Inspiring Humans! Meet Kristin Weckworth

Inspiring Humans! Today I introduce you to Kristin Weckworth, sound healer, artist, meditation and movement instructor, yogi and beautiful human!

Kristin is my cousin and one of my very first friends and heart connections. Growing up, Kristin modeled openness and love - she shared her heart and spirit with us and taught us how to live in the moment with joy and creativity.

Kristin has had a very interesting journey - she was the co-founder of Magic Pony in Toronto and now is the owner and creator of Kiko Sounds. Her work is hella cool and inspiring!

The past year has been a journey for Kristin - she was diagnosed with and overcame breast cancer through covid. Her approach and clarity in working through this experience is more than inspiring and has impacted me greatly.

Kristin is currently working between Toronto and Saskatoon - I encourage you to learn more about the very interesting work she does to support others in their healing. Kristin - thank you for sharing - you are truly an inspiring person.

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1. Tell me about you and the work you do!

I share deep listening experiences that weave together modalities of meditation, sound, song, mysticism, poetry and plant medicine. The intention of these practices is to access channels of sensory awareness, inner listening, and a reverence for what is present. Through exploring the subtle practices of tuning in, there is an opportunity to cultivate a relationship with our heart intuition, to remember our belonging, to honour our commitment to nature and to celebrate the interconnectedness of it all.

2. In the first year of covid, you were diagnosed with and recovered from breast cancer. What can you share about this journey?

My journey with breast cancer began December 2020 when I found a small lump over my heart. I was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma, and in February 2021 I had a lumpectomy to remove the rock from my breast. I had found it early, and the surgeon was able to remove the cancer with clear margins. My lymph nodes were tested, and that along with several other tests determined that the cancer they had found was estrogen dominant and that it had not spread. This meant that I was technically cancer free! I was recommended to receive radiation to my left breast as a preventative measure and after finishing radiation I began a drug called Tamoxifen, which is the most standard long term treatment for estrogen dominant cancers. I will be taking this drug for the next 5-10 years. What many people don't realize is that the journey with cancer does not end with getting the news of being cancer free. Once a journey with cancer begins, it will continue throughout this lifetime. Many cancer free patients face ongoing challenges from surgery, and side effects from treatments and medication. I've lost feeling in part of my left arm and have some pain in my left breast. I rest much more now. I feel very grateful for my body these days, more awe and more tenderness. We have a stronger, kinder, gentler relationship. I take the time it takes to listen to what my body is telling me. The wisdom we all have inside is profound.

3. What led you to where you are with your work?

There are many intersecting spirals that created my current offerings. The most most recent journey into sound began through my immersive yoga studies in India. During my time there, I discovered Svaram’s Sound Healing Research Center, and was completely enchanted by the instruments they made and the work they were doing in sound therapy. A year later I went back to India and studied with them to become a practitioner. Working with sound has been so natural and aligned with every part of me, I am amazed that my current path is something that I was not even aware of ten years ago, yet we all know the healing power of music and that it has been a part of human culture since the beginning. It is infinitely amazing to me to witness the inclusive and transformative gifts of sound. By creating immersive environments and layering in vibrational elements such as visual art and plant medicine, I am able to create multi sensory experiences that transmit the spherical nature of tuning in.

4. What strengths do you think women bring to art and business?

Although I am a cis female I've never felt comfortable with gender roles or that they fit how I feel inside. When I think of celebrating the feminine I see the Moon and her cycles, the love energy of Venus, the deep knowing oceanic waves of intuition, the birth and nurturing of our creative ideas, and a supporting circle of community and connection.

5. Who are the women that you draw inspiration from?

Those who are brave enough to share their art, to use their voices to advocate for others, for our planet and beyond, those who are courageous enough to live whole-heartedly even when it hurts. All the mamas who are mothering in all the ways. Some recent and not so recent crushes: Adrienne Marie Brown, Alice Coltrane, Ally Bogard, Anne Boyer, Arji Ocean Ananda, Audre Lorde, Brene Brown, Bryonie Wise, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Byron Katie, Chani Nicholas, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Eileen Myles, Elizabeth Gilbert, Glennon Doyle, Hilma Af Klint, India Amara, Jane Corrigan, Joy Harjo, Kozy Kitchens, Lisa Smolkin, Maggie Nelson, Mary Oliver, Mercedes Legett, Nadine Artemis, Patti Smith, Pauline Oliveros, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Suleika Jaouad, Tara Brach, Toko-pa Turner, Amber Weckworth and YuMee Chung.

6. What are you working on these days?

I have gradually been expanding my offerings of instruments and I’m excited to now have a selection of tuning forks, chimes and crystal bowls for sale in Toronto and online that are very simple and enjoyable to play for all levels of musical experience. I love that others can feel the joy of experimenting with sound and finding pleasing melodies through trusting and opening to their intuition.

You can find more info my sound meditations, classes and instruments at Kikosounds.com and exhibitions at Kikospace.ca. Instagrams @kikosounds and @kiko_space.

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Thank you for sharing Kristin! You are truly an inspiration!

Photo creds:

Cassiopeia Skyfish @cassiopeiaskyfish

Noel Middleton @noelmiddleton

Laura Findlay @lauracfindlay

Melanie Gordon Photography @melaniegordonphotography

Christina Gapic Photography @christinagapicphotography