The Benefits of Sound Healing

We know that sound healing has been around for a long time, but do we know the benefits of this modality?  How does it help our mind, body and soul? The list of benefits is long .  Most people admit that they achieve a sense of deep relaxation during a sound bath   So what is it doing to our body?  It is turning off our sympathetic nervous system from a state of fight or flight and turning on our parasympathetic nervous system to a state of rest and digest   It actually changes the chemicals in our brain to activate this state of relaxation.  It lowers our blood pressure, changes our mood and can even start some physical healing.  Are sound practitioners doctors? No, we don’t give a diagnosis, but our clients have witnessed  changes in their bodies that have been a direct  benefit from a sound bath. Let’s look at some of the instruments you might find at a sound bath and how they affect the body.

Tibetan Sound Bowls

The metal Tibetan Bowls have become very popular in the sound healing industry. Originally from China, these bowls have been used for thousands of years to help promote mindfulness.  Listening to the bowls and their amazing overtones can lessen negative thoughts and help quiet mind allowing you to be more self aware.  These bowls, which are made from a variety of metals usually bronze, copper and brass are actually standing bells.  When stuck at the side they play a fundamental note.  When played along the rim they produce a vibration that gives various overtones.  These softer tones help with deepening your meditation as well as alleviating headaches, chronic pain and even assist with sleep issues.

Crystal Sound Bowls

When talking about singing bowls you must include the amazing sounds of Quartz Crystal bowls.  They have only been around since the 1970s and were a by product of the computer industry   Like their metal cousins they also produce a fundamental tone when stuck on the side of the bowl   The big difference is that when played along the rim the vibrational tone is pure   Each bowl can play a specific note and these notes or frequencies are aligned to many parts of the body.   You may notice that the rainbow colored bowls each represent a different frequency that also aligns to the seven Chakras or energy wheels of the body. One of the big benefits of sound healing is being able to shift the energies within the body   When our energy is blocked we may have pain or feel off or “out of tune”   A sound bath may be what you need to rebalance your Chakras and make you feel better.

Tuning Fork Therapy

When talking sound and sound vibrations you need to mention Tuning Forks.  These instruments have been around since the 1700s and were used to tune other instruments so that they could play together in orchestras and give starting notes to singers in choirs.  It wasn’t until 200 years later that these instruments were used for healing.  Tuning forks come in two styles- weighted and unweighted.  The unweighted forks are used around the ears so that the clients hear the tone and the sound can affect their brain and nervous system.  The weighted tuning forks are used directly in the body and the vibrations can begin healing at a cellular level.

Drums and Rattles 

Drums and rattles can also be used during a sound bath. Drums have been used as a form of communication,  celebration and expression for thousands of years.  Drum therapy and drum circles are a way to relieve anxiety and stress.  It can be a great way to release inner traumas through physical movement or meditative beats. Drumming allows individuals to lose themselves through non verbal communication and allow a recovery journey.  The use of rattles during a sound bath can break up blocked energy allowing for the healing sounds to be absorbed. 

Sound Bath Instruments

Other instruments - Crystal Singing Pyramids, Gongs, Chimes can also be used in a sound healing session or sound bath  Listening to the varying frequencies and tones of the variety of instruments affect all the different parts of our bodies   Some people may respond to these instruments differently depending on your energy balances,  emotions or illnesses.  If you have never experienced a sound bath come and try it out   Allow your body, mind and spirit to be bathed in different sounds  Discover the benefits or try a one on one session to focus on a specific condition - allowing your body to heal naturally.

Humming for Healing

After all the talk about the different instruments we can’t forget the most important instrument which is that of the human voice. Humming and singing is an amazing healing tool.  Chanting was used thousands of years ago not only for spiritual and religious reasons, but also as a form of meditation. Did you know that each of the seven Chakras is associated with a sound?  Theses sounds can be hummed or chanted to open the energy in that area.  Humming is created by the air resonating over our vocal chords.   Humming is the soothing sound that we create for babies. Humming stimulates our Vegas nerve and relaxes us.  It releases endorphins and makes us happier. It can release the hormone melatonin allowing us to sleep better.  The increased breathing when we hum allows for more oxygenation therefore decreasing blood pressure and heart rate. It improves your concentration, boosts your creativity and has an all around healing effect on your body.

Local Sound Bath

Sound Healing is an amazing tool that allows our body to heal naturally. The benefits of Sound Healing are endless.  If you can’t find a local Sound bath come to Three Feathers Healing at St. Luke’s Church in Hudson, MA for a Chakra Balance or Meditation.  You will not only be bathed in some relaxing sounds, but you may also find that your own voice can start your own unique healing journey