Music

Music is a powerful tool for healing. You can select one song, such as Laura’s original Mi Shebeirach prayer above, for your ritual, and/or you can listen and move to one of these playlists below, or create your own. 

The songs in these playlists have been selected to support exploration of the two middot (soul traits) this booklet explores: Rachamim (Compassion) and Hakarat HaTov (Looking For the Good). As the songs flow in the sequence provided, the music often builds from restful and quiet to active and upbeat, then back to melodies that support coming to stillness and resting again.  

In creating your own embodied healing rituals with music playlists, you may use a template that flows in this way, but there are so many ways to create playlists to support self-contact, self-compassion and healing.  Sometimes we need to listen to restful melodies and let them wash over us, or sometimes we need to just dance it out with a song or two. Sometimes words are helpful and affirming, and sometimes we need only instrumental songs so that our own prayers can flow forth with ease.

Clear a space for movement, and set up a mat and a blanket or two upon the floor for resting as you desire.  Have a journal and/or drawing materials. Large newsprint paper measuring 18” x 24” and oil pastels are what we typically use in our dance circles. Keep water and tissues nearby so that if tears come, you do not need to leave your space to have what you need.

You may begin your dance with setting up an altar using the instructions in this booklet, lighting a candle, and/or simply writing a small intention/kavanah for yourself. Turn off your devices and set aside sacred space and time for yourself.  

Opening: Begin by resting on the floor on a blanket and gently breathing, arriving, opening and stretching. Receive yourself and the gift of this time.

As the music changes, you may simply listen or you may invite your body to respond to the music and move in ways that are safe. You are the authority - there are no steps, no shapes to take - only that which arises from within.  Optional:  For a few songs, you may want to consider these specific intentions at the beginning of the song.

If tears come, let them come. Keep listening within. Pause and rest or keep going. Sing, pray, cry, dance, draw, rest. Stay with yourself and what you need. 

When the music ends, rest and allow the experience to integrate for five to ten minutes and you may draw or journal at the end to capture your state of being at the end. 

You may close with a wish or prayer for yourself and/or for the world.

Source: Embodied Jewish Learning

Create your own playlist for your Embodied Hakarat HaTov practice using the kavanot (intentions) below, or visit this Playlist on Spotify curated by Julie: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3GES6ISbr7cprBZe1aevWE?si=da251c25398a4ca4 

Warmth of the Sun’s Rays: Begin by slowly scanning your body, and bringing your attention to all that is working, all that is well within. Use this long track as a full body warm up- moving from head to toe. You may skip ahead to the next track if desired once you feel fully warmed up.

Hallelujah: Let the harmonies and melodies open your heart. Find your own inward deepening connection - your own prayer of praise, Hallelujah-  with the music as your guide. 

Smolo (from Song of Songs 2:6-14): Allow yourself to move or rest as you desire, and imagine that you are embraced, surrounded, wrapped by Hesed, a benevolent generous energy of the universe. 

Oh, I Love You: Allow the words to come from beyond the realm of words, beyond any specific time or place. Perhaps allow this love song to be a love song you sing to yourself.

I Giorni: For this final song, follow the circular, repeating, returning melodies in stillness or movement. Allow your movements to come to stillness in your own time as you close your dance.

Source: Embodied Jewish Learning

Create your own playlist for your Embodied Rachamim practice using the kavanot (intentions) below, or visit this playlist on Spotify curated by Julie: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4a0C8o28pEvp23mseKIfza?si=22dc36cced3d4c34 

Opening: Begin your movements with lying on the floor and extending your limbs long on an inhalation, then folding into a seed shape on an exhalation. Move into your own warm-up on the floor or move slowly toward sitting and/or standing. Pay extra attention to your rib basket, shoulders and the spaces at the front and back of your heart as you warm up your body.

Mi Ma’Amakim: “From the depths I call out to you,” Psalm 130. When we are in pain or heartbreak, we can ask for help. Let your dance for this song be your prayer. 

Broken Hearted Psalm: “ Who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. God counts the number of the stars; God calls them all by name,” Psalm 147: 3-4. Invite and welcome all parts of your heart in your dance. Softening to ourselves involves opening to our whole heart - including pain and suffering. An open heart is an open heart; we open to all parts of ourselves to meet ourselves fully.

Dietro Casa: For the final song, take in the beauty of this song in stillness or movement. Allow your movements to come to stillness in your own time as you close your dance.

Source: Embodied Jewish Learning

Music is a powerful tool for healing. You can select one song, such as Laura’s original Mi Shebeirach prayer above, for your ritual, and/or you can listen and move to one of these playlists below, or create your own. 

The songs in these playlists have been selected to support exploration of the two middot (soul traits) this booklet explores: Rachamim (Compassion) and Hakarat HaTov (Looking For the Good). As the songs flow in the sequence provided, the music often builds from restful and quiet to active and upbeat, then back to melodies that support coming to stillness and resting again.  

In creating your own embodied healing rituals with music playlists, you may use a template that flows in this way, but there are so many ways to create playlists to support self-contact, self-compassion and healing. Sometimes we need to listen to restful melodies and let them wash over us, or sometimes we need to just dance it out with a song or two. Sometimes words are helpful and affirming, and sometimes we need only instrumental songs so that our own prayers can flow forth with ease.

Clear a space for movement, and set up a mat and a blanket or two upon the floor for resting as you desire. Have a journal and/or drawing materials. Large newsprint paper measuring 18” x 24” and oil pastels are what we typically use in our dance circles. Keep water and tissues nearby so that if tears come, you do not need to leave your space to have what you need.

You may begin your dance with setting up an altar using the instructions in this booklet, lighting a candle, and/or simply writing a small intention/kavanah for yourself. Turn off your devices and set aside sacred space and time for yourself.  

Opening: Begin by resting on the floor on a blanket and gently breathing, arriving, opening and stretching. Receive yourself and the gift of this time.

As the music changes, you may simply listen or you may invite your body to respond to the music and move in ways that are safe. You are the authority - there are no steps, no shapes to take - only that which arises from within. Optional: For a few songs, you may want to consider these specific intentions at the beginning of the song.

If tears come, let them come. Keep listening within. Pause and rest or keep going. Sing, pray, cry, dance, draw, rest. Stay with yourself and what you need. 

When the music ends, rest and allow the experience to integrate for five to ten minutes and you may draw or journal at the end to capture your state of being at the end. 

You may close with a wish or prayer for yourself and/or for the world.

Published by Recustom in collaboration with Embodied Jewish Learning. All content created by Laura Hegfield and Julie Emden of the Embodied Jewish Wisdom Network, except where otherwise noted. All contributions from Laura Hegfield are copyrighted and shared with the author’s permission.

Create your own playlist for your Embodied Rachamim practice using the kavanot (intentions) below, or visit this playlist on Spotify curated by Julie: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4a0C8o28pEvp23mseKIfza?si=22dc36cced3d4c34 

Opening: Begin your movements with lying on the floor and extending your limbs long on an inhalation, then folding into a seed shape on an exhalation. Move into your own warm-up on the floor or move slowly toward sitting and/or standing. Pay extra attention to your rib basket, shoulders and the spaces at the front and back of your heart as you warm up your body.

Mi Ma’Amakim: “From the depths I call out to you,” Psalm 130. When we are in pain or heartbreak, we can ask for help. Let your dance for this song be your prayer. 

Broken Hearted Psalm: “ Who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. God counts the number of the stars; God calls them all by name,” Psalm 147: 3-4. Invite and welcome all parts of your heart in your dance. Softening to ourselves involves opening to our whole heart - including pain and suffering. An open heart is an open heart; we open to all parts of ourselves to meet ourselves fully.

Dietro Casa: For the final song, take in the beauty of this song in stillness or movement. Allow your movements to come to stillness in your own time as you close your dance.

Published by Recustom in collaboration with Embodied Jewish Learning. All content created by Laura Hegfield and Julie Emden of the Embodied Jewish Wisdom Network, except where otherwise noted. All contributions from Laura Hegfield are copyrighted and shared with the author’s permission.

Create your own playlist for your Embodied Hakarat HaTov practice using the kavanot (intentions) below, or visit this Playlist on Spotify curated by Julie: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3GES6ISbr7cprBZe1aevWE?si=da251c25398a4ca4 

Warmth of the Sun’s Rays: Begin by slowly scanning your body, and bringing your attention to all that is working, all that is well within. Use this long track as a full body warm up- moving from head to toe. You may skip ahead to the next track if desired once you feel fully warmed up.

Hallelujah: Let the harmonies and melodies open your heart. Find your own inward deepening connection - your own prayer of praise, Hallelujah- with the music as your guide. 

Smolo (from Song of Songs 2:6-14): Allow yourself to move or rest as you desire, and imagine that you are embraced, surrounded, wrapped by Hesed, a benevolent generous energy of the universe. 

Oh, I Love You: Allow the words to come from beyond the realm of words, beyond any specific time or place. Perhaps allow this love song to be a love song you sing to yourself.

I Giorni: For this final song, follow the circular, repeating, returning melodies in stillness or movement. Allow your movements to come to stillness in your own time as you close your dance.

Published by Recustom in collaboration with Embodied Jewish Learning. All content created by Laura Hegfield and Julie Emden of the Embodied Jewish Wisdom Network, except where otherwise noted. All contributions from Laura Hegfield are copyrighted and shared with the author’s permission.