House of Practice is a destination, a holistic recreation center.  It is a space dedicated to the practice of self-divining of the true divine self. At the House of Practice, we are training the social ear to listen deeply, to access an inner voice that is compassionate to the self, to self surveil and to serve. As the chief practitioner, Lisa E. Harris, Li, has installed sonic meditations, sound sculptures and performance scores for public engagement throughout the house. In the interest of creating sacred space and creating healing environments,  House of Practice appears to be a private practice on the surface: cool colors, calming and orderly interiors, mirrors, furniture, literature, and a practitioner. Yet by fostering the actual application of new ideas, this house hosts the repetition of affirming exercises and the performance of various practices of self care, awareness, agency over health, and enhanced quality of life.

The Greek mythology of the Oracle at Delphi is one example of inspiration for The House of Practice. The myth highlighting Pythia, a priestess who could be found chewing leaves at a specific location where she could channel prophetics and receive visions from higher dimensions as well as from the ground beneath her feet, the Genius Loci, speaks directly to Harris’s practice of communing and creating a dialogue with one’s environment. Genius Loci is Latin for the guardian spirit or deity of a place. Working out and working in allows the individual to reach peak levels in human performance, enhancing intuition, communication and cognition, all critical to living in this moment in Time. 

Pythia is a Black Girl’s Name is the name of the graphic score and also the name of a ritual improvisational performance that will happen in the space on the New Moon(s). Visitors are invited to write their thoughts and wishes on a bay leaf and leave it in the HOP to be utilized in live performance. Pythia is the name and title given to the original Oracle at Delphi, in service to Apollo, Greek God of the Sun. Every priestess following in that lineage and receiving visions at the sacred location of Delphi,  was also referred to as Pythia. Pythia in modern day Greek, means “baby girl”; it also still retains the translation of prophetess. In ancient Greek lettering, the spelling of Pythia looks similar to the word NUBIA. 

Listen to PYTHIA IS A BLACK GIRL’S NAME by Lisa E. Harris 

House of Practice offers organic practices, materials and information as alternatives to  overindulgence in pharmaceutical consumption and digital recreation. At the House of Practice, the use of tools like mirrors, guided sonic meditations, human vocal performance, infrared heat therapy, aromatherapy, information on alternative therapies for ptsd and compassion building techniques, visitors are invited to experience the symbiotic relationship of their inner world and outer world.  Be the Mirror. Be the Temple. Not only is it safe but it is time to be completely devoted to you. 

Li, along with guest practitioners, lead monthly public performance New Moon ceremonies of the graphic score “PYTHIA IS A BLACK GIRL’S NAME”.