Learn to integrate ceremonial Native American style flute playing with your current offerings. 

My Story

I can remember the moment I felt like I was finally in my element as a ceremonial flute player.  

Several years ago I attended a retreat at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona. It was a SoulCollage® retreat and we were in great hands with Kat Kirby, a long-time masterful facilitator and trainer, as our leader. Kat gave us directions, and a dozen ladies went right to it, seated in small groups around tables all around the room. Sometimes we created our cards in silence, and sometimes Kat played her awesome playlist for us softly.

On day one, I started wondering why I was at this retreat, what was it I was really looking for, and why were we making cards. In a sense, it was good going into SoulCollage® with no idea of what it was. I knew I was searching for something or missing something as I was still not feeling 100% in my purpose in my life. I hoped this retreat could give me some glimpses of what was “mine” to do and how I could be of service to the world.

Taking a walk at lunchtime, I noticed there was a labyrinth on the retreat grounds. I recalled when I first encountered the labyrinth and had my first walk at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, AZ in 2018 on a personal vision quest. 

Now, at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, there was another labyrinth. I wondered if Kat had on our retreat schedule to take a labyrinth walk. When I asked Kat about it, she said we were welcome to take a walk. I felt the spark within.

A couple of my flutes were with me. I just about always bring flutes with me for such potential opportunities! I offered Kat that I could play flute for the group as they walked the labyrinth. The opportunity had indeed presented itself! 

Kat mentioned it to the group and let them know the next day I would play for whoever wanted to walk the labyrinth as a group after lunch. Some were interested, and some were so beautifully immersed in their SoulCollage® projects, that they wanted to just stay in the room.

At the labyrinth walk, I paced my playing to support peace and tranquility. 100% improvised and 100% present for the ladies in the moment. Playing very simply, and with many silences between breaths, the flute played through me. The labyrinth walkers appeared to be in a deep inner process.

I stayed in my heart, being in service to the moment. 

One of the retreat participants, Connie, had become my new friend. After Connie finished her walk, she walked over to me. I felt "seen" by Connie. 

Connie spoke directly to my soul and said, “That is why you’re here.” She knew I had been struggling with being homesick for my children and friends back in the Northeast.

Connie's words echoed in my ear and have become a guiding light for me. She gave me the glimpse I was looking for at this retreat.

That moment was a turning point. As life goes on, I can see the magnitude of its influence my life.

Since then, I have pursued opportunities to be of service in this way again and again. Guided labyrinth walks became a new path for me to offer ceremonial playing on the Native American style flute. My role is to be a hollow bone intuitively led as the tones come through, playing slowly and with soft eyes, providing a sound environment that helps people go deeper into their inner experience.

 "At our creativity retreat in Carefree, Arizona, Ami treated us to ceremonial music as we walked the labyrinth. It added an extra layer of spirituality and sacredness to our group walk, and we all appreciated her Native American Flute." 

- Kat Kirby, Retreat Leader

"While attending the Veriditas workshop, I learned how the labyrinth walking experience can be beautifully enhanced with sound…not just any sound, but a Native flute. Ami blessed us with her playing her flute while we walked the labyrinth. Such a lovely way to experience a Labyrinth walk. I will always treasure the experience."

- Sharon A.

"The flute in my walk helped me stay grounded in my journey on my path. It also helped me to maintain my flow of breath. I appreciate the offering of the flute during the labyrinth walk each day during the Veriditas Labyrinth Summer School."

- Onyinyechi Ibeabuchi

“As I walked the labyrinth, I felt the notes from the flute resonate with my heart, and provide an unexpected invitation to breathe and, in return, to be."

- Kathy C.

Ami Sarasvati

This is a picture of a SoulCollage® card I made at the retreat led by Kat Kirby at Spirit of the Desert Retreat Center, in Carefee AZ. On this card, I see a classical music sheet in the background. In front is a round pendant that appears to have exotic symbols within a sacred geometry shape. It looks like Sanskrit symbols. The symbols invite me into an ancient world of healing sounds and temple ceremonies. 

My inner voice whispers and reminds me that there is a revival of sacred sound being offered locally by practitioners transforming their practice by infusing it with live healing sounds. 

The beautiful abalone stone on the bottom adorns the pendant well. 

As a child, I played piano. A systematic and disciplined approach has tremendous value and yet, as the test of time reveals, simple instruments played in ceremony are still, and will forever be, a very easy way to access the healing power of sound. 

What was the teaching of this card for me ?

We don’t need to be orchestral-level musicians to bring the many benefits that come from the healing power of sound. The beautiful voice of the Native American style flute is an ideal instrument for this work.

This was another one of my SoulCollage® cards I made. This card celebrates one of my power animals which is a lizard. My husband jokes with me that I’m the "lizard whisperer." I earned my reputation when we were out for a casual hike in AZ. We were in this little sandy area under a canopy of trees providing wonderful shade. I started to play flute and a little lizard immediately showed up about 2 feet away. He just stayed there with his lightning-fast twitchy moves, looking this way and that. Then he settled down, crossed his front arms, and closed his tiny eyes while I played. I played for a good long time and when I finished, he disappeared back into the wild as lightning-fast as he had arrived. Nature is miraculous! I could not have planned that encounter in a million years. 

Testimonials from Students

Sharon S.

"Ami is so encouraging and supportive. Ami also is able to balance the right amount of information and techniques without overloading - which means that my ability to absorb the teaching is always kept within reach. I love the perspective she comes from which includes so much space to explore the instrument and grow the relationship with it and the music."
 

Carlos P.
"Ami is a phenomenal teacher who really tailors her lessons to my needs. Her instructions are clear and concise and her energy is incredibly beautiful, reassuring, and calming. I look forward to my weekly lessons with her and continued progress with my Native American Flute. Highly recommend - A+!!"

Benny S.
"Ami is a wonderful instructor. She makes you feel empowered as you are learning and meets you where you are. Ami's passion for the flute is excitable and inspiring - Makes me want to play more."

Brad W.
"Clear and very helpful instruction. Fantastic teacher!"

See many more testimonials on Ami's Lessonface page.

Ami Sarasvati

Ami Sarasvati is your instructor and trail guide for this journey. Ami is a Certified Music Practitioner (CMP), Labyrinth Facilitator, Retreat Leader, author of several books on the Native American style flute, and active teacher on Lessonface.com. She is trained through Music for People, Music for Healing and Transition Program, and Veriditas.

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Do you see the flute forest in the background? You too can grow a modest flute forest as you step into the role of a ceremonial flute player. Recommendations will be given to grow your forest.