Community Partners, Emotional Balance, Health Care Practitioners, Hospital & Hospice
Healthcare Musician Calms with Music & Aromatherapy
By Caryn Gehlmann
It’s amazing what happens when you combine music and aromatherapy to create moments of pure tranquility. I’m thrilled to introduce you to Celia Canty, a Certified Healthcare Musician and Providence Hospice Harpist. Celia came into our store recently and played the harp for us and it was magical! I wanted to share this experience with my e3 community so we’re planning a class to explore the restorative power of music and aromatherapy (more on that below). Enjoy this interview with Celia on how she came to be a healthcare musician and how she combines music and aromatherapy in her work.
Tell me a little bit about your background and your work.
Music has been my life’s calling since I first started playing piano at age five. I’ve been very blessed to be able to share my music with others since college, whether it be as a public school & university music educator, youth chorus conductor, community choral conductor, special event performer, harp teacher, or hospice harpist. (You can read more on my website, www.heavenlyharps.com.)
One Christmas Eve I fell and seriously damaged my knee and had to go to the emergency room at Maui Memorial Hospital. I was so touched at the tireless work of all who assisted me, that I wanted to give back and found a way to do so: by volunteering to play harp monthly in the Pacific Cancer Center at Maui Memorial Hospital. It became one of the most meaningful music-making opportunities for me! I became further blessed by this opportunity as it opened the door for me to play for Providence Hospice here in Southern Oregon/Rogue Valley area, which I continue to do since joining with them fall of 2013. In my harp playing for hospice, I found it creates a calming environment in homes and hospitals for patients, families, visitors, caregivers, just about everyone within earshot, including animals.
When and how were you introduced to essential oils?
Primarily, I was introduced to essential oils when I first moved to Ashland several years ago and sought out an acupuncturist. She was trained in AromaAcupoint Therapy and applied the oils to certain Chinese acupuncture points, often instead of needles, and they made such a profound difference in the treatment that I was keen to learn more.
How do you use essential oils professionally and/or personally?
I use essential oils personally to add to a self-care regimen and for relaxation. Professionally, I blend music and aromatherapy within a Music Spa™ experience I have designed to appeal to the five senses. They work beautifully in this regard.
Do you have a favorite essential oil blend, recipe or application you can share?
I enjoy a blend I learned from a colleague that represents the qualities one looks for at ThanksGiving:
- Gratitude: Black Spruce
- Community: Cardamom
- Faith: Frankincense
- Healing: Myrrh
- Love: Rose
How did you connect with Caryn and Essential 3?
In doing some research online, Essential 3’s website came up and I was so struck with the detailed answer to my research I wondered where this company was located and lo and behold, it was a 541 area code. “That’s my area code!” It took me another year, but it was the “right time” and I landed in the store itself and was totally delighted to meet Caryn and Denise.
Tell us about the class you’re planning with Essential 3.
I’m really looking forward to the class Caryn and I are hosting this month, Harmony for your Senses – Discover Tranquility by Combining Music & Aromatherapy. This class is designed to offer moments of comfort to those dealing with feelings of overwhelm or stress. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, patient, caregiver or health-care professional, dealing with daily challenges can be taxing to your senses. Caryn and I will explore the restorative capacity of music in conjunction with aromatherapy.
Thanks, Celia for sharing your experience with combining music and aromatherapy. Would you like to explore this magical combination? Join us on February 22nd or 24th for our class, Harmony for your Senses – Discover Tranquility by Combining Music & Aromatherapy. Please feel free to invite a friend, colleague, or loved one who needs a little extra comfort, you get a discount and you both enjoy a relaxing experience that will teach you how to find tranquility when you need it most.