Sound as therapy.
Sound is accessible to everyone. We listen not just through our ears, but also through our entire bodies.
Every vibration affects us on psychological, physiological, emotional, and spiritual levels.
"If we accept that sound is vibration and we know that vibration touches every part of our physical being, then we understand that sound is heard not only through our ears but through every cell in our bodies."
-Dr Mitchell Gaynor
The concept of sound and music as having a healing influence on health and behavior is at least as old as the writings of Plato and Pythagoras. The great Greek philosopher Aristotle, for example, mentioned in his famous work, De Anima, that the sound of a flute can lead to the arousal of strong emotions and purify the soul. Shamans around the world have used the repetitive beating of drums to transcend themselves and their patients to an altered state of consciousness, capable of imparting mental and physical wellbeing.
“The new science of psychoacoustics — the study of the effect of music and sound on the human nervous system — shows that [frequency] can relieve pain, help stroke patients, and benefit other conditions.”
-Andrew Weil, M.D., author, lecturer and founder of the Program in Integrative Medicine
I tell my sound bath participants that the experience can be restorative and therapeutic, but it can also be uncomfortable, it can be churning…emotions can rise to surface that make things uneasy. THERAPEUTIC -that word is used here intentionally. It requires you to be present in the moment, to show up for yourself, and to be a participant in your growing process.
How can you start trying Sound Therapy?
Well, honestly you already are.
Do you listen to music to calm you down and to ease tension?
You are intentionally using sound to improve your emotions and well being.
One of the best tools to use, is your voice.
Start humming.
Use the “mmm” sound.
Create a low pitched “mm” sound.
then a high pitched “mm” sound.
Go slow, take bigger and deeper breaths.
Close your eyes.
Become aware of your body.
Where do you feel the sound in your body?
How does it make you feel?
Visualize the hum exiting your body in a full 360 degrees, not just out your mouth.
Slow down ever further.
Longer breaths.
Try Humming a vowel.
OH
AH
EY
EE
UU
Each vowel will most likely be felt in a different part of the body.
Different vowels may bring different emotions.
Sit with those emotions and feelings.
End in a few minutes of silence.
This practice is called Vocal Toning.
Toning is the creation of extended vocal sounds on a single vowel or hum in order to experience the sound and its effects in other parts of the body. Just the sound of the vibrating breath. No melody, no words, no rhythm, and no harmony. This creates a meditative state. You become more relaxed. Your stress hormones decrease allowing the immune system to function more efficiently, lowering blood pressure and activating the centers of the brain that release natural opiates.
I do this vocal toning practice in many situations. In the shower, while driving, in the grocery store, in a noisy airplane, and sometimes even silently. It helps me stay mindful throughout the day and to check in with my body and see how I am feeling.
A regular toning practice can help you focus and relax, release negative emotions reduce stress and improve stamina and concentration.
Try Vocal Toning with my 5 minute Shruti Box Recording Below. I am playing a C in 440hz.
Match your hum sound with that C note.
Enjoy!
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Want to feel inspired and dive a bit deeper into the art of listening?
I highly recommend the TED Talk: “How to Truly Listen”.
In this soaring demonstration, deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie illustrates how listening to music involves much more than simply letting sound waves hit your eardrums.
Resources:
“Sound Bath: Meditate, Heal, and Connect Through Listening” book by Sara Auster
“The Healing Power of Sound” book by Dr. Mitchell Gaynor
”The Healing Power of Sound: Recovery from Life-Threatening Illness Using Sound, Voice, and Music” book by Mitchell L. Gaynor
My Shruti box, in which I use for vocal toning and sound baths.