If you’ve been around the wellness scene for any length of time, you’ll know that Sound Healing is a growing trend and it isn’t just something that Meghan Markle and Charlize Theron do. This ancient practice is being embraced by the scientific community and we’re finally starting to understand why this is the case. It’s not just about the beats, melodies and lyrics – it’s also about the vibrations that are being sent through our bodies.
As it turns out, everything is made up of vibrational frequencies and even things that appear solid have a certain vibrational energy. Sound can actually interact with every cell in the body to produce a specific result, whether it be encouraging healing or creating a relaxing effect. This is known as resonance and can be achieved through instruments, vocals, and our own voice.
There are a few different ways to do Sound Healing but some of the most popular are gong baths, tuning forks, crystal bowls, and chanting or kirtan (group led meditations of singing and mantras). The reason these forms of sound therapy work so well is because they’re programmed frequencies that are designed to have a particular therapeutic outcome.
For example, the sounds produced with the singing bowls penetrate deep into the tissue and encourage a cellular level massage of the body, which improves blood circulation and metabolism, relieves muscle tension, and stimulates regeneration and repair. The sounds also trigger an alternating compression and relaxation of the cells, which is like having your very own cellular spa treatment.
The science behind this is called sympathetic resonance. As the sounds resonate with your body they put your body into the parasympathetic state vs the sympathetic, which is the fight or flight response. When your body is in the sympathetic state, you’re releasing stress hormones which, while useful at times, are not good for long term health.
In short, the benefits of a sound healing session are vast and varied, including improved mental clarity, reduced anxiety, reduced stress, lessened pain, better sleep, improved circulation, decreased inflammation, strengthened immune system, and more. It is thought that many of our modern day ailments are linked to stress, and it is only through putting the mind, body and soul into a parasympathetic state that your body can truly heal itself.
Of course, you don’t need to pay for a session with a practitioner to reap the rewards of this ancient healing technique. You can simply meditate or relax with calming music and nature sounds at home. If you want to take it a step further, try chanting the word AUM or sing a simple song that is soothing to you. This will encourage the same healing benefits as a professional session but in your own home, and at a fraction of the cost! For more information on the benefits of Sound Healing, click here. Sound Healing benefits