Today’s contributor is Mike T., an Alum of Austin Recovery. Mike T. shares his experience being a client at Austin Recovery and his lightbulb moment in Musical Journey, an experiential therapy modified from Integrative Breathwork made popular by Jacquelyn Small. Led by our Experiential Coordinator Maryse Saffle, Musical Journey consists of an hour of evocative music without words facilitated by cyclic breathing designed to put the participant in a meditative state of consciousness. The breathing combined with the musical pattern is designed to invoke emotions often blocked by more cognitive or protective processes of the brain. Musical Journey allows repressed emotions and memories to surface and be felt, rather than simply being discussed. This expression is most often described as cathartic and speeds the healing process, often dramatically. Thank you for sharing Mike T!
“When I came to Austin Recovery, I was a spiritually broken man. This being my 7th treatment program in 20+ years, I felt that there was little hope for me, but I was willing to try again. Two years ago, the love of my life passed away from cancer. With her very last breath, she said, I love you Mike. I drew in that breath when I kissed her goodbye. At that moment, I felt all alone in this world. I spent the last two years drinking as to not dream. I truly felt I could no longer go on and wanted to die.
With what little strength I had left, I ended up at the Ranch at Austin Recovery. I sat in the lectures for the first week and heard talk of a woman named Maryse and her experiential program, Musical Journey. People talked how this Musical Journey changed their lives–I couldn’t wait! My first Journey was very relaxing, but on my second Journey, my life changed forever.
It was not words I heard or a visual vision. It was a feeling deep down in my soul, the hand of God held my heart. I felt loved, saved, and no longer alone in this world.
To say that my life has changed due to this program would be a gross understatement because it quite possibly saved it! I would reccomend everyone who has the chance to go on this Musical Journey to do so. Because truly it is where ‘my healing began.’ Thank you, Austin Recovery.”
- Mike T., 2/1/2012