Winter Solstice Sound Journey

The Winter Solstice is a reflective time of year when we prepare to move into the light, not only physically but with our intentions as well. Utilize this powerful time to uplift your consciousness, balance your energy, and unlock the joy from within. This healing experience will be beautifully orchestrated from beginning to end with a handful of musicians from different walks of life. Rainbow will be leading a circle dance with her drum and powerful voice to honor the Winter Spirits. These Spirits travel down the mountain in this season to be closer to the people. This is the time when Eagle returns,  the Spirit Warriors ride again and Thunderbird speaks directly to us. Ruby Koa will lead some gentle stretching, movement , and breathing (all beginner level) to allow the nervous system to prepare for the sound vibrations while Jay Darling plays his handpan drum and other instruments in the background. There will likely be a guided relaxation such as Yoga Nidra offered to settle you even further.

We'll then seque into an amazing sound journey (50-60 minutes long) in which different instruments are played for segments of time. Orion Lackey will be playing the didjeridoo. Ruby Koa will be playing crystal singing bowls, a Chau Symphonic Gong for the third chakra and Planetary Moon gong for the second and fifth chakras, and Elizabeth Clements will be playing her Planetary Sedna gong which is extemely grounding and helps balance the first chakra.

The sound of the gong creates deep relaxation, releases us from the torrent of thoughts our mind continuously generates and stimulates our glandular system to a higher frequency of functioning.

While everyone has their own unique experience with sound energy, many have found it  to open pathways to relax, quiet their mind, balance energy, meditate, release emotional  tension, retune internal systems, have a spiritual experience, heal themselves, inspire  creativity, or feel a deep sense of peace. Our innate intelligence appears to use this type  of sound energy to promote well-being within.

Please arrive at least 10-15 minutes early to get set up.

With: Ruby Koa, Elizabeth Clements, Jay Darling, Orion Lackey, & Rainbow

Cost: Early Bird Rate until 12/14: $40, $45 after. 15% off for members. Email Ruby to get the code.

Location: Presence Studio, 1412 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225

What to bring: The floor is very hard, so if you'd like extra comfort, bring a heavy duty mat, like a pilates or camping mat, a yoga mat, an extra blanket (eye pillows, bolsters and blankets are available to borrow but feel free to bring your own if desired).

About the Facilitators:

Ruby Koa:

Ruby Koa, founder of Inspire Studio has been teaching yoga in Bellingham since 2009. She offers a variety of classes including various forms of Vinyasa Flow, Gentle Flow, Yin, Restorative, and Kundalini Yoga. Her intention is always to teach from her heart, with an emphasis on accommodating you wherever you're at. Ruby’s aim is to cultivate a sense of community and she loves working with the divine feminine as well as the medium of sound healing. She has crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, a Chau and a Moon Gong. In addition to her Kundalini Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga 200 hr. certifications, she has completed a level 1 & advanced gong training and is now a 500 hour RYT.

Elizabeth Joy Clements:

First introduced to Sound by Ruby Koa, at Inspire Studio, Elizabeth knew the beautifully meditative but powerfully transformative energy immersion felt like meeting the embrace of a long lost friend, coming home, food for the soul. This experience began her relationship with sound, which she continues to explore, currently, by learning and sharing the gift of sound and guided visualization with others.  Elizabeth is so thankful for the incredibly gracious and welcoming community of mentors and fellow sound travelers.  Why does she love sound?  One of the many reasons is right  after a sound bath, seeing people’s eyes light up with mystery, while listening to them share about their own unique sound journey.  For her, the intuitive nature and accessibility of the practice is a space full of curiosity, discovery and infinite creative potential!

Read about her gong Sedna here.

Rainbow Medicine-Walker is an enrolled member of the federally recognized Cherokee Nation. She is the granddaughter of Cherokee Admiral JJ Clark,  Chief Water Dweller and Chief Thunderbird.

Rainbow is an Elder, Veteran and Ceremonial leader with over thirty years experience in Spirit Warrior Trainings,  Individual and Family Healings and Public and Private Ceremonies for Special Events.  Rainbow has led ceremony for groups in Australia,  Finland,  Norway and Canada as well as closer to home here in America.

She can be contacted at: earthspiritministry@yahoo.com

Jay Darling understands that music is food for the soul. Jay has been helping people of all ages move and cut loose in the spirit of play for decades. Jay plays instrumental and body percussion, handpan, and vocalizations. He can be contacted at: jreclaim@gmail.com 

Orion Lackey has been a musician since his youth, has taught keyboard lessons for many years, and enjoys playing the didgeridoo in his spare time.