Musical Journey
Musical journey is an experience-based therapy modified from Integrative Breathwork made popular by Jacquelyn Small. The journey consists of an hour of evocative music without words facilitated by cyclic breathing designed to put the participant in a meditative state of consciousness. The breathing combined with the musical pattern is designed to invoke emotions often blocked by more cognitive or protective processes of the brain. Musical journey allows repressed emotions and memories to surface and be felt, rather than simply being discussed. This expression is most often described as cathartic and speeds the healing process, often dramatically.
Oftentimes, addicts and alcoholics have spent much of their lives using to keep a particular memory or set of events out of their consciousness. By being able to bring these memories up, experience them and release them, many of our clients find a clearer path to recovery.
After each musical journey, clients go directly to art tables to draw mandalas depicting their hour-long experience. Mandalas are traditionally Indian and are seen to be a snapshot of the soul. You will see the result of some of these musical journeys in the mandalas included in the artwork of this website.
We receive many testimonials from clients expressing the difference the musical journey made in their treatment and recovery. Read some of their words here…
“I will never forget the morning of musical journey – ever. The process was explained to us before beginning the class, and I was terrified that I would recall memories from trauma that were blocked out. I was reassured that the mind does not recall anything we are not ready or able to handle.
I broke during the hour-long music. Quite literally, broke open. That mask of perfection I had worn for so many years and altered to so many situations, cracked. And guess what – the light began to shine through. I felt both physically and mentally lighter after just one hour of work (now mind you, this was not an easy hour) and memories from years stuffed down began to resurface. Not just bad memories, but really wonderful experiences as well. The facilitator honored me by gently helping me know I was safe. Safe. A word I had not spoken or allowed my psyche to feel since I was six-years-old. And this was just one class.
Yet you don’t just leave musical journey and trudge on with all these raw emotions – you go to a process group and a counselor assists you in so many of the feelings that have come to the surface. That safety net continues to grow, and for the first time in years, I realize the importance of allowing others to help.”
--Carol