Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Matthews.
Katherine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello! My name is Katherine and I’m the founder of Golden Wave, a wellness company focused on guiding and holding space to support one’s journey to self-healing and wholeness through Vibrational Soundscape Journeys (aka sound baths), Breath Work, Guided Meditations, and Intuitive Energy sessions.
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. From an early age, I was drawn to art in many forms: painting, sculpture, collage, photography, acting, and design. As a child, it was my favorite thing to do. I was always very shy and introverted, and still am to an extent, so it provided an outlet where I felt comfortable expressing myself. I had no idea at the time that I was beginning an artist’s journey that would lead me to where I am today expressing myself through the art of sound and exploring art as energy.
As a young adult, I wandered from one artistic job to the next. I worked for a few years for an interior designer in New York City, and then wedding photographers in Los Angeles. That was followed by a short acting career and a lot of time on set working in film production.
In 2012, I experienced a large shift in my life that altered my path. I began to wake up and reflect more, to see where I had gotten off track in my life and explore my shadows and various healing modalities. I started making positive changes towards becoming a better human, and on a mission to find my purpose in life. I cut alcohol out of my life, and began addressing trauma that I had experienced as a young adult. I released relationships that weren’t working, and set strong boundaries. It was exhausting and freeing all at once.
In 2017, I experienced another expansion. I woke up one morning from a dream and had the word “Ayurveda” stuck in my mind (a system of traditional medicine in India), though I couldn’t recall ever hearing of the word or anything about it before that dream. Per my usual, I went and bought a book about it and dove in to learn more. That led to years of studying yoga, Yoga Nidra meditation, reiki, and a host of other modalities in energy and wellness, with little synchronistic sign posts guiding me along the way. I was learning, practicing, and sharing – on repeat. I believe that continuous studying and practicing is so important to developing any skill, and to be able to offer high quality experiences with integrity and knowledge.
Around the same time, I attended a sound bath by Jonathan De Leon in San Dimas that changed my life. I was taken on a journey through the enveloping sounds of the gong and ancient Himalayan bowls. There was a shift inside of me and I knew that this was the next step. I completed David Gibson’s Sound Healing and Therapy program at the Globe Institute, and then continued my education by finding additional knowledgeable and experienced teachers to learn from that worked with sound and/or energy. After several years of study and practice, I opened Golden Wave to serve people across SoCal through sound baths, meditations and breath work. I’m very passionate about this work, and believe that these offerings can benefit many people.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been bumpy along the way, but that’s what makes life so sweet. We have this precious life and there is so much that we can make of it, if we chose. Some of the lessons have been painful, but in retrospect, it’s what I needed to learn and grow.
One of the lessons that I have learned is that it can’t happen all at once. There are aspects of growing my business and growing into who I want to become that can’t be rushed. From needing to save money up for trainings and instruments, to learning all the ins and outs of running a business, and balancing my home life as a mom and homeschooling my youngest, it all just takes time. And getting better requires practice and consistency. You must put in the time, educate yourself, give yourself space to explore, grow, and even fail. And then get back up and approach it again. It is in looking back at all the work you did, all the times that you showed up for yourself and your craft, that you can see the progress and the growth.
Another lesson that I have learned is to not take things personally. And to release the fear of what others might think of you. There will be people who criticize you and reject your work. People who make you feel like you’re not enough. There will be times when no one shows up for something you are offering. Just keep going. You’re here to walk your own path and follow what sparks joy. The right people will eventually find you.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love working with energy, sound and frequency! I offer sound baths, guided meditations and breath work throughout Southern California, sharing my offerings in yoga studios, gyms, non-profits, schools, corporations, and private sessions.
For the Sound Baths, I specialize in utilizing the vibrations of the gong and ancient Himalayan bowls, along with other instruments, to create rejuvenating spaces in which clients can release tension in their bodies, relax the mind and muscles, process and let go of emotions, and focus on healing their bodies.
I also lead Breath Work workshops in which I teach, and then we practice, breathing techniques that can help people cope with stress and anxiety in their everyday lives. It gives them tools that are simple yet effective in shifting their bodies from a “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system state, to a calmer, more grounded, “rest and digest” parasympathetic nervous system state.
We live in a culture where the norm has become people feeling overworked, stressed, anxious, and exhausted. This takes a toll on the body: mentally, emotionally, and physically. It’s crucial for people to prioritize their health because at the end of the day, if we don’t feel good, then life doesn’t feel good. My goal is to provide space for people to relax and reset the body, to share simple but effective techniques they can use in their everyday lives to shift themselves into calmer states, and to feel comfortable and safe in their bodies.
One thing that helps me stand out in my field is that I’ve spent a lot of time studying my craft and continue to do so. I’ve researched who I want to learn from, as well as the background of the instruments themselves – the history and cultures they originated from, and the intention behind their creation. As a result, I have chosen to work with instruments that were created with the specific intention of healing. I value integrity and believe it’s important that I put my best work forward by being as prepared as possible. That being said, it’s a journey and there will always be more to learn and grow.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson that I have learned along my journey is to keep going, even when things are challenging, and to remember that you are not alone. There have been other people who have forged this path before you. Humbly reach out to those who know more than you to seek their advice and guidance, and in turn, be supportive to those who are just starting out who may need your support.
That being said, also take time to reset and nourish yourself. Take a break. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Sometimes it’s good to step away from what is frustrating and draining you so that when you return to the task, you can do so refreshed and energized.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.GoldenWaveSound.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldenwavesound/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-matthews-2a8869337/
