Ruta Yawney's face takes on a serene expression when she holds the Ukrainian bandura in her arms. She gracefully plucks the strings and music begins to flow. This instrument is her anchor, she says, and it has been in her life for 35 years. It also helped her discover her calling. "When somebody asks me about my life's purpose, I would say it's being a catalyst for healing, growth and transformation. It is a privilege to witness such beauty, joy and meaning," says Ruta who has incorporated music's healing power into her career as a counsellor.
On Saturday, February 9, from 10 a.m. to noon, she plans to give a workshop on Bowen Island titled Finding Your Anchor: An Empowering Women's Circle.
To give an example of the power of music, Ruta tells the story of a client who was battling addiction. He was taking part in therapy in a group setting where he had been asked to listen to the music. He was asked to imagine himself walking in an open space and seeing someone approach who loves him. "Most people see the spirits of their grandparents or they see their children or even pets," Ruta recalls. "But after the music was finished and I asked this man to share, he told me that the person he saw walking towards him was himself in a healed state." This story is one of many that have confirmed Ruta's belief in the power of music.
"This man created a new way of being and could envision himself in a healed place," she said. "I was there as a facilitator. Therapy is about bringing out what is within people and I feel that this is very powerful work."
"I started music when I was 11," Ruta said. The bandura was her first instrument and it has been with her through the years. "I use it as the symbol to show [my clients] who I am and what inspires me," she says. "And I encourage them to find out what inspires them."
Ruta's practice includes self-reflection with music. "When you pair music with self reflection, imagination can be the direct vehicle to your intuitive self," she says, explaining that she is looking for symbols and metaphors and calls it the "message in the music."
In a guided imagery session with music, people are invited to express what images come to them and Ruta believes that they reflect messages and insights about what's going on in their lives. "It's the intuitive self that is speaking," she says. "The music is a tool to get you out of your head. When you are in your head, you are anxious. But when you go into your heart and access your intuitive self, there is this rich place - it never lets you down."
Ruta is looking forward to the women's workshop. "There is something special about women gathering, it is very powerful," she said.
"In my experience women have this great capacity to connect," she says adding that she found a quote by Mother Teresa that says, "There is more hunger in the world for connection and love than for bread on the table."
The group will have a minimum of eight and a maximum of 12 participants. Ruta has set these numbers from experience. "You need eight to create a group dynamic and you don't want too many because you need to have the time for everyone to share their story."
Ruta believes that everyone has a story, and the workshop format is designed to draw them out. "I believe that the women who come into those circles are meant to be there. I trust that everyone has something to share and when we share our stories, they become healing stories for all of us. By sharing our stories, we feel less isolated," she said.
Ruta comes from a large family. "I have eight sisters and grew up with a lot of gathering times," she says. "I always say that I come by being a counsellor honestly and naturally."
She has been working with clients of all ages, men and women, teenagers and seniors but for her workshops, she specifically invites women who are 40 or older. "They tend to look for reflection and definition in their lives," she said, adding that in her practice in West Vancouver, the majority of her clients are women and she enjoys working with them.
A long-time Bowen Island resident, Ruta says, "I wanted to bring the workshop to Bowen to let people know what I am doing," she said, adding that she created a new way of being for herself. On Bowen Island, people tend to know her as a mother and a musician.
She sang with Nota Bene for 12 years, worked as the minister of music at the Little Red Church for five years, was active in coffee houses and musical events and held both of her CD release concerts (in 2001 and 2006) on the island.
She also taught music, first at the Tiggywinkles Preschool, then at the Bowen Island Community School.
"I left my position at the church in 2008 and went back for a masters program in arts counselling and psychology," she said.
Ruta is a clinical counsellor and is a member of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (RCC) and a Fellow of the Association for Music & Imagery (FAMI).
"I call [my practice] music-assisted psychotherapy. Music is one of my most powerful tools that gives me a way to connect with people. There is no faster way to get to the heart of people's stories than by involving music - it really is lovely work," she explained.
Registration for the workshop is$50. Please register before February [email protected] call (604) 928-0883.
