AXIS MUNDI World Groove Trance Chant
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TRANCE DRUMMING Workshops & Private Lessons with Auntie Matter
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World Beat Trance Drumming
Classes, Workshops
Circles and Retreats
         with Sondra Slade > (aka Auntie Matter)         
Founder & Lead Percussionist -
Axis Mundi World Beat Trance Groove
 
 
Learn to get the best sounds from your drum, mesmerizing World Beat rhythm patterns from India, the Middle East & Africa, and basic skills for journeying the shamanic realm of rapturous Trance Drumming.  For any level of drummer.  "Stop thinking" and let the PULSE carry you into expanded dimensions of healing, Quantum Consciousness and Transformation.

AWAKEN POWERFUL NEW CAPACITIES WITHIN YOURSELF! 
 
TRANCE & WORLD BEAT DRUMMING
PRIVATE LESSONS
in SAN FRANCISCO for 2008
 
> D'Jembe - Doumbek - All World Hand Drums <
 
Private Lessons, Double Privates & Small Group Privates
for Any Level of Drummer:
 
IF YOU want to learn how to play D'jembe, Doumbek or any World Hand Drum...
IF YOU have never played drums at all but would love to be able to play in Drum Circles...
IF YOU play lot's of world hand-drums and want to incorporate new ones into your line-up...
IF YOU already study Doumbek but are having trouble getting that left hand, ring-finger Tek stroke...
 
IF YOU JUST WANT TO LEARN GREAT RHYTHMS, KNOW HOW TO GET GOOD
SOUNDS FROM YOUR DRUM, EXPERIENCE THE TRANSFORMATIONAL AND
HEALING POWER OF DRUMMING, AND HAVE ECSTATIC FUN WITH DRUMS...
*without taking years of expensive lessons....
*without waiting forever before being shown the secret tips & the killer rhythms....
.....then these lessons are for you!
 
You will learn to get the best sounds from your drum, mesmerizing World Beat
rhythm patterns from India, the Middle East and Africa, and basic skills for
journeying the joyful realm of World Beat Drumming. You will learn several rhythm
patterns and their variations, that can all be combined into a seamless cycle of
nested polyrhythms. You will also learn how to easily transition from one to another
of these patterns, play them simultaneously on top of each other canon style with
other drummers, and seamlessly return to the Mother Beat, all without getting lost
or dropping the beat!  Based on my long practice of Kundalini and Trance Drumming,
I will teach you how to effortlessly "Stop thinking" and let the PULSE carry you into
transformational dimensions of fun, quantum consciousness and healing!
 
ALSO - for members of the Transpersonal and Holistic Healing community &
Music Therapists who wish to learn how to work with Theta State Brainwaves
and Entrainment for therapeutic benefit, we can explore the role of Drumming
and the Pineal Gland and Neural Melatonin in the production of Trance and
Theta Wave Brain States, the use of drumming music therapy for boosting
immune systems, regulating heartbeat, improving motor coordination,
Re-Patterning the Neural/Muscle System, and Balancing the two Hemispheres
of the Brain.
 
And Yoga for the Hands:
We will also learn Anti-Carpel-Tunnel Excerises and sacred Vedic
Mudras for Energy Opening and increasing Hand strength & flexibility.
 
 
BYO drum >> I can recommend drums & where to get them at the best prices...
contact me to email you the list... axismundi@jps.net
 
Limited Drum Rental available: $10 per drum...
Contact me before the lesson if you want to use one!
 
 
Options to choose from:
1.) PRIVATES
2.) DOUBLES & SMALL GROUP PRIVATES -
'Doubles' and 'Group Privates' (up to five people) will be organized
according to people at approximately the same skill level on their drums,
so we can advance at a fast pace in a bonded group.
 
Lessons Available:
IN SAN FRANCISCO -
MONDAY Through FRIDAY > LATE-AFTERNOON or EVENINGS
75 Minute Time slots (1 hour 15 minutes)
between the hours of > 4:00pm and 7:30pm
TUESDAY EVENINGS > between the hours of 7:00 and 9:30pm 
 
 
TUITION SCHEDULE in SF:
 
>at MY HOUSE in SF -
(on Potrero Hill, easy to get to by Public Transportation or car, with plenty of street Parking!!)
75 minutes (longer time slots available by quote...)
*Solo Private Lesson > $40
*Add one more person for a Double Private > $35 each.
*Three People > $30 each. (this is the same tuition as my public workshops and a really great deal!)
 
 
Trance Drumming produces transformational and life changing
results. States of rapture and elation, connection with the Divine,
healing and stress relief, disconnection from Time and expanded
Unified Field Awareness are regularly experienced.  Based on my
practice of the Tantric Yoga of Spontaneously Arising Sound, I
will focus on transmitting the foundations for understanding and
manifesting "Trance Rhythm" in a way that is accessible & joyous,
without years of time consuming and expensive training. Playing
techniques and tips for all world hand drums are also covered, as
well as enticing Middle Eastern and World Beat rythym patterns. 
 
 

*******************************
 
PAST 
 
2007 - Workshop Schedule
 
Open to Men & Women.  Drop-Ins Welcome
7:30 to 9:30pm
2nd Tuesdays of the Month
JAN. 9th
FEB. 13th
MARCH 13th
APRIL 10th 
Humanist Hall
390 27th St. (between Telegraph & Broadway)
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 451-5818
Midtown Oakland, below Pill Hill...

There is abundant on-street parking on 27th Street
(with a 2-hour limit on weekdays), and the Hall has
an ample parking lot on the west side of the building.

Directions to Humanist Hall
From the San Francisco Peninsula:
. Take I-80 East towards Oakland (across the Bay Bridge).
. Merge onto I-580 East towards CA-24/ Downtown Oakland.
. Take the I-980 West exit towards Downtown Oakland.
. Take the 27th Street exit and turn left onto 27th Street.
 
WORKSHOP TUITION
$30.00 each session

 
While the ongoing Workshops build on each other,
each one also stands alone as a complete experience.
 
New workshops,  private and semi-private options
have been added!   Sign up below for the emailing list
& you will get all the latest updates & announcements.

 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
 
 
Selected EVENTS that took place in 2006:
 
 
Women's Circle - Ceremonial Trance Drumming
Workshop, Ritual & Retreat for the Summer SOLSTICE
Wed. June 21st  
5:00pm though Sunset, followed by Potluck Feast
Wild Tender Ranch (beautiful sacred private land!)
Pescadero, near Pigeon Point Lighthouse.
 
This is going to be REALLY SPECIAL - don't miss it!
 
Special Solstice Celebration price -
$20.00, includes everything.
 
*Huge expanse of magical private land ringed by the Ocean and the Mountains
*Hand-Built glass and driftwood open air amphitheater, with Central Fire Pit
*Trance Drumming Workshop followed by Drum Circle and Dancing
*Interactive Ritual & Ceremony honoring GAIA facilitated by lovely Goddesses
*Potluck feast in a large Tent with Picnic tables & lamps
*Hot Showers & Port-a-Potties
*Over-Night Camping if you want to stay
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
TUESDAY, JULY 25th - 7:00 to 10:00pm
TRANCE DRUMMING WORKSHOP, DRUM CIRCLE & CELEBRATION
*Potluck Social in Lovley Backyard 
*Full Trance Drumming Workshop
*Open Drumming & Dancing Circle
 
SPECIAL PRICE - $20 per person (bring a friend!)
 
Open to Men & Women. Drop-Ins Welcome
BYO drum >> I can recommend drums and where to get them...
contact me to email you the list... axismundi@jps.net  
 
Humanist Hall
390 27th St. (between Telegraph & Broadway)
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 451-5818
Midtown Oakland, below Pill Hill...
 
The Humanist Hall is a large, very sweet space with magical acoustics.
It has a large open wooden floor for dancing and a big, beautiful green
landscaped backyard with benches and fire pits and even BBQ's. Potluck 
will be enjoyed outside in the backyard while it is still light, & then we will
move into the Hall to have the Workshop, followed by an open drumming
and dancing circle! 
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 
MOSS BEACH WORKSHOP CELEBRATION RETREAT 
in conjuntion with Jacqueline Parsons World Dance
 
This is going to be a unique Immersive Experience- don't miss it! 
Workshop, Open Drumming & Dancing Circle & Optional Camp-Over 
Sunday 8/20 - 3:00pm to Sunset.....and beyond for campers......!!!
on delight-full private land close by in Moss Beach
$20 paid at event
 
 
THE SITE ~ White Tiger Ranch:
*White Tiger Ranch is nestled in the base of a lovely, sheltered Box Canyon above a creek.
*Open Flat Meadow Land ringed by Canyon Hill Sides & Trees
*Perfect for Outdoor Drumming, Romping and Camping
*Fire Pit
*Picnic Tables
*Converted Barn Studio for Indoor Use (in case of inclement weather, & late night use...)
*2 Indoor Bathrooms
*Easy to get to, right off Highway 1, one short private road, one OPEN Gate...
 
THE EVENT:
*Opening Invocation Calling In Sacred Space
*Trance Drumming Workshop
*followed by Open Drum Circle & Dancing
*Potluck Feast
*More Merry Making 
*Camp-Over Option
*BYO Drum
*Bring Layers of Clothing
 
Open to Men & Women
 
WORKSHOP CELEBRATION RETREAT - $20 paid at event
>RSVP to Auntie Matter @ axismundi@jps.net
 
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Contact:
 
Sondra Slade  - aka Auntie Matter - Percussionist:
Founded AXIS MUNDI World Groove Trance Chant & is the band's Producer,
Artistic Director & Lead Percussionist.  She is a Musician, Event Producer,
Visual & Media Artist, Ritualist and Herbalist. She has studied & performed
music her whole life, and at the Ali Akbar Khan School of Music & the Center
for World Music, she first became involved in Indian and Middle Eastern music 
and Sacred Sound as a Spiritual Path.  She has produced numerous World Music
events and performed with many varied ensembles,  and over seven years ago
she began journeying the Mystical Shamanic Path of TRANCE DRUMMING as an
integral part  of her practice of Kundalini 'Spontaneous Sound' Yoga.  She served
as Instructor of Spirituality at Holy Names College, and has been teaching Trance
Drumming at GaiaAlliance, Belladonna, Spiral Muse, Change Makers, the Spiritual
Enrichment Center, the Humanist Hall & private lessons throughout the Bay Area.
 
 

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Here is what workshop participants are saying:
 
"It was TOTALLY great work with you tonight.... expansive!"  Michael Rose, Founder, Blue Dog Shaman

"I loved it!!! Wow ... I felt so wonderfully 'in-harmony' - it was truly fabulous. I definitely want more ..." Katrina Borneman, Events Director, San Francisco Spiritual Enrichment Center

"Last night, I spent two hours with Axis Mundi founder Sondra Slade, aka “Auntie Matter,” being
tutored by her in “trance drumming.” Sondra is a marvelous teacher, extraordinary drummer, and
utterly delicious human being.  I can confirm that the claims she makes for the transformational
powers of trance drumming are quite reasonable, as I experienced all of them. My arms and hands
became birds diving and slicing through time to land on the drumhead of Eternity.  I experienced
myself as an Aborigine, seated with others around a night-time fire. I saw and heard sleek black
panthers prowling and growing above and around me. A joyous elation flooded my body, mind, and
heart. I can’t say I stopped thinking, but certainly I can say that thoughts did not define me, nor
limit me, nor prevent me from entering a sensual world beyond thoughts and concepts, a world of
feeling, rhythm, vibration, pulse, and primal conscious energy." Robert Rabbin, Founder, RADICAL SAGES
 
 
"I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the class! It’s so beautiful to see the passion you have
for your work! The magic of the drum can take me into an altered state of consciousness very sweetly
and gently.  I can’t wait to practice the beat you taught us." Doris Mehler
 
"The drumming was so wonderful, I can't even tell you!! You are really an inspiration." Thistle
 
"Last night rocked! It was my first time trancing out in a drum circle!" Cheri Sugal, Founder - Goddess Arts Institute Alliance
 
"In the middle of dinner my inner ear heard a replay of the last session and the rhythm we're learning
came back to me.  Interesting the pulse of time and how it anchors consciousness.  I am so happy to
weave you into the fabric of my life with the drumming - and I feel so blessed to be included in yours."  Jane Byrd
 
"Thank you for the sharing, the knowledge, the fun & the energy of the drum class"  Barry Krueger
 
"What a beautiful night! I was having these waves of epiphanies wash over me...Very enjoyable and
a great learning experience! Thank you! I feel blessed and honored to have been there to share it."
Nicolle
 
 
 
 
 

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