Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Steffen.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My passion for sound therapy grew out of my own experience with the healing power of sound and vibration. While living in Raleigh, NC, with my 3 sons and former partner, I began to escape into music away from what became the “all-too-familiar” patterns of living with someone with bipolar disorder. 28 jobs in 20 years, countless hospitalizations and suicide attempts, child neglect, and court-ordered supervised child visits were just the beginning of what I was coping with. The only place I could find peace from the” rollercoaster ride” of my partner’s behavior was in the solace of sound. I would put my headphones on and “soak” the magical frequencies of healing music I found online. In addition to a wonderful support system and lots of prayer and meditation, that was how I coped through nearly 2 decades of living with someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In 2019, I went to my first ever Sound “Bath” experience outside Toronto, Canada. The person facilitating the Sound Healing experience played these beautiful Crystal bowls, Himalayan bowls, drums, and chimes. She led us through a brief meditation, which began to relax me and take me out of my busy, Beta brainwave state.
I was familiar with the constant pressures of being a Real Estate agent then and attended my first Sound Bath as a form of relaxation therapy. The experience that I had that night was profoundly relaxing and reminded me of the times that I would “soak” in the peaceful music in Raleigh, North Carolina, to preserve my sanity and get me through another day of caring for my unwell partner and 3 beautiful children. At the end of that first session, I felt called to offer that same “resting into wellness” experience to others! I then embarked on a 2-year learning journey about all the benefits of Sound Vibrational healing. I became a Licensed, Certified Vibrational Sound Therapy Practitioner with the Vibrational Sound Assoc in Roca, Nebraska, the USA, in 2020. In addition, I trained to become a Certified Sound Healing Practitioner through the Sound Healing Academy in the United Kingdom. I took up further studies for Sound Healing with the Institute for Traditional Medicine in Toronto, Canada.
I now facilitate the wonderful experience of “resting into wellness” through the beautiful gift of Vibrational Sound Therapy and the harmonics of sound and frequency medicine. I intentionally partner with my clients for restoration in whatever area of life they need it most: Body, Soul, or Spirit. I provide 1- on-1 VST ( Vibrational Sound Therapy sessions) where the Himalayan Bowls are placed directly on the body for a deeper vibrational experience combined with the ambient playing of the Himalayan bowls on and around the body. In addition, I facilitate private, semi-private, group, and corporate Sound Meditation Experiences with a unique collection of instruments, including Gongs, Bar & Koshi Chimes, the Ancient Monochord, Himalayan bowls, Crystal bowls, drums, tuning forks, and more. I intend to combine Ancient Wisdom and Healing Modalities with Modern Science and Technology to heal the Body, Soul & Spirit.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road. Growing up in a traditional Judeo-Christian family, I was taught that meditation, yoga, and certain types of music were “wrong.” So, even considering participating in a “sound bath” would have been considered “New Age” and out of the question when I was growing up. Once I got past the initial stigma of all of that as an adult. I began to focus more on what I could contribute to my world and less on what was considered “taboo.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ancient Paths Wellness?
My business, Ancient Paths Wellness, is founded on rejuvenating the well-being of the Body, Soul & Spirit through the ancient art of Sound Medicine. Healing and wellness through Sound medicine is an Ancient form of healing that has been documented from as far back as Pythagoras, born in 570BCE. Notable others besides Pythagoras and his followers who used the lyre and the flute to heal were David (The notable Psalmist). He was also known for healing the distressed King Saul with his harp, and also, as early as 400BC, Hippocrates, known as The Father of Western Medicine, was known for playing music to bring relief to his mentally ill patients.
I specialize in relaxation therapy using sound vibration to help people achieve a deeply relaxed brainwave state that triggers their body’s parasympathetic nervous system to engage in what’s known as “rest and digest.” The body’s innate healing powers can kick in to restore wellness in this relaxed state.
I offer a couple of in-person healing modalities :
1) VSTs ( Vibrational Sound Therapy ) where Himalayan bowls are placed ON and around the body for a deeply powerful therapeutic experience combining vibration and tones to induce an immediate state of relaxation and stress reduction. Vibrational Sound Therapy has profound effects on the body and the mind. This Relaxation Therapy works by induction of sound waves directly into the body along with soothing ambient tones. This relaxation modality encourages your body to rest so it can heal itself.
VST is used for the following: reducing stress, reducing depression and sleep issues, quickly introducing deep meditative states, easing blockages and tension, entraining the brain, raising focus and gaining a clear mind, calming the mind, body, and spirit in conjunction, boosts creativity.
2) Sound Bath Meditations: these are offered privately to couples, groups, and corporations. Clients will experience a variety of Sound Healing instruments, Brainwave Entrainment Rhythms & Tones, Frequencies, Ambient Waves of Sound, Harmonics, & Inspired Vocals. These frequencies impact the nervous system by assisting the body to re-align with the nourishing state of rest, digestion, & relaxation. Participants will lay (or sit) comfortably for about 60 min while surrounded or “bathed” with the deeply relaxing tones of the Himalayan bowls, chimes, gongs, crystal singing bowls, monochords, and tuning forks. This creates an instantly calming and relaxing environment. This is the opposite of the “fight or flight” mode triggered by stress.
What do you think about happiness?
I am happy when I see others truly happy and living a fulfilled life! When someone is courageously living their life’s purpose, there’s a contagious natural grace and ease around them. If I can help be part of someone re-connecting to their life’s purpose through the gift of Sound Therapy, there’s no better gift on earth!
Contact Info:
- Website: AncientPathsWellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ancientpathswellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ancientpathswellness
Image Credits
Heather Doughty Photography
