Voices of Devotion: A Singing Workshop with Ruhiya
Date & Time: Friday 14th August
Location: St Margaret's (Magdalene) Chapel, Glastonbury
Time: 4.30- 6.30pm
“Among all instruments the human voice is the most sacred, for it is the direct expression of the heart.” - Hazrat Inayat Khan
Explore and Awaken Your Natural Voice
Step into a safe, supportive space to explore your voice as a tool for expression, connection, and healing. Guided by singer-songwriter, holistic voice coach, and sound healing practitioner, Ruhiya, this workshop is open to all, including absolute beginners. If you feel a longing to connect to your authentic voice, sing more freely and openly, develop a deeper connection and discover the power of your voice- this workshop is for you. We will begin with vocal exercises to connect the mind, body and heart, to open up the voice and allow ourselves to open up as a vessel for sound, and be used as an instrument by the divine.
Experience the Sacred Power of Singing Devotional Chants Together
As a group, we will have the special opportunity to sing in resonance with others within a supportive container of deep listening, in a special resonant space. When you sing with others you experience a great power of healing vibration where the heart slows and you attune to one another. This workshop allows that chance without needing to commit to a full choir, and with a focus on simple vocal toning and simple chants. As we will be in the beautiful St Margaret's (Magdelene) chapel, we will focus our chants on devotional chants devoted to the Divine Feminine, as we honour and attune to Her in many forms. We will chant in a number of sacred languages including Aramaic, Hebrew, Arabic and Sanskrit.
An Invitation To Explore the Healing Power of The Voice, Harmony And Improvisation
Part of this workshop will be dedicated to exploring the healing power of the voice. Through open vowels, and simple prompts, we will intuitively explore the range of our voices through listening, playfulness and surrender. We will explore creatively how beautiful it feels to sing in harmony, and play with those sounds, and co-create a powerful resonance of harmonious sound in the chamber of the chapel.
What You’ll Experience:
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Open Your Voice – Gently release tension and allow your authentic sound to emerge.
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The Body as Instrument – Discover how breath, posture, and resonance shape your voice.
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Healing Toning Exercises – Use sound to ground, soothe, and energise your body.
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Deep Listening – Cultivate awareness of yourself and the group through mindful listening.
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Chanting Together – Connect through simple, accessible chants that build harmony and shared resonance.
Who This Workshop is For:
All levels of singers from beginner singers, to advanced performers. If you feel drawn towards the mystic, sacred and healing dimensions of the voice, and would like to experience the sacred through your own instrument and the voices of others - this workshop is for you! No prior experience is needed — just bring yourself and a willingness to explore.
What to Bring:
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Comfortable clothing
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A water bottle / flask of tea
- a cushion (chairs are provided, but you may like a cushion too, or to sit on the floor)
Coming from outside of Glastonbury?
If you are considering this workshop and you live outside of Glastonbury, why not make a day of it? If you arrive early you can explore a number of the local sacred sites including Chalice well gardens (which are gorgeous in May!), the historic Abbey, the magical shops and catch the sunset on the Tor after the workshop.
Concessions
If you’d love to join this workshop but finances are a bit tight right now, please don’t hesitate to reach out at hello@ruhiya.com I’d be very happy to see what we can do to make it possible for you to attend.
Questions
If you have any questions at all, please email me on hello@ruhiya.com.