Listening to Music
Many experts suggest that it is the rhythm of the music or the beat that has the calming effect on us although we may not be very conscious about it. They point out that when we were a baby in our mother's womb, we probably were influenced by the heart beat of our mother. We respond to the soothing music at later stages in life, perhaps associating it with the safe, relaxing, protective environment provided by our mother. Playing music in the background while we are working, seemingly unaware of the music itself, has been found to reduce the stress.
Music was found to reduce heart rates and to promote higher body temperature - an indication of the onset of relaxation. Combining music with relaxation therapy is more effective than doing relaxation therapy alone. There is not a single type of music that is good for everyone. People have different tastes. It is important that you like the music being played. But here are some guidelines that will help:
- Choose music with a slow rhythm - slower than the natural heart beat, which is about 60 beats per minute
- Listen to the sounds of nature, such as ocean waves or the calm of a deep forest
- Music without words improves concentration and memory while studying
- Melodies with this magical tempo have helped to enhance restful sleep
Music Therapy
Many cultures recognize the importance of music and sound as a healing tool. In ancient India, Asia, Africa, Europe, and among the Aboriginals and American Indians, the practice of using sound to heal and achieve balance has existed for centuries. The Tibetans still use bells, chimes, bowls, and chanting as the foundation of their spiritual practice. In Bali, the gong and drum are used in ceremonies to uplift and to send messages.
Ancient texts and ancient healing traditions tell us that there is a subtle, divine energy that pervades all living things. This energy is called prana by Hindus, chi by the Chinese, and ki by the Japanese. Researchers call this subtle energy by many names - such as primary energy, bio-energy, life force, and others. This subtle energy needs a mechanism or path to enter the human body. Chakras are a major part of the body system which receives this vital energy and transfers to the physical body.
To the right is a diagram which shows the major chakras, their associated colors, body functions and their corresponding musical sounds.
The word 'chakra' is Sanskrit for wheel or disk, and signifies one of seven basic energy centers in the body. Each of these centers correlates to major nerve ganglia branching forth from the spinal column. Chakras also affect and influence the part of the body where they are located. Unbalanced chakras can lead to physical imbalances. Many researchers and energy workers believe that it is the unbalanced or insufficient flow of subtle energy through the chakras which is the ultimate cause of disease.
A Music Therapy handout and exercise is available in the LIBRARY Download Section.
Primordial Sounds
Ayurveda has known the healing ability of music for thousands of years. Primordial sounds are vibrations of nature whose musical rhythms and intonations have a calming effect on each human and create physiological responses, including improved immune function.
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Music is a form of vibrational medicine which validates the fact that everything in the universe is in a state of vibration, and the frequency at which an object or person most naturally vibrates is called resonance.
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