Many of us are aware of the many healing benefits of music. Music can inspire us to create art, make us get up and dance, and even help us fall asleep. Music is a complex, colorful, and dimensional collection of sounds. The vibrations of sound can affect us on a neurological, physiological, and biochemical level. Sound healing is an ancient practice that involves using sound vibrations and frequencies to relax the mind, the body, and align the chakras. Sound healing may also be referred to as sound bathes, this is because the sound washes over you removing all negative energies.
“A sound bath is a deeply immersive, full-body listening experience that uses sound and simple mindfulness techniques to invite gentle yet powerful therapeutic and restorative processes to the mind and body,”
Sara Auster, sound therapist, meditation teacher, and author
Sound healing sessions can be private or done in groups. Usually meditation cushions or yoga mats are provided for people to comfortably sit or lay down. The sound therapist will guide you through the meditation with voice, and also sound. There are many different instruments used for sound healing, however singing bowls and gongs are what is most commonly used. Here is a list of some instruments used for sound healing:
- Chimes
- Tuning forks
- Gongs (sessions using only gongs are known as gong baths)
- Shruti boxes (small bellows-operated musical instruments with reeds)
- Himalayan singing bowls (metal bowls)
- Crystal singing bowls (crystal/glass bowls)
- Monochords
A 2020 review noted the power of sound therapy, showing how sound can significantly alter brain waves, changing agitated brain waves to much calmer wave forms. While the brain calms, we shift from an activate state to a relaxed state. It’s when we are in this relaxed state that our breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure decrease. So next time you are stressed, tense, or just need to relax, give sound healing a try.
Reference: https://www.verywellmind.com/sound-healing-for-self-care-8384146
