Today we’d like to introduce you to VJ Herbert.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Music has always been a powerful healing sacred gift for me. Whether celebrating life’s most joyful moments or being loveling held in the midst of tragedy, music has been my favorite way of experiencing existence and expressing my humanity. It was the music of the church especially African American worship that deeply spoke to me. With its beautiful hymns and songs of praise. I would find myself transported to other dementional planes emotionally and spiritually. I began singing and making music as a child in church. Growing up in a deeply religious family Church was at the center of our lives. The best thing about church was community singing. Music has a magical way of connecting people. I witnessed the effects it had on community with the power to uplift, encourage and inspire. Deeply moving our collective emotions and stirring the soul like a call to action. I sang in any music communities I could, school choirs, church events, talents shows, you name it. My goal was to share the love and wealth music brings. As I got older I noticed I had knack for guiding and directing groups and choirs and by my freshman year of Highschool I was directing at Gospel Choir of 35 peers. Over the years to follow I would attain a bachelors degree in vocal performance as well as found and direct multiple choirs in New York, Chicago, Nebraska, Missouri and presently Kansas. I thought I had reached my zenith until I experienced a sound meditation and my life was forever changed.
In 2008 while attending Zen meditation festival, I participated in a digeridoo sound healing, which left me transformed. Not only did I experience instant peace by my body felt light and expansive. This was a healing experience that Ive not felt before and the catalyst that prompted my healing journey. As a musician I was drawn to sound and knew it would be the modality I used to do my healing work both personally and collectively.
In 2009 I brought and was gifted my first instruments, crystal bowls, tuning forks, bells, rain sticks, etc. After working with a spiritual mentor for a year I began holding meditations in 2010 and in 2016 became a certified Practitioner with the Vibrational Sound Association.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has had many hills and valleys. I feel like the highs and lows are necessary for holding empathetic safe space and see obstacles and challenges more as opportunities to level up my healing gifts. I’ve experienced abandonedment, homelessness, depression, addiction, racism, homophobia, and losses that those bring on a personal and familiar level.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I feel like my calling is to minister as a healer especially in the modalities of Sound/ Vibration and music. Yes they are a similar but not the same. Sound is heard Vibrations are felt, music can be the mixture the two but it also transcends those polarities. I specialize in hold scared healing space collectively like in community meditations, ceremonies, and concerts and individually like my one on one practices which includes Vibrational Sound therapy, and reiki.
What sets me a part? I created my own unique sound practice. I spent several years working in sound instrument Warehouses Sliver Sky Imports and Gongs Unlimited both of Lincoln Nebraska. My work there gave me a deep knowledge of the various instruments used for sound healing, their history and cultures, playing technics, various brands and so much more. I got a powerful hands on experience that allowed me an education few have in the sound healing community. I also created my own Mindfulness choir with original music that I composed. Xion Soundwaves is choral collective of healers, therapist, and social workers whose purpose is to create and hold inclusive sacred through music.
Together with my sound healing practice my meditations, ceremonies and concerts are truly a one of a kind sound healing experience that can be found no where else.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
You can achieve anything! Those visions in your mind are not only dreams, but your reality if you believe in yourself and within your purpose! I believe that we all have healing work to do, therefore each of us has a special healing gift. Don’t be afraid to step into it. Ram das says “when we heal ourselves we heal community, when we heal community we heal ourselves”. Everyone is needed on this healing journey, I believe it is what will save our planet!
Pricing:
- Small group meditations (5-10 people) $25 person
- One on one Vibrantional Sound Therapy Session ($150)
- Large Group Meditations (10-30) $35 per person
- Ceremonies ( Sound Meditation, Xion Soundwaves, Cocoa, Breath work, flower mandala, energy healing) Please contact for booking
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.xionsoundwaves.com
- Instagram: @VJHealer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17QcuZyEtZ/
- Youtube: 5https://youtube.com/channel/UCejKxy4ZHG52Hz16VeAlCNQ?si=i8zrIrzteRlA2-pZ
