Finding My Voice: A Journey Beyond Fear

I’ve just returned from a weekend at Kripalu Yoga Center, where I took part in a workshop called Find Your Own Natural Singing Voice with Claude Stein.

I wanted to share a little about the experience because it reinforced something I’ve come to understand through my own work as a yoga therapist—healing isn’t one-dimensional. There are many ways in.

Public speaking has always been a challenge for me. While most people see me guiding classes or workshops with ease, what they don’t see are the moments before—when the nerves set in, when my mind starts racing, and self-doubt creeps in. Anxiety and fear of speaking in front of others have been a long-standing struggle, but over the years, I’ve found ways to navigate them through yoga, meditation, movement, and breath. These practices have been invaluable, and they’re what I share with others.

Yet, healing is an ongoing journey. I’m always exploring new ways to step into the spaces that still feel uncomfortable, to soften the edges of fear, and to grow through the experience.

That’s what drew me to this workshop. I’ve never considered myself a singer, but Claude’s approach is that you don’t need to be one. It’s about using your voice—not just for singing, but for confidence, expression, and releasing whatever might be held inside.

It was a deeply vulnerable experience. Standing in front of a room full of people and allowing my voice to come through—without control, without trying to get it ‘right’—was terrifying at first. But something shifted. The more I let go of expectation, the more I found ease. And, unexpectedly, grief surfaced. I hadn’t realized how much emotion I was still carrying, or how sound could be such a powerful way to release it.

One verse we sang stayed with me:

"How can anyone ever tell you that you are anything less than beautiful?
How can anyone ever tell you that your singing is anything less than a miracle?
How can you fail to notice how deeply connected you are to your soul?"

These words really sank in. So much of what holds us back—whether it’s fear, self-doubt, or old stories about our abilities—isn’t actually true. We are always more capable, more connected, and more whole than we realize.

This experience reminded me that there’s no single path to healing. We need different tools at different times—whether it’s yoga, creativity, movement, sound, or simply being in nature. That’s why I love weaving these approaches together in my own work, helping others find what resonates for them.

Claude has a unique way of teaching—encouraging yet direct, with a good sense of humor. He created an environment where we felt safe enough to take risks, to waver, to step beyond what felt comfortable. And in doing so, I discovered something new in myself.

I left feeling lighter, clearer, and even more certain that healing is about having a range of tools to turn to—not just one.

If this resonates with you, maybe it’s an invitation to explore something new for yourself. You never know what might open up.

With love,
Natasha