of the lyrics to the songs. The songs seemed to give her an opportunity to reminisce. Eventually, I did start working with people recovering from strokes when studying music therapy. I learned how music engagement specifically can support their recovery.

The brain is an organ shrouded in mystery. Some say we only use ten percent of our brain, but current neurological research using fMRI scans shows that all of the brain is in use all the time. What is mysterious is understanding the puzzle that is neural circuitry. Within the three-pound brain, there are roughly 100 billion neurons firing at a given time. Neurons are these cells that conduct electricity, and even communicate using more than 40 different types of neurotransmitters. Although we may use all of our brain, there is still lots of mystery when it comes down to the specifics as to how the brain is influenced. Some key activities that help your brain function is exercise, getting enough nutrition, and keeping your brain stimulated, by challenging it with opportunities to solve problems. This is where music comes in. Since the 1990’s music and neuroscience started a unique love affair. Music Therapy was changed because its potential grew. Not only could it be used for psychological, social, and emotional needs, but it could also be used for neurologic and physiological needs too.

Most research has been done on individuals or populations who suffered a brain injury and either maintained or lost aspects of their musical skills. This research gave insight as to what parts of the brain are being used when engaging in music. Music has been shown to be able to stimulate both hemispheres of the brain, but it is dependent on the task. For instance, the right hemisphere of the brain is stimulated when the task includes recognizing melodies, pitch, timbre, music performance, and emotional responses to music. The left brain was stimulated primarily when rhythm was involved or when reading music, and naming notes and pieces.

“Music is a product of the human brain. However, the brain that engages in music is also changed by engaging in music.” (Handbook of Neurologic Music Therapy, 2014, M. H. Thaut, G.C. Mcintosh, V Hoemberg)

It can now be seen that music not only influences musical abilities within the brain but also non-musical activities such as speech, emotional regulation, motor functioning, and cognition. Key aspects of music such as rhythm, melody, and performance can be used to support individuals recovering from a variety of medical needs. A great example of this is the approach of Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT). This is an approach that gives, already certified music therapists, a series of twenty standardized interventions that utilize music specifically to recover speech, cognition, and motor functioning. I took the training in 2020 and am grateful that I have it. I find the approach very useful, especially when working with people who have neurologic conditions.

Another common understanding most music therapists have is that music can have a direct effect on the nervous system, heart rate, and respiration. We know this based on the ISO principle. This principle states that if you match the client’s initial mood with the music, you can shift the client’s mood to a more optimal state. This same principle can be used for biological needs too. For instance, if someone’s heart rate is pulsing rapidly, I may listen to it, match it rhythmically, and then slow down the pulse by slowing down the rhythm. If the person was hooked up to biofeedback monitors, you would most likely see the heart rate slowing down on the monitor. This same technique can be used for respiration. In NMT, another technique used is TIMP or Therapeutic Instrumental Music Performance. This intervention can be adapted to improve respiration, by giving the client opportunity to play instruments that require breath. We know music has an effect because it initially, regulates the nervous system which will affect the rest of the body.

Music is a powerful resource. Humans have known its healing power intuitively, but now scientific research is providing us with a deeper understanding. Music not only affects the heart, and the soul, but now we understand how it affects the brain and body. It is exciting to see what is to come!

Blog # 7: Managing Expectations

“Get ready folks, today’s weather forecast calls for Sun and a high of 25 degrees Celsius”

“If you follow my recipe, the cake should turn out just fine.”

“Awesome! I’ll meet you at 6:00 pm for dinner at the new Italian restaurant. Looking forward to it.”

You’ve probably heard this all before. Each of these statements probably gives you a picture of what you will experience in the future. We usually rely on the past lived experiences of others and ourselves to determine how to prepare for what is to come. These are how expectations are developed. Like most things in life, expectations can be both good and bad. Science is a great example of how expectations can be healthy. The scientific method has been proven to be a reliable way to predict future outcomes. The reason it works is that centuries of research tell us that we can expect certain outcomes based on consistent results from the past. Another reason it works is that the scientist is in control of variables. What happens when things cannot be controlled? What happens when the expectations you have are personal?

“I will grow up, get a job, have a family, and live happily”

“I should be better at music”

“I should know that, but I don’t”

When we have expectations that are personal it can be difficult to sort out what is bias vs fact. Take my personal experience with music as an example. Growing up, I was told through media, my parents, and teachers what music should be. “Your sound should be like this." “That doesn’t sound right, do it again” “See now this is music.” These are all statements that led me to believe that I was not a good enough musician. It gave me a false expectation of myself and my abilities and actually kept me from making music. The way I worked through it was by using these steps:

1. Name The Facts: What do you know for certain? In this example, I had to give myself some slack. Music is subjective. My parents are not musicians and their understanding of music is biased because it comes from their own music styles and tastes. The fact about the media is that they go with where the money is. Music that sells is the music that you will hear in the media. If you ask me that is a big bias. As for my teachers, they had many more years of experience being musicians than I did.

2. Radical Acceptance - Now that I know the facts, I now have something I can make more sense of. I also have a new fact to process. I may not be able to control how others perceive music or my own skills, but I can choose to radically accept it for what it is. I radically accept the facts for what they are.

3. Goals - Take time to dream. What is it that I want more of in my life? Take some time to journal or get creative. Give yourself permission to envision who and where you’d like to be. Now that you’ve radically accepted the facts for what they are, you can make space for your desires. When it came to music, my goal was to be kinder to myself when I played or sang. I also gave myself permission to get curious, enjoy and have fun. Another goal was to listen to different songs and ask me which ones, I’d like to learn. Another example is learning a new language. Let’s say you have always wanted to learn French or Sign language. Take the time to envision at what level you’d like to engage. Is the goal to learn the basics of the language or to be fluent? Dream big.

4. Objective - This is where you do the work to make your dream a reality. If the goal is the destination, the objective is the efforts you make to get there. Let’s take my goal of being kinder to myself when playing music. The objective would be “Every time I judge myself when playing, I am going to pause, reset and take a break.” If I had a goal song I was learning, my objective could be; “I am going to practice and focus on only this part of the song today”, then maybe another day choose a different part of the song. Regarding language, the objective may be “By the end of this week, I am going to learn three new words.” Remember, you set the pace of getting to your goal. Sometimes you need to rejig certain objectives to make it happen later or sooner, but again it is all up to you.

When you give yourself time to sus out what you really want for yourself, you make space for your dreams to be a reality. You are worthy of them and best of luck on your journey.

Blog # 6: 5 Tips on How to Make a Motivation Playlist

I am sure we have all experienced a time when our energy level was low or felt overwhelmed by a task and didn’t want to do it. We live in a very fast-paced world where our responsibilities grow, but the time to do them is short. Whether it is a task to do for your career or a personal goal, music can be a great ally. Music acts as a motivator because it is usually a pleasurable experience to listen to or make it. It is more effective as a motivator when you choose music personalized to your tastes.

Within Music Therapy, music is used to motivate:

• Goal behaviours

• Motor functioning and stimulation

• Completion of daily tasks

Creating a personalized playlist can be a great tool you can use daily to stay motivated. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Set Your Intention: Brainstorm and think about what tasks you have difficulty staying focused on. Some examples could be; reading that article for work/school, having a tight deadline on getting that house built, physical fitness goals, or even getting your surroundings clean. These tasks can feel daunting and stressful.

2. Matching Your Music to the Task: Sometimes music can be beneficial or it can actually hinder your ability to stay motivated and focused. Choose music that matches the amount of energy needed for the task. For instance, when I am cleaning around the house or doing physical exercises, I tend to choose music that has a high pulsed beat, it’s uplifting and provides me with that added boost of energy. If I am needing to get something read or written, I find I still go with music that has a steady rhythm but is slower in pulse. What do you find works best for you?

3. Test the Music: Listen to the music playlist you created when going about your task. Observe if the music you chose actually helped you stay motivated to complete the task. If the music was distracting, then maybe it just wasn’t the right song for that task. If it works save it in your playlist(s).

4. Naming Your Playlist: The beauty of technology is that you can create a playlist for any task you’d like. I recommend creating playlists for different tasks and having fun exploring your musical motivators.

5. Sing or Groove Along: When listening to your playlist don’t be afraid to sing along or dance along to your music. Sometimes to stay motivated you need to let out that anxious energy. Let the music you chose, move through you and give yourself a chance to have a musical break when needed.

I hope that these tips help you in creating playlists that help inspire and motivate you always!

Blog # 5: Change Your Perspective Using Musical Affirmations

Sometimes when going about our lives, day to day, we develop a perspective of ourselves, others, and the environment. This view can be positive or it can be difficult. Much like a lens on a camera or a loop pedal on a guitar, we get to choose which sounds and images we would like to see. So often we can get stuck on the one lens/filter and begin to believe that this is what life is all about. I question you, is it? Here are some tips on changing your perspective for the better.

1. Take inventory of what you think and what is around you. What is the most common thought that comes to mind throughout the day? What messages are you hearing in the music you listen to? What type of impact does it have on your wellbeing?

   Example: Let’s say the thought that comes to mind is “I am not good enough” or “It is going to be a rough day.”

   Ask yourself are these thoughts actually true? Do they really reflect who I am or what I want to get out of the day? If the answer is no, then you can work to change that thought.

   Example: “I am good enough” or “It is going to be a fantastic day.”

   Sounds simple enough. Can it be this easy? Well, the act of changing words around is, but actually believing them is a total another story. This is where the music comes in.

2. Our brains are a massive database of our lives. It has neurocircuitry predating your birth! In order to change the old patterns and “wiring”, it takes repitition and security. This is how music can be beneficial because it is a pleasurable way to do this work and it is repetitive. Take either a song you already know or a song that comes to mind that is simple. Take your affirmation “I am good enough” or “It is going to be a fantastic day” or whatever affirmation you created and use these as the lyrics instead of the original lyrics. Sing it or think it as often as you’d like.

3. Observe if a shift happens in your thought process. Maybe you start to notice other things in your surroundings you didn’t before. Maybe you begin to think differently about yourself. The thing is, it’s a journey for a reason. Take your time. Be patient with yourself.

This is a process that can be done in a matter of minutes or longer. It really depends on what type of thinking or perspectives you are shifting. Sometimes you may need to seek out professional therapeutic support. This activity is not to be replaced by that, it is simply here as a tool to help you in your journey.

In Music Therapy we would use the process of composing a song or rewriting another familiar song to create a list or playlist of affirmations you can draw on outside of sessions. It can be a fun, creative, alternative process that gives you a fresh perspective and outlook.

Another example:

Old Thought: “I can’t do that!”

Affiramtion: “I can do that”

Song: Whatta Man - En Vogue

Here the song has a repetivite lyric saying “Whattta Man”. Instead I would say “I can do, I can do, I can do, I can do, I can do Thaaaat”.

The reason why I chose this song is because it’s catchy, familiar and repetitive. These characteristics of the song make it easier for your brain to remember the affiramtion. The repetivieness also serves to update your brain and override the old thought pattern. It is also fun to dance to and the movement aspect can also shift your mood.

There are many examples and many affirmations. I suggest keep it simple and enjoy.

Blog # 4: 5 Tips to Connect to Nature with Music

I have a deep reverence for Nature. So much so that I revere Her as a Goddess, Mama Moksha. She is life-giving, wise, nurturing, ruthless, yet unconditional in her ability to nourish our bodies, minds, hearts, and even Spirits. When observing nature, I feel awestruck, wonder, and a healthy dose of fear. I am a Ukrainian who had the privilege of growing up learning about my culture. I am also Canadian and have had the honour of developing relationships with several Indigenous communities through attending drumming circles and ceremonies. I mention these experiences because they are what inform my way of connecting to Nature through music.

Despite aggressive efforts from the USSR, in the 1930-40’s to eradicate their ancient ways of practicing magick and connecting to nature, Ukrainians preserved their way of life through music. Indigenous communities within Canada share a similar history, through the unjust, imposed colonization. Music-making continues to preserve and revive Indigenous communities in Canada. Music makes both communities strong and resilient. When listening to the folk songs of either culture, common themes that can be found are: nature being described, nature spirits being honoured and stories being shared. Music-making can be a special way to make your presence known in the Universe. Musical instruments and precious songs can be used to converse with the Spirits of Nature and your own Ancestors. Music continues to be used to pray, alter states of consciousness and connect.

Reading about folkways may make these practices distant and inaccessible. You may fear that you are appropriating another culture. My answer to this is something an elder once told me. “Everyone is Native to the Earth. What is your culture? How does your culture honour and celebrate nature?” This statement means that just by living on Earth you are part of nature. You are part of this great whole, the Universe. Each culture will have its own songs, and ways of being with nature. If you do the research, broaden your perspective and stay open to the possibilities, you may discover your own unique ways.

Now, I’d like to share how I connect to Nature with the hopes it will support you in deepening your connection with yourself, Mother Earth, and all She has to offer.

1. Listen - As any experienced musician will tell you, listening is imperative. This is even more important when in Nature. Give yourself a moment to go outside: whether it’s a forest or even a strip of authentic grass at the park. You may or not choose to remove your shoes to feel more grounded. Look around. Listen around. Take it all in. Take deep breaths into your belly. Some prompts: What sounds do you hear? Are they familiar to you? Is it loud or quiet? What colours do you see? What smells come to your nose? Finally, how is your body responding? What is your breath doing?

2. Sharing - Now you can make sound, music and play it where you are. I usually take a portable instrument such as my drum, rattle, guitar, ukulele or merlin/dulcimer. I sometimes take my speaker to play my favourite songs and dance. Mostly, I tend to sing to the trees. I love to hear how the sounds echo back to me or if I am lucky, birds or animals may chime in. I suggest keeping this process intuitive. If you brought an instrument, experiment with playing different rhythms that appeal to you. What song comes to mind when you ask the trees “what would you like to hear?” You may be surprised!

3. Record - Many now can go on Youtube and find nature sound playlists galore. I now challenge you to create your own. Most smartphones and devices have a recording device built-in. Take this device with you next time you go on your walk and hit record. It’s that easy. Record the sounds you hear, take them home with you, and listen to them when you cannot go outside or when Youtube is inaccessible. These recordings are also great to help with sleep, meditation or to even input into your own music. Sometimes I also record what music I make when I am outside because I find nature always gets my creative juices flowing.

4. Research - Take time to read up on your own culture. How is nature perceived in your culture? Are there nature sounds or themes in the music? Is music used in spiritual matters? How does nature play a role in spiritual ceremonies? You may find that knowing how your own culture relates to nature will inspire how you can do it in your own way.

5. Community - Get to know local your local drumming circles, and hiking groups, or even create your own. Exploring music in Nature with a friend or like-minded people can be a great way to experiment with what feels right for you. Each person can take turns sharing their music, or experiences. You may find similarities or differences. The main goal is to have fun and enjoy musicking in nature.

Hope these tips help give you a start to using music as a way to connect to nature. Enjoy and Have Fun!

Blog # 3: Reiki & Music Therapy: How Can They Be Related?

Before becoming a music therapist, I studied music alongside Reiki (Ray-Kee). When Reiki came into my life, it was so needed. I was looking for a counselor to speak to and my cousin recommended a lady named Melanie Ollenberg.

“I think you’ll like her, she does Reiki !”. My cousin said.

I gave Melanie a call while on a break from classes. The day was overcast and cool as Fall had just begun to set in. Melanie answered and as we spoke the Sun broke through the clouds and shone directly on me. I could not ignore this sign. The Universe saying, “just go for it”.

I learned in my classes that Reiki is both a word to describe life force energy and practice. As a word, it translates to “Spirit Energy”. It is a term that describes the universal life force energy that is within everything. It is intelligent energy. It knows what needs healing and provides insight through activating the practitioner’s intuitive abilities. There is so much more to Reiki than meets the eye. As a practice, it can be defined as a light touch energy healing modality that works to support people in returning to their most optimal state of wellbeing. Reiki, as a practice, found its origins in Japan when it was developed by Mikao Usui. It came to the west through Hawayo Takata post-WWII. Takata was from Hawaii and upon traveling to Japan to visit family she learned Reiki from Chujiro Hayashi (a student of Usui’s).

Learning Reiki gave me an intuitive and energetic understanding of how people store trauma in their bodies, mind, and heart. I also appreciate the gentle, discipline practicing Reiki provides me. Reiki was also available to me at any time or place. If I was stressed, anxious, or not feeling aligned, I could just use my breath to come back to stasis.

Now how might Music Therapy and Reiki be related?

Music Therapy like Reiki offers an alternative perspective on maintaining wellness. The main commonalities I have found between the two practices are showcased as follows.

Discipline - Both practices require commitment and a level of discipline. Each practice asks the practitioner to work on their craft, but more importantly on themselves. I often use music as a way to process deep-rooted traumas concurrent with Reiki. When practicing music in the past I would get angered by my not being a good enough musician. Reiki inspired another possibility. Rather than getting angry, Reiki taught me to have self-compassion. This influenced a whole other way to perceive discipline.

Mindfulness - Each practice has interventions that improve mindfulness. Music is often used with Reiki during a session. When giving a Reiki session I make music selection part of the process. I ask clients “what music brings you calm?”, I then use this music during the session. I find it makes the session more personal and helps clients go into a deeper state of healing. In Music Therapy, mindfulness is achieved by listening. Typically, clients are asked to listen to a piece of music and either listen for its musical components or for how it makes the person feel. Breathwork is something that is also used by both practices. In Reiki, the breath connects you to your inner power and your ability to channel energy, while in music the breath is used to connect to sound, but also the inner self.

Principles - Within Reiki, there are principles that are provided to students. These principles can be applied to everyday living. The principles are as follows:

Just for today

I give thanks for many blessings

I will not anger

I will not worry

I will be grateful

I will work hard on myself

I will be kind to others.

When I apply these principles to my life, music, and self. It brings me peace. I find there is also a commonality between Reiki principles and ethics within Music Therapy. I adhere to humanistic principles when applying music therapy which does not prescribe how to live your own life, but how to regard other people. Both principles, I find, complement each other well.

Music & Reiki are a unique pairing and I am grateful that they both exist within me.

Blog #2: Music as Medicine vs Music as Therapy: What is the Difference?

Often, people will state that music is their therapy and that it provides them with great solace.  They state that by listening to music they typically feel better after.  These statements bring a lot of joy to my heart and are the reason why music was developed into a therapy.  When learning music therapy an interesting distinction needed to be made between music as medicine vs therapy.  Music inherently has medicinal value in that it does have a direct impact on the body, its systems, and the mind.  We now know that when people listen to their preferred music it can elicit a range of emotions and physical responses.  When I underwent my training, I was asked why?  Why is it that music has this impact?  Does it matter what type of music?  The Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT )defines Music Therapy as:

“Music therapy is a discipline in which Certified Music Therapists (MTAs) use music purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support development, health, and well-being. Music therapists use music safely and ethically to address human needs within cognitive, communicative, emotional, musical, physical, social, and spiritual domains.”

Canadian Association of Music Therapists
September 2020

The key words are “Certified Music Therapists (MTAs) use music purposefully”.  This denotes that the MTA underwent training that enabled them to be able to use music purposefully to address specific therapeutic needs with music.  Typically, when people listen to music the purpose may be to relax, help with everyday tasks and motivation.  Sometimes people may suggest for you to listen to a song because it helped them.  This does not necessarily mean that it will help you.  This is defined as Music as Medicine - music that is prescribed to someone because of its reputation.  An example would be the Mozart Effect.  This is where people prescribed Mozart piano sonatas for children to listen to as it was said to enhance their intelligence.  This maybe a far stretch.  As a Certified Music Therapist, I would need to evaluate the music for its structure and characteristics to determine its effectiveness on intelligence.  I would also argue that there are many different variables that determine someone’s IQ including environmental factors, genetics, and cognition.  Mozart may be beneficial, but not necessarily specifically for intelligence. Just because one song or musical piece helped someone else out does not mean it will help you.

Music as therapy is when the music is evaluated for its qualities and assessed to see if it is an actual good fit for the recipient.  This is where the therapeutic process comes into play. Within the therapeutic relationship, the client’s relationship to music is observed and therapeutic needs are evaluated.  Once this process is complete, musical interventions are created to meet the specific needs of the client.  The interventions are then evaluated throughout the therapeutic process to determine effectiveness.  Personal musical taste of the client is considered, but on a deeper level.  Music’s rhythm, metre, melody, lyrical content, and form is considered because each of these musical structures have specific effects.  These effects have been observed to have an impact on the body, mind, heart, and spirit.  The only way for music to be prescribed is if it is an intervention that has been found to be beneficial for a specific life domain as seen in Neurologic Music Therapy.  Another way music can be prescribed is if the musical intervention is specifically designed to meet the therapeutic needs of the client post assessment. 

When music is used as medicine, the above process is not usually utilized unless another approach or discipline is being used.  As a Certified Music Therapist, I value the benefits of all music, and recognize that within a therapeutic relationship the potential for music can be deepened to include the individual and groups specific needs.

Blog #1: Brief History of Music Therapy

“No one has created or invented Music Therapy; however, many individuals have discovered its theories, ideologies and methodologies.” (Rolando Benenzon)

 Unlike psychology or other medical/clinical disciplines, it is difficult to trace Music Therapy to one original source.  It can be argued that music therapy arose from the intuitive and innate human desire to use rhythm, melody, and lyrics to make sense of life as well as emotional, psychological, and physical states.  Cross culturally, humans evolved to have a primal need to create and articulate themselves through music.  Music has been observed to support humans in making connections to their body, mind, heart, and spirit.  In the past and still in present day, music is used to induce trance states to support people in addressing psychological needs.  Music was given specific meaning, intention and was used to mend the ill.  For example, Shamanism is one of the oldest and long-standing faith’s that has been observed to use music in this way.

Participation with the Ojibwe Indigenous Community, receiving teachings from Slavic, Indigenous Elders and my own experiences inform my knowledge on music within Shamanism.  Within Shamanism, music is used in several ways including worship, connection with nature, induce altered states of mind, activate the healing response in the body, celebrate life and community.  Music is revered as a tool that could be used as medicine.  These musical intentions and uses have been observed in other cultures around the world and are maintained and celebrated into present day.

Advancements in technology and social perspectives corelate with deepening our understanding of music and its impact on wellbeing.  Our human desire to understand expanded and Music Therapy expanded from an intuitive practice to something that could be studied, and its effects made into fact.  Science is now providing a clearer understanding and explanation for what our ancient human ancestors already knew.

 “Music Therapy is systematic in that it is goal-directed, organized, knowledge-based, and regulated; it is not merely a series of unplanned, random experiences, that turn out to be helpful” (K.E. Bruscia, Defining Music Therapy, pp. xxiii). 

The West is now catching up to being able to explain the impact of music through the lens of the scientific method.  Music Therapy continued being recognized for its potential into the early 19th century concurrently with the advancement of psychology.  Music was explored and reported to have benefits on the psyche in European medical journals dating as early as 1744 (B.L. Wheeler, Music Therapy Handbook, pp. 20). Musicians and Physicians shared a common interest in experimenting with Music and began using it as an alternative to common practices within psychology at the time.  Another notable recognition of the impact of music therapy was seen post World War II in the US.  Soldiers were recovering from the traumas they experienced in the war and nursing staff observed that when music was played in the unit, patients were able to cope better with their trauma and experienced less symptoms.  This led to the creation of the National Association of Music Therapy in the United States in the 1950’s, which led to other Music Therapy Associations being created in other countries including: Brazil, Columbia, Britain, Finland, South Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Puerto Rico.

Currently, music therapy is serving a variety of populations including mothers and infants in natal units of hospitals, people recovering from and coping with psychological and physical trauma to those who about to take their last breath.  The intentions remain the same, but the understanding of the impact of music has deepened.  I am forever grateful to those who came before and continued to maintain and advocate for the therapeutic, healing benefits of music.