Sound Alchemy With La Mer at La Maida Institute

June 21, 2018

LOVE LA MER 

I fell in love with La Mer during an internet stalk on sound healers in LA. I had to meet her ASAP and did so at the La Maida Institute where she is the Sound & Song Healing Advisor. La Mer took me into a deep, hypnotic trance state, deep theta – with her instrumental alchemy and soothing angelic voice. My one on one session was nothing short of breath-taking. I am for sure going to have her work her magic on a small private group. Here is more about Meredith. I urge you to check out one of her offerings at the stunning La Maida or to book her privately.

Here’s a little interview to learn more about her!

GLA: Do you remember first connecting to sound alchemy and what did you do once you realized it was a portal to healing?

Like most music lovers who grew up singing and playing, I have always felt tapped into music’s capacity to connect, heal and transform.  I became more keenly aware of this while studying Ewe drum and dance in Ghana during my second year of college.  Working directly with a community whose connection to the pulse of life is literally woven into everyone’s daily rhythm was life altering.  Music has always been the foundation of their lives… babies come out of the womb knowing how to play rhythms of their tribes, it’s in their DNA!  This experience helped me realize how much has been lost in our mind centered culture and inspired me to reclaim rhythm within my own ancestral lineage.   It also helped me acknowledge how integral rhythm and resonance is and always has been to the health and well being of ourselves, communities, and the world.   Furthermore, my studies in the yoga arts and Ayurveda (the science of life) brought depth to my understanding of how to attune with nature’s rhythm in all kinds of ways.  All this and more has directed of my path as music maker, performer and healing artist.  It is also the seed inspiration of my current approach to sound alchemy which bridges ancestral wisdom with the evolving science of sound.

GLA: Do you have any mentors or teachers who ushered you to the work and nurtured your growth as a sound alchemist?

SO many!  Jennifer Goodrich, Jim Gilchrist, Bill Headberg, Shiva Rea, Maria Guerre, Silvia Nakkach, Sally Kempton, Susan Maine, Matica Filous, Guro Jess, Guro El, all my ancestors alive in body and spirit..

GLA: This is such esoteric (yet vitally important work!) Did you ever doubt that you could make a living like this? Did you question it as a profession or simply trusted it?

Trusting the path of integration is my practice.  I have never once had a regular ‘job’, I have just always tried my best follow my gut and heart and it has lead me to this work.   It’s a challenge to create your own lane in the highway, but many succeed at it and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Simply trusting it is over simplifying though… I have moments of doubt and confusion…who willing to dive deeply into the human experience doesn’t?  But no doubt strong enough to veer me off the path of integration I am committed to.

GLA: What was the most challenging experience using this modality?

Transporting/loading/unloading/loading instruments/gear:)

GLA: Do you ever find yourself getting stuck or lost or scared that your channel might be blocked?

If I am lost or stuck or scared it’s because I haven’t taken the space or time to connect to the Source of Love that is ALL WAYS there when we take the time to nurture it.  I believe the channel is there for anyone who is willing to consciously, reverently lovingly relate with it.


La Maida Institute

GLA: Do you receive healings when you are in session and service for someone else? I imagine so!

Yes!  Not in the same way as those who I am holding space for, yet I most definitely receive healing.

GLA: Was there ever a moment in a session where you felt something divine happening but thought ‘oh I need to stop this!’ – because it was too intense?

My essence thrives on intensity so I have always been able to work with and through strong sensations, however holding safe space for others is integral to the process of wholesome attunement.  Checking in with participants and creating space for clear communication around the experience is often necessary.  That being said, sometimes the work requires intensity and discomfort.  Most people who find me have a willingness to dive into the  experience, come what may.   Together we cultivate deep sensitivity and respect for the process of organic unfolding through rhythm and resonance.

GLA: Where do you see yourself in a few years with this work? Can you imagine opening sound alchemy centers? Bringing it to school children?

I am currently developing a course and training that will be offered at La Maida Institute, where I am Sound & Song Healing Advisor.  That is the next phase of this work.  I am also working on more recording projects and soundscapes.  I actually work with pre-teens and teenagers now and really enjoy it.  Yes, I would love to integrate the work into schools.

GLA: How do you practice self care and nurture YOURSELF after a session?

I have some simple rituals for clearing after a session.  I take time for silence and prayer.  I often work with tarot and Goddess decks.   I walk my dog if I do a home session.  I have learned to not over book myself; this is necessary for self care.

GLA: Who are some of your favorite people in LA for healings, classes, workouts, etc…What are your little secret spots that bring you joy. A favorite walk, stretch of beach, taco or hole in the wall book store. Your LA comfort zones.

La Maida Institute, where I offer monthly new moon sound ceremonies,  weekly nada yoga classes (yoga of sound) and one on one sound alchemy sessions is my favorite place in LA… truly!  It is an AMAZING community center with so much to offer.  I feel privileged to be part of the evolution taking place there.   My favorite indie yoga studio/class/teacher is Light on Lotus~  Sunday morning Love Saves the Day class with Kate Cariarti… amazing dynamic, playful flow.  The proceeds go to a different charity each month…and you get to step out of class into the Mar Vista Farmers Market…best way to spend a Sunday!  Favorite beach is by Heathercliff by Malibu, favorite little valley spot is Follow Your Heart on Sherman Way.  I also train MMA (mixed martial arts) at Magda Institute in the valley.  This has been a game changer in so many ways, but that’s a whole other conversation for another interview! I highly recommend it for anyone who is burnt out on the health and wellness ‘scene’ and interested in some hard core bad ass training in the lineage of Bruce Lee:)

La Mer offers : One on one sessions, couple and small group ceremonies, corporate wellness sound alchemy sessions, , monthly new moon sound ceremonies, training programs and more. 
Her next new moon sound ceremony at La Maida Institute is July 12
   
Heavenly sounds and instruments…
The aftermath…
Total bliss…

Address11159 La Maida St, Los Angeles, CA 91601

Phone(818) 505-3552

RYT 500  +  REIKI MASTER TEACHER  +  SOUND ALCHEMY  +  AYURVEDIC LIFESTYLE +  RITUAL GUIDE

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I am a healer, songstress, and wildwoman storyteller from Los Angeles Earth. My contribution centers around powerful rituals of union with soulful nature. Through workshops, sound bath, healing circle, artistic happenings and individual sessions, I empower people to navigate their lives with graceful integrity, holding sacred space for transformation at the heart of every offering. 

Drawing from 11 years of experience in the healing arts, I honor the philosophies of our wise traditions while utilizing these very teachings to sensitively and playfully engage in a genuine call and response with my surroundings.

I spent the first part of my career as a touring and performance artist.  This taught me the way of communicating with others through artistic expression.  I further developed my style as an inspirational speaker teaching yoga and meditation in studios, public schools, and wellness centers in NYC and Los Angeles.  I now explore the bridge between ritual and performance art,  guiding group experiences that strengthen collective intuition and embody conscious community. Aside from the healing arts, I support ocean conservation with beach clean ups, marine conservation watches, and generate awareness as advocate for Mission Blue and public speaker for Heal The Bay. My deepest desire is to be in a practice of continual growth, cherish nature’s movements as proof of magic, and to share the love with all my relations. xo

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