Yoga and Music Therapy Workshop: Kingston, ON

Yoga. Music Therapy. Janati. Find Your Voice Music Therapy. Kingston. Ontario

Music therapy is the study and practice of how music affects people. Individuals do not require musical ability but instead it’s a process of making, being affected by, and responding to music to address client-specific goals. Music Therapists use music intentionally and purposefully in group or individual setting to help individuals promote, maintain, and restore physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual health.

Music is a powerful medium which many of us connect to in some form; mothers singing to their babies, finding your favorite pump up music for a workout, or hearing a song that reminds you of a meaningful past experience, just to name a few.  When we partake in music actively or passively, many things are happening in our bodies and minds that we may not even be aware of.  This results in health benefits throughout several clinical, therapeutic, and medical domains. When we listen to music, hormones such as dopamine and endorphins are released which contribute to feelings of happiness, pleasure, and reducing pain levels. Music Therapists work with these feelings (both the positive and negative) as well as their clients’ personal experiences to meet them where they’re at, and pace the session accordingly.  They use the music, and sometimes verbal processing, to support this process. Other benefits of music therapy may include; reduced agitation, stress, anxiety, and depression, increased sense of empowerment, control, and confidence, increased relaxation and release of tension in body, and a sense of community, social interaction, and group cohesion, among many others.

Kim Dolan is an Accredited Music Therapist working in the Kingston, ON and area region. She is a native to Kingston and after studying for seven years at Wilfrid Laurier University, has returned to serve her home town. Kim has her BA in Psychology and Masters of Music Therapy (MMT). Throughout her time in the MMT program, Kim completed a 1000 hour internship working within several client populations.

This workshop is a 90 minute collaboration of Yoga, and Music Therapy during which you will be guided through a series of postures set to therapeutically informed live music. Adrienne will guide you through breath and movement while Kim uses a variety of instruments and vocalizations to connect with these movements and the group energy. The workshop will focus on facilitating a sense of motivation and empowerment as well as providing a space for relaxation and self reflection. During our 90 minutes together, we aim to reduce stress and body tension, increase self-connection, and facilitate feelings of groundedness in our participants.

More details about the workshop can be found here: Yoga and Music Therapy Workshop

–  Written By: Kimberly Dolan, BA, MTA, MMT