In a couple of days, I’m off to Whidbey Island for a 3-day intensive with Chloe Goodchild, founder of The Naked Voice. And I’m going to share what I learn with you, dear readers!
Chloe is a genius at helping people come home to their Soul using various holistic energy movement and vocal activities. This is my third workshop with Chloe. I can’t wait to see where this one leads. The last time I was with her, it was utterly transformational. I got clarity about the Tlingit name I was given—Kaasay—and began to use it publicly. I also began to consciously embody its significance. I even created a song about it. Soon I’ll tell you more about that.
So, here’s one of the assignments she gave us to get ready for the retreat (homework already?). Chloe says, “Your relationship with your own inner-outer voice is one of the most intimate you will ever have. … I invite you to begin unravelling the story of your very own voice more deeply…”
I’m very curious what will show up when I write the story of my voice. How about you? Here we go...just 3 EASY STEPS.
THE STORY OF YOUR VOICE (p. 75-78 in The Naked Voice: Transform Your Life through the Power of Sound).
Step One: Reflection
This reflective writing practice will require at least an hour of your time to really benefit from it. Its aim is to deepen your adventurous intention to explore and bond with the original sound that is your true voice. When you look back to your childhood years, how did you most easily communicate, both with yourself and with others? Were you more at home alone, in communion with your inner voice of silence, or was it through your speaking voice that your true authority emerged? What part did singing play throughout your life in revealing your essence to others?
Imagine writing a vocal self-portrait that describes your relationship, from the inside out, with your voice as you experienced it in all its forms, e.g. hidden, reserved, vulnerable, dull, frightened alienated, empowering, true, passionate, charismatic, overwhelming, transformative. As you journeyed from childhood into adolescence and adulthood, what enabled you to communicate yourself most authentically, in your raw naked truth, without censorship or self-consciousness? Which situations made your blood run cold, causing you to retreat into yourself?
This reflection encourages you to turn over every stone of your life: significant others, parents, siblings, elders, friends, strangers, animals, ceremonial events, accidental disasters, initiations, achievements, obstacles, and challenges. Were there passive voices of contempt and disempowerment, imagined voices, neglected voices left behind, unfulfilled dreams, voices of self-protection and denial as well as wise voices, courageous and fulfilling, that instilled hope and possibility?
You are now invited to write your vocal self-portrait, the story of your voice—silent, spoken, and sung–in no more than 4 pages. The aim of this vocal exercise is to build a clear, courageous and openhearted relationship with your life and the voice that has brought you to this moment. The practice will enable you to let go and forgive old stories and to build the courage and honesty to restore honor where required to your family and your community. The practice invites you to remember the true voice of your soul, your naked voice, the authentic voice of your life.
Step Two: Preparation
To creatively arouse the story of your voice and remember as many details as you can,
brainstorm, make notes, speak into a recorder, move your body, draw, tone or sing.
Step Three: Completion
Set aside a relaxing space and time to sit down and write your unique vocal self-portrait. (Up to 4 pages).”
Chloe is a genius at helping people come home to their Soul using various holistic energy movement and vocal activities. This is my third workshop with Chloe. I can’t wait to see where this one leads. The last time I was with her, it was utterly transformational. I got clarity about the Tlingit name I was given—Kaasay—and began to use it publicly. I also began to consciously embody its significance. I even created a song about it. Soon I’ll tell you more about that.
So, here’s one of the assignments she gave us to get ready for the retreat (homework already?). Chloe says, “Your relationship with your own inner-outer voice is one of the most intimate you will ever have. … I invite you to begin unravelling the story of your very own voice more deeply…”
I’m very curious what will show up when I write the story of my voice. How about you? Here we go...just 3 EASY STEPS.
THE STORY OF YOUR VOICE (p. 75-78 in The Naked Voice: Transform Your Life through the Power of Sound).
Step One: Reflection
This reflective writing practice will require at least an hour of your time to really benefit from it. Its aim is to deepen your adventurous intention to explore and bond with the original sound that is your true voice. When you look back to your childhood years, how did you most easily communicate, both with yourself and with others? Were you more at home alone, in communion with your inner voice of silence, or was it through your speaking voice that your true authority emerged? What part did singing play throughout your life in revealing your essence to others?
Imagine writing a vocal self-portrait that describes your relationship, from the inside out, with your voice as you experienced it in all its forms, e.g. hidden, reserved, vulnerable, dull, frightened alienated, empowering, true, passionate, charismatic, overwhelming, transformative. As you journeyed from childhood into adolescence and adulthood, what enabled you to communicate yourself most authentically, in your raw naked truth, without censorship or self-consciousness? Which situations made your blood run cold, causing you to retreat into yourself?
This reflection encourages you to turn over every stone of your life: significant others, parents, siblings, elders, friends, strangers, animals, ceremonial events, accidental disasters, initiations, achievements, obstacles, and challenges. Were there passive voices of contempt and disempowerment, imagined voices, neglected voices left behind, unfulfilled dreams, voices of self-protection and denial as well as wise voices, courageous and fulfilling, that instilled hope and possibility?
You are now invited to write your vocal self-portrait, the story of your voice—silent, spoken, and sung–in no more than 4 pages. The aim of this vocal exercise is to build a clear, courageous and openhearted relationship with your life and the voice that has brought you to this moment. The practice will enable you to let go and forgive old stories and to build the courage and honesty to restore honor where required to your family and your community. The practice invites you to remember the true voice of your soul, your naked voice, the authentic voice of your life.
Step Two: Preparation
To creatively arouse the story of your voice and remember as many details as you can,
brainstorm, make notes, speak into a recorder, move your body, draw, tone or sing.
Step Three: Completion
Set aside a relaxing space and time to sit down and write your unique vocal self-portrait. (Up to 4 pages).”
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