The Music Is Healing practicum (hosted by kwe) offers a voice, rhythm and movement experience with emphasis on knowledge of self and its somatic explorations. The practicum is both theoretical and experiential, with attendees receiving information on the understanding of dynamic mindfulness techniques, and their relationship to mental, physical, social and spiritual health. The practicum builds on the Transformative Life Skills curriculum by the Niroga Institute, which is a multimodality intervention that includes active yoga postures, breathing techniques and centering meditation.
The practicum introduces original musical compositions (melodies, rhythms, poems and songs of praise), with experimentation of breathing, improvisation and circle practice techniques rooted in indigenous knowledge and philosophies surrounding the relationship of music to the linguistics of human communication as well as the spiritual foundations of the body and community. It introduces students to the historical and cultural contexts of music in Africa and other parts of the diaspora as is evident in music, movement, drama and poetry, along with cultural values
This practicum is given in-person and online via livestream with recordings. In total there are 6 sessions, each session is one hour. The first cohort starts on March 6th and takes place every Monday from 2:00-3:00pm. The practicum is part of the Music Is Healing Collective’s community-university programs series and co-led by undergrad students in training to expand their mindfulness repertoire.
