Sound Healing and Gender-Affirming Voice Therapy with Heather Gross

In today's podcast interview with Heather Gross, we learn about sound healing and gender-affirming voice therapy. This is a fun and empowering conversation that will inspire you to pay more attention to your own vocal self-expression! As Heather states, "you can't separate the mind from the body, and you can't separate the voice from the self." This episode explores the power and potential held in the voice, and how deeply the voice connects to one's identity. You'll hear about Heather's personal journey into sound healing, her recovery through chronic illness, and how it all started with an experience where she wasn't able to voice a loud and firm "no." This sound healing work is a practice of self-discovery that includes addressing limiting beliefs, releasing blocked emotions stored in the body, and tuning in to what authentic vocalization feels like for you. Sound Healing and Holistic Voice Therapy Tools: We talk about a variety of tools and modalities used in this holistic approach to vocal therapy. sound bath with instruments like crystal singing bowls vocal toning and chanting breathwork yoga postures mindful awareness somatic trauma-healing techniques Because her holistic vocal therapy approach greatly emphasizes the nervous system, the physiological benefits can include stimulating the Vagus Nerve, regulating heart rate and blood pressure, influencing gut-motor function, and supporting the immune system.  Gender-Affirming Voice Therapy and Sound Healing for All: Heather particularly specializes in sound healing and vocal therapy for gender diverse and LGBTQIA+ singers and speakers, helping her clients use their voices in ways that feel true and empowering for them. The goal is never to imitate someone else, or adopt a vocal mask for others' benefit, but to discover your own unique voice. Anyone can benefit from checking in with their voice, whether you're a singer or not, and whatever your gender identity! This "vibrational medicine" can lead to increased happiness, confidence, and alignment, feeling empowered, freeing the singing/speaking voice, improving breath control, and soothing stress patterns that affect your throat and voice. Enjoy this episode, and let us know what you learn about your vocal expression! Guest Bio: Heather Gross, MS CCC-SLP, RYT, INHC (she/her/hers) is a mind body integrative voice therapist and holistic health coach, specializing in gender affirming and trauma informed voice. Heather aims to provide a deeper experience of an embodied life and authentic self expression to become fully integrated with your voice, heart, and soul. She specializes in working with gender diverse and LGBTQIA+ singers and speakers, singing through chronic pain, and exploration of the voice and sounds as healing modalities. In addition to her background in voice therapy and vocology, Heather has sought out additional certifications and training in breathwork, yoga, mindfulness meditation, integrative nutrition health coaching, transformational coaching, and mental health informed care. As a vocalist, trauma survivor, and chronic pain warrior, she has become a lifelong learner of the mind, body, and voice connection. Through her own vocal journey, recovery, and healing, Heather has created a unique and holistic approach to help her clients uncover their most authentic voice and true selves. Heather is the owner of Live Vocally, a virtual voice practice and vocal studio, providing affirming and accessible holistic voice care and coaching. -- You can learn more about Heather Gross and her business Live Vocally through her website livevocally.com. You can also follow her on Instagram @live_vocally. For more links and resources mentioned in this episode - including a FREE recorded soundbath with Heather! - find the show notes at movedtomeditate.yoga/podcast. Lastly, you can follow the podcast (and Addie, the host) on Instagram at @addie_movedtomeditate (for mindfulness, movement, yin yoga, and pictures of PNW nature and my adorable kitty, Mustache).