Independent Workshop*
This proposal presents an integrative framework for understanding the role of sound—particularly archaic instruments—in the modulation and guidance of expanded states of consciousness within ayahuasca-related contexts and sound-based practices.
Developed within the research and training field of SoundTrance, this approach combines music therapy, transpersonal psychology, somatic awareness, and long-term experiential work in non-ordinary states. The core premise is that sound functions not merely as an aesthetic layer, but as a structuring and regulatory force of consciousness.
Archaic instruments—such as drums, monochords, didgeridoo, and overtone voice—act as vibrational interfaces, directly engaging the nervous system and facilitating processes of emotional release, somatic regulation, and deep introspection. Drawing on the framework of perinatal matrices, the proposal explores how specific sonic elements (rhythm, frequency, density, and texture) correlate with archetypal experiential phases: immersion, contraction, catharsis, and integration.
Special emphasis is placed on:
• The primacy of live, adaptive sound over recorded music
• Improvisation as relational practice, guided by deep listening
• A shift from melodic structures toward texture, modulation, and vibration
The proposal also examines the dialogue between ancestral instruments and contemporary technologies, including electronic sound design and AI-based generative systems, highlighting both their potential and their risks in ceremonial and therapeutic contexts.
Finally, the concept of “modern songlines” is introduced as a bridge between ancestral sonic traditions and contemporary urban ritual practices.
What You Will Experience
During this workshop you will explore:
No previous musical experience is required.
Participants are welcome to bring their own percussion instruments if they wish.
Workshop Content
1. Foundations of Sound and Consciousness
• Sound as regulator of expanded states
• Nervous system and somatic response
• Introduction to perinatal matrices
2. Archaic Instruments in Practice
• Drum, voice, drones, resonance instruments
• Vibrational perception
• Individual and group exploration
3. Listening and Improvisation
• Deep listening
• Group field awareness
• Improvisation as ceremonial language
4. Structure of a Sound Journey
• Opening
• Descent
• Peak
• Resolution
• Integration
5. Contemporary Approaches
• Modern instruments and subtle electronics
• Use of technology in sound practices
• Ethical considerations
6. Experiential Integration
• Guided sound journey
• Silence and integration
• Sharing and reflection
Closing Statement
This workshop bridges ancestral knowledge, somatic awareness, and contemporary sound practices, offering participants practical tools to work with sound in therapeutic, ceremonial, and creative contexts while maintaining safety, depth, and integrity.
Learning Objectives
• Understand sound as a regulatory force in expanded states of consciousness
• Explore the role of archaic instruments in facilitating deep psychological and transpersonal processes
• Practice deep listening and improvisation as relational and ceremonial skills
• Map the structure of a sound journey across its key phases
• Reflect on the ethical use of technology in ceremonial and therapeutic sound contexts
Who This Workshop Is For
No previous musical experience is required.
Bios
Joel Olivé
Music therapist, multi-instrumentalist, researcher, instrument maker (luthier), and founder of the Sound Trance Institute. Joel has dedicated more than two decades to researching the relationship between sound, archaic instruments, consciousness, and non-ordinary states, developing the internationally formation SoundTranceFormation®.
Dr. Janielly Verbisk
Mathematician, drummer, sound healer, and researcher exploring rhythm, vibration, mathematics, and consciousness through interdisciplinary approaches bridging science and therapeutic sound practices.
About the SoundTrance® Approach
The SoundTrance® methodology views sound not simply as music, but as a living vibrational field capable of regulating consciousness, supporting emotional processing, facilitating somatic integration, and accompanying profound inner experiences.
Drawing from music therapy, transpersonal psychology, neuroscience, ceremonial traditions, and more than twenty years of practical research, participants discover how vibration, rhythm, resonance, texture, silence, and presence become therapeutic resources that safely support expanded states of consciousness.
Special emphasis is placed on:
*Please note: This is an independently facilitated pre-Forum workshop, offered alongside the World Ayahuasca Forum. It is not part of the main Forum ticket and requires separate registration. The facilitator is responsible for the workshop content and participant experience.
Attend
Be the First to Know
Subscribe to the newsletter and stay connected to all that this historic gathering will set in motion.
