Singing AND snuggling?! Yup, you heard that right my friend! It's your one stop co-regulation shop :)

“I’d never done anything like this before, but I came out feeling rested, relaxed, full of energy and delighted with the entire experience! Even if you think it’s not for you, I heartily recommend you try it.” ES (she/her) ★★★★★

On Saturday 9th November, we at Heart Song Collective are doubling down on the co-regulation, and gathering together for an afternoon of fun & nourishment, from 3-6pm in Telegraph Hill (SE14). Just picture a collection of lovely humans, connecting together via playful group singing and consensual platonic touch, and ending up suuuuuuper relaxed and nourished. I can feel my body loving that idea, even as I type it! And we'd love you to come and join us for this wholesome afternoon.

This session is suitable for adults of all genders. Also, absolute beginners (in the singing or snuggling realm), dabblers, regulars and seasoned pros alike.

SONGS: with the same no-pressure, every-voice-welcome attitude we bring to our Thursday evening Song Medicine sessions, we'll learn and sing some simple, fun, soulful rounds and harmony songs together. Songs are taught by ear and hand-gesture, nice and slowly, so nobody gets left behind, and you'll always be singing with others. Our songs come from the wonderful composers of the Natural Voice Network, plus some oral tradition songs, with themes of love, nature, and what it means to be human. You can hear some of our usual song repertoire here on our website. Singing together like this in a judgement-free way is really fun, satisfying and connecting.

TEA BREAK: we'll take a pause halfway through the session, giving you a chance to chat with your new singing buddies and warm your cockles with a cuppa and a snack. Herbal teas & fruit will be provided, and name & pronoun stickers worn throughout the session mean we can let go of some social anxieties, and get it right for each other from the get-go.

SNUGGLES: building on the relaxation and connection that come as a result of singing together, those who wish to can get a big old Oxytocin boost with some physical proximity or contact in the second half of the afternoon. Assamiya will lead a series of consensual platonic touch exercises, allowing you to feel into your body and boundaries, and engage in the kind of proximity that feels great for you. Maybe it's holding hands, maybe it's being nearby but not touching, maybe it's meeting back-to-back, maybe it's a full-body spoon with you as the little spoon. The highlight of this half will be a cuddle puddle, where you can sink deeply into the closeness you choose for yourself (and the comfy mattresses). There are options to suit all and no physical touch is required at any time. 

CLOSING CIRCLE: an opportunity for you to come fully back into your own space and reflect on what's present in your body. Sharing is welcome for those who wish to have their words and sounds witnessed, and Assamiya will give some recommendations about aftercare. We conclude the session together with gratitude. 

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT: engaging in touch can feel edgy for some, and there will be a team member available to offer emotional support throughout the second half of the session.

STAYING CONNECTED: at the end, those who wish to can de-camp next door to the Hill Station Cafe for refreshment and some social time. We LOVE a soft transition out of our connection time, and a popular option is to do that with PIZZA! The pizza next door to the event venue at "Dinner for 100" is EPIC, with vegan and Gluten-free options. 

FREE EXTRAS: In order to help you recapture the magic and resource your nervous system any time you want, you can join our exclusive WhatsApp group to receive recordings of the songs we learned, and sing along at home. 

🏳️‍⚧️ SPECIAL OFFER: I am offering 2 free pairs of tickets for a trans+/intersex/genderqueer person + a friend to attend this event, because I'm appalled at how you've been treated by the Government and mainstream media recently. You deserve some care and respite. Follow the ticket link above and book in with access code FREESPOONS

More about the Heart Song Collective Ethos:

Inclusive. I (Assamiya) am a member of the Proud Wellness directory, and a dedicated LGBTQIA+ ally. Heart Song Collective welcomes our queer and genderqueer siblings with JOY! I will never gender your voice or the vocal parts. And trans+ beauties - I know that the effects of T on your voice can feel tricky to navigate, or a remaining source of dysphoria for my T-girls, so I hope that by having the freedom to choose the parts you sing, at any volume, and with permission to rest as desired, you will find greater ease with your singing. There's no need to be a music-reader at HSC - all the songs are taught by ear and hand-gesture. We have three price tiers of tickets available, to enable those with less financial resource to access the practice. NB. These sessions are lovingly designed for adults - we're not insured for those under 18 to attend. 

Trauma-informed. You are always in choice in these sessions: stand or sit; stillness or movement; choose the voice part or parts which FEEL most pleasurable to sing; rest when you want to; tend to nature's calls as they arise. Our sessions are perfect for anyone who is looking to diversify their wholesome self-care activities or find warm community connections, and can be hugely supportive in managing mental health challenges such as anxiety and despression. These are alcohol and substance sober events, suitable for those in the recovery community.

Relaxed and playful. No sheet music, no rehearsals, no performances: just regular sessions of relaxed and heart-centred group singing, playful connection and deep nervous-system-nourishment via simple, soulful songs and community. By the end of the session, our aim is for you to feel fully embodied and present, musically satisfied, deeply relaxed, and connected both to yourself and others in the room.

Please note:

*** Tickets must be purchased online and in advance ***

Accessibillity & facilities. Our gorgeous singing studio is on the First Floor and unfortunately, not wheel-chair accessible. There are 22 steps up from the ground floor to the studio and five more up to the toilet facilities (unisex cubicles). There is a shower available for those who wish to cycle here/come straight from the gym and freshen-up before we start. Sessions are run in English.

Refunds. Due to the running costs of the sessions, tickets for this event are non-refundable and non-transferrable (date-wise), but you're welcome to pass your ticket on to a friend if you can no longer make it.

About the facilitator:

Assamiya - pronounced A-sa-mee-a - (she/her) is a lover of all things singing, connection, embodiment, community and wellbeing. After 18 years as a professional choral and solo singer, she realised that she wanted a different kind of singing experience for herself and her local community, and created Heart Song Collective in 2022. A trauma nerd and cPTSD recoverer herself, she has studied and sampled wellbeing practices from all over the world, and had the inspiration to combine her love of singing and her yen for nervous system regulation through consensual touch into one delicious practice. Assamiya has extensive experience of conscious touch work through studying neo-tantra with and assisting Leora Lightwoman (Diamond Light Tantra), assisting Eshana Spiers' Snuggle Workshops and Jem Ayres' Touch Workshops, and practising Surrender Tantra and Conscious Kink. 

Assamiya is a queer, sex-positive LGBTQIA+ advocate and a member of the Proud Wellness practitioner directory. She offers weekday daytime 1-2-1 Holistic Singing Lessons and Self-expression Coaching sessions, both in Brockley (SE4) and via Zoom. To enquire about working with her in this way, please email assamiyacoaching@gmail.com. 

To read more about Heart Song Collective or hear some of our favourite Song Medicine songs, please explore www.heartsongcollective.co.uk

Testimonials:

"Assamiya is the perfect host - she offers guidance, support, care, and most important of all, fun." David C (he/him) ★★★★★

"Assamiya holds a brilliant space for queer folk, understanding the importance not only of pronouns (which we're invited to include on our name badges) but of gender neutral explanations of relevant body parts. It's wonderful as a non-binary human to not be gendered by the size of my larynx!" Kirstine (they/them) ★★★★★

"This was really, really well held. I felt very safe!" GM (he/him) ★★★★★

"It's just wonderful! I know I'm gonna really enjoy it and I know it's gonna make me feel really lovely. And I think you facilitate and hold the space really beautifully. I often feel euphoric afterwards. Very connected with everyone who is there, very calm. Like I’ve used my voice in a really nice way - a really powerful way." David N (he/him) ★★★★★