What is Sound Healing and How it Benefits the Body
Sound is always present in our life. There are many different kinds of sounds around us- some soothing, such as the sound of leaves or the sound of the ocean and others harsh like traffic noise or the hum of an industrial machine. Turns out, the sounds we hear every day affect both our physical and our mental health — whether we realize it or not.
So, studies have shown that prolonged exposure to loud or jarring sounds such as those found in cities or in busy environments can cause the nervous system to become stressed and anxious, and causes the body to suffer from physical ills, such as high blood pressure. Hence the body responds to these sounds with increased tension and often the fight-or-flight response is triggered. That constant over time stress can bring you to exhaustion, emotional imbalance and even more health issues.
The practice of sound healing comes into play here.
What is Sound Healing?
Sound healing, or a “sound bath," is an age-old practice of using soothing sounds to bring the body and mind back to balance. It is a kind of holistic therapy that works through applying certain tones and frequency which heals and relaxes the body. There are many different instruments used during a sound healing session, including crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes and tuning forks which when played together create vibrations that work on the body’s energy and cells.
The famous inventor Nikola Tesla once said, “If you want to know the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, vibration.” The heart of sound healing is embedded in this statement. These harmonizing tones are directed to counterbalance the chaotic noise we often face in our environment so that the nervous system can reset and calm down.
The frequencies of each sound healing instrument are also unique with the different parts of the body and mind in which they resonate. For instance, a low grounding tone might promote physical relaxation in the body's core organs, and a higher, more delicate frequency may contribute to emotional release and mental calm. Sound healing works in this way at many levels and helps you realign your energy.
The Benefits of Sound Healing
- Stress and Anxiety Relief: Playing with the calming tones of the instruments used in a sound bath helps to reduce cortisol levels, the hormone of stress. This relaxes the body and the mind.
- Emotional Release: Sound healing provides a safe place for deep emotional work. After a session, many participants feel lighter and more balanced emotionally, as they release pent up feelings and blockages.
- Physical Relaxation: Sound vibrations can relax tight muscles, reduce physical tension and help circulation, all of which helps the body to heal more efficiently.
- Improved Sleep: A sound bath will deepen and facilitate your relaxation, and improve your sleep quality so the quality of your rest will be more restorative.
- Enhanced Mental Clarity and Focus: A sound healing session can also enhance the functioning of the nervous system to a more balanced state, allowing its functions to improve including to focus, solve a problem, and think creatively.
What Happens During a Sound Bath?
A sound healing session (also referred to as a sound bath) is typically 60 to 90 minutes. At this time, participants are asked to lie down comfortably (on yoga mats), and just relax. It’s not about any physical movement, it’s about allowing the body and mind to go into a deep state of rest.
Usually the session starts with a few minutes of guided meditation or breathwork to help participants settle into the experience. A sound healer will then start playing different instruments in a room, producing a rich tapestry of melody which fills up the room. The participants let go of their tension and stress as the vibrations of the music move through the space and their bodies let go of its stress as the instruments play.
Each instrument used in a sound bath has its own specific purpose and effect.
Many participants find themselves deeply relaxed during the session and some even actually fall asleep— which is a great sign that the nervous system is returning to balance. Others may feel waves of emotion while the sound helps them let go of old stress or trauma contained in the body. At the end of the session, the body feels lighter and the mind clearer which means participants feel grounded and refreshed.
Sound Healing for Emotional and Physical Well-being
When you start bringing sound healing into your life, it helps you connect more deeply with your body, mind, and spirit. It is not about relaxing but more about bringing yourself into the frequencies of healing and harmony so you can let your true self shine through.
Sound healing is a gentle but extremely powerful way to de-stress, to clear emotional blockages, or simply to relax and recharge. It is a true practice that respects the natural rhythms of the body and mind as it offers deep rest and renewal.
Want to learn how to use sound healing and sound therapy from an experienced instructor? Feel free to contact Light Castle Soundhealing Studio Brisbane.
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