Sankofa Mind + Body

mind + body

sankofa

SOUND MEDITATION | MASSAGE | YOGA

About Us

We are Sankofa Mind + Body

Sankofa Mind + Body, is a sound meditation & Thai massage practice based in Detroit, Michigan.

We aim to create positive healing spaces for practitioners to calm, flourish, and heal.

While our founding focus was centered on sound healing, tradtional Thai massage in the northern style & yin yoga practices round out our offerings for those who are seeking to elevate their state of being.

Our Facilitator

Tafari Stevenson-Howard/Chief Jakada is a Detroit, Michigan-based sound meditation facilitator.

Introduced to the world of sound healing by indigenous practitioners while visiting the Brazilian rainforest, Tafari was ignited with passion through this ancient healing medium.

Over the years, Tafari practiced various forms of meditation and yoga practices. When he was introduced to the use of sound vibration as a vehicle for well-being and balance, Tafari began sharing the practice of sound meditation with his community as a way to assist people to become more present and to foster relaxation in the mind and body by implementing sound centering tools.

In addition to Tafari’s passion for sound meditation, he is a certified traditional Thai massage therapist (ITM, Chiang Mai), certified Yin yoga instructor (Bliss Yoga Accra), a crowned Hausa tribal chief in Nima-Accra, Ghana, an avid world traveler, and an award-winning visual artist and interpreter who has been telling stories through photography for well over a decade.

Media

Acronym Official – Tafari Stevenson-Howard’s Change Of “Home” – From Detroit To Ghana And Back

Breaking Bread with Jenn – Sound Meditation Detroit with Tafari Stevenson-Howard

Michigan Chronicle – Sankofa Mind + Body Presents: The Yoga Bath Sessions

Fifteen Minutes of Flame – Episode 7 Vibrate Higher

The Progressive Underground – September 8, 2019 Episode

Michigan Chronicle – Sankofa Mind + Body Unveils Transformative Meditation Album: “The Journey: Senegal

WXYZ Detroit – Loyola High School students reflect on Dr. King’s legacy

WDIV Detroit – Metro Detroiters gather to celebrate Juneteenth

Meditation

What is Sound Meditation

Sound Meditation is the practice of deepening meditation with the use of various sounds and music to stimulate the mind and body.

Research has shown that sound has been used in ancient cultures around the globe for thousands of years to ease anxiety, stress, depression, and to promote a sense of well-being.

Our approach to sound meditation includes a variety of tools to create a blissful sonic positive and self-healing space. A typical session includes using a combination of crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, and more to deepen the experience.

Why Practice? Benefits!

The number of physical, social, mental, and emotional benefits that sound meditation offers are numerous! This method of meditation tried and true for many millennia from practitioners around the globe!

Here are but a few ways sound meditation can help improve your world:

Enables participants to disengage their undesirable habitual patterns (emotional, energetic, intellectual, and physical)
Enhancing one’s state of presence and self-awareness
Empowers positive cognitive change
Elevates the self into a state of inner peace and calmness
Reduces stress
Deepens relaxation
Enhances creativity
Uplifts the spirit/personal vibration
Improved memory and concentration
Improved sleep

Massage

Thai Massage is the Vibe

Thai massage origins can be traced back over 2,500 years to the “Father Doctor” Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha also knows as Dr. Shivago or Shivago Komarpaj who was a trusted physician of the Buddha, making it one of the world’s oldest healing modalities.

Tradtional Northern Thai massage or Nuad-Bo-Rarn – style massage is influence by traditional Indian medicine, with a great focus on elements of yoga and Ayurveda. Nuad means to touch with the intention of healing and Bo-Rarn is a Sanskrit word meaning something that is ancient and revered. Keeping with tradition, Thai massage is performed while clothed and on floor space.

As this style has often been referred to also been called, “the lazy man’s yoga,” the Physical manipulation, acupressure, and deep stretching are essential for relieving tension.

Here are but a few ways Thai massage can help improve your world:

Improves Circulation
Helps Relax Muscles and Relieve Pain
Improves Flexibility and Range of Motion
Helps Relieve Headaches
Helps Promote Mental Calmness
Helps Improve Energy Levels
Improves Quality of Sleep

Offerings

Sound Meditations Schedule

Sound Bath Meditation | April 21, 2024 @ 11AM | N’Namdi Center For Contemporary Art

Massage Experiences

Traditional Full Thai Massage
Thai Head, Neck, & Shoulder
Thai Foot Reflexology

Currently available for in and out call Thai massage appointments in the Metro Detroit Area. To schedule a Thai massage experience or for questions, please use the form below.

Engage

Contact Us

If you have questions about the practice of sound meditation or simple would like to book a private session, attend one of our private offerings or to join our newsletter mailing list, please complete the contact form and we will respond ASAP!

If only going our bi-monthly newsletter mailing list, please provide name and email address only.

Social Media

Instagram

YouTube

Practitioner Feedback

I recently had the opportunity to experience a sound bath given by Sankofa Mind + Body. It was superb! The soothing sounds of the bowls were stimulating and therapeutic, and I quickly was able to sink in with ease. The healing vibrations from the collection of instruments created an incredibly peaceful environment for me to get into deep meditation. I left the session feeling soothed, reset and reconnected with my intentions. Thank you Tafari!
Nojamba C. - Corporate Social Responsibility Executive
"My experience with Sankofa Mind and Body was magical. It was a concert for my mind, body, and soul. Between the sounds and the vibration, the effects were profound making me both relaxed and joyful. The sounds of the bowls were very uplifting and feeling the vibration of the bowls on my body provided much needed healing for my anxious spirits. Several days following the session, the mental relief I felt was euphoric. I didn’t have to try to shut off my mind, the bowls interrupted the pathway of thought. It gave me such a mental break, a pause, and reset. Thank you Tafari."
Nonzwakazi Hill - Youth Services Program Manager
"Tafari's sound bath experience was relaxing & reinvigorating. I'm an autoworker that works 10hr afternoon/midnight shifts. To have participated and still had to work that day I can definitely say it got me through my shift... I wasn't looking at the clock anxiously waiting to clock out. Tafari creates the best energy and vibe to get U through"
Ebony Williams - Production Operator & Community Activist
"The sound bath experience was one of the most self-aware and reflecting meditative experiences I felt. The sounds sent the power of vibration through my body and mind helping to reduce overwhelming thoughts and the daily clutter in my mind, and forcing me to completely relax."
Kevicha Echols, PhD - Sexologist
"I am very appreciative of how Tafari’s practice activates mediation and healing through somatic and restorative sound. His sessions provide an open yet collective and community centered environment to connect the mind, heart, spirit, and body. Thru sound bath, I’ve been inspired to sustain regular mediative and healing practices as an extension of my self love and care, and look forward to continuing sound bath with Tafari in the future. "
Amber Williams - Educator
"I can't find the words to express how lifted I was after participating in your sound bath yoga session. I hadn't felt that peaceful in years and that night I slept like a baby. Thank you for creating a special space for spiritual, physical and mental healing. Can't wait for the next opportunity."
Indigo Zuri - Image Consultant
"The sound bath was the meditation experience that I’ve always wanted to have. I felt so connected. Even in a room full of strangers, the vibe felt very personal & intimate. I literally floated through the rest of my day."
Ideeyah - Vocal Artist
"When Tafari mentioned he was hosting a sound bath experience i was intrigued. Having practiced yoga for many years and even floated in a salt water tank recently, I was open to trying something new for stress relief and restoration. It exceeded my expectations! Being immersed in sound waves was a whole new experience! It allowed me to focus on just the sounds and vibration around me, with no other noise or movement or disruption to break my focus. How often can we completely tune out the world around us and just be? Not very often. Can’t wait to try it again! "
Eliza Sorsie - Finance Manager
"I did not know what to expect as I had never journeyed down this path of wellness before. But I knew that if I kept my conscious mind open, my subconscious mind would follow. And that is exactly what happened. I journeyed into a space, facilitated by Tafari, that was subconsciously warm and peaceful. Tafari created a space in which my Third Eye vibrated to the sounds of rainforest mist laying like dew on tropical leaves, birds sang in symphony as only Nature’s orchestra can do when channeling treble and bass in tandem. My Third Eye sent vibrations of tranquility throughout my body and I found momentary peace within a troubled world."
Jenn Howard - Forensic Clinician
"The sound bath is an amazing experience. As an attorney, I am always multitasking. Having the tones wash over you is an awesome experience that helps you relax. When Tafari said “let the water take you” I felt like I was floating on water! even though I was on the floor!” I can’t wait to do it again. "
Opolla Brown - Assistant Prosecuting Attorney