Female Founder Friday with Kate Stewart
Like any big city, London can be overwhelming and quite stressful. More and more so, people are trying to find mindful outlets to release stress, find serenity, and maybe even gain a little introspection. Cut to Kate Stewart, director of Sound Universe London who has dedicated her life to exactly that: culminating balance, healing, and calmness through her work as a Sound and Reiki Practitioner. Kate holds sound baths regularly in London as well as offers one-on-one sessions to ensure that her clients leave feeling more in-tune then when they walked in the door.
I spoke with Kate to learn more about her journey, what she’s currently listening, and how to change your career path.
Kate Stewart | Sound Universe London
JA: When/how were you first introduced to sound baths?
KS: I first experienced sound baths a number of years ago when my curiosity got the better of me and I was tempted to find out what ‘Sound healing’ was all about.
Initially I attended gong baths, I loved that out of body feeling when you just drift off somewhere and lose complete track of time, (or even the year in some instances). And it wasn’t until I met Carly Grace and Yantara Jiro early 2017 that I got to experience the power of the Alchemy Crystal singing bowls. They took my journey to a whole other level! The sounds were much more gentle, I went a lot deeper and found it even more nourishing and healing.
JA: What is Sound healing?
KS: Healing with sound is believed to be one of the oldest forms of healing known to man and dates back to ancient Greece when Pythagoras was the first known person to prescribe music as medicine.
Sound Healing is the use of sound and vibrations which can be a combination of various instruments (crystal singing bowls, gongs, Tibetan singing bowls, tuning forks) or voice to relax the mind, bring the body back into balance and stimulate the brain into a more relaxed state.
When a person is in a state of disharmony; dis-ease within the body and disorders can flourish. Vibrational Sound Healing can work with these imbalances or blockages of energy channels by working deep at a cellular level assisting to bring our unique frequency back into balance.
JA: What can someone expect in a sound healing session? What are the benefits?
KS: The perfect thing about a Sound Bath is that you don’t have to do anything. You just rock up, lie down, wrap yourself in a blanket, snuggle up and allow the sounds to wash over you.
Some people struggle with meditation because of the all too common ‘monkey mind’; in a sound bath your body and mind will start to relax and you’ll get taken on an inward journey. Thoughts will come and go but the sounds and vibrations will bring you back into a more relaxed brain state.
The sounds penetrate deep into the body. The human body is over 70% water, our cells are filled with fluid so sound frequency stimulation is an efficient means for total body stimulation, especially at the cellular level. Emotional and energetic blockages may get released.
Each of the bowls also have their own individual properties - Rose Quartz for example works with opening the heart and encourages inner harmony. The bowls are made up of the highest grade Quartz Crystal and are then infused with precious gemstones and minerals. The Bowls are conscious and their resonant frequencies bring profound shifts in consciousness to our lives.
Sound Baths are suitable for anyone, especially those who suffer from stress, anxiety, sleep issues, headaches, or have problems relaxing and switching off.
JA: Has your taste in music shifted since becoming a sound practitioner?
KS: My taste in music has shifted massively in the past three years, partly due to working in Sound Healing and becoming more attuned to higher vibrations and also since being drawn to the shamanic world.
I listen to a lot of what I call ‘Medicine Music’, it’s quite tribal and some songs are known as Icaros, sung by shamans in ceremony to connect to the energy/ spirit. It’s music for the soul, music you can feel in your veins, music that makes you want to move.
JA: If someone doesn't have access to crystal bowls, what are other ways they can benefit from sound healing?
KS: There are many options if you weren’t able to attend an event or private session in person. Healing with sound can still be effective by listening to songs that you really resonate with, listening to the sounds of nature, chimes or other instruments that help you to feel relaxed. However, being in the presence of the crystal singing bowls will have more of a profound physical effect as the vibrational frequencies affect your body at a cellular level.
JA: What is your vision for Sound Universe London in 5 years?
KS: My vision for Sound Universe London is to be the Sound Healing Hub of London. Where a community is formed for people to connect, recharge, release and rebalance. For other Sound practitioners to meet for regular gatherings to support each others journey’s.
JA: Who do you go to for support?
KS: When I’m in need of my support I go to my teacher (and Sound Universe International founder) Yantara Jiro, whether it’s work related or personal he always offers sound advice and wisdom.
I also go to my girlfriends, I’m lucky to have so many inspiring and wonderful women around me.
JA: What's one piece of advice you could give to someone who is thinking of changing career paths?
KS: I totally recommend taking a chance and following your dream/s, it’s not something you’ll ever regret. However if you’re starting something from scratch without financial investment try not to put all your eggs in one basket (I say this from experience). Maybe make the transition by doing something else alongside your new business venture until it builds up to support you financially.
Taking the leap of faith into the unknown was the best decision I’ve ever made and I’ll never go back to working a 9-5. I work hard, sometimes way longer hours than I ever did working for design agencies, however I feel a sense of freedom and satisfaction in what I do. I’m working because I want to, not because I’m contracted to; hard work pays off and the rewards are ten times better!
JA: Favorite quote?
KS: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain
JA: What does wellness mean to you?
KS: Wellness to me means everything. Exercise, dancing, meditation and nourishing practices are a vital part of my life. I feel alive and balanced when my days involves some form of wellness activity.
If you would like to find out more about Sound Healing you can find out more at: www.sounduniverselondon.com or follow Kate's journey on Instagram @sounduniverselondon & @i.know.this.girl