Seasons of Sound: Sound Healing for All of Life's Seasons

by Julie Afsahi, Karen Otalora (Illustrator), Jessica Cross

Embark on a transformative self-care journey with Seasons of Sound , your ultimate companion guide to the sacred world of sound healing. Written by sound healing practitioners and educators, Seasons of Sound is an inspiring yet practical resource for beginners, enthusiasts, and experienced sound practitioners alike. Whether you wish to incorporate sound healing into your home meditation practice or seek support for leading large sound baths, Seasons of Sound is here to empower and guide you. Drawing inspiration from nature’s four seasons and the sacred sound of Om, Seasons of Sound is a creative and indispensable reference for both home and group sound bath experiences. In addition to a comprehensive look at the foundations of sound healing, singing bowls, and therapeutic gong, you’ll find the following invaluable tools Seasons of Sound is perfect Seasons of Sound is the must-have guide that leads us away from the throes of modern life and into a space where pure presence reigns.

167 pages, Paperback

Published August 4, 2023

Reviews

[Casey-Jo Loos · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a lovely read and would make a wonderful gift for an aspiring or practicing meditation guide, sound practitioner, yoga teacher, therapeutic counsellor, healer, or any spiritual seeker and mystic alike walking their own journey and path. it is well written, informative, easy to digest, and felt expressed with an overall sense of compassion. i loved to learn the history of sound healing, trauma informed mentions, and that the practices are split up into the different seasons of life and our world. there are also prompts of what to consider, mudras for connection, and even opportunity for journaling and deeper self-exploration. it’s made a lovely addition to my own meditation and wellness practices and sound bath attendee companion.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book that covers the basics of sacred sounds. As a yoga teacher and sound practitioner I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for some insight on how to build a practice or learn more about sound healing! I loved learning more about the gong & that the author included the seasons of the year with it. There’s so much to unpack in this book and it is really easy to read and understand for anyone!

[Jessica Haessly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie and Jessica do an excellent job of setting the foundation for anyone interested in guiding Sound Healing Sessions.

The book begins with defining the vision for Seasons of Sound, then moves into a brief, but thorough history of Sound Healing and the Science of Sound.

What I love with regard to how they navigate science and research is that they are very clear on what aspects of Sound are based on science and which aspects within the world of Sound Healing lack research, thus taking a down-to-earth approach to the practice, maintaining the integrity of the book as a truly educational tool.

The short chapters covering everything from instrument history, construction, and instruction on play to the beautifully layed out practices complete with 4 seasons themed mudras make this a comprehensive and perfect reference for beginner Sound Healers or those well-practiced practitioners looking to infuse their guidance with a fresh take.

The clarity of description paired with a few simple pictures help bring some of the concepts, like how to set up restorative postures or how to better visualize the different parts of a singing bowl and gong, to life.

If you are interested in starting a personal or group Sound Healing practice or just curious about the origin, science, and practice, this book is for you!

[Nirel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent introduction to sound healing for anyone looking to explore this field! One of its standout features is the step-by-step guide, which makes it easy to apply the practices both personally and in group settings. It also covers essential topics like the history of sound healing and its sustainability. "Seasons of Sound" makes sound healing feel accessible and adaptable for practitioners at any level.

[Larissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

For any Sound Healers or Therapeutic Movement and Mindfulness Healers: This book is a must read. It's so comprehensive, well-done and gives a beautiful glimpse into the journey that Sound healing can provide for yourself and your students. I loved this book and it will remain a treasured read in my bookshelf for years to come. Highly recommend and hope to see more books from this author in the future.

[Dakota Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read for sound practitioners, offering an inspiring blend of practical techniques and heartfelt wisdom. The book explores how to align sound healing practices with the natural rhythms of the seasons, providing rich themes and intentions to enhance your sound bath offerings. Powerful sound experiences always start with intention!

With clear and accessible language, this book is perfect for newcomers while offering fresh insights and ideas for seasoned practitioners. Seasons of Sound is more than a guide—it's an invitation to deepen your practice and help others navigate life's seasons through the healing power of sound.

[Marizsa Rahbari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific foundational information and easy to digest.
Intro to sound healing, types of devices, meditation, mudra, mantra, affirmations.
All topics discussed can be built on by practical application.
Ready to apply seasonal meditation and sound practices.
Highly recommend if you are sound healing curious and need inspiration.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the book! I appreciate the simplification of explaining the foundation of sound healing which helps anyone new to sound healing to truly learn and understand easily. I also love the suggestions and pictures on setting up resting postures for the receivers. This is a book I’d like to reread to refresh my learnings! Highly recommend it to anyone new to sound healing or need a refresher!

[Joscelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read for experienced sound practitioners and those who are curious about the benefits of sound for their healing journey. I love how the authors simplified the physics of it all but my favorite part is the accompany yogic postures, sounds recommendations, affirmations, mudras, and journal prompts that align with the seasons. This book offers a really well-rounded view of sound healing complemented with simple practices to elevate your wellness. I will definitely be going back to bookmark and highlight some of their recommendations.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seasons of Sound is a wonderful exploration of sound healing broken down into easy to read chapters. For someone not musically inclined, this book was a wonderful introduction to sound healing and had great ideas and exploration invitations. This is wonderful especially for beginners and a great book to reference as you journey into sound healing- a great work to share with friends too!

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great guide for anyone beginning their journey as a sound healer! It covers everything a new sound healer should know from how to choose and play instruments, creating a sacred healing space, and more. I also loved how it’s themed around the seasons and the different practices offered for each.

[Vivian Morningstar · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a full-time Sound Bath Practitioner, I think this book is an excellent resource for those new to the field. The authors do a fantastic job of covering the fundamentals of sound healing, from the science behind it to practical applications of various instruments.

The seasonal themes offer a unique flow to the book which I appreciated, and the corresponding mudras, postures, and affirmations provide a well-rounded introduction that can help beginners build a solid foundation that can easily be built on with time and personal practice.

I highly recommend it to anyone just starting out in sound healing. It's a great stepping stone for those looking to incorporate sound healing into their wellness practice, both personally or professionally.

[Jane Toohey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been looking for a book like this for so long! If you play bowls and gongs and perform sound healings, it ha some great sequences and tips for playing and running a sound bath. The matched meditations to seasons is brilliant.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thouroughly enjoyed reading this book, although not totally new to Sound Healing, I found the info an dinsights provided in the book of real interest. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in sound healing.

[Alexandra Poppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m part way through this book and it’s so so good! Really informative & amazing for those wanting to learn more about sound 🫶🏼✨ I recommend!

[Kylee Odonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for sound healers, or people interested in sound healing from 2 sound healers! tons of in depth info and knowledge, really can tell they put so much time and love into this
thanks so much for creating and sharing this!

[Leah McCloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Seasons of Sounds. I recently got certified in sound healing and this was so useful in my journey of bringing my business as a sound healer to life! I loved the using a trauma-sensitive approach to sound healing section the most.

[Laura Baker]

Seasons of Sounds was a wonderful read! If you are a sound healer or interested in learning more about sound healing, this book is a wonderful resource!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seasons of sound is a really great read for anyone looking to start (or expand) their sound practice and/or offerings. I like how it covered everything from instruments, to trauma informed tips, and also precautions around the nervous system. It also did a good job of outlining what claims are supported by research and what is not.

As someone who has trained in sound offerings this is a great summary of what you should know if you would like to offer sound without the price tag of a bigger training. I also LOVE that it encourages you to prioritize practicing regularly if you want to offer sound to hone your craft. It’s too easy to buy a bunch of bowls and call yourself a sound healer - you need to put in the work and I love that this book encourages that and also offers practices to start with.

[Sufen]

This is a great book for those who want to get an introductory glimpse into sound baths - what it is all about, what the process and experience entails, and the practical considerations for organising such an activity. The authors have presented the information in a very easy-to-read manner, offering not just practical steps but also explanations on the deeper meaning and context to some of the guidance and advice provided. It is also somehow a very calming read - for a few days it was my go-to book during my wind-down hour before bedtime.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book to read. Great for the mind, body and soul.
Highly recommend.
So many beautiful modalities and tools in this book.
Something for everyone

[Hayley Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

No need to spend hundreds (or thousands!) of ££s on courses when you can just read a couple of great books; this one included. I will happily recommend Seasons of Sound to people I know who are starting their journey as a sound healing practitioner, as it introduces the instruments typically played; their origin and how they’re made, along with how to choose them, and various techniques for playing them. As an experienced practitioner, I particularly enjoyed the second half of the book, which explained how to bring the energy of each season into a sound healing session, with mudras, affirmations, guided meditations, breathing techniques etc. You could trawl the internet for these things, or pick up this book, where it’s all in one place. I loved the style of writing in this book; the passion the writers have for this topic and genuinely wanting to share their knowledge with others from a place of love, really came across.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading the book and as a new practitioner who went a through a certification process, I found this book really useful! I really loved the practical suggestions for leading a season based comprehensive sound bath with mudras, pranayama, affirmations, journal entries, and sound bath ideas. As a yoga teacher and a new sound therapy practitioner, I appreciate that the book provided 4 fully thought out seasonal themed sessions that I can try with my groups and then expand upon with my own creativity. I haven't purchased a gong yet but I am really glad that the book provides so much detail around how to incorporate and play them in sound baths. This resource will definitely help me when i finally do purchase a gong(s).

overall, an excellent, informative book and resource for all practitioners new and seasoned!

[Melissa Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this would be a wonderful book for anyone who wants to begin a sound healing practice, particularly someone who wants to do it in a more professional capacity. If you've ever thought about leading sound healings, particularly in yoga studios or meditation centers, then this book is definitely for you! It gives clear guidance on working with sound, particularly poses you might suggest people get into for various benefits.

I especially liked the affirmations for each season. I found myself repeating them and feeling uplifted by them.

The book itself gives a great overview of how to use different tools, such as bowls and gongs. It gives background information that will help you to feel confident and knowledgeable when you lead your own sound baths. And the hand mudras would be interesting inclusions to see how the energy flows through the body while playing the sounds.

[Laura Goellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great resource for yoga teachers, meditation teachers or anyone looking to learn more about the healing qualities of sound. It is well organized and has inspired me to incorporate more sound elements into my classes. I especially like how it ties in the seasons as a way to be in the flow of healing.
After completing my kundalini yoga teacher training I was looking for more info on using a gong & that is included in this book (including techniques and types to use)

I really think sound will be a bigger part of healing as we move into the future so I am happy to have this resource to bring more of this dimension into my classes.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an easy read, but packed with a lot of history, practical advice, and I really loved the journal prompts. I’ve always wanted to learn more about sound healing, and get a singing bowl of my own after reading the first few chapters I finally felt less intimidated and decided to gift myself with a small singing bowl! The book not only dives into the history and benefits but also gives tips on how to play and care for your instrument of choice! If you’re looking to learn or just curious I would recommend reading it! So glad I did it has enhanced my respect and love for the practice!

[Jennifer Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the easy conversational style of this book. I felt invited to explore it. The authors introduce many foundational concepts with enough information to begin exploring to see where you'd like to dig deeper. The mudras and breath practices are beautiful additions to any personal or group practice. The seasonal structure and included meditations are perfect as they are or as foundations for personalization. This book is a gentle and informative resource for anyone interested in incorporating sound into their personal wellness practice and professionals looking for inspiration in their group practice.

[Clare Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was well written, highly informative and very inspiring. It contains practical plans for planning session, reading the energy of the seasons as a guide, and so much guidance on good practices, personal work to stay grounded in your own practice, and very authentic boundaries and suggestions when it comes to creating a trauma informed environment. I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject, or those already beginning to practice the art of sound healing looking for ways to expand their knowledge. It’s very obviously written from a deep personal love of sound healing.

[Melissa Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential for beginners, experienced sound healers, and yoga teachers looking to incorporate sound into their classes and practices. It covers the fundamentals of Metal bowls, Crystal bowls, and gongs, as well as healing frequencies. The trauma-informed chapter is particularly valuable, and the Seasonal Singing Bowls Practice Sequences, complete with affirmations, mudras, and meditations, are a highlight. I am excited to integrate this inspiration into my yoga classes and sound healing events.

[Jill Cihla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book honoring sound & the seasons!

Before finding this book I was always drawn to working with the seasons so incorporating my sound practice with the change of seasons is perfect! I love how the book provides meditations that can be shared with a group sound bath which can also be referenced depending on which part of the quarter you are in. It’s easy to read and a wealth of information for both seasoned and new practitioners! This is definitely a book that will be traveling with me when doing sessions. I’d highly recommend! Thank you!