Sound Healing is a gentle and unique way to heal yourself – mind, body and soul. Here’s everything you need to know about the practice.
Rhythm is sound in motion. It is related to the pulse, the heartbeat, the way we breathe. It rises and falls. It takes us into ourselves; it takes us out of ourselves. ~ Edward Hirsch
It’s amazing how sounds affect us every day, isn’t it? Listening to an old song can immediately transport us to another time. Hearing nails dragging on a board can give us the jeepers. Listening to a dripping tap can make us anxious. Listening to the sound of the waves can calm us, while a loud crash can startle us.
Humans are wired like this; science says that sounds affect us on a cellular level, involving our body along with our mind. So if sounds can impact us on such a fundamental level, why not make it work in our favor?
Well, that’s exactly what sound healing is all about – using the power of sound for overall health and wellbeing! If this is the first time you’re hearing about it, read on – we’ve got all the information you need!
Sound Healing – A Unique Path to Wellbeing
What is Sound Healing?
Sound healing is a holistic practice aimed at healing and relaxation. Sound healing is not new; it’s been around for centuries, especially in Indian, Chinese, and Egyptian cultures.
Sound healing sessions can be done as a group or individually. During a session, the person lies down on a comfortable surface, with eyes closed. Sometimes, there may be other props, like a blanket, a neck pillow or an eye mask.
Once the person is comfortable and calm, the practitioner uses different instruments to create sounds of varying frequencies. With eyes closed, you are expected to focus on the sounds and retreat into a sense of complete surrender.
A sound healing session, or a ‘sound bath’, usually lasts for an hour or 90 minutes. After the session, you sit up slowly and are generally offered a drink, like water or a healing tea.
There are different kinds of sound healing, like tuning fork therapy, binaural beats and others. The classifications are generally related to the kind of instrument used to create the sound – tuning forks, gongs, metal bowls, crystal bowls, harps or Shruti boxes.
Benefits of Sound Healing
Sound healing has multiple benefits, both physical and mental. Here are some of them:
- Calms nerves and reduces stress
- Lowers anxiety and depression
- Decreases mood swings
- Improves sleep
- Increases mindfulness
- Enhances focus and brain function
- Reduces fatigue
- Lowers the risk of hypertension, stroke and cardiac disease
- Helps manage chronic pain
- Decreases inflammation and joint issues
- Reduces symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
How does Sound Healing work?
Sound healing may sound like an alternative healing method, but its benefits are backed by science. A 2020 report in the Integrative Medicine journal states that a strong relaxation effect was observed when vibrational instruments like Tibetan bowls were played. An Electroencephalogram (EEG) was used to measure brain waves when sounds of different frequencies were played.
It was observed that when our brain waves slow down, we move to a relaxed state. During this phase, our heart rate goes down, lowering blood pressure and stabilizing breathing. This in turn gives our immune system a boost, reduces stress hormones and increases cognitive function.
In some cases, the practice can end up being too intense, rather than relaxing. Sound healing may bring up long-buried emotions or suppressed thoughts, and this can be unpleasant, leading to tears. However, this is also considered part of healing and is not something to be stopped.
Things to Remember about Sound Healing
- Ask your doctor. This is particularly important if you have an underlying medical condition that could get worse or come in the way of your healing.
- Avoid if pregnant. Some experts suggest staying away from sound healing during pregnancy, especially during the first and third trimesters.
- Find a qualified healer. Do your research and find a practitioner who is qualified to perform the practice and has experience with healing others.
- Dress comfortably. For the practice to be beneficial, it is essential that you are completely calm and comfortable, so avoid wearing anything tight or restricting.
- Eat early. Eat light a few hours before your session, so your digestive system is not in overdrive during the session. Avoid caffeine as it can affect your relaxation.
- Take time for grounding. After a sound healing session, you may wake up to find yourself feeling a little ‘off’. That’s normal, so take the time to ground yourself before you get up.
In a world where we’re overwhelmed with the dings of notifications and the screaming matches on TV, it feels wonderful to take a break and listen to some healing sounds. Think of sound healing like a detox – not just for your ears, but your mind, body and soul!
When looking for a sound healing practitioner or workshop, make sure the person conducting it is qualified for it. A workshop is a great way to get acquainted with sound healing, where they will introduce you to the practice first, then perform the healing and end with a question-answer session to clear your doubts.
If you’re in Mumbai, you’re in luck – Ruchi and I are hosting a sound healing workshop this month! This will be an immersive session on sound healing followed by a nourishing meal and a gift you can take home – an eye mask! The details of the session are in the image below – see you there!
Prerna is the founder, editor and owner of ‘Maa of All Blogs’, one of India’s Top Parenting Blogs. Besides being a certified Ashtanga Yoga instructor, she is also a fashion designer and economics graduate.
When she’s not busy running her home and business, she ensures she stays active – whether it’s running the half marathon, completing the Oxfam walk or climbing to the Everest base camp. Prerna enjoys wearing all her hats, and she does so in style!
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