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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - George is fast becoming one of the world's most desirable cities in which to live - attracting a high calibre of international celebrities from all walks of life.
Latest newcomers to the Garden Route include world-renowned Chinese gong musician, Yin Xiong, and her retired diplomat husband, Ismail Rahman, who have recently settled in Fernridge.
Yin (63), who has over three decades of experience as a holistic sound artist, uses an array of gongs, bells, string instruments and wind instruments to create a harmonious symphony of sounds to guide participants into a state of deep relaxation.
"Sound meditation and healing have ancient roots in many cultures and religions. In today's fast-paced world, and especially after the Covid pandemic, this practice is enjoying a global resurgence," says Yin.
Having trained in China, India, the United Kingdom and the United States, Yin is unique in that she specialises in gongs and bells, using her knowledge of sound frequencies to create a spectrum of vibrating sounds that are therapeutic to body, mind and soul.
"Throughout history, gongs and bells have served as sacred tools of worship, but their vibrational sounds go far beyond music appreciation. Divine sound has the power to connect humans with their highest consciousness and assist in one's self-healing process," she says.
Although the gong is strongly associated with China, ancient records suggest that the instrument originated in Central Asia. And while gongs are often perceived as loud percussion instruments, Yin strikes her gongs gently in her "Opera of Sounds" so that they vibrate at different frequencies, producing soothing, resonant tones.
"Not everyone who takes part in sound healing needs medical treatment. In most cases, it improves sleep quality and increases the feeling of well-being," says Yin.
Born in Wuhan, China, Yin has 'always been in love with music' and has been singing all her life. She is a founder member of the world movement of sound music facilitators and has travelled throughout the US, UK, Europe, Middle East and Far East to perform and teach gong culture and sound music.
VIDEO: Yin Xiong relates her experience with gong healing of vertigo in Saudi Arabia
Throughout her travels she has accumulated over 70 magnificent gongs and bells from all over the world, making this the largest private collection in Africa. Her most prized possession is a nickel silver gong, measuring about 1,5 metres in diameter, which was crafted by a gong master in Germany.
Yin met her husband, Ismail, in Maputo where she ran a Holistic Resonance Centre and he served as Mozambique's ambassador to China.
"We had both visited the Garden Route many times before and we were attracted to the powerful and silent energy of the Outeniqua Mountains. This is what makes George such a sacred place and this is why we chose to make this our permanent home. The majestic mountains are my daily inspiration," says Yin.
This short film on gong therapy will be available online until 4 July.
