Soul Sounds is a communal singing session led by Damien Mahoney - a unique combination of global songs, original material and some group improvisation practices. This is open to all levels of experience and is a grounded, somatic practice involving breath, body and voice.

“Singing is one of the mega-mechanisms we use for bonding. When doing it communally, there’s something about the synchrony of singing that creates this massive endorphin uplift.”

(Robin Dunbar, professor of evolutionary psychology, Oxford University.)

For our ancestors, chants and songs would accompany every kind of activity. Individuals and communities expressed emotions through their songs – joy and celebration, grief and despair. Songs fulfilled a myriad of purposes both practical and profound.

Coming together as a community to reclaim this vital form of expression is a powerful way to loosen and release emotional blockages in the body. It can be particularly helpful for issues relating to communication, creativity and connection to others.

Facilitator Damien Mahoney is a Manchester-based musician and producer. He trained as a Natural Voice Facilitator with Frankie Armstrong and has also trained with Phoene Cave (The Musical Breath), Jenni Rodditi (Vocal Tai Chi) and Guillermo Rozenthuler (Circle Singing / Training For Vocal Leaders). In addition to running regular public group singing events, workshops and retreats, Damien has led sessions with prison inmates, social workers, healthcare staff, refugees, homeless charities and cancer patients.

Passionate about the myriad beneficial powers of sound, Damien regularly provides live music for therapeutic events including meditation, dance, breathwork and yoga sessions, retreats and ceremonies. He also writes, produces and sings for the band Caulbearers.

LOCATION

Yoga Cafe Chorlton Manchester, M21 8HA