Soundscapes of healing. Photo Source: Freepik
- Meet Malaysia’s top sound healing trailblazers and their incredible journey.
Please tell me, my dear readers: how do you relieve stress? You know, in this hectic world, many of us look for ways to relax and recover from the stresses of daily life. Some people meditate or read books in the hopes of escaping into a fantastical realm, while others practise yoga or go to the gym after work to build strength. Interestingly, modern-day Malaysians have also begun to invest in the potential of sound healing.
In brief, sound healing is an ancient practise that uses the rhythms and frequencies of Tibetan singing bowls, crystal bowls, gongs, and other musical instruments to help people relax deeply, let go of stress, and heal physically and emotionally. It is believed to work by harmonising the body’s energy centres and restoring balance to the mind, body, and soul.
Although the concept of sound healing may be unfamiliar to many, it has been gaining popularity in Malaysia for more than a decade. It was a ‘lowkey’ treatment, to put it mildly. Still, in recent years, sound healing has risen in popularity, especially among the young.
There is a growing interest from the public, and many people are rising to the challenge of becoming sound therapists. And with widespread acknowledgement in Malaysia, there are now many skilled sound therapists to consult for stress reduction. Also, your humble author is privy to such individuals. Let me bring you to meet the greats in the field of sound therapy!
1/ Jojo Struys (OhanaJo Studio)
Prodigious Himalayan sound healer, Jojo Struys. Photo Source: OhanaJo Studio
Jojo Struys is one of the most incredible names in the world of sound healing. Before opening her own wellness space, OhanaJo Studio, Struys spent over 20 years learning yoga and pranayama breathing techniques in the Himalayan foothills, spending 14 hours a day in an ashram in Rishikesh, India. Tell me that doesn’t sound amazing. Not many people can do that, and certainly not me either!
Through years of study that included meditation, anatomy, philosophy, a healthy diet, and a variety of yoga and sound healing practises dating back centuries, she was able to acquire her certification as a holistic health instructor.
Jojo individually leads programmes like sleep yoga and candlelit sound healing to help people with anxiety and stress. She is also a strong advocate of sound as vibrational medicine, which she believes can assist individuals dealing with insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Jojo Struys sees OhanaJo Studio as her baby. It was conceived from Jojo’s deep desire to have people of all backgrounds and walks of life feel welcome and accepted the moment they step foot inside the studio. Since its founding, it has provided a haven of peace where people can go inward and learn techniques to deal with the pressures of modern life.
For more info, visit: OhanaJo Studio
2/ Sari Miyata (Hibiki Sound Healing Salon)
Japan’s sound therapy wonderwoman, Sari Miyata. Photo Source: Lifestyle Asia
Sari Miyata, all the way from Japan, is another renowned holistic health practitioner who makes a living through sound therapy. She made a bold move to migrate to Malaysia over twenty years ago, despite not understanding the language, nor having any local friends, and without having a plan for her professional future.
This wonder woman and a mom of two kicked off her journey as a freelance sound therapist, working her way up and eventually establishing her very own sound healing haven, the Hibiki Sound Healing Salon in 2018.
Hibiki Sound Healing Salon offers a variety of sound meditation, including sound baths, Tibetan bowl sound healing and power rests. Miyata would also organise smaller, more personalised sessions on a weekly and monthly basis. Individuals who wish to coordinate social or business events can also make use of Miyata’s workshops.
Despite being in operation for only 5 years, Hibiki Sound Healing Salon has won Sari Miyata high popularity among Malaysians who are trying to destress with sound healing. This accomplishment has also earned her numerous partnerships with prominent brands such as 3Rituals by Datin Catherine Lai and Schwarzkopf. Sari’s story, overall, has taught us that with courage and determination, anyone can turn their dream into reality.
For more info, visit: Hibiki Sound Healing Salon
3/ Kent Lee (Shaman Tearoom)
Versatile musician-sound therapist, Kent Lee. Photo Source: Shaman Tearoom
Being a musician, Kent Lee has the opportunity and existing talent to evolve his career into sound healing. Having joined forces with Aiwei Foo, he co-founded the art collective Shaman Tearoom, which explores the intersections between modern and traditional art forms through the mediums of tea, music, and other sensory experiences.
Unlike any other sound healing studio, Shaman Tearom incorporates music and singing into its sound treatment, making it truly one-of-a-kind. Kent’s musical arsenal includes a variety of instruments and other things, including a bass, handpan, small percussion, and even little stones, tea leaves, and metal fragments. He also uses DAW (digital audio workstation) and synthesiser, while Aiwei Foo’s forte is on vocals, where she works on the sound looper and spoken words.
Shaman Tearoom aims to dissolve the barriers between artistic creation and everyday experience, placing equal emphasis on the contributions of both artists and audience members. This powerful duo is the epitome of versatility, where people can enjoy their music while experiencing the incredible benefits of sound therapy.
For more info, visit: Shaman Tearoom
4/ Syed Muhammad Gadaffi (JMD Wellness)
Businessman-sound healing master, Syed Muhammad Gadaffi. Photo Source: Instagram
Syed Muhammad Gadaffi serves as a living testament to the transformative potential of sound therapy. As a thriving entrepreneur renowned for his traditional medicine product, Jamu Mak Dara, his journey took a poignant turn half a decade ago when he confronted a challenging phase in his life – a debilitating half-body stroke.
And who would have thought that, with the power of sound therapy, Syed would gradually recover from the stroke and now live a normal life as the successful businessman he is. His journey with sound healing also continues, as he has opened his own sound therapy brand called Jajah Minda Diri (JMD Wellness).
Through his classes, he hopes to share the same benefits and miracles he experienced through treatment with anyone who can benefit from sound healing. And Syed is not working alone. Alongside him are a few more incredible sound healing instructors, including Michael, Virginia, and, of course, the incredible Jojo Struys.
After hearing about Syed’s experience, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that sound healing has the potential to work miracles for those who benefit from it. If we have the desire and the initiative to improve our life, we also have the ability to heal any ailment, whether it’s physical or mental.
For more info, visit: JMD Wellness
Finding Miracle in Sound Healing
We have seen the power of sound transform lives from the yoga and sound therapy maestro Jojo Struys to Sari Miyata’s incredible journey from Japan to opening her own Hibiki Sound Healing Salon to Kent Lee’s funky sound therapy at Shaman Tearoom. And let’s not forget the remarkable Syed Muhammad Gadaffi, who bounced back from a half-body stroke with sound therapy at JMD Wellness. So, while you find your own way to health, remember that music can be your compass, your solace, and the key to a more balanced existence. Shall we sign up for a sound therapy class together?
