Sound Healing at Primrose Earth Centre
'Where the Land touches the Soul and the Soul sings its way Home'
- Workshop Dates
- Background to Sound Healing
- Unique Primrose Teachings
- Paul Benham
- Sound Healing Training - 5-part course
- Sound Healing & Nature
- Seasonal Sounds' Days
- Healing Voice Sessions - SOUND & RHYTHM; SOUND & MEDITATION
- Sound Peace Chamber
- Feedback from sound healing courses
Sound Healing Courses & Workshops 2012
Our next Sound Therapy Training Programme begins with Part 1:
| Introduction to Sound Healing |
1-3 of March 2013 |
AND
5 May 2013 Spring Seasonal Sounds
All events unless otherwise specified are held at Primrose Earth Centre, near Hay-on-Wye
Now a Facebook for Primrose Course Participants!!
Media Coverage in Soul & Spirit Magazine
All weekend workshops are of a retreat nature, with wholesome, organic food, locally sourced when available - often from our farm
We can cater for special diets on request.
WORKSHOP DATES FOR 2013
| 1-3 March 2013 | Part 1 Sound Healing Training |
| 5-7 April 2013 | Part 5 Sound Healing Training |
| 19-21 April 2013 | Part 2 Sound Healing Training |
| 5 May 2013 | Spring Seasonal Sounds |
| 21-23 June 2013 | Part 3 Sound Healing Training |
| 19-21 July 2013 | Sound Healing and Nature |
| 2-4 August 2013 | College Sound Healing Summer Gathering |
| 27-29 September 2013 | Part 4 Sound Healing Training |
| 6 October 2013 | Autumn Seasonal Sounds Day |
In 2013 this will be the seventh year that we have successfully run the 5-part training course and sound healing workshop 'Sound Healing & Nature', under the College of Sound Healing. For inspired feedback from previous courses CLICK HERE, and for further details about the sound healing courses CLICK HERE or see further down the page below.
Healing Sounds in the garden using gongs with birds.
Tuning forks C to F# interval
Sound healing with sacred geometry
Background to Sound Healing - the power of sound & rhythm
The Ancient Healer
Virtually every culture has used sound for healing and transformation. The ancient Greeks had sound healing temples; the Egyptians and Mayans acoustically designed pyramids and buildings; shamans have used the voice, drums, rattles and didgeridoos for healing and travelling to spirit worlds to attain power. Holy people and monks of all denominations have chanted to aid meditation and raise spiritual and healing energies. Song and chant have been used globally to honour and connect at occasions such as seasonal festivals, births, adulthood, marriage and death. The ancient practice of Tonsingen involved chanting whilst stirring a potion, which was later distributed on the land to improve plant vigour and growth.
The Creator and Maintainer of our Existence
In many traditions, it is believed that sound was before everything. For the Aborigines, the creator-ancestors of the dreamtime sang the world into existence; for Christians - in the beginning was the Word. The beliefs of the Egyptians, Vedic Indians, Plato, Sumerians, Chinese and Babylonians consider that music was the master metaphor for creativity and life. Pythagorus discovered that harmonics and their mathematical relationships underlie the structure of all creation. Dr Hans Jenny has demonstrated that different sound frequencies beamed onto liquids and powders will each form a particular geometric design. This gives support to the Druidic and Native American beliefs that all objects in our world have a sound and that if the body and mind are sufficiently stilled, we can hear the sounds of rocks and trees and objects around us. Yogis believe that ‘Om’ is the combined sound of everything in the Universe singing to God.
The Magic Medicine
Sound is composed of vibrating particles of energy. When the open vowels are elongated in tone or chant, magical vibrations are produced and these are the harmonic overtones which spiral higher and higher. These magical forms of resonance have been held as sacred by many ancient cultures and those of the present day that have been less tainted by modern 'civilisation'. The overtones are powerful healers. Dr Billie Thompson says that 80% of the sounds that stimulate the brain and charge the nervous system are above 3000 hertz and these are the higher overtones.
Like everything in the universe, our organs and energy centres (chakras) are resonating at particular frequencies. When disease manifests, the frequencies change. The resonance of the correct frequency can encourage healing. This can occur in accordance with the principle of entrainment by which vibrations that are more powerful and more harmonious will affect less powerful and less harmonious vibrations of a nearby person or object.
Sound healing has been used with success to treat many disorders ranging
from autistic children to older stroke victims and those with Alzheimers
disease. Don Campbell claims that harmonious music can:
* Slow and equalise brain waves
* Affect heartbeat, pulse rate, respiration and blood pressure
* Reduce tension and improve body movements and co-ordination
* Increase endorphin levels
* Boost immune function
* Regulate stress-related hormones
* Change our perception of time
* Strengthen memory and learning
* Stimulate digestion
Much success is presently being achieved through 'sonic births' and the 'Muse in the Schools' project in New York.
The Rhythm of Life
Every cell in our bodies carries the awareness of perfect rhythm, since we are all nourished by the life-sustaining rhythms of breath and heartbeat. These rhythms are audible to us from our mothers when in the womb. It is believed that the music from virtually every culture has been created with the heartbeat rhythm as its source. This no doubt accounts for the beneficial effect that most music has on us. Our brains pulse electrically with rhythms that carry us from depths of sleep to peaks of excitement.
We are also influenced by external rhythms. The diurnal rhythm affects us at a cellular level and fluid and salt levels respond to this. If we sit by the seashore, we can connect with the ebb and flow of the waves and the rhythm of the tides. Since 90% of our bodies is water, we are open to influence by the moon; women's menstrual cycles are affected by the moon. Our lives can also be open to influence by longer-term rhythms such as seasonal, solar, astrological cycles and life and death. It is harder for people who live in cities to maintain that connection to the diurnal and seasonal rhythms.
Song & Rhythm Famine in our Culture
We need rhythm to nourish our souls. Babies are calmed into sleep with the rhythm of rocking. Many young children still have rhythm and can be seen playing chanting and skipping games.
Sadly in our culture, music has generally become trivialised into short-term entertainment or distraction that is controlled by a big industry. This is a far cry from the universal, ancient view of sound as magic and music as the creator energy of the cosmos. Many people believe that they are unable to sing and are unable to express rhythm.
A test used in schools assessed whether we could copy a note ‘in tune’. The few who passed (‘the singers’), have largely been constrained by the western Ionic scale. The ‘failures’ (myself included!) believed that we were tone deaf, unable to sing and forever after the beautiful, natural voices inside us receded further and further back into our hidden souls.
Conversely, in other cultures less tainted by modern civilisation, rhythm and song are totally integrated into their existence. When watching traditional peoples - for example in Africa - walk and dance, it is obvious that they carry a deep connection with rhythm. Also, they believe that to be able to sing is their birthright and they spontaneously vocalise during their daily lives - during work, rest, play and in ceremonies. The song ‘Rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham’, portrays an understanding of the nurturing power of rhythm.
Click here for more information on the UNIQUE APPROACH to sound healing at Primrose
Paul Benham
In addition to his background in permaculture and organic farming, Paul Benham has had many years of experience with yoga, Tai Chi, dance, voice awakening and sound healing work.
'I primarily act as a catalyst. We all carry within us the ability to connect perfectly with rhythm and have a beautiful, natural voice waiting to be expressed. The aim is to create a safe environment in which a connection can be made with these deeply hidden inner qualities.
'I teach techniques of using sound from various traditions and this demonstrates the amazing power of sacred sound and its healing potential - these include Druidic, Native American, Sanskrit, Mongolian Overtoning, Buddhist and Sufi. I feel most affinity with the earth-honouring Native American and Druidic traditions, since they use sound to connect with the elements and their environment generally. This harmonises with my desire to awaken connection with the sacred land here and the ancient stones and peaceful earth of the Black Mountain. Particularly with the Druidic and Celtic traditions, it is possible to connect with the ancestral spirits of this place, which helps us to become more in tune with the vibration of the land here.
'Movement plays an important role in my work, since the combination of sound and movement is very powerful. Focus is given to connecting to the rhythms of breath, heartbeat, walking and other rhythmic combinations of sound and movement. Within this, there is scope for improvisation and a potential for play. The aim is to loosen up and relax our bodies sufficiently so that they begin to resonate with sound and the healing process begins.
'I encourage a depth of listening to our inner sounds and rhythms and the subtle energies around us. This facilitates our potential for becoming more 'in tune' with ourselves and to be in greater harmony with the cosmos. We resonate with our names to help connect us with our life path and destiny.'
Paul has gained some experience of working with people with learning difficulties and realises the enormous potential and benefit of sound healing. The beauty of his approach is that absolutely no theoretical knowledge or musical ability is required.
5-Part Sound Healing Training accredited by the College of Sound Healing
The College of Sound Healing, a non-profit making organisation, was established to provide the highest quality training for those people who wish to become sound healers. There is a very comprehensive training programme and courses are facilitated by highly experienced tutors. The College offers bursaries for students on low incomes.
SOUND HEALING TRAINING CURRICULUM
The Core Curriculum comprises five weekend workshops taken over one year. The five parts of the course should be taken in order. If you have previous experience with sound healing or voice work it is possible to join the Sound Healing Training at Part Two of the course.
After completing the Core Curriculum students will need to complete two Additional Modules in the next year. Attending the College of Sound Healing Conference counts as an additional module.
Part 1: An Introduction to Sound Healing with the Voice
Part 2: The Theory & Practice of Sound Healing
Part 3: Music as Medicine
Part 4: Sound Healing through the Chakras
Part 5: Graduation Weekend
For those who wish to graduate, homework plus case studies will need to be completed.
Visit the College of Sound Healing for further information: http://www.collegeofsoundhealing.co.uk/pages/curriculum.html
SOUND THERAPY TRAINING AT PRIMROSE
Primrose is a very special venue for the Sound Healing Training and the Course here embraces far more than the training curriculum. The residential Nature in this beautiful setting allows participants to travel on a deep journey. The weekend is extended with supper and a session in the sound peace chamber on Friday evening. There is potential for strong group bonding which results in a good supportive network.
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Weekend Workshop: Our next Part 1 training course will be held on 1 - 3 March 2013
SOUND HEALING TRAINING PART I 'An Introduction to Sound Healing with the Voice'
Cost for the 2012-2013 training programme: £215/ weekend: (£175 for the training and an additional £40 for food and accommodation). We can provide accommodation for seven people on a first come, first serve basis. There are two twin rooms; for those wanting a single room, there is an additional £5/night single supplement. A list of local B&B's is available on request.
‘Sound Healing Training Part
1’ covering the
modules in the College of Sound Healing Part I Curriculum
FINDING YOUR VOICE HEALING WITH THE VOICE
BREATH HARMONICS CHANT CHAKRAS Sunday 5 May 2013
10am-5pm Cost: £28; Please bring a food contribution for a Spring lunch No previous experience necessary
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Our next Part 2 training course will be held on 19 - 21 April 2013 SOUND HEALING TRAINING PART 2 The Theory and Practice of Sound Healing What is Sound?Light and Sound Basic Sound Healing Sequence ScanningGuidelines for Giving a Basic Sound HealingGiving a Basic Sound Healing The Role of Intention in Sound Healing The Power of Silence in Sound Healing Using the C/G Tuning Forks for Sound Healing Using Affirmations in a Sound Healing Treatment Herring's Laws of Cure Case Studies Answers to Case Study Questions How to Treat People who are in Great PainWhat Happens in a Sound Healing SessionPsychic Protection Heart Sound MeditationWeekend Workshop: Our next Part 3 training course will be held on 21-23 June 2013
'Music as Medicine' HEALING PROCESS INDIAN SCALE MUSIC AS MEDICINE
MUSICAL INTERVALS |
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Weekend Retreat: 19-21 July 2013 SOUND HEALING WITH NATURE’ additional module under College of Sound Healing curriculum; also open to anyone outside the College training programme; no previous experience necessary.
Experience sound healing and the healing sense of belonging
in nature
‘Cost: £195 including food & accommodation or £175 non-residential
Click Here for feedback from previous workshops |
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College of Sound Healing Summer Gathering REVIEW AND RETREAT WEEKEND FOR SOUND HEALERS AT PRIMROSE CENTRE 2-4 August 2013 at Primrose Earth Centre All students from College of Sound Healing welcome * * * * * * *
Meeting and Sharing Sound Healing Friday evening to Sunday afternoon wholesome food and single room accommodation £175; sharing with one person £165; camping with food £145. Rooms will be available on a first come, first serve basis. |
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Our next Part 4 training course will be held on 27-29 September 2013 SOUND HEALING TRAINING PART 4 'Sound Healing Through the Chakras' CHAKRAS ASSESSMENT SANSKRIT SOUNDS |
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Sunday 6 October 2013
10am-5pm Cost: £28; Please bring a food contribution for a harvest lunch No previous experience necessary
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5-7 April 2013 SOUND HEALING TRAINING PART 5 'Sound Healing Through the Chakras' COURSE REVIEW CERTIFICATE NEW PRACTICES CPD |
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PREVIOUS FEEDBACK from the Sound Healing Training Course "For me the location and venue were a perfect setting for learning sound healing. The trainer style was very professional but kind, welcoming and inclusive which made it easy to bond as a group" Jane 2010-2011 "The course was absolutely brilliant. It was transformative. I have started to become aware of who I am through my voice. I have gained so much confidence, not just in using my voice but generally and feel much happier with more joy in my life" Hilary 2010-2011 "I have found much more confidence in my voice and my musicality from the course, particularly in terms of improvising" Barry 2010-2011 "Primrose Centre offers a very special place for the sound healing training programme. The course here embraces a journey deep into the experience of sound in a safe, loving and very grounded environment with beautiful gardens and sound chamber. I highly recommend the experience to everyone" 2009-10 " Your dedication, commitment and instruction with sacred sound for healing, delivered with such care, warmth and open-heartedness has enriched and nourished my soul. ..... the land around you is a mirror of the love you radiate out to all you embrace" 2009-10 "I really enjoyed the course and the way it took our group on a journey of discovery and healing. We were encouraged to impart related knowledge and wisdom and we all had something to offer which enhanced the experience. Paul was generous in allowing this flow of information and always mindful of the curriculum in getting it all covered too. We had some fun too - always the sign of a good teacher! 2007-8 "Primrose Farm is the perfect setting for sound healing and to experience a year at Primrose and sing through all four seasons was magical. The exercises are very useful and helpful for preparing to sound and particularly the linking to the Five Elements, about which Paul is very knowledgeable" 2007-8 "My experience at Primrose with Paul and Jan was incredibly ‘changing’. Working with Paul and his gentle, yet to the core approach has affected me deeply. I think what makes the Primrose experience so unique is the situation. Being able to do the exercises surrounded by nature and having the sacred space of the sound chamber has really deepened my truly wonderful experience. Coupled with delicious food and inspiring company, what more can I say?! " Anne 2012 "Paul has the only sound chamber in Britain! and it certainly is a magical space to sing and sound in, it has to be experienced as words cannot describe it! it is a very earthy and womb-like environment which feels really safe to express and explore. Paul and Jan both have a very calming and healing aura about them which really helps you to relax and be yourself which is very necessary with this kind of work. I have come back wanting to go back! There is so much more to learn! All in all a very loving caring environment is on offer for anyone who is open to it! Thank you so much Paul and Jan! Namaste! love and peace" Lucinda 2012 "I found this course to be extremely beneficial - personally, professionally, emotionally and spiritually and has been one of the most enjoyable, enlightening and fascinating courses I have ever attended. Paul facilitates the course in a thoughtful, sensitive manner, giving personal attention to every participant. He is a wonderful person to know and learn from." Masha 2012 "My time during Sound Healing PART 1 at Primrose Centre has been magical. Discovering the power of sound has been my greatest aspiration on my path of spiritual enfoldment. Many thanks to Paul and Jan for providing a wonderful space for me to connect with the land, my voice and community with others in a deep and organic way.' Charlotte, October 2012 'Charlotte, you have spoken for all of us too. Love and light, Roise and Judy, October 2012
Graduation group 2012
Feedback from the 'Sound Healing with Nature' weekend: "For once in my life, I find I am at a loss to convey to you just how deeply meaningful this whole experience was for me - with so much joy, happiness, learning and discovery. Suffice to say that that weekend stands tall as an inner way-marker for my crossing a deeply sacred threshold in my life - and for that, I give my heartfelt thanks and appreciation - for being just the right people in the right place at the right time. You certainly provided me with the most beautiful taster of the sweet basket of apples that ever awaits us all" 2009 "The teaching was very organic and as befitted working with nature, flowed with the environmental circumstances. It was also clear that the teaching was coming from a lot of lived experience. The setting was just wonderful. Truly you could feel the health of the plants and nature around you and that in itself was supportive of healing. There is a real sense of the land being listened to and it was very inspiring to see various sacred spaces - the emissary wheel, the tree wheel and the element garden being developed. The sacred sound chamber was very beautiful and provided a very charged space to work, almost womb like." "The food was INCREDIBLE. Cooked with love and full of goodness. And the accommodation was lovely." "A great weekend full of special times. I came back very refreshed." "I want
to say a huge thanks to Paul and Jan for an absolutely amazing
weekend. It was truly inspirational. Not only did I learn new
techniques for connecting with sound I felt a real connection
with nature and how to be better aware of what is around me. Feedback from the College of Sound Healing Summer Gathering 2012 weekend A magical place, like another world!. A weekend full of love and beauty, in place, people, gorgeous food and hospitality and blissful sounds of nature, voice and healing. Inspirational and totally uplifting. Thank you Paul and Jan. ….... Angelica Blu An amazing, magical weekend in a wondrous landscape. I feel that an inner transformation has started this weekend in the space held by Paul, with fantastic guidance, deep[ intuition and love. I've felt very supported and nurtured by the lovely cooking and presence of Jan. I've also learnt lots of new skills and sounds and feel great and met other sound healers which was really important. Diane Stewart I love to return to this incredibly special place of Primrose. A truly awesome retreat and sound healing weekend. I enjoyed the special sacred spaces of the Sound Chamber and the Emissary wheel. It was lovely meeting and working with like minded people and there was much love and kindness. The food delicious and hospitality and accommodation extremely good...Jane O' Connor Very inspirational- really enjoyed the sound bath and the vegetarian food. The sacred circle ceremony was extremely moving and the waterfall truly enchanting- literally drenched us in peace. The candles and the atmosphere in the Sound Chamber brought about a feeling of the sacredness of life and nature. It was good to be taught be someone with a respect for the nature kingdom, and who was obviously dedicated to the blossoming practice of sound healing. Thank you so much Paul......Tony Priestley It was wonderful to be back here in such a beautiful, holding space and connecting with 'shiney' people! A lovely mix of spontaneous song, chants, healings and connecting with the land- especially the waterfall- very powerful and cleansing!.... Andy Hughes |
MONDAYS - Sound & Rhythm - Healing Voice Sessions are held on 2nd & 4th MONDAYS of each month in the evenings from 8.00-10.00pm: cost £4; please ring beforehand; telephone: 01497 847636 or E-mail us.
nb if you do not get an immediate response to your e-mail enquiry then please telephone.
Paul has led voice and sound healing workshops for 14 years and incorporates vocal sound techniques from many traditions together with Simon Heather's sound healing process for individuals. He uses improvisation, movement, listening, sounding and ceremony to help people connect with the healing power of nature. Workshops are performed in the sanctuary of the Sound Peace Chamber in the beautiful, natural setting of Primrose Centre in which have been created gardens for peace, the elements and the four seasons.
A sanctuary has been created within its own discreet area adjacent to the ancient oak tree. This contains a sacred Sound Peace Chamber. From the inspiration of the Native American visionary, Joseph Rael - otherwise known as Beautiful Painted Arrow, it is one of over 70 such chambers around the world. It provides an important space for connecting with sacred sounds, ceremony, mediation and for manifesting peace. Half buried within the ground, the resonance created within, help to heal people, the earth and the surrounds. Each chamber has its own focus. However, the international network gives guidance and co-ordinates link-ups between the chambers to create simultaneous and continuous sessions of chanting. This channels healing vibrations around the world, raising consciousness and assisting in (manifesting) world peace.
Jeanne White Eagle was guided to Joseph after he requested someone to come and awaken the chamber. Jeanne and her husband John Pehrson now work as a team for this purpose, travelling the world performing awakening ceremonies and concerts for peace. They also perform peace work in countries of conflict and lead the powerful 'For the One' Sacred Dance which symbolises the end of separation and the one-ness of all life.
Jeanne and John have visited Primrose Sound Peace Chamber on three occasions to perform peace ceremonies, run workshops and concerts for peace and in September 2004, they came to marry Jan and Paul.
Media Coverage in Soul & Spirit Magazine