Winter 2021
We are slowly but surely loosing the dark and opening to the return of the light. Winter Solstice is a time for reflection and celebration. It’s been quite a year. A year of firsts - including this - the very first Deeper Listening Newsletter. Thanks to those who signed up, for supporting me as massage and Deeper Listening clients, Voice Circle participants, art commissioners and friends.
Here’s some reflections on 2021, in celebration of making new connections, building inner resources and cultivating community in 2022.
For many, 2021 could be described as a year of loss. For me, the death of a childhood friend, the suicide of a dear colleague and mentor and the ongoing decline of my dad’s life with Alzheimer’s have made lasting imprints and brought me closer to an understanding of the nature of impermanence and a sense of what in each of us can never be lost.
It has also been a time of learning and growing in so many areas.
BODY
Holistic Massage - I am grateful to the Cotswold Academy’s continued support and have learnt so much from friends and colleagues willing to share their body work skills with me this year, I’ve had Shiatsu, Lomi Lomi and Thai massage in exchange for my Holistic Massage. The insights, knowledge, skill and feedback has been invaluable as we each develop our unique offerings. I established not one but two new practices in 2021, one at the gorgeous Lotus Retreat supported by Carrie and Hari, and another at the Lavender Shed, a private residence in East Oxford.
As a thank you to all my local clients and associates, I’m offering 10% discount for holistic massage bookings made in January 2022. Gift cards are also available for your loved ones with this discount. Email me for more details.
Deeper Listening Programmes - I have received regular supervision from a body work and trauma specialist that has enabled me to develop and continue offering the Deeper Listening Programme. I have been deeply touched and inspired by client’s committing to themselves through this work which includes caring non-intrusive touch and practices to support embodiment during this extraordinary time.
I have a couple of spaces opening up at the end of January for the Deeper Listening Programme, if you're interested please get in touch.
VOICE
Voice Circles - In September and October I attended a Teacher Training Course with Briony Greenhill to support my offering of Voice Work locally. I am now part of a growing community who love to sing and improvise and are intent on sharing Collaborative Vocal Improvisation with others.
I offered two Winter Voice Circles in December, the one in Faringdon sadly didn’t get off the ground this time, but the one in East Oxford was a success! A cosy, nourishing candlelit evening of voice play - here’s a comment from one of the participants:
“As someone who has not had much experience with sounding and voice, Sarah Jane created such a beautiful, safe and comfortable space for me to connect to and experiment with my voice without fear or judgement. I left feeling nourished and embodied and so grateful for the experience”
There will be more Voice Circles in 2022, including the Cirencester Voice Labwith the very lovely Siobhan Nolan, beginning at the end of January (all being well!) and a 6 week Deeper Listening Voice Circle in East Oxford sometime in February/March. If you live locally and would like to join a Voice Circle I’d love to hear from you.
Voice One to Ones - Many of us carry vocal wounds and require a little more kindness, patience, safety and connection to free our natural voice. If you would like to work with me before joining a Voice Circle, are unsure about being in an in-person group at this time or if you would like to develop your relationship to your voice in a more focused way, I have a couple of spaces for one to one sessions online opening up at the end of February where you can discover your natural voice, learn some practices to explore your sound and expand your range of vocal expression. Get in touch.
ART
Creating unique artworks has continued to sustain me this year. As well as my personal drawings i’ve been blessed with some commissions.
