Holistic Serenity are husband and wife duo, Nicole & James Shields. Originally from the UK, but now based on the magical island of Ibiza. Both alternative & complementary practitioners and teachers, work globally, supporting clients with emotional, mental & physical well-being.
Known for leading group Soundbath meditations and wellness retreats, Holistic Serenity is also an Accredited Training Provider with International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine, offering Certified Online Courses and Diplomas in Sound Healing, Crystal Healing, Reiki, and Marketing for Holistic Practitioners. Learn more about these amazing people in the new MysticMag interview.
What is the fundamental principle behind Soundbath meditations, and how do they contribute to overall wellness?
The core principles of Soundbath medications are essential to promote deep relaxation, move stagnated energy and emotions through the body with frequency and vibration, in order to restore our life force energy, and support the move into a state of balance and harmony.
As we know all too well, it is a natural part of daily life that we encounter daily stress, and tension, as well as emotional, mental, and physical pains, traumas, and blockages. Through the principle of entrainment, we work with the frequency of the instruments such as gongs and crystal singing bowls that support the frequency in our energetic body to synchronize with the vibration of the instruments, bringing us into alignment. The frequency and vibrations from the instruments enable our brain waves to shift from the alpha start to the beta, or theta state. Here we will find ourselves deeply relaxed and can experience improved sleep, reduced stress, and pain, and improved our focus. Some people are even able to move into the delta brain wave state, which is the deep restorative state.
Simply put, Soundbath not only supports deep relaxation, but it is able to slow our brain waves down so that our bodies can relax, and release tension and stress that has become stagnated or stuck. It supports people to reach a mediative state through sound, while the recipient can lie there and receive the sounds without needing to focus on emptying or clearing the mind. The magic of sound healing is that you get to be a passive recipient, and let the frequencies and sounds do the work for you.
Could you explain the concept of Crystal Healing and its role in promoting holistic well-being?
Every crystal holds its own energetic frequency, which is completely unique to its own, composition, properties, and color. The vibration from each crystal holds the ability to through the law of entrainment, either raise or lower our frequency to match the vibration of the crystal we are working with. For instance, when we are in a state of stress, or sadness, our energetic frequency and overall vibration drop. Working with crystals enables us to raise our vibration, and support the balancing of our emotions, energy, and life force.
We can work with crystals to amplify and magnify intentions and use them as tools to support a positive mindset, as part of manifestation practices. They support us to gain clarity and a deeper connection to our higher selves. Especially when we use them as part of meditation practices and to connect with our inner wisdom. On a physiological level, we have crystalline properties in our bones. Our connection, and work with crystals is nothing new. We worked with crystals in ancient Greece, and ancient Egypt, right through to modern times, supporting us in holistic well-being.
What is Reiki, and how does it fit into the realm of holistic medicine and wellness?
Reiki originated in 20th-century Japan, and is more than just an alternative therapy—it’s an exploration of the “universal lifeforce energy” which supports our body’s intrinsic healing capacities. As practitioners, we channel this energy to bolster the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of ourselves and our clients.
Reiki is a deeply relaxing experience and unlike other hands-on modalities, the emphasis in Reiki is not on physical manipulation but on the gentle and intentional transfer of energy. A practitioner’s hands might lightly touch the person or simply hover just above the body in various positions, with each position maintained for a few moments. It is during these moments that many believe the energy, often referred to as chi, flows from the practitioner into the recipient, facilitating healing and balance.
One of the most profound benefits of Reiki, often reported by those who receive it, is a deep sense of relaxation and a reduction in stress. This relaxation, even if only for the duration of the session, can be immensely therapeutic, giving the body a respite from the constant stresses of daily life. In recent years, recognizing its potential benefits, several hospitals and clinics have begun to offer Reiki as part of their range of patient services. This is especially prevalent in palliative care settings, where the focus shifts from curing to comforting.
Reiki is an incredibly non-invasive method, dedicated to energy balancing, relaxation, and the holistic nurturing of well-being. As with all holistic or alternative therapies, the experience is deeply personal, and I always encourage individuals to find what resonates best with their own wellness journey.
How do Soundbath meditations and wellness retreats integrate practices like Sound Healing, Crystal Healing, and Reiki to create a comprehensive healing experience?
Soundbath meditations and wellness retreats provide the most magical setting to weave together different healing modalities, creating an experience that’s more than the sum of its parts. Think of it like an orchestra: each instrument has its melody, but when played together, they create a symphony
Take sound healing in Soundbath meditations, for instance. We use instruments like Tibetan singing bowls, crystal bowls, and gongs. These aren’t just musical instruments; they produce frequencies that interact with our body’s energy, helping us find balance. It’s like tuning an instrument – when our internal frequencies are out of sync, we feel it, both mentally and physically. The vibrations from these instruments help us retune and find our natural rhythm again. Now, add crystals to the mix. Each crystal, be it rose quartz or amethyst, has its own unique energy. When you integrate this with the resonant sounds from our instruments, there’s an amplification of healing energies. It’s like adding layers to a song, each enhancing the other.
In our meditations, we often weave in reiki or angelic reiki to add an even deeper layer to the experience. We add crystals to further change, raise, and expand the energy that we are creating with intention, sound, frequency, and channeled life force. In a retreat specifically, the scene is set to not only nurture deep relaxation, but also the time and space away from distraction to a real journey inward, and face your inner self, what you want to release, let go of, and surrender, but also welcome in. Using reiki, crystals, and sound with this intention, paves the way for greater levels of transformation to take place. We are more open to receiving, and more balanced in order to recognize what we need to acknowledge as part of the process.
In what ways do holistic medicine practices, such as Sound Healing and Crystal Healing, complement more traditional medical approaches?
The beauty of holistic medicine practices like Sound Healing and Crystal Healing is that they support deeper levels of healing and help to give a full holistic 360-degree approach. Traditional medicine approaches look very much at the symptoms, and how to treat them. But when we add holistic therapies, we then also look at the root cause and go deeper. There is a very strong link between emotional and physical health. If you think of holistic therapies gentle notes of a song that beautifully harmonizes with the powerful chorus of traditional medicine. It’s this blending of ancient wisdom with modern medicine that creates a symphony of healing.
Imagine going to the doctor and being prescribed medication for an ailment. That’s like the main chorus of a song – strong, prominent, and effective. Now, picture layering it with the calming sounds of Tibetan singing bowls or the subtle vibrations from a quartz crystal. These practices, though distinct, have the potential to enhance the overall healing experience.
Sound Healing, for instance, is about tapping into our body’s innate ability to find balance. We’re all vibrating entities, after all! When you’re feeling down or out of sorts, the resonating frequencies from sound instruments can provide comfort, alleviate stress, and help bring about a deep state of relaxation. Now, while this isn’t replacing your traditional medical treatment, it’s complementing it by addressing the emotional and energetic layers of your being.
Then there’s Crystal Healing. These beautiful gifts from Mother Earth have been revered for centuries for their unique energies. When integrated alongside traditional medical approaches, they can provide an added layer of emotional and spiritual support. Imagine being given a rose quartz after a challenging medical procedure. While it’s not curing you, it’s providing comfort, love, and positive energy, aiding in your emotional recovery.
I like to think of traditional medicine as the structure, the framework that addresses our physical ailments. Holistic practices, on the other hand, dress up this structure, beautifying it, and ensuring that not just our body, but our mind, emotions, and spirit are also taken care of. It’s a holistic dance, where each step, be it from the world of modern medicine or ancient therapies, moves in harmony to create a comprehensive healing journey.
Can you describe the potential effects and benefits of participating in a holistic wellness retreat that incorporates Soundbath meditations, Crystal Healing, and Reiki?
The potential effects of participating in holistic wellness retreats, where they incorporate sound, crystals, and reiki can be deeply transformative. If you are open, if you are willing to allow these beautiful modalities to flow through you, it provides the opportunity to connect with yourself on a much deeper level than you have ever before. When you are in a space where you are relaxed, connected to nature, and away from distractions with the space to drop into your consciousness and heart space, it creates the platform for magic. I say this because I’ve experienced it myself firsthand.
It allows you the space to recognize what is no longer servicing, you, to connect to your inner self, and identify what you want, and how to make positive changes that serve your highest good.
Not to mention it allows you to relax and receive more deeply than you would whilst receiving these treatments in daily life. I use the word transformation so much because it’s so true. If you have trauma, or pain, emotional or physical, retreats combined with healing modalities, make space for these to be released and alchemized. We underestimate the power of stillness, of rest, and of being in nature. Slowing the mind. These modalities combined with a retreat, allow us to do deep work that can sometimes take years, in a much shorter time frame
