TOBY’S SCHEDULE

TOBY’S SCHEDULE

HEALINGDRUMMER AUGUST 2005 SCHEDULE

AUGUST 18th 22nd LEXINGTON KENTUCKY Sound Attunement Therapy Individual Sessions and Workshops. Schedule TBA Contact Susan Hough at susan@healingdrummer.com or 703.505.5152

AUGUST 24th PORTLAND OREGON - Sellwood Spirit Feathers Spirit Power Drumming Workshop - Contact Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com or 360.910.3262 for directions go to
Directions to Spirit Feathers

HEALINGDRUMMER SEPT 2005 SCHEDULE

SEPTEMBER 9th - 11th FREDERICK MD - Earth Ritual with Sobonfu Some Contact Susan Hough at susan@healingdrummer.com or 703.505.5152

SEPTEMBER 12th -18th BOSTON MASS Sound Attunement Therapy Individual Sessions Contact Susan Hough at susan@healingdrummer.com or 703.505.5152

SEPTEMBER 19th -22nd FREDERICKSBURG VIRGINIA - Sound Attunement Therapy Individual Sessions Contact Kathy Sampeck at kathleen.sampeck@verizon.net or (540) 720-1024

SEPTEMBER 23rd - 30th LEESBURG VIRGINIA - Sound Attunement Therapy Individual Sessions Contact Susan Hough at susan@healingdrummer.com or 703.505.5152

SEPTEMBER 20th - LEESBURG VIRGINIA - An Evening of Sound Healing With Toby Christensen Contact Susan Hough at susan@healingdrummer.com or 703.505.5152

SEPTEMBER 22nd - LEESBURG VIRGINIA - Level II Shamanic Training Workshop Contact Susan Hough at susan@healingdrummer.com or 703.505.5152

SEPTEMBER 27th - LEESBURG VIRGINIA - Basic Level Shamanic Training Workshop Contact Susan Hough at susan@healingdrummer.com or 703.505.5152


HEALINGDRUMMER OCTOBER 2005 SCHEDULE

OCTOBER 6th- 9th SPOKANE WASHINGTON - Sound Attunement Therapy Individual Sessions Contact Dr. Elizabeth Hesse at drhessedc@aol.com or 509.927-7155 or sueferney@comcast.net" or 509-466-1439

OCTOBER 10th PORTLAND OREGON - Sellwood Spirit Feathers - Spirit Power Drumming Workshop - Contact Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com or 360.910.3262 for directions go to www.spiritfeathers.net

OCTOBER 19th - 22nd SEATTLE WASHINGTON Sound Attunement Therapy Individual Sessions Contact Tina Swanson at TINA.SWANSON@wellsfargo.com or (206) 799-3415

OCTOBER 22ND SEATTLE WASHINGTON - EAST WEST BOOK STORE an Evening of Sound Healing With Toby Christensen Contact Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com or 360.910.3262

OCTOBER 23rd SEATTLE WASHINGTON - EAST WEST BOOK STORE Sound Healing Workshop With Toby Christensen Contact Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com or 360.910.3262

OCTOBER 25th - 29th CINCINNATI OHIO Sound Attunement Therapy Individual Sessions Contact Barbara Schacht at bschacht1@cinci.rr.com or (513) 233-7742

OCTOBER 27th CINCINNATI OHIO - An Evening of Sound Healing With Toby Christensen Contact Barbara Schacht at bschacht1@cinci.rr.com or (513) 233-7742
This evening workshop is a great way to connect to the Power of "Sound Attunement Therapy" (SAT) The focus of the evening is the removal of obstacles that are preventing you from creating the life you want and enhancing the energy that will bring in the success you desire.
Time 7 PM - 9:30 PM
Cost $25


OCTOBER 29th CINCINNATI OHIO - "Sound Healing I" All Day Drum Healing workshop With Toby Christensen Contact Barbara Schacht at bschacht1@cinci.rr.com or (513) 233-7742
Sound Healing I

This one-day workshop is a hands on, experiential workshop where the participants will be taught basic drumming techniques to induce healing in the body, mind and spirit. They will also be taught how to use tuning forks, vocal toning and other sound generating devices to move energy. The first part of the day is focused on learning the techniques of each tool we will use, and the second part of the day is spent practicing supervised healings.
Time 10 AM - 4 PM
Cost $95

OCTOBER 30th - NOVEMBER 2nd COLUMBUS OHIO Sound Attunement Therapy Individual Sessions Contact Dena Campbell at dz_thakathi@hotmail.com or 937.935.3288 or Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com or 360.910.3262
Some dates on this schedule are tentative and based on participant interest. Please contact the person listed to inquire about each event.

We are working on bringing Toby to the following areas in 2005 Ð Dates will be announced soon Ð NYC, Boston MA, Lexington KY, Phoenix AZ, Sedona AZ, Seattle WA. San Francisco CA. And Los Cabos Mexico

I hope you all take advantage of these powerful and transforming events

Blessings to you all,

Toby

DRUMMING IN THE QUANTUM REALM

“The Sound Of The Drum Is The Tuning Of The Soul” - Sobonfu Some

For most of us, sound is a constant part of our lives. Sounds may very in terms of length, frequency, and intensity. But it still affects us. Some sounds inspire or uplift us, such as listening to a great symphony, a powerful rhythm, or a soulful gospel hymn. Other sounds may create anxiety or discomfort; the sound of someone yelling in anger or the squeak of chalk on a blackboard are good illustrations. Sound also stimulates memory. Hearing a significant song from our past can bring back events and experiences with clarity that verbal remiencences cannot touch. Sound can also be used to change moods or foreshadow events. For example, the musical score of a play or a film usually sets the tone for the story. The music playing in the background often lets the audience know whether something frightening or exciting is about to happen. Similarly, many people find that playing certain kinds of music when they feel depressed or lazy can help motivate them or cheer them up. The rhythmic patterns in these songs determines the cadence and intensity, which creates the “energy dynamic” of a song or musical score.

So what is sound? Why does sound affect human beings so profoundly? In order to answer these questions, we must take a closer look at the characteristics of sound and its relationship to healing and the human body.

1. SOUND IS A VIBRATORY WAVE OR PATTERN OF ENERGY

Physics tells us that everything is made up of energy. “Each atom in an electromagnetic unit of vibratory energy… The largest amount of “space” within an atom is the ambient dynamic energy potential of the universe (which the sages call God or Spirit) with the electrons, protons, and neutrons accounting for a minimal portion of the atoms structure” (Trieschmann, 2001:29). This energy is what binds galaxies, stars, planets, plants, animals, and humans together. “This new perspective of human physiology is based on an understanding that the atomic structure of the body, at the quantum level is actually made up of particles of frozen light… Thus, rethinking the body in terms of interactive energy structures as opposed to moving cogs in a machine holds the beginnings of Einsteinian Medicine” (Gerber, 1996:xx). Energy is something that can be transformed but never destroyed. It may change its form but it’s essential essence remains the same. For example, all the atoms in our body were once part of stars. When we die, those atoms will remain and in some far future will be part of stars again. This energetic exchange has been going on since the universe was created.

Science also makes it clear that all life emerges out of this ongoing energetic exchange. “Humans (as well as all mater on this planet) are composed of atoms. Atoms collect to form molecules which agglomerate into cells which coalesce into organ systems and body parts” (Trieschmann, 2001:29). Physical matter is simply energy taking form. “The idea that all matter is really another form of energy is the essence of the Einsteinian worldview” (Gerber, 1996:xx). Although we are still not certain about the exact moment when life first appeared on this planet, we do know it had to do with chemical reactions, which led to the development of prokaryotic cells 3.7 billion years ago. By 1.2 million years ago structurally more complex cells called eukaryotic cells evolved and the next step was the appearance of multicellular organisms. From there, adaptation to different environments and econiches produced the myriad of different species. Despite their differences, however, all these species still share a deep, biological continuity with one another based on the fact that they are all made up of eukaryotic cells. In this sense all life is One because it is all rooted in this cellular unity. All life is energy.

2. SOUND HAS A RHYTHM OR A CYCLICAL BEAT

Much of the power of sound lies in its rhythm or cyclical beat. The sound of one rhythm may invoke feelings of euphoria; the sound of another may provoke fear. By altering rhythms or beats, sound can effectively create or alter emotions. The physical body also seems to be sensitive to cyclical rhythms. Many Biological systems within the body are also based on the premise that opposite, complementary, movement or change produces equilibrium. Take breathing for example. The lungs expand in order to take in oxygen and pass it into the bloodstream. The outgoing breath then releases the carbon dioxides that have built up in the blood. The body cannot exist for long without both these processes going on. There is also evidence that some neurons in the brain “fire repetitively at a constant frequency, that is, they beat… Such neurons are also sometimes called pacing neurons. Although external stimulation can change the firing rate of the cell, or inhibit it altogether, the mechanisms that drive repetitive firing are often intrinsic to the neuron itself and do not require stimuli or external synaptic activation.” (Levitan and Kaczmark, 1997:59-60) Other neurons—called bursting neurons—fire in sustained rhythmic pulses that occur without any external stimulation occurring. These are the neurons in the brain that are responsible for regulating automatic physiological processes like heartbeats. When this natural rhythm is disrupted, then the physiological and energetic imbalances occur which lead to disease. Heart arrhythmia is a good example. The understanding that every process in the body has a distinct bioelectrical rhythm or beat, leads to the perception that when everything is working well—i.e. the physiological energy of the body is in balance and able to flow freely—then health and well-being exist. Conversely, when the bioelectrical rhythm of the body is disrupted or the natural frequencies altered, then energetic blocks and imbalances start to occur and disease is often the result. Restoring health means changing a disease producing energy pattern and replacing it with a health enhancing one. As Trieschmann suggests: Every cell in our body has a Characteristic vibration. When these cells vibrate at a certain rate and certain pattern, the body functions well and a person feels good. When they vibrate at a different rate and pattern, the body functions less well and the person feels not so good. It is highly probable that assessment of the differential vibratory patterns associated with health and sickness will be a core feature of the research of the 21st century (2001:29-30)

3. SOUND CAN CREATE, INTEGRATE, REGULATE, OR TRANSFORM AN EXISTING ENERGY PATTERN

Sound has been used effectively by many of the world’s spiritual traditions to alter consciousness or heal the body. Mantras, prayers, and chants all generate a pattern of energy that calms the mind and rebalances the body. Studies show that repetitive sound transforms the alpha and beta wave patterns in the brain into theta. The theta brain wave pattern is conducive to relaxation and has been linked to a sense of heightened creativity. Sound has also been used as an effective tool for opening the body’s various energy meridians and charkas. As Margo Anand observes:

Just as the resonance of one high, operatic note can break a crystal glass, and the right words can open a mind or heart, the right sound can open your charkas. The word chakra means “vortex, center, or resonance”. If we direct a sound that resonates into the center of a chakra, it can open like a flower. Every mystery school from ancient times to the present uses sound for these purposes (1998:237)

Promoting health by keeping the energy meridians and charkas open and clear in an important feature of East Indian and Oriental medicine. Both approaches envision the body as a bio-energetic network of meridians interconnected throughout the body and through the major organs. The meridians provide structural and patterned information to the cells of the body during growth and development from conception to adulthood. Medical treatment involves identifying the source and location of any blocks in this system that are impeding healthy energy flow and then removing them. “The acupuncture meridians are a type of biocircuitry network that supplies life energy to the different organs of the body. The meridians have surface points, known as acupuncture points, that are like energetic pores” (Gerber, 1996:xx). Stimulation of these key points with needles—or sound—can help release blocks and promote healing. Sound Attunement Therapy uses both the hoop drum and the West African drum called a “djembe” to induce sound stimulation to these points to promote healing.

As these brief illustrations show, sound has a profound effect upon the physiology and emotions.

For more information on the effects of Sound Attunement Therapy and Bio-Energetic Reconfiguration check out the “Testimonials” section on this site or contact Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com

Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com www.healingdrummer.com

WHO IS TOBY CHRISTENSEN?????

Toby Christensen is a facilitator of healing and change using the power of sound. He is a Master Drummer, an in-demand Motivational Speaker, Workshop Facilitator, Shamanic Practitioner, and an Ordained Minister. With experience as a corporate executive, entrepreneur, public speaker, musician, and spiritual leader, Toby relates to a wide range of human experience. He connects with compassion and deep understanding to the struggles and challenges of everyday life with a proactive, solution oriented methodology. In his work with indigenous shamans, healers, medicine people and contemporary teachers, Toby has developed a treatment modality known as “Sound Attunement Therapy” which initiates the process he calls “Bio-Energetic Reconfiguration.” This process integrates the powerful methods of old world shamanism with the most cutting edge understanding of quantum physics. Empowered through the treatment of “Sound Attunement Therapy” (SAT) Toby uses sound and drum healing as a container for people to shed their old patterns of ill health, dissatisfaction and dysfunction and shift their energy to create a new healthy and satisfying life.

Born and Raised in Seattle Washington, Toby started his career as a professional musician at the young age of 16 playing the jazz, rock, and funk clubs of Seattle. After having a spiritual awakening, he moved to Northern California to undergo his ministerial training and was then recruited as an associate pastor at Christian Life Center in Santa Rosa, CA. (At the time one of the largest non-denominational churches in the western United States) Toby left the church disillusioned by the “business of religion” and began a career in the corporate world. He began to work his way up the corporate ladder with Nordstrom with great success. After advancing quickly, Toby was recruited as Executive Vice President of All American Sales, where he was responsible for the sales and marketing of athletic products nationwide.

After years of corporate success at the cost of his soul, Toby woke up to the call of his heart, that ignited his passion and reconnected him to the drum. He now travels the world facilitating positive changes in peoples lives through the power of sound. Although Toby will never refer to himself as a Drum Healer or a Sound Healer. The term is used in reference to his work because of the common understanding of the term Drum Healing or Sound Healing within the context of our culture. As Toby Christensen puts it “I use rhythm and sound to facilitate positive change in all aspects of peoples lives. I am not the healer, the being I am holding space for is. I just hold the space and make some noise so their healer will wake up!”

Toby Christensen is a Master Drummer and Shamanic Practitioner, who has over 30 years of professional drumming experience. He has toured internationally with rock and gospel music groups and has performed frequently as a ritual drummer in both African and Native American ceremony. He is trained on the trap set, the African Djembe, congas and the hoop drum also known as the Shaman's Drum. He has studied in Africa with Sobonfu and Malidoma Some’ from the Dagara Tribe in Burkina Faso, Chief Nana Depah of Ghana, and in the U.S. with a Chief of the Lakota Nation and other Native American teachers. He is a Ritual drummer for Sobonfu Some’ here in the U.S. and has studied Shamanism with Michael Harner and the Foundation for Shamanic Studies.

For more information contact Toby Christensen @ www.healingdrummer.com or email toby@healingdrummer.com

THE GRIEF SONG

A dear sister asked for the words and stry of the Greif Song so here it is.
Here are the words to the song.
Hey la la coo la ya
Hey la la coo la ya
Hey la la coo la ya

The song is about a man who was off hunting. As he kept an eye on his village he saw a storm approaching. The storm was huge! So he began to head back to help his people brace for it. When he arrived at his village the deluge had already begun and his village was destroyed. As he looked at the once people filled streets her could only see a raging river weeping everything that he loves away. In the muddy water he saw arms and hands reaching out to be plucked from the muddy water. He began to reach for those he could and pull them to safety. But alas for every one he saved 20 or 30 of his loved ones were swept away. Overcome by grief he began top sing the lament, “Coo La Ya”

Hey la la coo la ya
Hey la la coo la ya
Hey la la coo la ya

Blessings,
Toby Christensen aka Tobias


www.healingdrummer.com
Toby Christensen aka Tobias - toby@healingdrummer.com

TESTIMONIALS

When I first started seeing Toby, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had no physical ailments, but something drew me to him. I am a women who had experienced sexual abuse in my life, physical and emotional abuse, and had multiple trust issues. Toby made it clear I was in charge, he works with my boundaries, and his guides (and mine) helped me to know that I could trust him. By the end of that first session with Toby, I was certain I could trust him and I would be seeing a lot more of him.

I have committed myself to my evolution; to growing spiritually, healing past emotional wounds, healing unseen physical ailments, and basically whatever the Divine wants me to do. I have been able to bookmark my personal growth by my monthly sessions with Toby. I have grown by leaps and bounds, the wounds that were once painful are now healed. We are each our own healer, Toby creates the safest of places for me to do my healing. In that safe place, the comforting sounds of the drum work their magic.

I have recommended to my closest of friends and total strangers the wonderful healing abilities that Toby Christensen provides. I now recommend to you that if you are reading this, odds are your spirit guides would like you to consider booking a session with Toby.

Adele

Though Toby never touches your body save with the waves of sound emanating from his drum, the sensation is extremely physical. The drumbeat seems to paralyze, then liquefy, then vaporize your flesh. And then it melts your bones. Toby carries around a sheaf of research studies on the healing properties of sound, and drumming in particular, especially for people suffering from chronic illnesses, but the proof is in the experience, as you feel the song of the djembe literally calling your body’s cells to fall in step with the heartbeat of the universe.

(Hillary Johnson, LA Times).

On reflection, my first SAT session was more a beautiful, spiritual, profound universal love experience. It felt like angels were around me. And I was filled with beauty and felt such peace and gratitude. It affected me so deeply that when I was explaining it to a dear friend and another of her male friends, the tears welled up inside me; I choked with emotion, and began to cry. Gentle, Powerful Healing. It was amazing. My second SAT was MY, Oh MY, Oh MY.....!!!!

V.R. LA California

oby, I know this might sound extreme, but I feel you helped save my life. After two major surgeries in three weeks with many medical complications and several near death experiences I wasn’t sure if I was meant to stay earth bound or go to the spirit side. I was caught not knowing or caring about my faith.

…I resisted your offer of help, but you did not give up on me, you made a house call.

After the drum healing I felt grounded, centered, and more focused. There was an immediate shift in my energy. Since that time I have continued to use your gift of drum healing to keep me on track, and continue with my return to health. I truly honor your gifts and abilities. To say “thank you” is not enough but I shall say again THANK YOU.

Blessings and Love,
M. Reilly, RN

More Testimonials available at www.healingdrummer.com