Soundbath Workshop with MFA graduate students at SVA

While I was in my sound practitioner training this year, I developed an interest in researching the effects of sound immersions and sound therapy on the mind and body especially to promote creativity in the work of MFA graduate students while relieving stress and encouraging relaxation.

As I currently work full-time in arts administration at the School of Visual Arts, I have an opportunity to work closely with graduate students who are in the process of obtaining their MFA degree within photography and video. I see first hand how busy their lives are juggling full-time study, part-time and full-time work, a freelancing career and a personal life outside of school. There isn't a lot of time or space that's allotted to self-care let alone a proper sleeping schedule!

With this observation, I decided to offer a sound bath workshop for a group of students with the intention of offering a space where they could connect to the present moment, slow down, relax, and let go of any of the daily stress they were experiencing.

The two hour workshop started with an opening meditation, mindful movement, and a reflection question about the general mood and state of the student in which the answers were expressed both visually and through written words. I then offered a 45 minute sound bath/immersion experience followed by a post experience reflection question about their mood and experience after the sound bath.

I've documented this workshop with a video as well as presentation. Samples of the workshop can be viewed below.

Sound bath workshop and reflections through visual art activities with MFA graduate students at SVA followed by an interview with Brenda Hung about her experience in the Integrative Sound and Music sound practitioner certificate program. Video by: Nachiket Guttikar