A morning immersed in Forest Bathing and Gamelan music.
Specially curated for Resonate 2023, this gorgeous outdoor event offers a fusion of two Eastern practices, Gamelan and Forest Bathing. Allow yourself to be guided mindfully through the beautiful grounds of CECAS at Myross Wood, slowing down, becoming immersed in nature and immersed in the senses. Moving through the morning you are invited to soak up the symphony of sounds from the forest and a Gamelan orchestra performance. This tranquil morning will close with a cup of tea and the opportunity to play different gamelan instruments.
Forest Bathing is a simple, yet powerful, nature experience which originated in Japan in the 1980s as a wellbeing technique for managing stress and other health related issues. It is, in essence, mindfulness in nature, and involves a total immersion of the senses by slowing down and tuning in to ourselves, as well as the nature and soundscape that surrounds us in the beautiful grounds of CECAS at Myross Wood.
Gamelan is the rich and ancient musical tradition of Indonesia, using bronze gongs, xylophones, metallophones and other tuned percussion to create a shimmering texture and powerful resonance. It is a mesmerising sonic experience and West Cork is lucky to house the only Irish gamelan outside of a university city. These unique (no two sets are alike) hand-forged instruments are equally impressive visually, as they are intricately carved and brightly coloured.
For this event, you will step inside the resonant space for an immersive performance of gamelan music by Gamelan Spréacha Geala of both traditional Javanese music, and ambient improvisations that respond to the natural soundscape. At the core is the fundamentally ecological nature of listening as a practice, bringing us into mutual resonance not just with our human and nonhuman kin, but with our entire environment. After the performance there will be a chance to play the instruments and participate in the ecology of sound.
Susan O’Regan Mindhaven.ie facilitates compassion-based mindfulness and reflective practice courses and workshops. She has worked in adult education and the youth and community sector for over 25 years. Susan holds an Msc in Mindfulness Studies from Aberdeen University and is currently pursuing a Professional Doctorate at N.U.I.M.
Gamelan Spreacha Geala are a non-professional community music group who meet weekly in the Skibbereen Community and Family Resource Centre. Formed in 2016, they play a mixture of traditional Javanese music, Irish music adapted for the instruments, improvisation, and brand new compositions. They are directed by Dr. Kevin McNally. Gamelan Spreacha Geala.ie
We will meet in front of the main house at Myross Wood. There is a car park on the right as you approach the house from Leap. Please arrive a few minutes early so that we can start on time. This will be a partly mobile, all-weather workshop so please dress appropriately.
Kindly supported by Musicalive, HSE.
Resonate partnering with 49 North Street to promote creativity and wellbeing in our community.
