Active Voice Yoga: A creative application of an Indian vocal musical perspective for integrative wellbeing
Tracks
Stream 2
| Sunday, September 8, 2024 |
| 8:45 AM - 10:15 AM |
| Rooms 3&4 |
Speaker
Dr Alison Short
Senior Lecturer in Creative Music Therapy
Western Sydney University
Active Voice Yoga: A creative application of an Indian vocal musical perspective for integrative wellbeing.
Biography
Dr Alison Short (she/her), PhD, MT-BC, RMT, is an internationally accredited music therapy academic and experienced health services researcher at Western Sydney University, one of only two accredited music therapy programs in Australia. She trained in music therapy in the first class at the University of Melbourne under Emeritus Professor Denise Grocke. Later, she became one of the first Masters-level trained Australian music therapists, completing her studies at New York University. Pioneering in the field of music therapy, and also the specialist method of Guided Imagery and Music (Bonny Method), Alison has published, presented and lectured extensively. She is well known internationally for work across many topics, including 1) understanding the role of music therapy within the interprofessional context, 2) mental health related to physical/medical care, 3) the impact of indoor noise on health, and 4) benchmarking of music therapy education around the world. As an articulate and passionate advocate for music therapy, Alison constantly seeks new research knowledge for translation into everyday evidence-based training and practice, thereby improving capacity and changing health care practices for the future. Dr Short currently serves on the Council of the World Federation of Music Therapy as Regional Liaison Representative for Australia and New Zealand. She currently leads the Arts and Health network at Western Sydney University. Alison works closely with health service providers, including longstanding membership of the Southwestern Sydney Health and Arts Reference Group. She was recently an invited Plenary Speaker for a large Thoracic and Respiratory Medicine conference (TSANZ/ANZSRS, 2024). As the National Keynote speaker for the 49th Australian Music Therapy Association National Conference, Dr Short brings her theme of, ‘Multi-tracking music therapy: Past, present and future’ to explore the complexity of music therapy which can be applied collaboratively into diverse community and real-world contexts, based on her extensive knowledge and experience.
Mrs Lene Jeffrey
Lecturer/ Music Therapist
Western Sydney University
Active Voice Yoga: A creative application of an Indian vocal musical perspective for integrative wellbeing
Abstract Overview
In music therapy practice the use of meditation, chanting and mantras is limited by a lack of research, training, and formalisation of user-friendly methods. Active Voice Yoga is an innovative voice and meditation approach combining current practice with traditional Sanskrit mantras and meditation, as an integrative wellbeing approach. Its potential for music therapy practice application is currently being examined through user experiences in a doctoral research project. Meditation is a self-reflective mind-body practice, increasingly accepted as a tool for psychological wellbeing. Applying the researcher’s knowledge of Hindustani music, this cross-cultural method has been designed for the distinct purpose of inducing greater somatic awareness and self-reflection. The foundational research on its use was applied in a study with 11 university students from a range of faculties over a seven-week program. This Masterclass is closely linked to research results, which uncovered a range of positive wellbeing themes and outcomes including enhanced self-awareness, mental silence, non-attachment, acceptance and gratitude, insight and self-compassion.
Participants will be guided to explore the use of the voice as a musical instrument and vehicle for vocal resonance, self-awareness, and meditation. Facilitated by the main researcher, the session focuses on a range of interactive singing activities using single-syllable Sanskrit mantras and English language affirmations, followed by meditation supported by carefully selected recordings of Indian Ragas. Utilising Indian classical instrumentation, the masterclass will provide opportunities for experiential learning, discussion, and further resources. As demonstrated in research by Manocha and others on the positive effects of the application of a mental silence definition of meditation, AVY similarly has potential to generate a state of ‘pure attention and bliss’ and a range of enhanced self-reflective attributes. AVY is a reflective music therapy approach, where ancient musical traditions have been creatively and sensitively adapted into an accessible, self-nurturing and integrative wellbeing experience.
Participants will be guided to explore the use of the voice as a musical instrument and vehicle for vocal resonance, self-awareness, and meditation. Facilitated by the main researcher, the session focuses on a range of interactive singing activities using single-syllable Sanskrit mantras and English language affirmations, followed by meditation supported by carefully selected recordings of Indian Ragas. Utilising Indian classical instrumentation, the masterclass will provide opportunities for experiential learning, discussion, and further resources. As demonstrated in research by Manocha and others on the positive effects of the application of a mental silence definition of meditation, AVY similarly has potential to generate a state of ‘pure attention and bliss’ and a range of enhanced self-reflective attributes. AVY is a reflective music therapy approach, where ancient musical traditions have been creatively and sensitively adapted into an accessible, self-nurturing and integrative wellbeing experience.
Biography
Lene Jeffrey RMT is a lecturer in music therapy at Western Sydney University with extensive experience in working with autistic children and young people. With a background in Hindustani vocal music, her interest in voicework and meditation for promoting self-reflection and wellbeing is a theme in her doctoral research.
