What is Sound Healing?
Hearing is one of the first senses we develop and may be the last one we lose. When we talk to babies in the womb, or to dying loved ones who appear unconscious, they can hear and be soothed by our voices. Yet most of us spend our time bathing in sounds that are not soothing at all - traffic noise, arguing voices, ringing cell phones. We are living in a society that is mainly experiencing only adverse effects of sound.
In addition to everyday aggravation, people living in loud neighborhoods experience higher rates of heart disease and diabetes. Children in schools near airports score lower on reading tests than those in quieter neighborhoods. Correlation is not causation, but there are concrete reasons to believe that noise pollution affects our health.
We have evolved to be giant sound conductors. Our skin, bones, ears, and the water that makes up a large percentage of our bodies all pick up sound waves. It makes sense that both inaudible and audible vibrations would have a profound effect on us.
Likewise. Using sound to heal is not a new idea, nor is it alien to Western medicine. Ultrasounds deploy sound waves to examine masses and monitor fetal development. A technique called lithotripsy uses sound vibrations to break up kidney and gallbladder stones.
The primary difference between Western medical techniques and traditional Ayurvedic medicine is that Western relies on inaudible vibrations. While traditional use sounds we can hear.
USING SOUND TO HEAL
History and research both show that a variety of sound-healing techniques can benefit our bodies and minds, reducing stress, improving sleep, and relieving physical pain. Many approaches involve practices we can do on our own.
MANTRA MEDITATION
Chanting a mantra - silently or aloud - helps still the mind. Because mantra sounds are vibrational in nature, they help open the mind to the boundaryless shared energy of the universe. A mantra can be simple – such as the “om” chanted before and after a yoga practice – or complex, like the traditional chants sung during ceremonies, called kirtan. This form of devotional singing centers on mantras to tell a story.
The mental and physical benefits of mantra practice are visible in the research on Transcendental Meditation (TM), a form of silent mantra meditation from India. Studies have shown that practicing TM for 20 minutes twice daily corresponds to improved symptoms of depression, ADHD, anxiety, and PTSD.
SOUND THERAPY
Sound baths (crystal singing bowls) are becoming more common in the United States. Typically at spaces dedicated to healing and wellness. They might involve singing bowls, gongs, or drums, and the goal can be as simple as relaxation or trying to alter states of consciousness.
MUSIC THERAPY
Most of us know music can affect our moods. Just consider how good it feels when a great song starts playing on the radio. Studies have found that listening to relaxing music before a stressful event can shorten the body’s recovery time.
Music as therapy is also used in clinical settings, particularly neurological ones. Because musical memories persist even when other recollections disappear, singing and other shared musical experiences are sometimes used as a means for people with dementia to connect with loved ones.
Sound impacts the reptilian brain because of its link to basic survival needs. This part of the brain has a tremendous effect on our emotions well-being. Whatever methods you use, dive in. Deeper. Let it nourish and heal you from the core.
