On Saturday, March 7, Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary (CVHAS) sponsored a two-part session on qigong and sound bathing in Catherine’s Learning Barn as part of its Soulful Saturday series.

The qigong session was led by certified qigong instructor Julie Moffat, who has been studying qigong since 2001. Moffat said, “Qigong is a mind/body self-care practice from China. It coordinates gentle movement, relaxed breathing, and meditation with self-massage to energize the body. Qigong translates as breath work or energy work — cultivating energy and storing it for body rejuvenation.” It helps to “release physical, psychological, and emotional stress.”

The sound bathing session was designed to be deeply restorative and invited participants to “slow down and soften.” The session was led by Daniel Lauter, who is a classically trained musician, performer, composer, and a pioneer in modern sound healing with over 40 years of experience. He brought exquisite, hand-selected instruments that created a “rich sonic landscape that washes over the body and mind. The vibrations help melt away stress, calm the nervous system, and guide you into a deeply meditative, restorative state.”

Lauter said of his classes, “Many participants leave feeling grounded, refreshed, and profoundly at ease, carrying that sense of calm long after the final note fades.” Guests at the session said that is exactly how they were feeling at the conclusion of the experience. This was the first time CVHAS has offered sound bathing.

CVHAS has several upcoming programs for the spring season. For more information about CVHAS or to register for upcoming programs, go to cvhfoundation.org.