Research into the power of music, and research in the power of movement is extensive and eye-opening. Our connection of the two through the Marathon Jam reveals amazing results. Learn more in this podcast episode which finishes Season 4 of Be Well with Dr Michelle Greenwell.
Learn more about the whole Marathon Jam experience below:
On April 12th, in North Carolina, the most amazing program was offered by MarathonJam.org. Healing through Music and Movement was a FREE special event for veterans, first responders, caregivers, clinicians, and laypeople. It was an opportunity to consider how the arts can affect neuroplasticity and build resiliency. It was a magical time for everyone involved. It was a full day at the Springfield Cellars Winery in Stokesdale, North Carolina, with sessions offered indoors and outdoors amongst the kegs of wine, and in the beautiful gardens on the property. The winery owners, Robert and Natalie Wurz, provide a beautiful place for musicians to be inspired during sessions, helping to build community and sharing their award-winning wines in the process. You can learn more about the winery here: Stonefield Cellars Winery.
“I attended the Music and Movement workshop the other week. I loved your unwinding trauma session. It was meticulously and beautifully put together. An art!”
“Watching the joy and release on the faces of veterans who have worked so hard to recover from their health challenges was beyond inspiring, it was truly magical.”
Tom O’Shea, the president of Marathon Jam, and the board created a vision in their strategic planning session earlier in the year to advance the ability to provide more healing opportunities through music. Their weekly gatherings at veteran hospitals and nursing homes have been astounding, with multiple stories of successful healing and connection for people. Their new approach, with Music and Movement combined, would set the stage for more opportunities for people to move forward from their traumas and challenges into a place of resiliency, connection, and joy. “This vision from the Marathon Jam objectives is to expand its members’ musical capabilities and outreach”. Their willingness to bring these ideas to new audiences provides a bigger audience for healing through Music and Movement – for Traumatic Growth. Tom’s background and expertise in advancing mindset and action for agility inspire the forward momentum of Marathon Jam members and healing.
The approach for this special event was inspired by the Unwinding Trauma program Dr Michelle Greenwell, Colin MacLeod, and Tanya Levy created for the Knowlative conference in 2024 in Tenerife, Spain. Their special project includes NeuroArts and the BioEnergetic Wellness Formula identified by Dr Greenwell in her dissertation. In addition to the intuitive musical talents of Colin MacLeod from Scotland, this program utilizes the musical connection to the spine, organs, muscles, and emotions, also identified by Dr Greenwell during her Master’s thesis.
Michelle Greenwell, a movement specialist, tea artist, and program developer, introduced simple movement ideas along with Tai Chi patterns that empower. Michelle’s addition of the five senses, the BioEnergetic Wellness Formula for traumatic growth, and the NeuroArts application of colour, nature, intention, sound, body connection, NeuroReflex activation, movement, and forward thinking for traumatic growth provides an overarching program for building resiliency and growth. The addition of herbs through the tea inspires a connection for the herbal essence of growth and inspiration and brings new value to the sense of taste and smell by passing through the nervous system to reach the limbic system and connect the motor system. Check out the shop for tea and programs here.
***Special note: For the Marathon Jam Event, Michelle shared the uplifting opportunities of the Natalie MacMaster Tea Set: Fit as a Fiddle, Kitchen Party and The Autograph. For the Unwinding Trauma program there are also the 6 Harmony Blends and the Harmony Coasters for support. Michelle also used the It’s in the Cards deck for activities during the event. You can find these items in the shop! Natalie Wurz and Michelle created special tea and wine blends for the evening Soup and Sing.
Colin MacLeod, a proficient fiddler and classical violinist, is open to learning and growing with the healing capacity of music and sound. He immediately opened to the idea of using the BioEnergetic Wellness Formula, letting go of a musical score, and opening to expand into the intuitive aspects of playing. His humour, puns, and musical knowledge create a whole new language to tickle the body and inspire it to move forward. His perception of traumatic growth is clearly felt through his ornamentation, note pulling, and tempo changes with the musical notes and keys. His passion for sharing music and liftng others up is exceptional. You can reach Colin at www.CelticFiddleGuru.com.
Sarah Arnett, a retired dancer, massage therapist, and psychotherapist, shared her movement-based approach to storytelling, which rewrites the endings. Sarah’s understanding of body, mind, and spirit through dance, psychology, music, and storytelling provides a powerhouse of play for the subconscious and conscious to meet. Old stories move into new outcomes, trapped emotions transform, and traumatic growth is inspired as people are empowered by their stories. Sarah can be found at: Ampersandbox Coaching and Consulting.
Lyn Koonce, a musician, singer, and songwriter with an outstanding career in coaching and building music programs for empowerment, opened up the floor for some crazy vocal exercises. Lynn’s ability to provide fun and friendship in her sessions invites people to explore the sound possibilities within themselves and to consider where sound may be held back and what that means for forward momentum. With body percussion and fluidity felt in the body, she inspires a connection internally for sound and movement. For those who have felt powerless on their healing journey, their ability to vocalize and express through scatting and play is a means to capture a superpower that has been hidden within. Lynn can be found at: Lyn Koonce Music.
The powerhouse program within Marathon Jam provides veterans and first responders with a new approach to music for healing. Exploring the musician with postural skills while playing also releases inhibiting muscle patterns that keep music form optimizing the healing process.
A mastermind of collaboration for self-empowerment this program supercharges people and their best life. Marathon Jam’s Healing through Movement and Music.
Why would you want to be a sponsor? A revolutionary new approach – you are leading the way in positive outcomes with joy, fun, and purpose at the forefront. Self-empower veterans, first responders, caregivers and clinicians you will be a leader in a new paradigm for wellness. To learn more about being a sponsor for the next events please reach out to info@marathonjam.org. Tom and the crew will be happy to hear your ideas and support opportunity.