In the tapestry of holistic living, few individuals embody the essence of interconnected wellness as vibrantly as Manal Soudani. From tending to the earth as an Ayurveda Farmer to guiding seekers through Boho Yoga journeys, Manal wears many hats – each one adorned with the hues of mindfulness and expression. An influential force in the realms of expressive influence, mindful vocals, moon dance, and shamanic sound spirituality, she is a zen designer of life. Join Mystic Mag as we step into the kaleidoscopic world of Manal Soudani, where spirituality and creativity dance hand in hand, painting a canvas of holistic living that transcends conventional boundaries.
How do you incorporate shamaic sound elements into your yoga classes and what benefits do you believe they bring to the spiritual and physical practice?
Sound is part of our Universal energy, we hear sound even in silence, scientifically proven sound has the power to move us, stir our emotions and elicit specific reactions. Sound frequencies measured in (Hz) can mimic and induce the electromagnetic activity of the brain which allows the brain waves to map the frequencies of the sound. This phenomena introduces high levels of healings for all the layers of our aura.
I introduce immersive soundscapes that align with each yoga class. Shamanic sound elements profoundly found in the drumbeat has many benefits, the drumbeat replicates the first sound we hear in our mothers womb, the heartbeat of our mothers, this sound immaculately sets our brain waves to drop from Beta at 30Hz to Alpha at 14Hz and slowly to Theta at 8Hz allowing for the deepest serenity to submerge our senses. It is a powerful tool to use to set the energy of the class as it creates a safe container for people. The drumbeat invites our spirits to go on a life purpose quest, unlocking the dormant energy in our physical body, healing the nerves, the muscles, the tissues, the emotional pain and allowing our spirits to go into a natural state of trance.
Can you share a personal experience where the combination of shamainc sound and yoga had a profound impact on your own spiritual journey, and how does it influence your teaching?
My personal experiences with sound and yoga are infinite. One of the great experiences I had was during a Shamanic Dreamwork and yoga workshop. The last 20 minutes of the session I had decided to pick a musical instrument rather than play background music on the speaker. My heart was guiding me to pick my shamanic buffalo drum, while students comfortably laid on the ground in savasana/corpse position. I started reciting the closing meditation practice drumming and using my vocal cords. Suddenly I felt my body asking me to get closer to one of the students in the room. I felt warmth and gratitude for this invitation but deep down within me I also felt the existence of pain and tense emotions being omitted from the student’s body. I slowed down, and took deep breaths, shifting my perception, asking for help from my spiritual guides, I drummed using a gentle beat and a new set of mind to help transfer the pain into an array of healing light, sending an energy of unconditional love and protection into the space, while noticing at the same time a great amount of tears rolling down the student’s face.
At the end of the session the student approached me and said: “Thank you, I feel so much better, the pain is gone. Your voice and what you sang took me to the same exact moment of time when I was being physically abused by my x. In that moment I was lost and scared, but your voice and the sound of the drum brought my strength back, it made me realize the truth.
I should stop the suffering and move on, letting go of the pain that does not serve me anymore, it is in the past and I forgive my x now. It ‘s been 2 years of eternal pain, but today I am free!”
I was speechless, sharing tears of joy for being able to hold space for her and help her on her healing journey.
What type of services do you offer
Our services are manifested by designing an individual personal journey or a group journey using and promoting a new holistic module that focuses on being and living zen in our modern world.
The art of living zen is a therapeutic design outline that integrates a wide spectrum of wellness modalities, sustainable practices and creative techniques for each individual depending on their personal journey.
Our holistic module focuses on fun and healthy ways to transcend and elevate the Chi/Qi, career, environment, and living spaces, it works through a series of committed engagement in wellness practices that best fit each individual’s life path and required service.
Offering: Art, Art therapy, Energy work, Content Creation, Graphic UI/UX design, Feng Shui+Interior Architecture design, Dance, Meditation, Product Design, Photography, Reiki, Yoga and Core Shamanic practices.
In what ways do you create a sacred and transformative space for your students, blending shamanic practices with boho yoga, to enhance their overall well-being and connection to their inner selves.
First is setting my intention prior to the start of any class or workshop. I work on emptying my mind from any personal attachments, and on clearing any stuck energies from my physics.
When I step into the class where I am to hold space for others to heal and do the work, I ensure the space is clean, and all the tools are set in the right location. I welcome my clients/students with a big smile and an open non-judgemental heart.
I greet all my clients with a” Hello and How is your day?” I give a short guidance about the space and amenities and I assist new clients with finding comfort in their spot.
I enjoy creating themes for each class as it adds a deeper meaning into the session. A theme example: an earth yoga practice during the new moon in winter.
This creative idea is a great segway to engage my clients/students with the material of the class, it invites a more relaxed environment and an easy transition into the practice.
I encourage my clients/students to explore new information and to share their own knowledge or experience about the presented theme. Adding value and recognition to each one’s existence and participation prepares the clients/students to connect with me and my voice, get acquainted with the space, feel more comfortable around the other people sharing the space, and be mindfully attentive to the healing practice.
Boho yoga often emphasizes freedom and self-expression. How do you encourage your students to express unique spiritual journeys within the framework of your classes?
Boho yoga is a module type of wellness and a name that I had created on my personal journey as an active creative spiritual yogi. I choreograph various yoga modalities with sound and spiritual teachings to align with what is calling me in terms of a powerful force of creation that I believe will serve the community. In one of my special beginners classes called Kundalini Belly dance class I infuse my session with 2 unique modalities, combining Kundalini yoga with Belly dancing to uncoil the dormant serpent and to invite an awakening experience through breathwork and movement, this experience creates a union between the yin/feminine and yang/masculine energies. The session starts with a Kundalini yoga practice aligned with a playlist of Alpha karmic chakra frequencies played in the background to help bring the body and mind into a relaxed state, I gradually start working on the chakras using my voice to hum the chakra sounds connecting the physical etheric movement of the body with the sensational vibes of the chakra vowels and I invite my students to engage with the practice using their voice to follow with humming, the practice goes deeper as the audible sound waves gradually shift to lower Theta frequencies to allow for a deeper flow in the body, mind and spirit welcoming a bliss state of being.
Slowly, the beat starts picking up to bring the body into full awareness through intentional movement in the space that transforms into a sacred belly dance. The heat picks up in the room and my clients/students become more active, engaging their body with the Middle Eastern Sharqi music and loud laughters. I encourage my students to take their own lead and to step into the space and be under the spotlight to show us their lovely body movements and to express their own spiritual journey in the form of dance.
Personal transformation is often a goal for individuals seeking spiritual and yoga practices. How do you measure and celebrate the growth and transformation of your students throughout their journey with you?
Bringing joy into people’s hearts and inviting ease of movement into their bodies is an incredible achievement to witness. I celebrate the growth of my students by witnessing their own physical and spiritual transformation through the tangible milestones they achieve, the desires they manifest and the new dreams they build. I celebrate with my clients/students by creating a safe circle for them to join, a new project to collaborate on, and a holistic community to build together for the generations to come.
