The Art and Science of Music and Healing

With Music therapists, Eric and Lynn Miller and Yuri Yamamoto

The arts have been used as a healing tool since ancient times. Arts rituals were experienced communally; used as a container and structure for facing fears, doubts, suffering as well as for celebration and connection with something greater than self. Today, music is being used therapeutically worldwide in hospitals, institutions and for self-healing and spiritual connection. Latest research shows that the arts are a means for long-term neuro-cognitive change.

In this workshop, we will combine community music making, neuroscience information and biofeedback experiences to explore:

• How to play music for fun, health and well-being
• How the mind alone can influence physiology (importance of thoughts for healing).
• How to use the power of the voice for healing (neurological developments on voice and healing)
• Brain jamming, with biofeedback

Through a fun humanistic approach, participants will develop skills in creating music “in the moment”, through Improvisational (Mindfullness) techniques. Mindfulness is non-judgmental moment- to -moment attention to what is happening, which creates presence. Being present, changes perspectives from negating thoughts to well-being. These skills will be explored using movement, voice and instruments. Therapeutic effects of music created through Mindfullness techniques include:

• Creative self-expression
• Stress Reduction
• Enhanced Spiritual connection
• Emotional expression
• Connection with others – team building – collaboration
• Increased Spontaneity and Resilience (generalizes to other situations)
• Self-Realization, connection with deeper part of self

Evidenced based studies and experiential understanding will demonstrate how our physiology changes from stress to relaxation and our mind changes from fear to inspiration through Music and Mindfullness.

This workshop does not require any previous experience in creating music.

Lynn Miller and Yuri Yamamoto, vocalists, will have you singing from your soul. Lynn (guitarist) and Yuri (pianist) will accompany you and demonstrate simple accompaniment skills. Eric Miller will have you jamming and grooving. He plays the guitar and mandolin. Bring an instrument and/or your voice. We will have some easy to play world instruments to share.