SACRED SOUND SARDINIA WITH ILKA DE GAST, PsyD
Imagine eight days exploring an Italian island that ancient Sumerian, Egyptian and Greek sources called “The Island of the Gods.” An area dotted with thousands of energy vortexes and sacred sites, spiritual centers for sacred worship unlike any other place in the world.
Two identical week-long tours
Date: September 8 - 15, 2024 and September 16 - 23, 2024
Cost: $2000 EUR (Euro) - All inclusive (except flights) accommodation, meals and transfers.
On this tour we will visit a special selection – many off the beaten track – of sacred sites of Sardinia, with a focus on sound, vibration and music. We will also learn and use Sacred Sound practices to connect more deeply to the mystery of the land and enhance our innate capacity for wholeness and healing. “Amplifying the power of sound with the energy of the sacred sites. And amplifying the energy of the sacred sites with the power of sound and vibration."
Sardinia's variety and density of sacred sites is unique in the world. Many believe the island, it its ancient past, to have been a place of "spiritual wellness," regardless of what present day archeologists declare. Not coincidentally, Sardinia is also the cradle of the Blue Zone philosophy, which details the lifestyle attributed to the high number of healthy centenarians. There are nine key lifestyle factors that we can experience for ourselves on the tour.
During the eight days, we will:
1) Learn the ancient and transformative technique of overtone singing. Overtone singing, also called overtone chanting, throat singing or vocal harmonics is the simultaneous production of two notes by one person. It makes the natural spectrum of the voice audible so that magical bell-like or flute-like sounds are heard rising above a single note or fundamental. (No singing experience or ability necessary.) https://course.globalsacredsounds.com
Used to:
-
Reduce stress and anxiety, bringing deep relaxation.
-
Access our body’s own innate healing capacity.
-
Slow down brain wave frequencies to alpha and theta states for a deeper meditation experience.
-
Release energy blockages and balance energy centers for improved health.
-
Raise our vibration to live a more full and vibrant life.
2) Learn and use additional powerful Sacred Sound practices from the Wisdom Healing Qigong tradition and other modalities.
-
Five Organ Sound Healing System for emotional transformation.
-
Essence Mantra – transforming disharmony into harmony.
-
Lachi – Energy healing
-
Humming Breath practice for physical and emotional wellness.
3) Learn and use Wisdom Healing Qigong practices as a movement meditation and method of grounding and activating more life force energy to flow through our bodies while exploring Sacred Sound.
Qigong practices include Qigong introduction movements, Hip Rotations, Dragon Arms, Wall Squats, Spinal Bone Marrow Method, Cranes Neck and Chen Chi. https://globalsacredsounds.com and https://chicenter.com
4) Enjoy the traditional music and sound practices of Sardinia.
If this resonates with you, please join us on this magical adventure with a small group of like-minded people. We look forward to this unique experience of being in Sardinia immersed in its beautiful landscape, culture and sacred sites, while working with Sacred Sound. We are delighted to have you join us.
For more information about Sacred Sound Sardinia, please email [email protected]
For more information about Sacred Sound Sardinia, please email [email protected]
DAY 1: Our eight-day full immersion journey into Sacred Sound Sardinia starts in the capital Cagliari. From there we will head out to our first destination (one of Sardinia’s best kept secrets) – the picturesque village of Santu Lussurgiu, located in the caldera of an inactive volcano. Dinner is offered in a centuries-old mansion, located down hidden alleys, and the food is high-quality local cuisine. The romantic glow of streetlights invite us on a meditative walk back home after dinner.
DAY 2: Our first breakfast of the week will be a typical Italian breakfast: “al bar”, at the local café! After this local cultural experience, we will take a short trip through the beautiful countryside. Just two villages away we will visit one of Sardinia’s master musicians of traditional sounds. He will present and play the traditional instruments of the region as well as his own invented instruments. He will also invite us to sample his own medicinal elixirs and potions, and of course his delicious home-made wine.
He will then accompany us on our first picnic lunch and spend time with us socially. He will will also play some of his instruments in the first Sacred Sound site you will visit here – a more than 3500-year-old megalithic “nuraghe” secluded tower, off the beaten track, with incredible acoustics and resonance. Ilka will lead us on our first Sacred Sound healing practice.
After all these good vibrations, we will head home to rest for few hours. If the weather permits, at 8pm we will have informal dinner outside (“al fresco”), at the feet of the huge Christ statue which overlooks and guards the village. It’s a wonderful place to sing too. Alternatively, we will dine in the living room pizzeria, in the quaint village of Santu Lussurgiu, surrounded by lush green hills (the water from the shower and faucet comes from the famous fresh springs of the area.)
DAY 3: After breakfast, we will set off for our second destination where we will stay two nights at an “agriturismo” in the countryside of the village of Bitti. A beautiful natural setting for workshops and Sacred Sound practice. These lodgings have a limited number of rooms, so we will share rooms two by two. Our agriturismo is so highly regarded for its traditional food… that we may want to stay here forever.
On our way to the village of Bitti, we will visit several mythical so-called “Fairy Houses”, cut into 6000-year-old prehistoric rock caves that appear to have been excavated with the purpose of hearing and using sound vibration. Complementing the theme of this week, we visit two specially selected sites, both with a remarkably big entrance hallway, built for resonance. Here we will start to learn and practice the ancient technique of overtone singing, the resonance of the chamber helping to make the natural spectrum of the voice audible and helping us create two notes simultaneously. We will work with these transformative, other-worldly sounds in our meditation and healing.
DAY 4: Bitti is the heart of “Canto a Tenore” a singing modality that is recognized by UNESCO. We will learn about this famous style of singing, and have the opportunity to listen to a group of singers. Our sound practice today will be linked to what we witness, learn and experience. Sleeping in our comfortable rooms in the quaint farmhouse we will experience sleeping under the beautiful bright stars in the dark skies of Sardinia.
DAY 4:
Bitti is the heart of “Canto a Tenore” a singing modality that is recognized by UNESCO. We will learn about this famous style of singing, and have the opportunity to listen to a group of singers. Our sound practice today will be linked to what we witness, learn and experience. Sleeping in our comfortable rooms in the quaint farmhouse we will experience sleeping under the beautiful bright stars in the dark skies of Sardinia.
DAY 5: We will transfer to our third home away from home. The agriturismo (homestead) is idyllically set between granite rock formations and a beautiful art nouveau bridge, where in the morning the sunrise over the lake will be awe inspiring.
On our way there, we will visit one of Sardinia’s biggest mysteries: a prehistoric “rock altar” containing cavities in the crystal rich rock that – some say – might have been made for specific sounds and frequencies for healing.
The agriturismo lodging with pool, and the beautiful lake only a two-minute walk away, serves wonderful local food. The owner will serenade us with the world’s most beautiful love song: a Sardinian folk song that touches the heart of every Sardinian wherever they may reside in the world.
DAY 6: After enjoying the beautiful sunrise at the lake today we have time to stroll to the beautiful bridge, a deserted villa and interesting granite stone formations, where we will work with another sound healing practice.
Most days we have a picnic lunch with fresh Sardinian produce and dishes – prepared by “la mamma”, the female chef of the farmstead we visit – out in nature, at a special site, but today we will stay home and have lunch by the pool. Dinner will also be served at the agriturismo lodging.
DAY 7: Today we will have the option of visiting one of the following: One of Sardinia’s majestic nuraghe towers, an impressive site and complex masterpiece of archaeoastronomy: alignments to rising and setting suns and moons; The vaulted dome of the central tower, where we can practice our overtone singing; Or we can visit a serene Romanesque (former) cathedral, not known to many. We will have dinner and stay in a hotel known for its great fish-based cuisine.
DAY 8: We will make our way to the town where our flights leave the following day. The rest of our Europe trip awaits. During the transfer, we will stop at yet another inspiring site on this beautiful island that the Italians refer to as the Isola Mito, the Island of Myths. By now you may understand why.
On this tour we will visit a special selection – many off the beaten track – of sacred sites of Sardinia, with a focus on sound, vibration and music. We will also learn and use Sacred Sound practices to connect more deeply to the mystery of the land and enhance our innate capacity for wholeness and healing. “Amplifying the power of sound with the energy of the sacred sites. And amplifying the energy of the sacred sites with the power of sound and vibration."
Sardinia's variety and density of sacred sites is unique in the world. Many believe the island, it its ancient past, to
have been a place of "spiritual wellness," regardless of what present day archeologists declare. Not coincidentally,
Sardinia is also the cradle of the Blue Zone philosophy, which details the lifestyle attributed to the high number of
healthy centenarians. There are nine key lifestyle factors that we can experience for ourselves on the tour.
During the eight days, we will:
1) Learn the ancient and transformative technique of overtone singing. Overtone singing, also called overtone chanting, throat singing or vocal harmonics is the simultaneous production of two notes by one person. It makes the natural spectrum of the voice audible so that magical bell-like or flute-like sounds are heard rising above a single note or fundamental. (No singing experience or ability necessary.) https://course.globalsacredsounds.com
Used to:
-
Reduce stress and anxiety, bringing deep relaxation.
-
Access our body’s own innate healing capacity.
-
Slow down brain wave frequencies to alpha and theta states for a deeper meditation experience.
-
Release energy blockages and balance energy centers for improved health.
-
Raise our vibration to live a more full and vibrant life.
2) Learn and use additional powerful Sacred Sound practices from the Wisdom Healing Qigong tradition and other modalities.
-
Five Organ Sound Healing System for emotional transformation.
-
Essence Mantra – transforming disharmony into harmony.
-
Lachi – Energy healing
-
Humming Breath practice for physical and emotional wellness.
3) Learn and use Wisdom Healing Qigong practices as a movement meditation and method of grounding and
activating more life force energy to flow through our bodies while exploring Sacred Sound.
Qigong practices include Qigong introduction movements, Hip Rotations, Dragon Arms, Wall Squats, Spinal Bone
Marrow Method, Cranes Neck and Chen Chi. https://globalsacredsounds.com and https://chicenter.com
4) Enjoy the traditional music and sound practices of Sardinia.
If this resonates with you, please join us on this magical adventure with a small group of like-minded people. We look forward to this unique experience of being in Sardinia immersed in its beautiful landscape, culture and sacred sites, while working with Sacred Sound. We are delighted to have you join us.
For more information about Sacred Sound Sardinia, please email [email protected] or use this link (coming soon.)
DAY 1: Our eight-day full immersion journey into Sacred Sound Sardinia starts in the capital Cagliari. From there we will head out to our first destination (one of Sardinia’s best kept secrets) – the picturesque village of Santu Lussurgiu, located in the caldera of an inactive volcano. Dinner is offered in a centuries-old mansion, located down hidden alleys, and the food is high-quality local cuisine. The romantic glow of streetlights invite us on a meditative walk back home after dinner.
DAY 2: Our first breakfast of the week will be a typical Italian breakfast: “al bar”, at the local café! After this local cultural experience, we will take a short trip through the beautiful countryside. Just two villages away we will visit one of Sardinia’s master musicians of traditional sounds. He will present and play the traditional instruments of the region as well as his own invented instruments. He will also invite us to sample his own medicinal elixirs and potions, and of course his delicious home-made wine.
He will then accompany us on our first picnic lunch and spend time with us socially. He will will also play some of his instruments in the first Sacred Sound site you will visit here – a more than 3500-year-old megalithic “nuraghe” secluded tower, off the beaten track, with incredible acoustics and resonance. Ilka will lead us on our first Sacred Sound healing practice.
After all these good vibrations, we will head home to rest for few hours. If the weather permits, at 8pm we will have informal dinner outside (“al fresco”), at the feet of the huge Christ statue which overlooks and guards the village. It’s a wonderful place to sing too. Alternatively, we will dine in the living room pizzeria, in the quaint village of Santu Lussurgiu, surrounded by lush green hills (the water from the shower and faucet comes from the famous fresh springs of the area.)
DAY 3: After breakfast, we will set off for our second destination where we will stay two nights at an “agriturismo” in the countryside of the village of Bitti. A beautiful natural setting for workshops and Sacred Sound practice. These lodgings have a limited number of rooms, so we will share rooms two by two. Our agriturismo is so highly regarded for its traditional food… that we may want to stay here forever.
On our way to the village of Bitti, we will visit several mythical so-called “Fairy Houses”, cut into 6000-year-old prehistoric rock caves that appear to have been excavated with the purpose of hearing and using sound vibration. Complementing the theme of this week, we visit two specially selected sites, both with a remarkably big entrance hallway, built for resonance. Here we will start to learn and practice the ancient technique of overtone singing, the resonance of the chamber helping to make the natural spectrum of the voice audible and helping us create two notes simultaneously. We will work with these transformative, other-worldly sounds in our meditation and healing.
DAY 4: Bitti is the heart of “Canto a Tenore” a singing modality that is recognized by UNESCO. We will learn about this famous style of singing, and have the opportunity to listen to a group of singers. Our sound practice today will be linked to what we witness, learn and experience. Sleeping in our comfortable rooms in the quaint farmhouse we will experience sleeping under the beautiful bright stars in the dark skies of Sardinia.
DAY 5: We will transfer to our third home away from home. The agriturismo (homestead) is idyllically set between granite rock formations and a beautiful art nouveau bridge, where in the morning the sunrise over the lake will be awe inspiring.
On our way there, we will visit one of Sardinia’s biggest mysteries: a prehistoric “rock altar” containing cavities in the crystal rich rock that – some say – might have been made for specific sounds and frequencies for healing.
The agriturismo lodging with pool, and the beautiful lake only a two-minute walk away, serves wonderful local food. The owner will serenade us with the world’s most beautiful love song: a Sardinian folk song that touches the heart of every Sardinian wherever they may reside in the world.
DAY 6: After enjoying the beautiful sunrise at the lake today we have time to stroll to the beautiful bridge, a deserted villa and interesting granite stone formations, where we will work with another sound healing practice.
Most days we have a picnic lunch with fresh Sardinian produce and dishes – prepared by “la mamma”, the female chef of the farmstead we visit – out in nature, at a special site, but today we will stay home and have lunch by the pool. Dinner will also be served at the agriturismo lodging.
DAY 7: Today we will have the option of visiting one of the following: One of Sardinia’s majestic nuraghe towers, an impressive site and complex masterpiece of archaeoastronomy: alignments to rising and setting suns and moons; The vaulted dome of the central tower, where we can practice our overtone singing; Or we can visit a serene Romanesque (former) cathedral, not known to many. We will have dinner and stay in a hotel known for its great fish-based cuisine.
DAY 8: We will make our way to the town where our flights leave the following day. The rest of our Europe trip awaits. During the transfer, we will stop at yet another inspiring site on this beautiful island that the Italians refer to as the Isola Mito, the Island of Myths. By now you may understand why.
Meet Ilka de Gast, PsyD
Ilka de Gast, originally from the Netherlands, now living in CA, is a psychologist, Qigong and meditation instructor, sound healer, researcher, song writer and recording artist. Ilka's passion for the past 25 years has been to work with and teach sacred sound healing modalities from around the world, including the ancient art of overtone singing. Ilka has led Sacred Sound Tours to the Bahamas, swimming with dolphins as well as facilitated tours to China. Ilka's meditation music is played regularly at Dr. Joe Dispenza's in-person advanced events around the world during meditations as well as in international online meditation and healing groups.
Meet Sam
Co-organizing the week is Samuele, Sam, Pitzalis, born and raised in The Netherlands, but deeply rooted in Sardinia. "I like to discover what ancient mysterious structures could have been built for originally - what could have been their original purpose, especially with regard to sound and frequency." This will be my 44th retreat week in Sardinia. I organize the logistics, drive the minivan and participate in the program too.
What others are saying
TRACEY
Thank you soooo very much for sending me your music meditation. It’s absolutely gorgeous and stunning. It really moved me and I could feel it deep in my heart center, so beautiful. I’m blissed out after listening to it!!!
ROSE
Your work is amazing!!! My daughter has severe anxiety with flying. Yesterday she flew to Miami. In preparation I shared your recording with her. When she landed she sent me a text and said that she listened to your recording three rounds and it helped her get through the flight. Thank you so much for sharing your gift with me.
LINLING
Your voice is so beautiful and spacious, it is touching my heart. I can tell many people will love this song.
CHRIS
This is incredible and really soothing. What a gift!
THOR (Healing from MS)
I want to tell you that I have been addicted to your overtones for days now. It has taken me to really cool places, very quickly. I’m not able to lay in bed all that often, sometimes I have anxiety to do so. The other day I got in bed and listened to your overtones three times back to back. While I did, my body was moving and feeling fantastic. I picked up my phone with my right hand, which I can’t usually do. It was a very soothing, comfortable place to be! I want to pass on a big-time thank you and job well done.
Tom
I was at last able to listen to your absolutely transcendent, ethereal, angelic and delightfully absorbing overtoning. Such a beautiful celebration of sound and harmony. And pure healing intention… at least, that's how I perceive it to be. Thank you for sharing this with me. I truly love it.