Sitka and Stillness Collective

Sitka and Stillness is an answer to a calling: to create a sanctuary of pure somatic integrity, where resonance is more than an offering—it is a sovereign experience of homecoming.

The wind is whispering that the work we are cultivating belongs to a new kind of landscape. One that isn't bound by rigid structures, but by the heartbeat of a devotional community.

Here, we move beyond the pursuit of perfection to find something far more potent: the sincerity of the human spirit. In this space, your rest is sacred, your voice is welcome, and your presence is the medicine.

We are currently holding space for ceremonies in Victoria and Nanaimo, dedicated to bringing the medicine of stillness to communities across Vancouver Island.

About - Where Our Name Came From

The name "Sitka" comes from the Tlingit word Shi-attika, which means: "the community on the outside [seaward side] of the island".

“When you go into an ancient Sitka Spruce Forest, everything stops and is silent with infinite vitality, like a meditative trance. Still and yet a powerfully strong life force. Peaceful, comforting, protective, silent.

The big trees are regal. They block the sun. They create a special place. Few things can deter their strength and determination. Their nature is to be strong and true.

These trees are supreme and sovereign beings. They help us see how far removed from nature we have become. They are our elders. We must not forget what they know as times change.”

~ Steve Johnson

Just as the Sitka forest offers a sanctuary of infinite vitality, we have built this collective to be a modern forest for the soul. We believe that by returning to the "Stillness" of our own nature—through the vibrational technology of sound and the devotional heart of Bhakti—we can reclaim the strength and trueness that is our birthright.

About Your Practitioners

There is a specific kind of silence found beneath the canopy of a Sitka spruce—a quiet so thick it feels like a physical embrace. This is the place where our work begins.

Anne-Marie founder of Sitka & Stillness Collective, facilitating a sacred sound ceremony on Vancouver Island

Visionary/Roots (The Seed)

My path into the stillness began long before I ever played a singing bowl. It began in the rural silence of my childhood, where the wind in the trees and the 'talk' of crows formed my first understanding of resonance. For me, nature has always been a living meditation—a haven where I feel most alive, and in-tune with my inner world.

A Journey of Lineage: Since first stepping onto a yoga mat in 2003, I felt a persistent longing for something deeper than the 'busy chatter' of modern studio culture. My practice began as a means of healing and a deep journey through trauma recovery—a path that eventually led me to the abode of the Himalayas. I spent half of 2013 on a pilgrimage through Nepal, where I received my first Himalayan bowls—sacred beings that have accompanied every class I’ve taught since.

It was during these travels, and later through years of dedicated mentorship, that I deeply immersed myself in the study of Sanskrit and Mantra. I view Sanskrit as an ancient vibrational language—a precise technology of sound that clears the mental landscape and allows the nervous system to settle. For me, Mantra is not just a chant; it is a way to align the body’s internal resonance with the frequencies of the natural world. It is the bridge where the precision of sound meets the sincerity of the heart

In 2024, my studies deepened further during the sacred Chota Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage through the Himalayas in Northern India. From meditating in 8th-century temples and caves at 3,300m (10,800ft) elevation, to the Aarti ceremonies on the banks of the Ganges, these ancient landscapes taught me that all practice is a preparation for stillness.

The Alchemy of Recovery: In 2018, my life was irrevocably changed by a traumatic brain injury. In a world that suddenly felt too bright, too loud, and sensory-overloaded, I had to learn the art of 'rooting' out of necessity. Through the very tools I now share—sound meditation, Yoga Nidra, and mantra—I navigated years of cognitive therapy and found the path to settling my own shattered nervous system. This lived experience is the heartbeat of the Earth-Held Resonance methodology; it taught me that we don't need to be 'perfect' to be whole; we simply need to be present.

The Art of Holding Space: As the founder of Little Red Wolf Photography and a practitioner with over 13 years of teaching experience across multiple disciplines, my work is centered on the 'softening.'

Following the profound loss of my soul dog, Oakley, in 2025, it was once again the restorative power of ceremony, devotion, and sound meditation that brought me back to my center—and led me to meet my kindred spirit and Co-Founder, Tifannie.

In the Stillness: Today, I find my quietude in the salty ocean air and sun-warmed cedars of Vancouver Island. Whether hiking through the tall trees or playing my instruments with my adventure companion, Bodhi, at my side, I am constantly reminded that nature is the ultimate teacher of presence.

Beyond the reach of words lies a profound internal quiet and sincerity of the heart. My work is to provide the gateway to your own internal silence—guiding you back to the resonance that has always lived within you; the Anahata Nada—the 'Unstruck Sound.'

Beyond the Certifications: While my training is extensive, my truest qualification is a life lived in devotion to the 'Softening.' From the precision required in my lifelong animal advocacy and environmental stewardship to the expansive silence of Himalayan caves, my path has been a continuous study of how we hold ourselves—and one another—in the face of change. For me, ceremony is not an addition to the work; it is the work. It is the vessel through which I have navigated my own recovery and reclaimed my sense of wholeness, and it is the gift I offer to every circle we hold.

The Foundation (Anne-Marie’s Credentials)

E-RYT500hr & YACEP Designations with the Yoga Alliance
500-HR Hatha Yoga & 200-HR Thai Massage: Nepal (2013)
200-HR Ashtanga Lineage: (2022)
800-HR Advanced Mentorship: (2023-2024)
100-HR Sound Practitioner Training: (2025)
Sanskrit & Mantra Immersion: Nepal & India
Spiritual Pilgrimage: Chota Char Dham Yatra, India (2024)
Stewardship & Ritual: Deeply influenced by a veterinary medical background and a lifetime of ceremonial study.
Veterinary Medical Background: Trauma-informed somatic care

Tifannie, co-founder of Sitka & Stillness Collective, facilitating a sacred sound ceremony on Vancouver Island

Stability/Strength (The Soil).

My journey into sound and stillness began with two gifts I received in the same year: my first keyboard and my first yoga mat. Since then, music and movement have been the steady rhythm of my life. With over 800 hours of dedicated practice and years spent immersed in the world of performance—from the precision of pit bands and concert halls to the improvisational spirit of jazz—I have come to understand that sound is not just something we hear, but a powerful language for the soul. In our circles, I have moved beyond the pursuit of musical perfection to find the profound sincerity of the heart.

The Marriage of Science and Spirit: This work is deeply personal to me because, for a long time, being in my own body and mind wasn't a pleasant experience. My path toward somatic homecoming led me to the intersection of Sanskrit tradition and modern science. I found that when you marry the ancient wisdom of sound with the biological reality of the nervous system, true transformation happens. As I continue to hone my skills as a Clinical Somatic Educator, my mission is to share this gift of embodiment with others who are seeking a way out of the busy chatter of modern life and back into a state of mindful presence.

The Wisdom of Contrast: I have walked many diverse paths that have shaped my understanding of grounding. My history in high-pressure industries—including construction, demolition, and heavy equipment—provided me with a rare kind of kinesthetic intelligence. Winning two excavator rodeos wasn’t just about the machinery; it was a masterclass in performing under pressure while remaining internally relaxed and connected. This ‘industrial-strength’ grounding allows me to hold a stable container for our collective, ensuring that even in the deepest work, you are firmly held.

The Resonance of the Everyday: My favorite part of any sound meditation is that specific moment when I hear a participant’s breathing change—the subtle shift that indicates the body has finally surrendered to rest. I find that same resonance in the simple beauties of life: the little snores my dogs make while they dream, the conversation between Koshi chimes, or the chirpy beeps of a hummingbird.

Whether I am teaching a fundraising paint night, water coloring, or hiking with my dogs, I strive to live by the two truths that guide my practice: A walk always helps, and don’t rush.

The Foundation (Tifannie’s Credentials)

Clinical Somatic Educator Professional Training and Certification Program (Candidate): Home Body Healing
NCSO (National Construction Safety Officer): Alberta ACSA
Psychological First Aid: Johns Hopkins University
The Science of Well-Being: Yale University
Connected Leadership: Yale University
Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress: Yale University

About Our Instruments

Our Instruments: The Heart of the Earth-Held Resonance (EHR)

At the Sitka and Stillness Collective, the quality of our instruments is the foundation of our therapeutic experience. We require frequency purity and tools that embody integrity to deliver true, deep rest.

Somatic sound meditation instruments including large Chau and Tone of Life gongs and crystal tones alchemy bowls in a Nanaimo sanctuary

Our Sitka and Stillness Instrument Integrity Standard

In a market saturated with cheap, mass-produced instruments, we stand by a stringent Instrument Integrity Standard. We use only high-grade, authentic tools for a therapeutic experience.

Our commitment means:

Purity Matters: We eliminate the risk of erratic, dissonant overtones, ensuring a coherent and supportive vibrational field for somatic integration.
The Guide of Sound: We ensure the tone is pure and profound enough to lead you into a state where the instruction is intuition.
Ethical Sourcing: We align with our core value of Reciprocity by sourcing from trusted producers who maintain high standards of artisanal craftsmanship.

When you join a Sound Meditation Journey with the Sitka and Stillness Collective, you are resting in a vibration crafted for true, lasting transformation.

The Foundation of Resonance: Alchemy Bowls and Anchors

Let us introduce our sets of genuine Crystal Tones Alchemy Bowls—artisanal healing instruments created by fusing 99.99% pure quartz crystal with precious minerals and rare earth elements.

The Signature Experience: The Oracle of Sound

One of the most profound elements of our sound practice is the intuitive playing of the complete set of Alchemy Bowls by both guides. This unified experience is what we call The Oracle of Sound. In this moment, our human intention dissolves, and we allow the collective resonance of the bowls to become the single guide for the session. Listening is the guide. This creates a powerful, whole-bodied vibrational field for you to rest within.

Specialized Alchemy Groupings

Our complete set of Alchemy Bowls is organized into distinct groupings to facilitate specific journeys of restoration:

The Sun-Set: Bowls crafted to embody warmth and illumination, paired with our large, traditional Himalayan Singing Bowl (details coming soon). This grouping serves as our primary grounding anchor, stabilizing the nervous system and supporting a sense of deep physical connection.
The Ocean-Set: A flow-focused grouping featuring elements like Tesseract Salt, Larimar, Super 7, and Platinum. These bowls hold the crystalline essence of the sea, inviting the body into a state of fluid release, emotional processing, and restful ease.
Practitioner Bowls: Our specialized, mobile bowls are used for localized energetic clearing and to fully immerse the client in resonance, guiding the body into a state where listening is the guide.

Pure Frequency & Vibrational Alchemy

The advanced crafting of these instruments provides two critical advantages: Pure Frequency (ensuring stable frequencies scientifically guide the brain and body into theta and delta states) and Vibrational Alchemy (enhancing specific intentions with the infusion of rare elements).

The Melodic Container: Harmoniums and Lineage

Our harmoniums are used primarily for vocal accompaniment during mantra, ceremonial opening/closing, and melodic structure during integration. Their significance lies not only in their sound quality but in the deep lineage and intention they carry.

"Durga" The Legacy Harmonium (Anne-Marie's): This limited-edition harmonium, sourced from India by a revered mentor, is exquisitely finished in Himalayan Pine wood. It was named "Durga" by the maker—a rare act symbolizing the instrument's deep heart, soul, and power. It represents the integrity of our teaching lineage and the steadfast feminine power that holds our space.
"Ganga" The Pilgrimage Harmonium (Tifannie's): Hand-picked by Anne-Marie from Rikhi Ram, a third-generation maker connected to music legends like Ravi Shankar and The Beatles. This harmonium gained profound resonance as it traveled with Anne-Marie through the Himalayan Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage.
These, along with Anne-Marie's accompanying Shruti Box (also from Rikhi Ram), embodies the journey of devotion and the melodic structure of spiritual integration.

The Resonance Anchors: Our Gongs

Our gongs provide the necessary depth and grounding to hold the vast container of the Earth-Held Resonance. We select gongs that balance deep grounding with expansive, celestial harmonics.

Atlantis Chau Gong: This gong is a gift of deep underwater wisdom. Its unique tone and visual appearance come from the bronze being mixed with seawater, salt, and heat during its creation. It acts as a profound anchor, creating a three-dimensional soundscape that invites remembrance, oceanic depth, and the expansive feeling of being among the celestial field.
Tone of Life Dance Gong: This smaller, highly responsive accent gong embodies the bright, warmth, and heart-felt joy of a sparkling, fiery sunset. This creates an immensely profound and vital experience. Its handheld design allows our guides to move resonance directly through the space and over individuals, elevating the collective field and facilitating localized energetic release.
The Eventual Horizon Chau Gong: Approaching the center of absolute zero—the point where all motion settles into unity—you find yourself at the Eventual Horizon. This gong represents the spatial moment just beyond the edge of the known, where the reverberations of the universe meet you in a wave field of light and shadow. Its voice is one of profound balance. The deep tones are designed to be a welcoming back to the union of all things, aiding in the deep integration of spiritual and emotional inquiry.

The Crystalline Detail: Koshi Chimes

Hand-made at the foot of the Pyrenean mountains, Koshi Chimes provide the ethereal, crystalline texture used for subtle detail work and gentle transitions. We integrate the four elemental melodies—Terra (Earth), Aqua (Water), Aria (Air), and Ignis (Fire)—in harmony.

Rhythmic Integration: The Tongue Drum

In the Earth-Held Resonance practice, the tongue drum serves as the bridge between shadow and light. Tuned to the D Kurd natural minor—a scale that breathes between soulful melancholy and a sudden, hopeful cheer—this drum carries a profound legacy of service.

Before finding its way to our collective, this instrument was used as a therapeutic tool for those navigating physical and cognitive barriers. It arrives in our space already seasoned in the art of compassion, its metal tongues vibrating with a gentle, inclusive frequency that mirrors the depth of a rainy forest morning. We use this drum to reach the places where words often fail, providing a rhythmic heartbeat to the stillness and a reminder that sound is a universal language of healing.

The Souls & The Sound

The Earth-Held Resonance experience is guided by the shared vision of Anne-Marie and Tifannie. Together, we bridge years of yogic study and somatic wisdom to act as the "holders" of your journey—moving beyond performance to facilitate a true state of grounded presence.

We are supported in this work by a curated temple of sound, including the primal depth of Chau and Tone of Life gongs, the high-frequency purity of Alchemy Crystal bowls, and the ancient resonance of Mantra and the human voice. Each instrument is chosen not just for its beauty, but for its ability to speak directly to the nervous system, helping you transition from the noise of the world to the stillness within.

Join Us in Shared Resonance