Everything in the Universe vibrates.
Gong. Drums. Lion dance. As we soak up the Chinese New Year festivities in many parts of Asia and welcome the Year of the Dog, take a moment for yourself amidst the visitings or holidays.
How has the start of 2018 been for you? Are you still living the intentions and purpose you set out for yourself at the start of the year? Are you looking to de-stress and retune your mind & body?
You've probably heard of numerous ways to 'zen out'. From floatation therapy, to art meditation, to comedy gigs, to animal therapy & cafes - how about Sound? WTH is... Sound Therapy?
Sound is vibrational energy that can influence in a transcendental way.
Did you know that the human body and its organs resonate at various frequencies?
In today’s modern lifestyle, stress is the highest factor that contributes to most of the diseases within the body.
The resonant frequency of the body falls below optimal range in a stress state, giving rise to imbalances.
Sound therapy can help re-harmonise these parts back to its natural state.
This alternative treatment method is growing and trending in many cities across Asia, especially bustling cities like Hong Kong and Singapore - away from traffic and work stress.
For those of you who visit yoga studios for your practice, you may also be familiar with some of these sounds as the instructor plays a Tibetan singing bowl to help you sink into Savasana, or bring you back from meditation.
Science & Sound
Sound and Music has been used historically in different cultures as a tool for healing. From drumming, singing, chanting, crystal singing bowls, gong baths, playing of instruments, to the modern usage of sonic technologies and applied psychoacoustics.
We are living in fascinating times as experts in various fields are digging deep, researching into ancient modalities, pairing alongside neuroscience to reconcile their healing benefits.
Music has been widely used therapeutically to address various psychological and physiological applications within the medical field.
What about Sound?
With Music and its complex elements, one gets impacted emotionally and mentally first before the physical body.
When deconstructed to its root - Sound, a single vibrational frequency, one gets impacted physically through the vibrations first before it affects mind and emotions.
Either way, the effectiveness of the outcome are determined by the conscious and intentional application of tone (Resonance), rhythm (Entrainment) and pattern. Just like creating artful aromatherapy blends or a scientist in the chemistry lab, sound therapy exercises a careful blend of fusing the science and art of sound in the most intuitive, yet discerning way.
How does it affect health and wellbeing?
It has the ability to address multi-layered issues. Sonic vibrations are absorbed and registered through the auditory channels from the ears to the brain and kinesthetically through the body. This helps optimal realignment and re-harmonisation of the body from a cellular level.
The effects of Sound varies from individual to individual - from feeling energized, to staying grounded to the ability to soothe, relax and feel at ease.
Benefits of Sound Therapy:
- Relieves stress, anxiety, depression
- Pain relief and relaxation
- Relieves insomnia and headaches
- Increases productivity and focus
- Releases emotional & energetic trauma and blockages
- Boosts immune system
- Increases mental and emotional clarity
How does this help a stressed individual?
It can promote a sense of stillness and inner peace, creating and holding space for the individual to pause and breathe. It permeates through layers to trigger the relaxation response within the nervous system. This moves away from fight-or-flight response to a state of calm.
The body-mind-spirit starts to heal more optimally when it is relaxed and settled.
After Effects
Some of the symptoms below may be experienced within hours to days or weeks after a session.
Physiological
- Dry Mouth, Thirst
- Chronic pains arising more than usual (healing crisis)
- Tired
- Energetic
Psychological
- Dreams/ Deep sleep
- Emotional balancing
- Clarity
- Self-awareness
As Edgar Cayce, the “sleeping prophet” stated, “ The medicine of the future will be music and sound.” With the rising curiosity around sound therapy and healing, let’s not forget that we are in fact, just going back to explore and apply the already present truths that has been around since creation.
Photo credits: lululemon Singapore
Article contributed by Amanda Ling - a sound practitioner & yoga teacher specialised in tibetan singing bowls and an established musician/DJ trained in producing healing music. Amanda has taught at locations such as Palm Ave Float Club and is also a lululemon ambassador.
It is her passion to share the healing wonders of sound therapy through the ancient art of tibetan singing bowls and benefit-specific music together with a yoga practice or as a standalone. This powerful combination serves to promote and integrate the body’s natural healing abilities in restoring itself to harmony.
Interested to find out about sound therapy workshops or spaces that offer singing bowl and gong classes? Drop us an email at [email protected].