Interested in learning about the the science of sound and how to build a personal meditation practice through the playing of crystal singing bowls and carefully crafted intention? Foundations in Vibration is the perfect course for you! We love introducing the healing power of crystal singing bowls to beginners and experienced students in the Chicagoland area. We are also pleased to announce our newest offering, Foundations in Facilitation which is intended to support folks that have already taken our Foundations in Vibration course in bringing their sound meditation practice to a professional level in service of others.
Level 1: Foundations in Vibration
Instructor: Jay Taylor
Description: Every religion, spiritual practice, and indigenous group utilizes some form of frequency based tool or instrument to unite people in ceremony, celebration, and healing. No matter where you travel, you’ll find a rich culture of music and instruments that can often be traced back for thousands of years. We see gongs, singing bowls, didgeridoos, rattles, drums, bells, chimes, and the human voice. There are also decades of scientific research showing how powerfully meditation, in it’s various forms, impacts our overall physical, mental, and physiological state.
Foundations in Vibration is a training intended to empower participants in their exploration of sound as a tool for self-expression and meditation.
The course will take place over two days from 1:00-6:00pm:
Session #1 - Jan 17 from 1:00-6:00pm
Engage in scientific experiments exploring Resonant Frequency & Cymatics; Analyze experiment outcomes; Discuss how our findings align with the practice of sound meditation.
Review and Discuss the most compelling research in both meditation and sound meditation.
Learn crystal singing bowl technique and methodology; Discuss basic elements of musical awareness; Develop your ear through targeted listening; Generate a basic musical composition in a small group
Explore health and optimization from the lens of harmony and disharmony.
Session #2 - Jan 31 from 1:00-6:00pm
Engage in scientific experiments exploring Resonant Coupling & Entrainment.
Practice crystal singing bowl technique; Generate a basic musical competition in a small group; Develop your ear through targeted listening.
Discuss brainwave entrainment and it’s role in music and sound; Explore how instruments and frequency can impact brainwave states.
Explore the science of intention: Design intentions for specific purposes, Pair intention with sound frequency.
Utilize all that we have learned to build a personal sound meditation practice.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned musician or meditator, you’ll leave this training feeling confident in the use of crystal bowls for the purposes of meditation. It’s also one of the most affordable sound training programs of this depth being offered anywhere.
Dive into the world of frequency, meditation, and crystal bowls and learn how to utilize these techniques to create inner peace and physical and emotional health in your life (and potentially in the lives of others).
The instructor, Jay Taylor, has facilitated over 2,000 sound meditation experiences in the Chicagoland area, and is the director and co-founder of the Ahimsa School of Sound Healing. Previous to his work in sound, Jay had a 10-year teaching career working with students with special needs.
“If I had to trace my decision to become a meditation facilitator to one event, it’s the time I was monitoring 1st grade recess and two kids ran into each other. One of the boys was screaming, and I ran up to him and asked if I could play him my tuning fork. With his permission I brought the fork to his ear, and he instantly stopped screaming and became calm. A moment later he was back to playing. The power of sound to change lives, shift perspectives, and unite people became very clear in that moment. It’s for that reason that I created this course and have dedicated my life to sharing the power of sound with as many people as possible.” — Jay Taylor
Do I need a bowl to join the course? Our stock of singing bowls will be available for students to use throughout our time together. If you find a bowl you like you may purchase it at the end of the day. Students will receive 20% off of the bowls and 10% off all other instrument purchases.
Upcoming Course Locations/Times/Prices:
Ahimsa Yoga Studio EVANSTON
This course meets on Jan 17 from 1:00-6:00pm AND Jan 31 from 1:00-6:00pm.
The price is $395 for non-members ($315 for Ahimsa members).
Level 2: Foundations in Facilitation
Instructor: Jay Taylor
Description: Foundations in Facilitation is a facilitator training designed to support those with previous sound meditation experience in building confidence as a meditation facilitator and space holder. Opportunities will be provided for students to facilitate meditation experiences in front of the class and to receive structured critiques. We will also role play different scenarios preparing students for the challenges that may arise during facilitation. The overall intention of the course is to support our students in taking their sound meditation practice to a professional level.
WARNING: This course is the second course in our series. You must take the Foundations in Vibration course prior to our facilitators course.
Schedule:
Session #1 - February 7th from 12:30-8:00pm
Explore in detail Ahimsa’s 18 Components of Facilitation
Develop your personal structure for meditation facilitation through identifying the who, where, and why of your work.
Establish an overall intention for what you plan to offer.
Craft a description of your offering.
Design an introduction for your offering based on your own interests and passions in the field of sound meditation.
Session #2 - February 21st from 12:30-8:00pm
Curate your instrument setup / layout based on functionality, symmetry, and beauty.
Build Experience through facilitating multiple meditation sessions of varying lengths complete with roll playing scenarios.
Identify areas of strength and relative weakness as a facilitator through the process of critique following each facilitated session.
Receive guidance on how best to elevate your facilitation work to a professional level.
Do I need instruments to join the course?
Experience with healing instruments is assumed, but our stock of singing bowls and other tools will be available. Students receive 20% off of singing bowls and 10% off all other instrument purchases. For questions, email Jay Taylor at ahimsasoundschool@gmail.com.
Meet Your Instructor:
Jay Taylor - Over the past 8 years Jay has become a driving force in the Chicago sound meditation landscape facilitating over 2,000 sound meditation experiences. His mission is to reduce the barriers of entry to meditation which he has done through offering 100s of donated sound meditations and sharing his work in a diversity of high profile spaces and venues such a the Lincoln Park Zoo, Willis Tower, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Navy Pier, and the Morton Arboretum. He has contributed to the development of the sound meditation modality as the director and co-founder of the Ahimsa School of Sound Healing which was founded in 2020. Since that time he has provided access to his experience and knowledge through the Foundations in Vibration course and as a mentor. Additionally, he has curated retail spaces in Oak Park, Evanston, and Wicker Park providing sonic explorers with hands-on access to a variety of healing instruments. Previous to his work in sound, Jay had a 10-year teaching career working with students with special needs.
Upcoming Course Locations/Times/Prices:
Ahimsa Yoga Studio EVANSTON
This course meets on Feb 7 from 12:30-8:00pm AND Feb 21 from 12:30-8:00pm.
The price is $950 for non-members ($850 for Ahimsa members).