An Interview with Dielle

Why is the voice so important to you?
It is expression. It is creation. It is how we turn our insides out. And for some reason, when I sing, I like what comes out, so much better than when I speak. Without the voice, how would I stake a claim, share an idea, share a feeling, share anything?? And here, realize that silence is also part of the voice. Silence speaks volumes, as they say. Voice is like the very soul of a person. How could it not be important?

How do you work with clients?
It’s always different because people come to me for different reasons. Even my workshops are different because different people show up. And even if it was the same people, they would be different from one workshop to the next. So I use what is present and up for people. Some people come to me because they want to sing better. They don’t care about the inner deep stuff. That’s not my ideal client, though. I most enjoy working with people who already know something about energy and want to use the voice to heal. Then I become simply the facilitator instead of the teacher. And I prefer that.

How does working with the voice help people?
Some people are only aware of the surface benefits…they sound better or communicate more freely, which is great. But there is so much more going on. The awareness that voice work builds makes people better creators of life. They start to listen differently. They start to experiment more. And they start to align themselves. And they discover things about themselves they didn’t know. Some people say it feeds them…they long to express for no reason at all.

Why would someone come to you for voice work?
People come to me because they want to sing or they want to improve their voice in some way. They long to sing and express themselves. They come to me instead of some other voice teacher because they also sense, if they don’t know, that there is more to this desire than what it appears to be on the outside. Their soul is longing for something.

What kinds of voice issues do you deal with?
Let me start by stating what I don’t do. I’m not a speech & language pathologist. I don’t deal with medical issues. I don’t teach “singing” either. I don’t even read music. But I can help an already great singer perform & sing better. And I can teach technique to someone who has none. But my sessions aren’t about singing lots of scales and learning songs…although there is some of that, it is not the main thrust.

What is the main thrust of your practice?
For me, the technique, the breath, the variables are all tools with which to play for the purpose of self-expression. The voice is like medicine. It’s a healer. Getting people to experience and get in touch with this is the thrust of my practice.

What is the most incredible thing you’ve ever experienced in your work?

The most incredible thing I've experienced is what I repeatedly experience...I get to hear God every time someone has the courage to do this work, the faith to surrender, and the willingness to open her mouth.

Vocal Meditation: A Modern Mantra

If you are here, you probably already recognize that sound can affect our physiology, emotional state, and thoughts. That's good. Because I'm not interested in proving what science can confirm. Rather, I want to share with you a simple exercise based in sound that can have a profound impact on your life.

Mantras are sacred syllables repeated over and over by practitioners in order to both alter their energetic fields to the frequency of the mantra (for prosperity, equanimity, or compassion for example) and to quiet the mind. Two well known mantras are AUM or OM. There is a reason this practice has persisted throughout the ages and why it is one adopted by so many of today's self-help educators. Mantras work.

But for some, the foreign language or even religious roots of certain mantras can be hindrances to adopting a practice. Here, I offer a modern mantra practice which can be used in your modern life...one that does not require a knowledge of ancient languages. This practice, when done correctly, will have the same effect as an ancient mantra but it will also begin to build your awareness of the vibrational signatures of the words in our own language.

When you feel the mind turning to worry or have had a challenging day, call forth the symbols that you wish to activate. Spend 10 minutes saying words like "triumph, peace, love, happiness, release, letting go, stillness, courage, joy, compassion, steadiness, tranquility, friendship, miracles...". Try to choose words directly counter to your present state. For example, if you are feeling impatient, try words like "patience, plenty, relaxation, stillness, calm, ease." It's okay to repeat words. Follow each word with a nice inhalation of clean, fresh air. As you do so, allow the mind to freely associate with your life experiences of the words. Allow the feeeling states to arise. Notice how your energy field begins to change. You will feel happier, more at peace and much better than you did before.

Words hold energy. We can use this energy for better or worse. This modern mantra practice can train one to "cast spells" skillfully, with intent.

Sound Healing Transmission #4

This is the fourth in a series of free sound healing transmissions. When you listen, close your eyes and feeeel the sounds. Try to surrender to the vibration being offered. Begin to train not just your ears, but your very bones and energy body, to hear what is being offered behind the sounds. Enjoy!

A sound healing blessing for Flow.

Sound Healing Transmission #4

The Sound of Not Knowing

I’ve been to a lot of workshops, various services, and numerous events in my life. They have been wonderful. But they have been identical. So many are based on the premise that we are not enough. They assume that the present moment is somehow lacking.

What would happen if we all stopped talking about what we know, what we think we should know, and what we don’t know and paused in silence? And what would happen if out of that silence arose a sound of unknowing from deep within? And what if we each opened our mouths and let that sound come pouring out joining together in a collective sound honoring the mystery of life?

Let’s stop talking about how spiritual we are. Let’s stop reminding ourselves that we are powerful and just be that. Let’s stop talking about all the inner work we’ve been doing and start being. Let’s stop trying to prove that we are love. Let’s stop trying, period. Let’s simply remember and get on with living.

A Vocal Exercise Gem

When you are feeling tension in your throat, try this great vocal exercise:

Pretend to laugh. That’s right. Make like you are about to split a gut. Give the belly a good jiggle & relish the vibration. Open that mouth wide. Bend over in silent hilarium. Then relax. Breathe. Feel how the stretch of the mouth released tension in the face. Feel how the impulse to laugh lightened the heart.

Oh, go ahead. You know you want to. Laugh!

Vocal Meditation - A Twist on Affirmations

Many people know of and have tried using affirmations or positive statements designed to change a negative thought pattern. I myself, having been exposed to the wonderful teachings of Louise Hay and others have tried them. Sometimes, they work and sometimes, well...they don't do much.

I began a new practice with affirmations awhile back when I started to understand more of the 'secret' relationship between our words, our thoughts, and sound and the hidden power and interplay of each. The practice arose spontaneously during a meditation, and it has had a much greater impact than any affirmation practice I have had.

It's very easy but does take effort and a willingness to sound and feel ridiculous at first. Take any affirmation. Examples include, "I am centered and peaceful" or "My life is filled with abundance." The cool thing with this particular practice is that you really don't have to pretend to believe something you don't. You don't have to think yourself through it either. All you have to do is be willing to say it. The 'secret' aspects of word, thought, and sound will take care of the rest.

Now, sit yourself down in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. If you can be in front of a mirror to witness yourself, all the better. Now begin to say your chosen affirmation. If it sounds phony to you, then say it that way, with all the sarcasm you can muster. If you want to sing it, sing it. If nothing comes up but a gurgle, that's perfect too. The idea is to say it in as many ways as possible feeeling for the moments of resonance when parts or all of the statement ring true. Keep at it. It may not happen right away. Persist. Play. Get your body involved. Shake. Wiggle. Get up and stomp. Allow the practice to reveal to you just where your blocks are. It will happen. You may even have a release as you move through resistance and longing into the place where you can sense the truth of your statement that was really there all along.

You will come to the point where all the resistance drops away. And there, you will find yourself hearing the words of your affirmation as if for the first time. You will start to state the affirmation without the theatrics, drama, and playfulness. Go slowly here. You will begin to speak each word with its own weight and sincerity. Again, tears may flow. You will begin to feel the truth of the statement in different areas of your body. You will sense joy arising. And you will empower yourself.

Enjoy!

Sound Healing Transmission #3

Welcome to the third in a series of free sound healing transmissions...my gift to you! When you listen, close your eyes and feeeel the sounds. Try to surrender to the vibration being offered. Begin to train not just your ears, but your very bones and energy body, to hear what is being offered behind the sounds. You will experience the blessings within the transmissions on deeper and deeper levels as you become more proficient.

This transmission is a Tranquility and Inner Peace blessing. Great for alleviating fear and stress.

Sound Healing Transmission #3