Given that everything has a vibrational frequency, including ourselves, it makes sense that sound frequencies impact how we feel. That's why particular songs and types of music often bring about specific types of emotions from us. Whether you call it sound healing, sound meditation or sound therapy, scientists and clinical studies are revealing just how healing sound baths can be.
The evidence is everywhere. Credit the recent trend to celebrity endorsements (Robert Downey Jr. and Charlize Theron are both fans) and a general increase of interest in all things wellness. In New York City, studios like Maha Rose and Woom Center boast audio healing sessions. At wellness destinations like the Four Seasons Resort Orlando and Miraval in Tucson, sound therapy sessions are created as part of the packages. On YouTube, multi-hour videos tagged "sound therapy" have garnered millions upon millions of views. Sound therapy is a growing trend globally and in Singapore, we are just getting started.
So...what is sound healing? In short, it’s an ancient healing technique that uses vibrations (vocal or instrumental-like gongs, Tibetan singing bowls and tuning forks) in order to relax your mind and body. It is a practice that brings your body into a state of vibrational balance and harmony with tonal frequencies. Some proponents also believe it can relieve certain ailments, including anxiety and insomnia.
The aim is to enter what psychologists call the ‘delta’ and ‘theta’ brainwave states (the slowest frequencies and the state in which your subconscious mind resides), that are most commonly associated with daydreaming. These are known to aid relaxation and boost creativity.
Here are the four reasons why you will benefit from sound healing.
- It promotes deep relaxation
The aim is to enter what psychologists call the ‘delta’ and ‘theta’ brainwave states (the slowest frequencies and the state in which your subconscious mind resides), that are most commonly associated with daydreaming. These are known to aid relaxation and boost creativity. -
It relieves stress and anxiety
Sound healing helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It balances and clears the mind, and leads to a renewed sense of purpose, well-being, calm, and happiness. In short, it supports your mental and emotional well-being in the long run. - It boosts your health and helps in chronic ailments
Sound-based vibration treatment can significantly improve pain outcomes from arthritis, menstrual pain, postoperative pain, knee replacement pain. Sound-based treatment has even been found to improve mobility, reduce muscle pain and stiffness, increase blood circulation, and lower blood pressure. - It helps clear energy blockages
Some people experience deep healing during sound therapy as the sound vibrations open, clear, and balance their chakras and release stuck energy. It can be felt as "energetic deep tissue massage" that leaves you feeling balanced and replenished.
So, should I try it? Here’s the thing: the 21st century plagued with COVID_19 has been pretty damn stressful, and if you’ve tried other ways to relax with little success, this could help. In fact, some people find it less challenging than meditation because the sound keeps their mind occupied, making it easier to enter into deep states of calm. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have some classes to attend to.