It has been proven that certain sounds, rhythms, and vibrations help us reduce stress, cultivate a deep sense of well-being, and even promote healing.From a very young age, I can vouch for the fact that sound can set a mood. For example, the soundtrack in an aerobics class can get me moving, while the one in yoga promotes quiet concentration. It also has a powerful effect on how I feel throughout the day. I react differently to the noise of a jackhammer than to water trickling down a stream.
Simply put, some sounds make me feel better than others. My conscious mind may not be paying attention, but my body takes its cues from sounds and rhythms, knowing when to get energized and when to slow down.
Sound therapy is gaining popularity as preventive medicine and as a complement to other traditional treatments. It ranges from Bach in the nursery to yogic chanting in the oncologist’s office. It is good for both the mind and the body and has been shown to help with depression, clear sinuses, and help cancer patients recover from chemotherapy quicker.
Chanting and mantra recitation has been part of Hindu spirituality and the healing power of yoga for thousands of years. It is not surprising that this ancient tradition is experiencing a modern-day renaissance.
According to the law of physics, everything vibrates the chair I’m sitting in, the food I eat, the rocks and trees. Using the human voice and objects that “resonate” to stimulate healing (like tuning forks and singing bowls), sound therapy is one of a growing number of refined-energy therapies that make up the field of vibrational medicine. That sound is called resonance, the frequency at which an object naturally vibrates. Each part of our bodies has its own natural resonance, and vibrational medicine is based on the idea that most diseases are a result of these natural resonances getting out of tune — mostly due to stress, illness or environmental factors.
Similar to ultrasound, a technology used readily employed today in hospitals to break up kidney stones and check on the health of fetuses, sound therapy works more gently — but just as powerfully- to return the body’s own vibrations to their natural states.
Does it work?
Sound therapists say a resounding “Yes”. They have treated everything from stress to Parkinson’s disease to hormonal problems. Experts insist that sound therapy is at the cutting edge of healing. They say it will soon enter the mainstream like yoga and meditation.
Common Techniques that Heal
Classical music has been shown to increase the rate of development of synaptic connections in young children’s minds. It also helps fuel creativity and enhances joy in adults. Classical music can even help address physical ailments like high blood pressure and muscle tension.
Humming not only lifts my spirits, but it also clears my head! According to a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, humming may help keep your sinuses clear and healthy.
Whether metal or quartz crystal, a singing bowl sings when you run a felt-tipped mallet around its edge. Along with rhythms produced by striking the edge of the bowl, the vibrations and tones slow down breathing, brain waves, and heart rates, producing a deep sense of calm and well-being.
Tuning Forks were originally used to tune musical instruments to the proper pitch. They have long been used by orthopedists to detect stress fractures in large bones. Now, sound therapists use the vibrations of tuning forks to increase the amount of energy in parts of the body they are trying to heal or energize. These good vibes can support relaxation, balance our nervous systems, and increase physical energy.
So even if you’re not interested in investing in a fancy tuning fork or a singing bowl, sound healing is still available to you. The next time you need a little pick-me-up or mellow-me-out, hum a little tune, or, better yet, go for a walk and enjoy nature’s own healing harmonies.
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