WhySound?
In the last 10 years the understanding of what it is to be healthy has changed. Whereas we used to think of health as the absence of disease we now place emphasis on positive well being.
The world health organisation which defines health as ‘physical, mental and social wellbeing, has declared mental wellness to be of utmost importance stating that positive mental health is the foundation for wellbeing and effective functioning for both the individual and the community.
Why sound?
Sound provides a bridge between our bodies and the world we live in, with each other and more deeply our innermost, spiritual selves. Sound triggers a physical sensation to our bodies and to our minds. The sounds release chemical messengers that make us feel a certain way. We literally embody it feeling its vibrations within us. This is the result of the way the brain processes and interprets the sound either by singing, playing an instrument or listening to it.
The electric impulses that the brain then sends out to the various glands or neurotransmitters in your body trigger physical sensation.
If you hear a fire alarm your brain signals to your adrenal glands to release adrenaline into your blood stream. Your muscles tense up, your pupils dilate and your heart rate increases. You are in a state of red alert, ready to fight or flee danger.
On the other hand, if you hear a low pitched sound that lasts long your brain signals to the adrenal gland to slow down the release of another stress hormone cortisol. Your breathing and heart rate ease up, your blood pressure falls and you relax. Furthermore if you hear a sound you really like your brain triggers the release of dopamine known as the ‘pleasure hormone’. You may get goosebumps or a tingling in your spine.
The rhythm can alter the patterns of our brainwaves creating an altered state of consciousness. It can relax us, bringing a sense of calm, peace or deep meditation enabling us to access theta brainwave states. During this state the brain is put into a deep state of relaxation during which many different healing processes may occur including mental tension and the learning of new and positive behaviour.
When you feel the pounding in your chest and the vibrations in your body this is known as resonance. The feeling of that moment is healing you. This is why we use the motto as my guru said healing with feeling!
During the therapeutic sound treatment, resonance is used to soothe muscle tension treating any kind of physical symptoms, such as arthritis and other forms of pain. Through rhythm we can alter the flow of the chemical messenger’s cortisol and adrenaline. This is because the rhythm is a pulse of sound energy that stimulates the primal senses.
Depending on the frequency waves used, the sound healing experience may enhance creativity, intelligence and emotional development and create a heightened sense of self awareness.
Personally I believe sound is the only medium that creates an experience that touches us in so many ways with such a profound transformative effect. A sound is a reminder that there is life beyond the self. Think of the sounds of nature- these remind us of the beauty and richness of life, of the existence of other things. Stimulating us in this way puts us within the context of the wider world, reminding us that we are part of something bigger and greater than our individual selves. Many people find this sense of interconnectedness of all things a form of healing in itself. Just listen to the sound of a gong! It will influence even people who are tone deaf! Through altered states of consciousness, sound enables us to tap into levels of our inner selves that we might never otherwise discover.
Why Is Sound the Medicine of the Future?
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Scientific Foundations:
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Frequency Healing: Research shows that every cell in our body vibrates at specific frequencies, and dis-ease occurs when these frequencies fall out of alignment. Sound therapy restores this harmony.
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Brainwave Entrainment: Sound healing uses specific frequencies to induce brainwave states like alpha (relaxation), theta (meditation), and delta (deep sleep or healing). For example, binaural beats stimulate the brain to synchronize at these healing states.
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Non-Invasive and Natural:
Unlike many modern treatments, sound healing is a natural, drug-free method with no side effects. It uses the body’s innate ability to heal itself by harnessing resonance and vibration. -
Emotional and Mental Healing:
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Sound bypasses the logical mind and directly impacts the subconscious. It helps release deep-seated emotions and trauma, fostering mental clarity and peace.
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Studies suggest sound healing reduces stress, anxiety, and depression while enhancing overall well-being.
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Future Innovations:
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Technologies like vibroacoustic therapy and sound beds combine sound frequencies with vibrations for precise healing of physical and emotional conditions.
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Medical fields are exploring sound waves for breaking down kidney stones, regenerating tissue, and even treating neurological conditions.
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The science of quantum physics teaches us that everything in the known universe is made from energy, justifying what the Vedic teachings have been saying for thousand of years. Energy outside of us and the energy inside of us in inseparable- the energy is constantly transferring within and without us and it can be transferred by what we see, hear, feel, think or believe.
The sounds we hear and feel can move mind and body, alter consciousness and allow an individual to drift into a state of being similar to a trance or deep relaxation. This in turn creates a space in which a therapeutic process can begin.
Therapeutic sound places the listener in a receptive state in which there is an increased awareness of being connected to all things. This awareness creates resonance, en expanded up lifted positive state. Regular sound sessions enable us to have a greater awareness of this level of ourselves, bringing a sense of profound peace and our appreciation of the wonder of existence and our part in it.
Healing with feeling
The word healing when applied to a wound for example is the process of the knitting together and repair of tissue. Applied to illness it refers to the body’s ability to fight foreign invaders (say bacteria or viruses) Here, the term healing is used in a physical form. However, healing is far more than just a physical process. It is a holistic endeavour that occurs on all levels of our being: yes physical but also mental emotional and spiritual. With a holistic approach to healing, therapeutic sound is a trigger that resonates on all levels for ‘whole person’ wellbeing. This however also depends according to our attitudes and actions in the long term! One is responsible to make healing decisions for themselves. The individual is the one deciding when and how to be healed giving permission and the facilitator is here to empower the client to heal themselves reviewing their progress!
Benefits of sound healing
One of the reasons behind the growing popularity of music therapy in the treatment of mental disorders is its ability to engage multiple areas of the brain simultaneously. Research has shown that music activates various regions of the brain involved in emotion, memory, attention, and motor skills.
Stress related disorders- burnout, chronic fatigue syndrome, adjustment disorders. It helps individuals to relax, reduce anxiety and improve their overall well-being.
Depression, anxiety and mood disorders;
The clients work on their construct – helping them to overcome the negative thoughts and feelings that stops you from living the life you want. Studies have shown that listening or participating in music therapy sessions can reduce symptoms of depression, increase self-esteem and improve overall mood. Music has the ability to evoke emotions and memories providing individuals with an outlet to express themselves and process their feelings in a safe and non-threatening environment.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and mood disorders
In addition to its emotional benefits, music therapy has also shown promise in improving cognitive function in individuals with mental disorder. Research indicates that engaging in musical activities can enhance cognitive skills such us attention, concentration, memory and executive function. This is particularly impactful for individuals with neurocognitive disorders such us dementia and Alzheimer’s disease as music can serve as a powerful tool to stimulate memory retrieval, improve cogntitive functioning, reduce agitation and enhance emotional well being.
Autism
For individuals with autism music therapy can provide a structured and predictable environment that promote social interaction, communication skills emotional expression and most importantly sensory integration. For example the individual tends to feel the vibration of sound, observe the feelings created and enhance this calming effect.
Individuals with substance abuse disorders
Sound healing and music therapy can be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to reduce cravings, promote relaxation and enhance coping skills. It serves as a means of self expression, emotional release and stress reduction, which can contribute to the recovery process.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Music therapy can help individuals with ADHD improve their attention span, focus, and impulse control. It provides a structured environment and uses rhythm and movement to engage individuals and enhance their ability to concentrate.
Schizophrenia: Music therapy can be used as an adjunctive treatment for individuals with schizophrenia. It can help reduce negative symptoms such us social withdrawal, improve self-esteem, promote self expression, and enhance social skills. While it is not a substitute for medical treatment, the soothing vibrations can create a sense of safety and ease, encouraging moments of clarity and connection in a supportive environment.
Eating disorders- Anorexia and Bulimia. It can support individuals with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia by fostering a positive body image, encouraging emotional expression, and promoting self-care and self-soothing. The calming vibrations help release tension, reduce negative thought patterns, and create a safe space for healing and self-acceptance.
Mental refreshment
Sound healing offers profound mental and physical refreshment, guiding you into a calm, almost dreamlike state just above sleep. In this peaceful space, stress, anxiety, and fear dissolve, while insights from deeper levels of consciousness may arise, offering comfort and clarity. The soothing vibrations balance your energy channels (chakras), enhancing emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being as taught in ancient Vedic wisdom. This practice fosters deeper listening—to others, yourself, and the cosmos—opening the heart and mind. After a session, many experience a blissful sense of relaxation, a fresh perspective on challenges, and a gentle melting away of physical and emotional tension.