In addition to his work with groups and public speaking Toby Christensen is a very gifted healer in his private practice. He has a extensive background in healing arts, having studied from several cosmologies. Toby has advanced training in Reiki, Core Shamanism, African and Native American healing modalities. This varied background has influenced the following systems and technique used with powerful effectiveness in his private practice. Toby has an office in Portland Oregon but is able to perform the following treatments wherever he travels.
Sound Attunement Therapy
Sound attunement Therapy is the use of vibrational energy in a process which brings the mind, body, emotions, and psyche of an individual or group into harmony. Recent studies suggest that therapeutic drumming increases immune system function, controls pain, relieves stress, and has been successful in treating serious conditions such as substance abuse, alcoholism, AIDS, adrenal failure, high blood pressure and cancer. Other research suggests that therapeutic drumming is also effective for treating emotional disorders such as depression, anger, and anxiety. Sound Attunement Therapy works by producing a bio-energetic reconfiguration of a persons energy system which effects the physical body, mind, and emotions. It produces the energetic structure to promote heal and restore a person’s natural healthy rhythms.
Shamanism
The word "shaman" originates in Siberia with the Tungus People. In the original Tungus language the word shaman refers to a person who makes journeys to non-ordinary reality in an altered state of consciousness. Although the term is from Siberia, the practice of shamanism has existed in all parts of the world throughout history. After years of extensive research, Mircea Eliade, in his book, Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy, concluded that shamanism underlays all the other spiritual traditions on the planet, and that the most distinctive feature of shamanism-but by no means the only one-was the journey to other worlds in an altered state of consciousness. Shamans are often called "see-ers" (seers), or "people who know", because they are involved in a system of knowledge based on firsthand experience. Shamanism is not a belief system. It's based on personal experiments conducted to heal, to get information, or do other things. In fact, if shamans don't get results, they will no longer be used by people in their tribe. People ask me, "How do you know if somebody's a shaman?" I say, "It's simple. Do they journey to other worlds? And do they perform miracles?"
Toby Christensen is skilled in many aspects of both Native American and African Shamanism and has been taught personally from indigenous teachers. This hands on teaching and authentic experience are what differentiates Toby from other practitioners. Knowing what process to apply and how to apply it is the benefit of many years of training and experience. Please refer to the “TESTIMONIAL” page on this site to read about the miracles that have occurred.
Soul Retrieval
Soul Retrieval is the process of restoring personal power lost through traumatic episode. It is a Shamanic understanding that part of our essential life-energy can and does split off and resides in non-ordinary reality. In the practice of Soul Retrieval this life-energy is referred to as a” Soul Part”. A Soul Part moves from ones being into non-ordinary reality to help an individual survive a situation that would otherwise be unbearable. Problems occur when a Soul Part does not know how to return, or does not know it is yet safe to return, so it waits or is lost outside of time. To remedy this condition, Toby Christensen, in an altered state of consciousness known as the “Shamanic Journey”, enters non-ordinary reality and journeys to the lost soul parts. After finding the client’s soul parts, they are returned to restore the health and well-being of the person. Toby has helped many people regain power through the process of Soul Retrieval. Another aspect of Soul Retrieval that has been profoundly empowering is the return of “Spiritual Gifts” from past time. These items very in many ways but have been very beneficial in helping people find or enhance their life’s purpose. This procedure is a very empowering process and is recommended for everyone.
Work With The Dead And The Dying
From the shamanic perspective, physical death is not the end, but merely a transition from this world to the next. People who know they are dying can take advantage of their foreknowledge by learning to journey to the other side before they die. These journeys help remove a person’s fear of death and the unknown. Often they meet and talk with relatives or friends who have already crossed over and are waiting to welcome them home. In the case of a death that is sudden or unexpected, like an accident, or heart attack people may not even realize that they are dead. They can be stuck in this reality and may not be able to cross over, for that reason. These disembodied spirits are generally referred to as ghosts or disincarnate spirits. As a shaman, Toby remedies these situations, and works closely with surviving family members and friends who may be “holding on” to the spirit of the deceased due to their feelings of grief and loss. Much of the work Toby does involves helping family and friends release the person who has died by performing special rituals or ceremonies. These practices help relieve the pain and grief of the survivors by making them a vital part of the process of their loved ones transition.
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
posted by Toby Christensen at 7:46 PM 0 comments
Sunday, September 18, 2005
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
posted by Toby Christensen at 7:11 PM 0 comments
Thursday, September 08, 2005
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
posted by Toby Christensen at 8:58 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
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
posted by Toby Christensen at 9:51 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
SOUND CAN CREATE, INTEGRATE, REGULATE, OR TRANSFORM AN EXISTING ENERGY PATTERN
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 www.healingdrummer.com or contact Toby Christensen at toby@healingdrummer.com
posted by Toby Christensen at 8:34 AM 1 comments
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
SHAMANIC DRUM HEALING
SHAMANIC DRUM HEALING
A question has come up that I think is comment worthy. What is the difference between a regular drum healing or Sound Attunement Therapy treatment and a Shamanic Drum Treatment? Well supporting “The Way of the Shaman” and the Foundation For Shamanic Studies I would say that a Shamanic Drum Healing and a Sound Attunement Therapy treatment are similar in that the Shamanic Journey is involved in both the Shamanic Drum Healing and a Sound Attunement Therapy treatment. There are many different types of Shamanic Drum Healing. Some use the hoop drum, some use the djembe drum, others use shaman rattles others use shaman rattles with drums. As long as the shamanic journey is involved in the treatment I would say that it is a Shamanic Drum Healing. That is assuming healing takes place.
There are many ways sound and rhythm can be used to promote healing and change of all kinds. Pleas check out the Articles section at www.healingdrummer.com and feel free to email me toby@healingdrummer.com.
posted by Toby Christensen at 3:01 PM 1 comments
Monday, August 22, 2005
CHANGING ENERGY
This is a great discription of sound attunement therapy:
The rhythmic energy created by drumming often has a meditative response on individuals listening. As if swept into oneself, the comfortable sound of the drumbeat opens the minds eye to the divinity within. “Nature, in fact, is such a complex organism that only the intelligence of Spirit can manage it” (Malidoma Patrice Some’, 1999:66). The Dagara people of Burkina Faso, West Africa, are well known for their spiritual practice. They believe that if there is a problem with the physical, one must look to the spiritual for a solution. “That is, in the mind of the indigenous, illness is like an unwelcome guest that wants the place it has taken over to remain the same so that is can be comfortable. Certain healing practices, such as this one, involve altering the energy structure of the person. By doing this, the illness, if there is any, becomes ‘irritated’ at the rude hospitality and moves away in search of another place” (Malidoma Patrice Some’, 1999:262).
For more information contact Toby Christensen @ www.healingdrummer.com or email toby@healingdrummer.com
