Ceremonial Musician  ·  Vocal Guide  ·  Medicine Woman

Colibri
Heartsong

When you find your voice,
you find yourself.

"When we know our voice, we know ourself —
and we lead from sovereignty."

Helen Pickles

Helen Pickles

My Story

Living with freedom, health and grace begins with self expression.

Throughout human history, we have shared the core need and desire to be seen and heard. To leave a mark of who we are as a legacy.

My gift is facilitating others to free themselves through vocal and musical expression. It is such a pleasure for me to create safe, beautiful and fun environments where people can release, express and enjoy their unique sound.

My journey started as a little girl who was naturally drawn to music and creation. I remember sitting alongside my dad by the piano and getting lost in the endless tunes we could replicate and create.

I went down the classical route of learning the piano and used to love finding the sweet spot of learning pieces as well as I could and then surrendering to the moment to allow it to play itself.

I grew jaded with the linear method of learning music and the striving for the next grade. During my twenties I lost my connection to creativity and expression in an attempt to fit in. This resulted in periods of internal suffering and an eating disorder.

I found yoga by chance and it opened me to devotional bhakti chanting. This was the first time I had experienced music in a whole new way: as a means to open my heart and get in contact with the divine.

Explorations with music deepened further as I discovered the world of plant medicine in Peru. This opened my mind further to the healing power of music and how we can free ourselves across all aspects of life simply by allowing sound to move through us.

For the last 3 years, I have worked as a vocal activation coach, ceremonial musician and retreat facilitator. Through this work, I have found that vocal activation supports psychedelic integration, accompanies any other therapeutic work, and enables those who feel things very strongly to access a channel of release and creativity.

As a human, I am constantly evolving. But here are some core things I have learned and live by:

  • Singing is our birthright and EVERYONE can sing
  • There is no 'right' way to sing
  • It is imperative to 'run the dirty tap water' — aka allow yourself to be a little messy — in the beginning stages of exploring your vocal expression
  • Expression is the best antidote to depression
  • Beauty ironically comes from your most authentic, imperfect expression
  • Feelings want to be felt, moved and made into magic!

We all deserve to feel free and turn our difficulties into gold through the most sacred channel of music!

I look forward to singing with you,
Helen xxx

Lineage & Training

  • 2 years holding kirtan, song circles and cacao ceremonies
  • 2 years facilitating ayahuasca and huachuma ceremonies
  • 200 hr yoga teacher training
  • 3 years of plant dietas, Shipibo lineage — Maestra Ynes Sanchez, niwe rao xobo (Pucallpa) · Maestro Ricardo Amaringo, nihue rao (Iquitos)

Work Together

RELEASE

A 6-week 1:1 journey exploring voice, self-expression and authenticity.

Through breath, sound, movement, vocal exploration and creative practices, we'll explore the patterns that may be holding your expression back and create more freedom, confidence and connection with your voice.

  • 6 weekly 1:1 sessions, delivered via video call
  • Personalised practices
  • Space for exploration
  • Continued support via WhatsApp
  • Regularly set activities to ground into a vocal practice and explore your expression from home
Explore RELEASE
Helen Pickles playing guitar and singing

On the work

Run the dirty
tap water.

There is a moment before clarity where everything is murky. Where the sounds that come out are strange, or ugly, or embarrassing. Where the voice cracks, or refuses, or says something you didn't expect.

This is the work. Not the polished note. Not the correct technique. The running of the dirty tap water until it runs clean.

"It's not just about the voice. It's everything — somatics, inner child work, all the stuff I've really done to be here. I'm constantly doing it and constantly learning."

My approach moves through ceremony, body movement, improvisation, and permission — permission to be imperfect, to be ugly, to be too loud, to take up space. What tends to come up is almost always the same: I'm not good enough. What moves through is always different.

The voice isn't broken. It's been waiting.

Listen

In my own
words.

I joined the SolSeed Podcast to talk about singing, medicine, the eating disorder that started it all, and what it means to lead from your voice. It's the most honest introduction to who I am and what I offer.

SolSeed Podcast Ep. 03 — Singing as Healing with Helen Pickles
Singing as Healing — SolSeed Podcast Ep. 03 Watch on YouTube

"The body is a sound machine. We're allowing sound to come out — and we're allowing spirit to come through."

Helen Pickles

"I just want my life to be like a musical. And it is. It's this beautiful musical — and I'm still going through the challenges."

Helen Pickles

"Music is a bridge — the language of life. It doesn't even have to be words."

Helen Pickles

Watch

Singing amongst the sacred Apus* above the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru.

This area holds great significance for the local Quechua people of the Andes. I was lucky enough to take a trip up to the mountains above the Sacred Valley and offer up some songs to the mountains and their beautiful people. The gentleman accompanying me on the handpan is a good friend and breathwork facilitator, Stefan.

Please enjoy the songs and the sights.

* apus — mountains in Quechua

Guitar & voice with Stefan on handpan — one take

Solo — Sacred Valley, Peru

Just me and the guitar, sitting against the stone. This is where most of it begins.

Guitar & voice in ceremony

Voices from the Circle

What people say.

"I reached out to Helen initially asking for support with learning rhythm and timing. What I received far exceeded my expectations. Our sessions opened my voice, my heart, my energy and my spirit. Helen holds an incredibly beautiful container that is so open, safe, loving and playful. Our sessions allowed me to express through the voice more than I ever had. They left me feeling clearer and lighter and inspired to continue singing. My deepest gratitude for the work and the gifts that Helen brings into the world."

Dorota Jemielita Breathwork Facilitator

"My vocal activation session with Helen was so inspiring. She held the space with care and helped me feel comfortable to open and try new things with my voice. Since then I've felt so inspired to sing so much more and connect more deeply with the depths I can express myself through my voice. Helen channels so much expression and emotion when she sings and singing with her really helped inspire me about how to do that myself."

Tash Canter

The Circle

Stay close
to the song.

Letters from me — occasional, honest, never spam. The first one includes a song. Join when a circle is gathering near you or online, and be the first to hear about retreats before they open to the public.

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Book & Connect

Ready to
work together?

Whether you're curious about voice sessions, want to bring me to your event, or just want to find out when the next song circle is — reach out. I read everything myself.

Instagram @colibriheartsong Facebook Helen Pickles Email helen@colibriheartsong.com Based Cheshire, UK  ·  Available worldwide