You may have heard of music therapy which has become more well known in the last few decades. Music therapy is now used as a common approach in mainstream hospitals and health centers throughout the world. Music therapy is used most commonly by employing musical melodies, well known songs or group musical activities to positively affect the cognitive or psychological states of the patient.
Sound therapy is like music therapy's cousin. It may seem like sound therapy is a fairly recent exploration, (if you are even aware of it) but it is actually thousands of years old and has roots in nearly every sacred musical tradition around the world. Now science is beginning to piece together how sound therapy can affect us on such a profound physical, mental and spiritual level.
What is sound therapy?
Sound Therapy is similar to music therapy, but has a few key differences. Sound therapy focuses more on the elements of sound and their physiological and neurological effects. This is the deeper connection of sound, frequency and rhythm to our physiology. Specifically used, sound has the ability to affect us on a deeper level, by enabling us to transcend our normal, day to day, states of consciousness and find states of relaxation or even transcendence from day to day stresses. Sound therapy also focuses less on the traditional styles of music and more on sounds (specific frequencies or rhythms). Most of the time it is intentionally kept simple in order for the listener to focus less on the composition and facilitate a mental space for letting go of stress.
How does this work?
The whole universe is composed of moving and vibrating energy and we are too. Our bodies are rhythm based systems. We have a heartbeat, in and out breath, pulsation, digestive rhythms, circadian rhythms etc. Our brainwaves are even measured by frequency which is also a measurement of rhythm. Specific sounds, frequencies and oscillations have the ability to entrain, or synchronize our brainwaves and physical systems. This enables our body the chance to re-harmonize, balance and find deeper states of relaxation.
Thinking of our brainwave states or states of being as "gears" is one way to look at relaxation. As I have mentioned in earlier posts there are four main states of consciousness that are represented by specific frequency ranges in the brain. The brainwave states and associated hertz are:
Beta - (13-38 hertz) This is our active waking, problem solving state of being.
Alpha - (8-13 hertz) This is a relaxed and calm state or light meditation.
Theta - (4-7 hertz) This is associated with deep relaxation, meditation, hypnosis, visualization etc.
Delta - (below 4 hertz) This is associated with deep dreamless sleep. Buddhist Monks and advanced meditation practitioners have also been measured in this state during meditation.
Most of the time we are in Beta State. This is our waking, alert, problem solving state of being. When we go to sleep we briefly pass thru Alpha and Theta on our way to deep sleep in the Delta waves.
I like this analogy of looking at these states like gears on a car. If you had a car with four gears, but you only drove in first and fourth, then obviously that wouldn't be very efficient. Also, this would put stress on the car. I think the same is true with our minds. We have been conditioned to think we should be in full Beta mode soon after waking up and then at the end of the day we should just switch it off and go right to sleep. Unfortunately, that doesn't really work very well. This type of conditioning results in imbalances that can lead to insomnia, anxiety and stress. Being able to understand and access the other gears in our minds is important to being able to function well.
So how does a person learn to access these other gears?
Sound Therapy and Brainwave Entrainment is one very effective way. Other great tools include yoga, meditation, prayer, exercise and healthy foods.
What is entrainment?
What is an oscillation?
according to wikipedia:
"Oscillation is the repetitive variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value (often a point of equilibrium) or between two or more different states. Familiar examples include a swinging pendulum and AC power. The term vibration is sometimes used more narrowly to mean a mechanical oscillation but is sometimes used as a synonym of "oscillation". Oscillations occur not only in physical systems but also in biological systems, from human society to the brain."
Remember, the body is a rhythm machine. You have a heartbeat, pulsation in your vessels, your brainwaves create frequency (another type of rhythm) and your breath expands and contracts and our digestive system even has it's own rhythm. We have circadian rhythms that regulate waking and sleep states from night to day. On the micro level even our cells have their own rhythms and vibrations. It is important that these things function in concert with each other with ease. Stress is imbalance and disharmony. In order to maintain harmony and ease, we have to maintain synchronicity and harmony in the system. The best part about this is that our bodies are naturally inclined toward this state. We just have to relax, do the right things (eat well, exercise, sleep...and practice relaxing!!) and get out of the body's way. This can seem very complicated depending on your situation, but each step you take towards back towards harmony will pay big dividends and your body will thank you.
These are just some of the basics of sound therapy. Some of the sounds and techniques may seem unusual or even mystical, they are grounded in very measurable scientific concepts that are universal.
At the end of the day whether we're talking about science, religion, psychology or drugs, sex and rock'n roll it's is all about letting go of stress and feeling great...and sound therapy won't give you a hangover!
For more on personal sound therapy sessions click here.
For sound downloads click here.
Just a personal note: There is nothing new under the sun. I am just attempting to present info. here that has helped me. I hope to present it in a clear way based on my experience with anxiety which was a spiritual, psychological and emotional awakening for me. In retrospect of this experience I have been reading as much as I could to come to a deeper and more grounded understanding of this seemingly mystical thing that happened to me (so that I could share it with you). I'm not a doctor or a scientist. Please know this is only my experience. Yours will obviously be different, but since my experience was so similar to others I've talked to, I am hoping this may be helpful or useful to you in some way. It's also a way that I hope to share the love with you. That is my purpose here.
Sound therapy is like music therapy's cousin. It may seem like sound therapy is a fairly recent exploration, (if you are even aware of it) but it is actually thousands of years old and has roots in nearly every sacred musical tradition around the world. Now science is beginning to piece together how sound therapy can affect us on such a profound physical, mental and spiritual level.
What is sound therapy?
Sound Therapy is similar to music therapy, but has a few key differences. Sound therapy focuses more on the elements of sound and their physiological and neurological effects. This is the deeper connection of sound, frequency and rhythm to our physiology. Specifically used, sound has the ability to affect us on a deeper level, by enabling us to transcend our normal, day to day, states of consciousness and find states of relaxation or even transcendence from day to day stresses. Sound therapy also focuses less on the traditional styles of music and more on sounds (specific frequencies or rhythms). Most of the time it is intentionally kept simple in order for the listener to focus less on the composition and facilitate a mental space for letting go of stress.
How does this work?
The whole universe is composed of moving and vibrating energy and we are too. Our bodies are rhythm based systems. We have a heartbeat, in and out breath, pulsation, digestive rhythms, circadian rhythms etc. Our brainwaves are even measured by frequency which is also a measurement of rhythm. Specific sounds, frequencies and oscillations have the ability to entrain, or synchronize our brainwaves and physical systems. This enables our body the chance to re-harmonize, balance and find deeper states of relaxation.
Thinking of our brainwave states or states of being as "gears" is one way to look at relaxation. As I have mentioned in earlier posts there are four main states of consciousness that are represented by specific frequency ranges in the brain. The brainwave states and associated hertz are:
Beta - (13-38 hertz) This is our active waking, problem solving state of being.
Alpha - (8-13 hertz) This is a relaxed and calm state or light meditation.
Theta - (4-7 hertz) This is associated with deep relaxation, meditation, hypnosis, visualization etc.
Delta - (below 4 hertz) This is associated with deep dreamless sleep. Buddhist Monks and advanced meditation practitioners have also been measured in this state during meditation.
Most of the time we are in Beta State. This is our waking, alert, problem solving state of being. When we go to sleep we briefly pass thru Alpha and Theta on our way to deep sleep in the Delta waves.
I like this analogy of looking at these states like gears on a car. If you had a car with four gears, but you only drove in first and fourth, then obviously that wouldn't be very efficient. Also, this would put stress on the car. I think the same is true with our minds. We have been conditioned to think we should be in full Beta mode soon after waking up and then at the end of the day we should just switch it off and go right to sleep. Unfortunately, that doesn't really work very well. This type of conditioning results in imbalances that can lead to insomnia, anxiety and stress. Being able to understand and access the other gears in our minds is important to being able to function well.
So how does a person learn to access these other gears?
Sound Therapy and Brainwave Entrainment is one very effective way. Other great tools include yoga, meditation, prayer, exercise and healthy foods.
What is entrainment?
Entrainment is when two systems come into synchronization with each other. This was first noticed by Christian Huygens, the inventor of the pendulum clock. He noticed that the pendulum clock in his shop would always "sync up" to each other. This phenomena was later studied and the idea of Entrainment came into being. Here is a quick video showing a group of metronomes entraining to each other.
This type of entrainment also happens with our brainwaves. Because the brain, the heart and the breath are all connected via the parasympathetic nervous system, this helps to relax our entire body and essentially allow us the space to find a new level of harmony within the body.
With sound therapy, our brainwaves are entraining to an existing oscillation that is contained in the sound or musical background. Our brains do this naturally. This occurs because of a phenomenon called the Frequency Following Response or FFR. The repetitive nature of these oscillations encourage our brainwaves to entrain with the oscillation, much like the metronomes in the video above. In this way we are able to access some of the "gears" in our mind states. Accessing these different gears not only give the mind a rest, but because the mind the heart and breathing are all connecting via the Parasympathetic Nervous System, they also give our body a rest. Binaural beats (download some here) are sound oscillations that give our brains a window into accessing these mental states. Other instruments, like Tibetan Singing Bowls or Crystal Bowls also produce these types of oscillations.What is an oscillation?
according to wikipedia:
"Oscillation is the repetitive variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value (often a point of equilibrium) or between two or more different states. Familiar examples include a swinging pendulum and AC power. The term vibration is sometimes used more narrowly to mean a mechanical oscillation but is sometimes used as a synonym of "oscillation". Oscillations occur not only in physical systems but also in biological systems, from human society to the brain."
Remember, the body is a rhythm machine. You have a heartbeat, pulsation in your vessels, your brainwaves create frequency (another type of rhythm) and your breath expands and contracts and our digestive system even has it's own rhythm. We have circadian rhythms that regulate waking and sleep states from night to day. On the micro level even our cells have their own rhythms and vibrations. It is important that these things function in concert with each other with ease. Stress is imbalance and disharmony. In order to maintain harmony and ease, we have to maintain synchronicity and harmony in the system. The best part about this is that our bodies are naturally inclined toward this state. We just have to relax, do the right things (eat well, exercise, sleep...and practice relaxing!!) and get out of the body's way. This can seem very complicated depending on your situation, but each step you take towards back towards harmony will pay big dividends and your body will thank you.
These are just some of the basics of sound therapy. Some of the sounds and techniques may seem unusual or even mystical, they are grounded in very measurable scientific concepts that are universal.
At the end of the day whether we're talking about science, religion, psychology or drugs, sex and rock'n roll it's is all about letting go of stress and feeling great...and sound therapy won't give you a hangover!
For more on personal sound therapy sessions click here.
For sound downloads click here.
Just a personal note: There is nothing new under the sun. I am just attempting to present info. here that has helped me. I hope to present it in a clear way based on my experience with anxiety which was a spiritual, psychological and emotional awakening for me. In retrospect of this experience I have been reading as much as I could to come to a deeper and more grounded understanding of this seemingly mystical thing that happened to me (so that I could share it with you). I'm not a doctor or a scientist. Please know this is only my experience. Yours will obviously be different, but since my experience was so similar to others I've talked to, I am hoping this may be helpful or useful to you in some way. It's also a way that I hope to share the love with you. That is my purpose here.