Sound + Resonance At Wild Indigo
Sound is an intentional part of the atmosphere at Wild Indigo
Knob N' Wood, our retreat center, holds a growing collection of musical, rhythmic, ceremonial, and resonant instruments woven into sound baths, meditation, yoga, kirtan, ceremony, movement, bodywork, commUnity gathering, and deep listening.
KNOW THE MAKER. HONOR THE HANDS.
We care about where the objects at Wild Indigo come from, what they were made from, and whose stories remain connected to them. That intention matters to us.
Learn the name. Credit the artist.
Yolanda Martinez
Yolanda's Drums · Las Cruces, New Mexico
Our handmade drum and drum beaters come from Yolanda Martinez, an Apache / Comanche / Inca artist, singer, composer, and Master Drum Maker whose relationship with drum making has been part of her life's work for decades. Visit Yolanda's Drums
Sonja 'Holy Eagle
Dakota Drum Company · Rapid City, South Dakota
Sonja Holy Eagle is a Lakota artist whose work carries traditional influences alongside her own distinctive painting style. Our collection includes Sonja's beautiful hand-painted rattles and hand-painted handmade drum work. Visit Dakota Drum Company
Renee 'Singing Waters
From the Heart Products · Aurora, Colorado
Our one-of-a-kind custom feather ceremonial prayer + smudge fan was custom made for our fearless leader, Elise Dixie Jane, by Medicine Woman, Renee Singing Waters. Visit From the Heart Products
ENTRUSTED TO OUR CARE
There is another part of this story that feels especially important to us, before moving forward.
Before the land chose us to be the next stewards of Wild Indigo Forest Farm, the Indigenous sellers spent more than two years looking for the right people to become its next caretakers. That trust continues to influence the way we understand stewardship here.
During the transition of stewardship, the family found it important to pass along some of their Indigenous art so those pieces could remain part of the life of this place—cared for respectfully, incorporated into ceremony where appropriate, and experienced by each of you.
We are deeply grateful for that trust.
Wild Indigo did not begin when our names appeared on a deed.
People loved this place before us.
People cared for it before us.
And people gave careful thought to who would care for it next.
We are not the beginning of this place's story. We are its current caretakers.
With Gratitude to the Land
Wild Indigo rests in what is now called southern Indiana, on lands with deep and continuing Indigenous histories.
These lands have long held relationships with Native peoples including the Myaamia — Miami, Shawnee, Lenape — Delaware, Potawatomi, Wea, Piankashaw, and other Indigenous communities.
For us, acknowledgment should also lead to action: learning whose land we are on, supporting living Indigenous artists and makers, caring for the land beneath our feet, and remembering that stewardship did not begin with us.
We offer gratitude to the Indigenous peoples who have maintained relationships with these lands and waters across generations—and to their descendants and living communities today.
Garren + Melissa Rees
Rees Harps Inc. · Rising Sun, Indiana
Our Harpsicle® Harp was handcrafted by Rees Harps Inc. in Rising Sun, Indiana, along the Ohio River.
We especially love having an instrument in the Wild Indigo collection that was made here in Indiana. Visit Harpsicle® Harps
Miguel Lourenço
Universe Gong · Portugal
Our handcrafted gong comes from Universe Gong in Portugal, where gongs are created through heat, handwork, and repeated hammering. Visit Universe Gong
Paradisco + Rasimaya
5th Element Music · Kansas City, Missouri
Our crystal harp and crystal singing bowls come from Paradisco + Rasimaya, a duo whose instruments first found me, thirteen years ago, at Unity Churches annual Sound Bath. Visit Paradisco + Rasimaya
Susan Cheng
TerreUSA · Joplin, Missouri
Our rain sticks are handmade by musician and trained Artist, Susan Cheng. Visit TerreUSA
Nasim Chowdhury
JC Musical · Kolkata, India
India, the home of the harmonium. Its sustained sound comes through reeds, a keyboard, and hand-operated bellows, making it especially special to use in hand with Bhakti Yoga (devotion, in-service) within kirtan, chanting, meditation, devotional music, ceremony, and commUnity singing. Visit JC Musical
SOUND BATHS AT WILD INDIGO
Our instruments are part of the experiences created here rather than a general-use instrument library. Handmade, one of a kind, culturally significant, delicate, and difficult to replace, so they are cared for thoughtfully and incorporated by Wild Indigo and approved facilitators when appropriate.
During retreats, gatherings, and private experiences, sound may be woven into sound baths, meditation, yoga, kirtan, chanting, ceremony, opening + closing circles, movement, commUnity singing, restorative bodywork, and deep listening.
There is no correct way to experience a sound bath. You may close your eyes or keep them open, meditate, rest, allow your mind to wander, or fall asleep. You do not need to understand frequencies, chakras, musical theory, or sound-healing terminology to participate.
During select experiences, guests may also choose to receive care from Wild Indigo Bodywork Studio while the sound bath is taking place. Depending upon the practitioner and gathering, offerings may include Reiki and Reflexology.
CONSENT IS PART OF RECEIVING
Your Body. Your Choice. Always.
Participation in a Wild Indigo retreat, gathering, workshop, bodywork experience, or sound bath never automatically gives anyone permission to touch you.
Bodywork is always opt-in.
Before touch begins, your practitioner will communicate with you about what is being offered and what you are comfortable receiving.
You may say yes or no, ask questions, and change your mind.
You never owe anyone an explanation for declining.
Consent remains active throughout the entire experience.
Receiving should feel like receiving—never obligation.