Hush Hour

This is me, Alicia Ma Ri Atu Ma; the face behind Hush Hour (formerly called Earth Song Sound Healing). The second part of my name was given to me by Huna Flash ( AKA Mauta Taki), a Maori elder, in a S.E.A.L (Source Energy Ascension Light) initiation ceremony in 2022.

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Though 2023 is the 10th year since I began my exploration of therapeutic sound and its transformative potential, I’ve been a practising musician for over 30 years: a percussionist with a special interest in the music and culture of West Africa. The "Way of the Gong" may have taken me on a journey for over a decade, but - as the path to mastery never ends - I choose not to call myself Gong Master. This is not because I haven't mastered my craft, but because I sincerely believe such a title is an acknowledgement given by others rather than written on a certificate. It's also in line with the approach taken by professional West African musicians who never call themselves 'Master', but who will happily accept the title as an honour when bestowed by their contemporaries. I prefer the term ‘acoustic alchemist’: one who blends, concocts and conjures with hypnotic sounds and creative visualisations for the purpose of enhancing a sense of wellbeing.

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I make my unique guided meditations to maximise the power of the imagination, filling them with positive suggestions. These journeys are a favourite of mine because the subconscious mind can't distinguish between imagination and reality, making inner visions a potent tool for self-change. Stimulating the mind's eye also helps to balance the left and right hemispheres of the brain, improving creativity and intuition.

 

The work I do now is a natural evolution for me; coming full circle from the moment I first discovered I had healing hands, aged about 19. Now, the same hands create a sanctuary of sound to soothe mind, body and spirit.