SPOTLIGHT: Christina Ifurung is an Filipina entrepreneur that heals through sound baths

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Local entrepreneur heals through sound baths

Music is an universal language. Tapping to a beat is contagious. How can we take that energy and turn it into a healing force?

With the combination of energy, sound, and vibrations, Filipina American Christina Ifurung offers a way to heal oneself through sound baths. It is a time to surrender, receive, and heal—a theme she shares often on her Instagram @christina.ifurung.

“Music has always been a vital part of my life. Growing up, I remember karaoke nights with my family,” said Ifurung, 37. “My parents would blast 70s and 80s Rhythms and Blues (music) throughout the house. There was something so special about a beat connected to my soul.”

Kapwa Healing

“I named my energy medicine practice, Kapwa (derived from the word, Pakikipagkapwa) because my ultimate mission is to bring in the sacredness of ONENESS,” she said.

“In the practice I share, either in a one-to-one experience or as a group, my hope is to provide someone a safe space to see themselves and explore their truth and life journey, so that we can group into compassion for one another. Healed people heal people. Before you rule out if this practice is for you, I invite you to connect with me first and draw in your childlike wonder to ask questions.”

Roots of her Journey

Ifurrung’s journey started with honoring her ancestors. In a dream, her grandmother revealed that this is the journey she should follow to heal herself, her family, and community. Already practicing as a registered nurse, this vivacious woman deep dived into learning more about sound baths. To gain insight, she shared her dreams with her family, and her husband purchased her first crystal sound bowl.

“I cried when it arrived. The first time I played the bowl, it literally struck a chord in my heart that pulled me in,” she said. “I fell in love with its frequency, its power and compassion it vibrated with one strike and sound.”

Collaboration with the Filipino Community

For the past year, Ifurung has hosted several hour-long sessions throughout Denver, collaborating with organizations such as the Filipino American Community Center.

Last October, designated as Filipino American Heritage Month, organizer Domingo Belen invited Ifurung to host a session which was attended by young adults and youth.

Belen admitted he is not a religious or spiritual man but found the group session calming and revelatory in a

vision about his father.

“When she started the “healing sounds” using the bowls, I found myself really tightening up. I just did not want to release myself into the moment,” he shared. “After 20 minutes, I started to let go and found the sounds mesmerizing. It was just touching parts of my inner being that I thought did not exist.”

Belen remembered a memory with his dad on a fishing trip to the North Shore— walking a makeshift trail that his dad built to get a special fishing spot.

“The session was really emotionally draining for me, but I was definitely at peace,” Belen expressed.

Caught Between Two Worlds

“Being a Filipina-American, I was always caught in the middle of not being enough—not Filipina enough, not American enough.” Ifurung said. “Until one day, I looked at myself in the mirror and understood what it meant for me to accept myself first, and to love that I experienced both sides of life.”

She shared stories from grade school when teachers attempted to correct her English. Or the times her relatives would hand over papaya soap because her skin color was too dark.

“I have the privilege of being American while submerging myself in the deep and richness of Filipinx culture,” she said. “I share this message because no matter what side you may be on, you deserve to be loved. You deserve to be seen.”

Throughout the session, Ifurung motivates loving oneself in the moment.

“Being in the limelight is not natural for (Filipinxs), yet there is always something very magnetizing about Filipinxs and their kind nature to draw others in. That is the vibe,” she said. “That is the energy. That is Kapwa.”

Sessions with Christina

Ifurung’s sanctuary is based in Centennial, where she offers one-on-one sessions. At Urban Sanctuary, a BIPOC-owned yoga studio in RiNO, she also provides a monthly session as the Kapwa facilitator. On the first Sunday of the month, Ifurung’s session costs $33. Visit www.urbansanctuary.love to sign up.

The practice of sound therapy and sound healing gives opportunities to surrender. Ifurung indicated the constant busyness of one’s life makes it difficult to heed to the sounds and vibrations in one’s daily routine. In her session, she teaches how to practice breathing and to listen to the sound bath with more intentions.

“We do not take the time to rest, and this is the opportunity to do that,” said Ifurung, who grew up in San Diego.

For group sessions, participants are welcome to bring a yoga mat, a tiny pillow and even a blanket. Participants roll out their yoga mat and get comfortable whether it is laying down or sitting up. Some repeat participants even bring an eye mask to cover their eyes as way to “be in the moment” with greater intentions.

Hypnotic, some might take a restful one-hour nap. The melodic bell sounds are soothing, calming, and enchanting all at once. Slowing down is a chance for rejuvenation, even if it’s just for one hour. It also provides an opportunity to energize oneself for more creativity or to begin the day on an uplifting note. Attendees have also brought images or objects of their dearly departed to honor them.

Photo Credit: Mary J. Schultz Misconceptions of Sound Healing

For those who are superstitious and suspicious, Ifurung challenges the critics by hoping to educate them about alter-

Photo Credit: Derrick Trujillo

native healing methods. With permission, she hopes she can open their mind up to learning.

“Many times, alternative therapies have a misconceived idea that it is “witchery” and in fact, it’s the exact opposite. So, explaining that science proves that we are all matter made of atoms and atoms are energy.” she said. “If we are all energy, there is a profound way that we respond to vibration. It’s no different when we hear a song that takes us back to a certain place and time.”

Music brings back the memories of listening to it the first time or recalling a moment with a loved one.

“Sound healing is a vibrational journey. As an energy practitioner, it is not my job to convince anyone what they should and should not believe for spirituality is very individualized and my mission is not to make them believe but to trust in what they feel.” she said. “The energy within, if they feel open to the experience, I always offer to hold a sound bath for them.”

Future events

For the third year in a row, Kapwa will co-host a spiritual weekend retreat for women at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri on April 21 to 23, 2023.

Sign up on her mailing list via her website (christinaifurung.com) to learn about upcoming sessions. Follow or connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @christina.ifurung, and reach out to her about personal and corporate private events or retreats.