Blend ancient and modern African and Sufi-inspired chant, rhythm, and voice sound-healing practices — to unlock healing, foster deep connections, and amplify your impact on the world with the power of your voice.
In sacred traditions, it is said, “As you speak, so you are.” Our words are not mere expressions, they’re manifestations, the very architecture of our reality.
Sound healer Fred Johnson, a sacred chanter, storyteller, and acclaimed jazz vocalist (who worked with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, to name a couple) is a frequent Shift Network Sacred Sound Healing Retreat leader and favorite among our own faculty.
Fred shares that, “The frequency and vibration of our own voice can amplify our health and wellness” and “be a foundation for how we are in the world… in a joyful, fun, and healing way.”
The deeper we practice the art of self-expression and self-listening, the more we can allow ourselves to surrender to self-love…
… and the clearer we can discover our melodic voice, and hear and create melodies of possibility for ourselves and the collective.
Sufi teachings guide us to greet each day with the wonder of a child, to live fully in the remembrance of the Creator, embracing each new experience with hearts as open as a hollow reed — transparent, empty of the ego, and filled with divine consciousness.
This is where we can become vessels of sonic healing and empowerment, amplifying the energy of the Divine Spirit, positivity, and the inherent unity of humanity.
In his upcoming transformative 7-week program, Fred will teach you ancient and modern chant, rhythm, and voice sound-healing practices born of the African diaspora — referring to the forced dispersal of people of African descent from their ancestral homeland — that will help you know the power and beauty of your own voice, so you can become a clear channel for hope and possibility…
… and in so doing, heal yourself and your community.
You’ll learn to cultivate spontaneous creativity and embrace the fun and beauty of being in love with who you are and who you can become.
Fred channels ancient wisdom in his teachings, which often leads to spontaneous, experiential, and lively sessions. His teaching style is like that of the hollow reed — serving as a clear conduit through which guidance and transformative energies can flow to his students, helping facilitate their personal growth.
Fred brings it all together in a way that’s very personal and individualized. He teaches that when you sing your narrative or any communication, it changes it… upgrades and alchemizes it.
— Christine Stevens, Shift Faculty Sound Healer
You’ll discover how to grant yourself the permission to hear and receive your true essence and resonate with a frequency of love, amplifying it with every breath you take…
… as you learn how to energize your body and the spaces in which you are speaking or singing with sacred power.
You’ll experience the healing effects of sound through practical techniques involving vibration, frequency, breath, and toning, to increase your overall wellness.
You’ll explore the science behind the vagus nerve, creating nitrous oxide to enrich your heart and awaken your body’s ability to manage and heal from trauma.
Rooted in African diaspora traditions, Fred’s teachings offer methods for personal and communal healing. You’ll feel a deep sense of connection as you chant and ascend what Fred calls “the Ancestral Staircase” — an African-inspired path toward sound healing…
… because you’ll realize that those who have gone before you are still with you, and you can connect with them through silence and sound.
You’ll use harmonic resonance to foster individual and collective transformation, equipping you with the skills to use your vocal expression to influence and heal.
Join Fred for this 7-week journey, and experience how you can use your voice in this joyful way to awaken the innate melodic voice within you…
… and channel the Love of the Divine.
You don’t need to be a singer to participate in this course. This process is designed to help you transform your relationship with your voice, and in doing so truly amplify the power of your felt sense.
During this soul-uplifting course, you’ll:
- Harness the vibrational power of your voice to connect deeply with your inner self and others, discovering personal healing and empowerment in the process
- Learn ancient African sound-healing traditions, gaining a practical understanding of this profound root of civilization and its influence on modern music and healing practices
- Navigate the Sufi path of remembrance, learning the art of surrender, remembrance, and living presence to enrich your spiritual and everyday life
- Create spontaneous melodic narratives, transforming your thoughts and emotions into song, and experiencing the liberation of your creative expression
- Dive into the science of sound for healing, understanding how toning, humming, and the vagus nerve’s activation can lead to profound physical and emotional wellness
- Elevate group dynamics with your vocal energy, using your voice to manifest a celebratory and healing atmosphere, fostering community and collective joy
- Amplify your impact on society by infusing your interactions with authentic self-surrender, positivity, and a deep sense of oneness, contributing to societal transformation
- Experience a renewed sense of wholeness, deeper self-love, and an empowered understanding of the power and beauty of your own voice
- And much more…
Fred has opened for icons, including Aretha Franklin and toured with legends such as B.B. King, Sonny Rollins, and George Benson. As an acclaimed jazz vocalist, author, and educator infused by the African oral and percussive tradition, his teachings are deeply rooted and rich. He not only educates his students, but also empowers them to explore and express their unique creative identities, making him an exceptionally inspiring teacher.
In each session, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in various chanting, humming, toning, speaking, and singing practices that you can use every day to transform your life and your understanding of what it means to be whole and healed.
By the end of your seven weeks with Fred, you’ll have a wealth of African and Sufi-inspired sound-healing techniques to help you navigate life’s challenges with greater ease, deepen your connection to your inner self, and enhance your ability to positively impact those around you through the loving power of your voice.
— Acoustic-Physics Scientist John Stuart Reid: “Fred Has Been Gifted With One of the Most Beautiful Voices I’ve Ever Heard”
— Music Therapist Christine Stevens: “Fred Lives in the Moment and He Takes You There With Him”
— The Brothers Koren, Transformational Voice Leaders: “Fred Is a Living Master of Voice”
What You’ll Discover in These 7 Weeks
In this 7-week course, Fred will guide you through the fundamental skills and competencies you’ll need to successfully unlock profound healing, cultivate deeper connections, and amplify your voice’s capacity to enact transformative change in the world using African rhythms, chants, and modern sound-healing techniques.
Join the Livestream — or Stream Later to Watch at Your Convenience
You’ll connect with Fred and experience his teachings through livestreaming video via any connected device. This connection is easy to use and will enhance the impact of Fred’s transmissions. Can’t make it live? After each class, you can stream the video and audio recordings to enjoy anytime and anywhere at your convenience.
Weekly Sessions Thursdays at 9:00am Pacific
This course will feature LIVE teachings, interactive sessions, experiential practices, and Q&A with Fred. Each session will build harmoniously upon the previous ones, so you’ll develop a complete holistic understanding of the practices, tools, and principles you’ll need to harness the transformative power of your voice, blending ancient wisdom with modern practices to facilitate deep personal healing… forge stronger community bonds… and amplify your ability to inspire and effect change in the world around you.
Module 1: Awaken Your Voice through Storytelling, Speaking & Chanting for Healing & Connection (May 9)
This module begins with an overview of the profound role storytelling has played within African traditions, offering a unique lens to view the power of narrative in shaping community and individual identity. Through exploring the oral historian’s role – the griot – you’ll discover how stories act as a bridge connecting the past, present, and future… and fostering a sense of collective empowerment and individual self-awareness.
This session doesn’t just cover the history; it’s a hands-on experience where you’ll speak, chant, and immerse yourself in the vibrational power of your own voice, learning to use it as a tool for healing, empowerment, and self-care.
In this session, you’ll:
- Unlock the power of your story to connect with your community and carve out a space for personal healing
- Explore the vibrational essence of speaking, learning how your voice can manifest empowerment and shape realities
- Dive deep into the sacred practice of chanting, experiencing its communal and healing potential firsthand
- Harness the energetic quality of your words to comment on the world, create music, and empower both yourself and others
Module 2: Activate Inner Healing Through the Power of Sound (May 16)
You’ll explore the power of breath, toning, and humming in this module, which is designed to enhance your internal and external communication through the art of sound.
You’ll explore the science behind the vagus nerve, a key to awakening your body’s ability to manage and heal from trauma. You’ll gain invaluable tools and insights into how your own sounds can significantly impact your health and wellbeing. By understanding and using the frequencies and vibrations of breath and thought, you’ll learn to use your voice to energize and heal yourself.
In this session, you’ll:
- Master the art of using your breath to awaken your body’s healing pathways, enhancing your overall wellbeing
- Discover the science of the vagus nerve, unlocking its potential to transform stress into calm
- Learn to harness the power of toning and humming, using sound to enrich your heart and calm your mind
- Connect your thoughts and breath, exploring how this fusion can energize and heal your inner garden
Module 3: Discover Heart-Centered Presence for Authentic Living (May 23)
This module invites you to explore the ancient art of living presence, guiding you to awaken to the inner song of your breath and embrace the true texture of being. Through the sacred chants from the “Seeds of the Lotus,” an ancient cantorial script, you’ll experience the unification of word, voice, and thought in the alchemy of the heart, deepening into a state of genuine presence and authenticity.
You’ll discover how to navigate from the mind to the heart to establish a foundation of spontaneous, heart-centered living.
In this session, you’ll:
- Explore silence, awakening to the melody of your breath and the song it sings
- Embrace the living presence, learning to be fully present in the moment, where every moment is a perfect one
- Unify word, voice, and thought in your heart, becoming a clear channel for authentic expression that’s felt, not just heard
- Transition from mind to heart, letting your inner beingness become the guiding force of your existence
Module 4: Transform Thoughts Into Song for Creative Liberation (May 30)
In this module, you’ll learn the practice of Spontaneous Melodic Narrative, where surrender to inner emptiness becomes the key to unlocking fertile creative expression. You’ll learn how to transform thoughts into melody and blend the foundational skills of storytelling, chanting, and speaking with the power of breath and presence.
As you sit in stillness, ideas will emerge, forming the basis for spontaneously creating melodic narratives. Through this practice, you’ll learn to become an open, unfettered channel for healing, inspirational, prophetic, and transcendent thought, experiencing the liberation that comes from expressing your inner voice in its purest form.
In this session, you’ll:
- Explore how to turn thoughts into song, discovering the joy of singing your thoughts
- Experience the freedom of being an open channel, where spontaneous creativity flows without barriers
- Become a sacred narrator of your journey, letting go of self-doubt to embrace the fullness of your potential
- Transform into a hollow reed, surrendering to the purity and power of spontaneous melodic expression
Module 5: Embrace Sacred Resonance for Global Healing (June 6)
Explore how to channel the Divine through your voice as you take part in the sacred act of surrender, expanding your role as an open channel for unified transformation and healing. As you venture further into the art of sonic self-care, you’re called to foster a deeper relationship with all of Earth’s creations.
This session is an opportunity to attune to the sacred, recognizing the oneness of all beings and becoming a chamber of harmonic resonance to amplify the divine energy of the universe through your very being.
In this session, you’ll:
- Discover the divine richness of your voice, exploring its unique frequency and vibration as a tool for healing
- Embrace your role as a sacred channel, opening yourself to the full divine energy of the universe
- Become the bell tower, magnifying healing vibrations for the world
- Deepen your capacity to manifest transcendence and change for yourself and our planet
Module 6: Elevate Communities With the Power of Your Voice (June 13)
Learn to harness the power of your voice, rhythm, and melodic narrative to heal and uplift groups in this module that focuses on enlivening the frequency of communal celebration and transformation.
Through the use of chanted sacred sounds and songs, you’ll engage in creating a vibrant, high-frequency environment of joy and hope. This session is not just about singing; it’s an exploration of how melody, absent of words, can foster a profound sense of inclusion and communal connection, even in virtual spaces like Zoom, through call and response.
In this session, you’ll:
- Craft celebratory vibrations using tone forms, creating a space filled with joy and hope
- Engage in communal singing, experiencing the unity and inclusion of call and response
- Learn to use your voice as a tool for manifesting a celebratory and healing atmosphere for groups
- Amplify your understanding of sound as a medium to foster community
Module 7: Amplify Oneness for Societal Transformation (June 20)
Enhance your energetic impact on society through authentic self-surrender, positivity, and oneness. In this module, you’ll explore the essence of our shared spaces and the power of our collective voice. You’ll feel the call to recognize and amplify the sacred essence of your ancestors and gain the understanding that your voice is not just a means of expression but a vehicle for manifesting change. As we navigate these times when the world feels increasingly divided, our unified breath and the song it carries can become beacons of hope.
This final gathering is an opportunity for reflection, Q&A, and sharing insights on how to move forward, reinforcing our commitment to contributing positively to the cosmic soup of humanity.
In this session, you’ll:
- Acknowledge the power of your voice in touching souls and fostering a sense of unity
- Embrace the responsibility of amplifying our collective voice to manifest change
- Participate in meditations that guide you to a sacred place of oneness and positive impact
- Share insights and the way forward, reflecting on our journey and envisioning our continued contribution to a united world
The Afri-Sufic Sound Healing Bonus Offering
In addition to Fred’s transformative 7-week online course, you’ll receive this special bonus offering to complement the course and take your understanding and practice to an even deeper level.
The Harmonic Resonance Meditation
Video Teaching From Fred Johnson
Immerse yourself in this sonic meditation that uses the Sankofic mantra chant of “Ah Su’ Cha,” which invites you to recognize and embrace your divine connection and place within the vast spectrum of harmonic resonance. Accompanying this is the sonic invocation “Jo Sada’ Ge,” which calls upon these vibrations to be your guide as you traverse the sounding path. Designed as a preparatory journey to open yourself as you enter the experience of using your voice and instruments to embark on a sound journey, this meditation can enhance your practice and enrich you and others.
Pathway to Peace
Video Teaching From Fred Johnson
This offering is a call to all creators of sound to come together and channel heart and sound energy into the dynamic force of Sounding, a force that’s capable of manifesting true peace in our world. At its core, Pathway to Peace is a deeply sacred appeal. It calls us to align our hearts and intentions toward awakening to a profound sense of unity, oneness, and caring for one another. Sow the seeds of peace through the power of sound and our collective intention.
What People Are Saying About Fred Johnson…
“[Fred’s] voice is soul-stirring.”
I’ve had the succinct pleasure of being in a couple of groups with Baba Fred, in which he guided me to find my.... breath. It sounds simple, I know. But sometimes life has a way of knocking it out of you, and you don’t realize it until someone gently says “breathe.” I think if Fred Johnson hadn’t taken the time to share his light with us, I would likely be in a corner holding my breath and thinking I was breathing. Metaphorically speaking, of course. Lastly, I will say that it took me over five years to hear Baba Fred sing and not respond with tears. His voice is soul-stirring. His abandon for letting his light shine without pretenses, and without the negatives of ego, is captivating and freeing at the same time. He’s a true exemplar of “get out of your own way!”
— Sophia Neghesti
“Fred’s teachings will infuse you with joy…”
Fred Johnson tethers the voice to the spirit, the breath to the song, and the whole self to the driving life force that animates all beings. Fred has been my teacher, mentor, and friend for two decades. I have learned from him the gift of humility and strength, to be a connector among faiths, and to find and elevate the throughline that is the divine breath. Fred’s teachings will infuse you with joy and direction as a fully embodied human, rich with your soul’s purpose.
— Rabbi Danielle Upbin, Clearwater, Florida
“[Fred provides] a safe and nurturing space for expression…”
I’ve known Fred for over 20 years, and in that time he has provided the framework for the musician that I am now. Working with Fred has given me confidence as an improvisational musician and all-around performer. I’ve also had many chances to attend workshops and classes given by Fred — events that have always provided opportunities to learn new skills as well as new ways to view the world around me. He does exceptional work with veterans, providing a safe and nurturing space for expression and the opportunity for civilians and veterans to interact and co-create. Fred has much to offer as a teacher, spiritual guide, and life coach.
— Catherine Dana Costa, Largo, Florida
Join the Global Community
Afri-Sufic Sound Healing offers some of the most transformational online teachings available, within a thriving global community of learning and practice.
Join fellow students and practitioners to support and inspire each other as you integrate the teachings and practices Fred Johnson will share in this powerful program.
You’ll join an international community on the leading edge of manifesting a world grounded in the principles of cooperation, harmony, and reverence for all of life.
Here’s What You’ll Receive
Seven 90-Minute Class Sessions With Fred Johnson
Experience a unique opportunity to be mentored by and learn from Inayati Sufi spiritual elder Fred Johnson — from the comfort of your own home. Each class session includes a livestreaming video option and will guide you to merge timeless African rhythms with modern sound-healing practices, unlocking profound healing, nurturing deep-seated connections, and magnifying your voice’s transformative power in the world. Course sessions are on Thursdays 9:00am Pacific.
Seven Video Recordings of Class Sessions
After each class, the video will be available for you to stream in a high-quality format. You’ll never have to worry about missing a session, and you can watch anytime and anywhere at your convenience.
Seven Audio Recordings of Class Sessions
After each class, the audio will be available for you to stream. You’ll never have to worry about missing a session, and you can listen anytime and anywhere at your convenience.
Seven Transcripts of Class Sessions
You’ll also receive the entire class transcription after each session is completed. You can then review, print, and highlight the most important insights and practices you were given.
Four 30-Minute Interactive Group Practice Sessions
With live class attendance, there will be a 30-minute optional interactive practice session directly following modules four, five, six, and seven. You’ll be placed in an intimate group with several other participants on the Zoom call to interact, share, and do additional practices to help you further integrate the weekly lessons. Practice sessions are not recorded for playback; if you’re unable to attend the live sessions, the Facebook online community group allows you to connect with each other and find alternative times to interact.
Interactive Exercises and Questions for Each Lesson
Between class sessions, you’ll have the option of completing related exercises, practicing new tools, and answering questions to accelerate your learning and integrate each week’s lesson.
Online Community
Our exclusive Facebook online community is the perfect place to continue your discovery process after each class. Here, you can continue the discussion about your course materials and interact with your fellow students to take your exploration to an even deeper level.
The Afri-Sufic Sound Healing Bonus Offering
- The Harmonic Resonance Meditation
Video Teaching From Fred Johnson - Pathway to Peace
Video Teaching From Fred Johnson
An Unprecedented Opportunity to Join the Online Course, Afri-Sufic Sound Healing
We feel honored that Fred Johnson has chosen to partner with The Shift Network to offer this exclusive LIVE online course. This is a unique opportunity to interact directly with a director, vocal performer, chanter, and author whose powerful insights and pioneering work are helping us heal and awaken ourselves and our world.
If you’re serious about weaving together the ancient melodies of African rhythms and chants with the insights of contemporary sound-healing methods to experience profound levels of healing… deepen your connections… and enhance your voice’s ability to drive transformative shifts in the world around you, then you owe it to yourself, your loved ones, and our world to take this one-of-a-kind program.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your own evolution, click the register button below to reserve your space now.
Your Satisfaction Is 100% Guaranteed!
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed! If you don’t absolutely LOVE Afri-Sufic Sound Healing — or don’t feel that it meets your needs — please submit your refund request form on or before May 23, 2024 and we’ll happily issue qualifying customers a refund.
About Fred Johnson
The fact that Fred Johnson has opened for both Aretha Franklin and Dr. Deepak Chopra points to his versatility as an artist. An acclaimed jazz vocalist, author, and arts educator, Fred is a graduate of the National Academy of the Performing Arts and the Master Performers School of the National Mime Theater. He has opened for or recorded and toured worldwide with jazz and R&B legends Ramsey Lewis, Chick Corea, Richard Elliot, B.B. King, Patti LaBelle, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis.
Recognized globally for his work in the health and wellness community, he was instrumental in establishing the inspiring “HeArts & Hope” program at the University of Florida. His presentations on the healing power of music have caught the attention of internationally recognized holistic health practitioners. Fred presents lectures and seminars all over the world that accentuate the importance of creative expression as a catalyst for personal and communal empowerment, health and healing, and giving voice to the voiceless.
Mentored by masters of the African oral and percussion legacy, Fred has been hailed as one of the true guardians of an oral tradition transplanted and nurtured to create a fusion of cultural heritage that is uniquely American and inherently African. His global presentations of “Jazz: Its Roots and Branches” have served to inform and inspire audiences around the world to recognize and celebrate a creative global tapestry set by the first woven thread sewn from the artistic richness of Africa.
His decades of experience as an artist, arts administrator, and educator have uniquely equipped him to create structure and artistically inspire. Fred currently serves as community engagement specialist and director of The Arts Legacy and Arts and Healing Initiatives at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida, and as the interim executive director of the Saint Petersburg International Folk Fair Society in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s a virtual course?
A: It’s a great way to engage with live and pre-recorded teachings and each other from the comfort of your home! All you need is any connected device. We use Zoom video conferencing to make it just like an in-person event, where you can ask questions and deepen your exploration of the course themes.
Can I still benefit from the course if I miss the live classes?
A: Absolutely! You can stream the recordings and download the transcripts of all course sessions, so you never need to worry about missing live calls. You can also engage with the full community and leaders in our private online community group.
Q: Can you tell me about the private online community group?
A: We’ll have a private online community group for all course participants on Facebook that will support you in making connections with others, sharing insights, engaging in discussions, and completing homework assignments that can supplement your transformational journey. You’ll have the ability to share your experiences, projects, and growth throughout the course.
Q: Are there scholarships available for this training?
A: Yes, we always make a certain percentage of spaces available for partial scholarships, for those who otherwise would not be able to enroll at the regular rate. If you’d like to apply for a scholarship, please review our guidelines, which include a link to our online application form.
Q: What’s your refund policy?
A: Your satisfaction with The Shift Network and this course is our highest priority! We offer a satisfaction guarantee so that you can sample the course risk-free. The deadline to receive a full refund is May 23, 2024. To request a refund, please click on this refund request form and submit your request. Qualifying refunds will be processed within five business days and an email confirming the refund will be sent. However, we’d love to have a chance to address and resolve your concerns first. If there’s something we can assist you with, please email us at support@theshiftnetwork.com and we’ll be happy to help! (No refund requests accepted after the above date or with scholarship awards.)
Q: How can I reach Customer Support?
A: Please visit our Customer Support Center, where you should be able to find the answer to your question or the solution to your problem. And if you can’t, you can submit an online request form and we’ll get right back to you.
