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Candia Raquel host of The Sensual Sessions Podcast with Global Sound Yoga Pioneer Anandra George, in the cover of episode #97 The Sensual Heart Of Sound.

#97 The Sensual Heart Of Sound — Anandra George

How To Tap Into The Sensual Heart Of Sound

This episode of The Sensual Sessions Podcast hosted by Candia Raquel brings you a unique interview with Anandra George that leads you to capture the essence of deep listening, sensuality, and self-discovery through the practice of making sounds that sensually resonate with your heart.

Candia: Aloha! Anandra, you work with healing sounds, and I'm curious about your journey into this work, especially in our busy, hustle culture where true listening seems lost. Can you share how you first became interested in the power of sound?

Anandra: Thank you so much, Aloha from Kauai! Well, it all started in my childhood. I had a tumultuous family life, and music became my refuge. I would often hum to myself, finding solace in nature. My mom noticed and would ask what I was singing, but for me, it was an unconscious connection to something deeper, something real and authentic. Music became my lifeline, leading me to study instruments and explore various musical traditions, eventually centering my life around the essence of sound.

Candia: I´ve heard you talk about connection and communion. Would you share with us a story about this experience?

Anandra: Connection, well, it's beautiful that you ask. I want to share my experience from this morning. Just a couple of hours ago, I woke up, had my coffee, and decided to revisit a practice I've been disciplined about for a long time — my mantra practice. Recently, though, I haven't felt the necessity for it. Yesterday, feeling a bit off, I resolved that this morning, before checking Facebook, email, or the news, I would sit and connect with myself, listen to my heart first.

So, I got up, had my coffee, and remembered my commitment. I played a soft drone sound from my phone, a gentle stringed instrument. Closing my eyes, I started humming. The sound wasn't for anyone else but me; it was about my connection. My heart was still racing from waking up, causing my voice to break, which surprisingly enhanced the experience. Feeling my heartbeat so vividly reminded me of its constant presence just beneath the surface.

It was as if a sunrise had awakened inside me, though the sun was already up outside. I then chanted my mantra aloud just once, allowing it to absorb me into a state of communion. My breath stilled, my heart and mind conversed, creating a space for self-connection that I consciously made time for. The entire process took just five minutes.

For someone new to this path of aligning heart, mind, word, and deed, establishing a ritual or repetitive practice might be necessary. They might need to repeat their mantra 50 or even 100 times to quiet the busy thoughts that often create static, hindering true heart listening. This repetition acts as a fire, clearing the way to a sweet spot where communion becomes possible.

The key, as you touched upon, is doing this for oneself, not for others. For me, it's about connecting with my senses, attuning to them sensitively. It's about cultivating a practice of listening, a space and time dedicated to connecting with the voice of my heart. With intention, this connection unfolds naturally, leading to a profound sense of communion.

So, whether it's through music, singing, or any other practice, the shift from accenting out to accenting in is crucial. It's about whether I sing to sound pleasing to others or whether I sing to spiritually connect with my own voice, to tap into that deep communion within.

Candia: That's beautiful, Anandra. It seems your early connection to humming was a gateway to what you now call the "heart of sound." How can others, especially in noisy, chaotic environments like Mexico City or amidst their own busy lives, begin to reconnect with this sense of deep listening?

Anandra: It starts with setting an intention to listen, even in the midst of noise. You can use any background sound—perhaps a humming fridge or the distant traffic—as a focal point. Begin by humming softly along with this sound, letting your voice merge and harmonize. This practice isn't about creating perfect music but about internal alignment—listening 60% and voicing 40%. It's a gentle massage for the nervous system, allowing you to feel safe and connected within yourself.

Candia: That's profound—finding harmony amidst chaos by simply tuning into the sounds around us. How does this practice relate to sensuality and our ability to truly feel and express ourselves?

Anandra: Sensuality, at its core, is about connecting deeply with our senses, including sound. When we hum, we're not performing for others but engaging in a personal dialogue with our own vibrations. This internal focus liberates us from self-criticism and societal expectations, allowing us to explore pleasure from within. It's a path to congruence—aligning our inner voice with our outer expression.

Candia: I love that—congruence within oneself. It reminds me of a story where my inability to truly listen led to misunderstandings. It took me years to realize that deep listening isn't just about hearing words; it's about embracing the discomfort and vulnerability that come with truly hearing and understanding oneself and others.

Anandra: Absolutely, Candia. Listening isn't always comfortable, especially when it unveils hidden pains or unresolved emotions. Yet, this discomfort is a necessary part of reconnecting with our true selves. It's about creating a safe space within us to acknowledge and heal from past traumas, allowing pleasure and authenticity to flow naturally.

Candia: Your insights are transformative, Anandra. For those listening who want to embark on this journey, could you guide us through a simple exercise to experience the "heart of sound" and its transformative potential?

Anandra: Certainly. Find a quiet moment, maybe with a subtle background sound like a fan or the rustling of leaves. Begin by humming softly, letting your voice blend with the ambient sound. Focus on listening more than producing sound—letting go of expectations and simply being present with the vibrations. After a few minutes, stop humming and listen to the after-sound, the resonance that lingers within you. This gentle practice can open the door to deeper self-awareness and sensual connection.

Candia: Thank you so much, Anandra, for sharing your wisdom and guiding us on this journey of rediscovering pleasure through sound. Your work is truly inspiring.

Anandra: Thank you, Candy. It's been a pleasure. Aloha!

 

Too much noise in your life?

Tap into the sensual heart of sound through the guided humming vibrations for your body here at the Episode #97 “The Sensual Heart Of Sound” of The Sensual Sessions podcast with Global Sound Yoga Pioneer, Anandra George.

 

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About Anandra George

Anandra George (C-IAYT, E-RYT500) is a pioneer in the global yoga community, re-introducing the ancient science of sound as a fundamental wellbeing practice. She created the world’s first Yoga Alliance-registered 200/500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training based entirely on the transformational power of sound -- including Sanskrit, mantra, Indian classical vocal meditation, and compassionate communication for everyday life. Learn more about Anandra, see an archive of interviews, and view her other projects on the Press page. American by birth, Indian by soul (according to her teachers! ;)) , and global citizen by expression, Anandra helps people transform their limiting belief systems and cultivate their most fulfilling contribution to the world. An internationally respected mantra teacher and sacred musician, Anandra is frequently invited to teach and lead chanting and kīrtan at the world’s largest yoga festivals. For more than 25 years, Anandra has been on the path, and has been teaching and seeing private clients globally since 1999. She divides her time between India and Hawaii, and is currently at her tiny home on a mango farm on Kaua'i island, offering a range of teacher trainings, private sessions, and mentorship circles online.

Learn more at: https://www.heartofsound.in/

 

New Here?

Hola, I´m Candia Raquel!

A Mexican sensualist, scientist, artist and woman that hosts The Sensual Sessions Podcast and who enjoys contemplating trees and drinking tea.

Dedicated to helping workaholics (like you) overcome numbness and embody sensuality through somatic movement.

Sense your sensual fire to share the flame!

Work with me. 

 

What´s Next

Go to The Sensual Sessions Podcast Episode #98: Use Grieving Pain As An Anchor To Pleasure — Ana Harmon

Learn more with resources on: Bodymind Philosophy Resources

Discover: The Ecstatic Breathing Practice