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Lana Ryder, SoundWise Founding Director & Senior Instructor
All the years of training, education and experience in both the allopathic and holistic fields along with much personal growth have culminated to bring me to this place where I can best serve my clients and students by offering a more comprehensive approach to facilitating healing, well-being, teaching and spiritual growth. My experience in healing music ministry began nearly 50 years ago, using my voice as primary instrument. My introduction to the world of using sound therapeutically began when I attended workshops by Mitch Gaynor, MD, in 1999 when I was clinical coordinator of massage and body therapies at WellSpan's Center for Mind Body Health in York, Pa. practicing as a massage therapist, reiki master/teacher and other energy therapies. Dr. Gaynor, then chief of oncology at Strang Cancer Center(Cornell Univ.) shared how using metal and crystal singing bowls improved the well-being of his patients. From there I went on to study with some of the best sound teachers globally including Mitch Nur and Alexandre Tannous(both PhD ethnomusicologists), and many others both virtually and in-person over the past twenty-five years of which I have dedicated to continuing education in the vast field of sound healing with the most educated and experienced teachers possible. My focus is to introduce people to sound healing in truth, wisdom, and integrity that they may practice and understand it as both an art and a science and allowing for the metaphysical and esoteric aspects.
For me personally it is an integral part of my spiritual path and of my key belief that God is Love, whatever our path may be. Through years of working with countless clients using sound therapy intuitively and integratively, this is also how my ReikiSound™, ReikiVoice™, Soundwise Voice™, and Sonic Massage™ classes and curriculum were created. My manual "Introduction to the Fundamentals of the Art and Science of Sound Healing" is the culmination of my work and experience of all the years I have been a facilitator of sound healing. This course is not only a good foundation for anyone wanting to learn more about therapeutic sound but is also the prerequisite class for the school now entering the fourth year. The curriculum has been taught for nearly twenty years to small groups and private students.
Years of teaching the business curriculum at area massage schools also came from my years of education and practice in the business, public relations and media marketing world. This led me to create "A Sound Business™ class, after being regularly contacted by former business class students and colleagues for business coaching over the past 28 years. Other holistic practitioners have taken this class and found it to be helpful and inspiring for developing their particular practice.
After teaching at various venues throughout the east, and mentoring students privately through my sound healing curriculum, the day came when the vision of having a local sound school came to fruition organically. The official inaugural class graduated in 2022, and the school enrollment nearly tripled for 2023-2024. I am honored to be called Sound Mama or Grandmother of Sound by students and former students. If following my path and doing what I am here to do at this time on earth changes someone's life for the better, then it is because of the power of Love. I share Love through sound, voice and music, and teaching others to do the same for such a time as this. When choosing where to learn, ask what their experience is and how many they have seen individually, not only group sessions. Experience is just as important as your instructors' education. Do they have any medical training and experience? Are they trauma- informed? Do their values align with yours and your goals? There are some excellent schools and classes in sound therapy. May you be guided to the one that is the best fit for both of you.
How I got started
Coming from an ancestry filled with healers and musicians, I was motivated to begin studying voice at an early age with Margaret Moul Carli, Sandra Stouffer, Larry Carey and others which prepared me for work as featured soloist, choir director, worship director and concert artist throughout the mid-East United States. At one point I put all that aside for a few years to concentrate more on studying and practicing hands-on healing 30 years ago. I picked it up again when I began studying how to use the voice in ways that would help motivate others on their healing journey. I now use my voice with numerous indigenous instruments in energy and sound therapy practice to bring balance, well-being and peace for individuals, groups and in public events. I enjoy encouraging others to use their own voice along with sound healing instruments such as singing bowls, gongs, chimes, frame drum, polychord and numerous other acoustical instruments for transformation for self and others. Taking piano, clarinet and guitar lessons earlier in life contributed to developing my own musicality. I am continually learning, one of those eternal students of sound, consciousness and spirituality. I believe we all can learn from one another.
And, We Don't Know What We Don't Know!
Lana's short Sound Therapy interview with Christian Kcomt, MD
My approach
Holistic in every sense. Individualized. Informed. Intuitive. Inclusive.
Providing you with a caring, professional session whether private sound therapy, group sound meditations, corporate events or a classroom environment. My education is ongoing, and I continue to revise and add new content to both my healing modalities and classes. My background in the allopathic medical profession of 25 years combined with nearly thirty years as a holistic practitioner and instructor give you the benefits and wisdom of a seasoned practitioner and elder instructor. I believe strongly in working collaboratively and in encouraging others to use their gifts and skills. I encourage the sound community to work in collaboration, cooperation and in celebration of our diversities. There is plenty of work and opportunities for all of us! My associates and I look forward to sharing our love for earth and all sentient beings through soundwork. We work together with you to create that beautiful cohesive healing field where transformation can happen. It's up to you, for we are the facilitators of providing space where healing can occur. You, ultimately, are your own healer! We work to provide the space to empower you to do that. The most important thing in a sound meditation is what you do with the experience provided!
TRAINING, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Additional Information
I graduated from Massage School in 1995 and continued to study holistic healing modalities including other massage and hands-on modalities, energy therapies, meditation and sound therapies. My experience as founder and director of a thriving holistic healing center (Tree of Life Healing Associates, LLC) for eleven years, combined with teaching the business curriculum and numerous continuing ed. classes at two area massage schools perhaps taught me most about healing and wholeness. The many students and clients over the years contributed valuable information to my learning experience. I have several associates working with me. Each are gifted practitioners in their own right. Most of them are former students of mine and have gone on to study not only sound more in depth with a variety of teachers and schools of thought about sound but other integrative modalities such as meditation, yoga, massage and movement therapies. Sound is a vast subject, and no one teacher or school has all the answers. We can all learn from one another. As ethnomusicologist Alexandre Tannous says, "We do not know what we do not know..." And yet there are some myths circulating about sound and special frequencies that need to be addressed. An educated and wise practitioner is open to learning what is myth and what is fact. This is also one of the tenets of my Sound Business classes.
In my younger years, I began self-studying nutrition. I thought I knew enough about healthy eating and healthy lifestyle choices. As I continued to study sound and energy therapies, I realized that we heal and nourish our bodies with all "frequencies," not just food. In fact, food has its own frequencies or energies not only in its structure but in color and taste. This led me to understanding how sound nourishes us. So while my practice focus is Sound Therapy, I am a certified holistic health coach and that training and experience is helpful in working with clients' needs. "If you don't take care of your body, where will you live?!" Just a word about my certification as a Holistic Health Coach:
- I received my training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where I studied a variety of dietary theories and practical lifestyle coaching methods. With my knowledge, we co-create completely personalized actions based on your goals to move you toward your ideal vision of health within your unique body, lifestyle, preferences, and resources. I decided to study nutrition and dietary theories to be able to round out my holistic health education and speak with confidence and knowledge to my clients and students about making better lifestyle choices for their health.
I have been a professional musician (vocalist-blues, jazz and jazz-rock bands), director of worship music in independent non-denominational churches, gospel music ministry, choir director, studied and taught voice.... as well as a medical assistant, otolaryngic office manager, allergy technician, medical assistant, clinical coordinator of massage and body therapies at WellSpan's Center for Mind Body Health in York, Pa., blood bank representative, television account executive, television and radio copywriter and voice-overs for commercials, and volunteer coordinator for York House, an AIDS Hospice founded by Joy Ufema, RN.
My background and training include many years practicing and studying numerous healing modalities in both allopathic and holistic medicine.
- 1995 Graduate Lancaster School of Massage (Swedish, Neuromuscular Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Polarity, Connective Tissue, Pregnancy Massage, Reflexology, Sports Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Spa modalities, Kinesiology, Anatomy and Physiology). Pa. State License # MSG001817 (retired)
- 2011 Graduate Institute for Integrative Nutrition
- 2012 Graduate of IIN Immersion Program
- 1996 Usui Reiki Master Teacher, Member International Association of Reiki Practitioners (IARP)
- Minister of the Universal Life Church, Member Sound Healers Association, American Holistic Nurses Association, Harmonic Therapy Association, American Association of Drugless Practitioners, former board member Interdisciplinary Society of Quantitative Research in Music and Medicine,
- Continuing Education: Shamanic Workshops with Robin Rice, Aromatherapy and essential oils with Sharon Bibb, Aromatherapy Basics with Linda Weibrecht, RN Clinical Aromatherapist with Pinnacle Health, Healing Touch Level I with Barbara Latham, PhD Harrisburg Hospital, Voice BioAnalysis Levels I and II with Dr. Kay Thompson-Liu, Dream Analysis-Kay Woods, PhD., Transformational Breath with Gail Wickwire
- Medical Reiki-Helene Williams, RN, BSN
- Sound classes, lectures and workshops either in-person and/or virtually with Mitchell Gaynor, MD, Jonathan Goldman, Jill Mattson, Mitch Nur, Claude Stein(Finding Your Voice), Jim Donovan, James Twyman, Alexandre Tannous, Phil Sheva Jones, Thomas Orr Anderson, Rich Goodhart, Chloe Goodchild, Michael Bettine, Mike Tamburo, Don Conreaux, John Beaulieu, and many others.
Personal Growth, Meditation workshops:
- M. Scott Peck, MD, Carolyn Myss, PhD, JoAnn Ramsey, RN, Ted Andrews, Deepak Chopra, Neal Barnard, Gregg Braden, Bruce Lipton, Jeff Brown
As an Author
I have authored self-published books and written & presented articles both locally & regionally:
- Songs from the Morning Light
- Sound Nourishment: Using the Energies of Food and Sound for Health
- Written articles for local and regional holistic publications.
- Presentations: Bucknell University-pre-med students, Penn State-Harrisburg, Millersville College, HACC, UPMC cancer support group, Lancaster General Hospital Holistic Wellness Staff, LGH dementia support group, York Hospital, Harrisburg Hospital, AMTA-Pa State convention and local chapter, and many holistic expos, women's events, numerous retreats, churches and corporate health fairs.
As an author I have created educational Training Manuals:
- Usui Reiki Training manuals for all levels *
- Author and creator of ReikiSound™, the ReikiSound Student Manual, and ReikiVoice and the 65-page student manual *
- Sound Therapy: An Introduction to the Fundamentals of Beginning to Use Sound, Voice and Music in the Healing Arts *
- Sonic Massage™: An Introduction to Utilizing Sound Therapy integratively for the Licensed Massage Therapist
- A Sound Business
- Soundwise Tuning Fork Therapy
- Working With and Within the Medical Community
* These manuals are only obtained through taking the classes at this time. There is no official board for accountability or standards in the field of sound therapy, sound medicine, vibrational therapy, harmonic therapy or whatever name you hear it called. Anyone can give you a certificate for any class, thus you're "certified." In recent years, my requirements for earning a certificate of completion have increased. Students are then able to list sound therapy in their practice modalities. Students needing ceu's will have the total hours of each class or course listed on their certificate for documentation.
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