Understanding sound healing’s benefits and how it works.
In the rush and strain of modern living, people are looking for ways to boost their health and well-being. From regular exercise and a healthy diet to learning new skills, setting work boundaries, and exploring ancient healing practices—there are countless paths to support the body and mind.
No matter the approach, there’s something out there to help everyone relax, restore and thrive. One such practice is sound healing. But what exactly is it and how do you explain the therapeutic power of sound?
Tet Fojas-Bachmann, a sound healing and breathwork mentor, explains that a sound healing session usually involves an instrument that is played by the practitioner, while the person receiving the sound healing frequencies is relaxed, sitting up or lying down.
The ancient practice involves using one or more instruments, including gongs, singing bowls, chimes, tuning forks and the human voice, to create resonant frequencies. These auditory and vibrational experiences can enhance both physical well-being and emotional health. The idea is to “bathe” in these sounds, designed to help participants relax deeply and heal.
Related story: Rooted in regenerative therapy, Tulsi Wellness Club embraces the future of health
Related story: Is running the new Tinder?
Related story: Gut health? Five fascinating facts about our gastrointestinal tract
Tet shares, “Sound produced by an instrument is used to bring the body and mind into a deeply relaxed state, wherein the body is able to enter a self-healing or self-repair mode.Once the session begins, one might observe that the sounds you hear might be unfamiliar at first, so that the mind may become naturally curious.
“Eventually, the soothing vibrations of the instruments will help the body and mind relax, guiding you to a deeper state of relaxation where your nervous system might shift from sympathetic (survival/fight or flight) to parasympathetic (rest & digest) mode. This is when self-repair or self-healing can occur.”
Benefits of sound healing
One of the most common benefits of sound healing therapy is its ability to produce relaxation. According to Tet, it has also shown various measurable results for reduced feelings of stress and anxiety, increase in mental clarity, decrease in blood pressure, lower heart rate, and even reduced pain.
How does sound therapy heal?
Sound healing is founded on the principle that everything in the Universe and all matter is made of energy and is in a state of vibration. All matter, including every part of the human body, carries its own unique frequency, and this is changeable and dependent on what we think, feel, eat, and do. Because these things are not always of a high vibration, our resonance frequency can drop, potentially leading to imbalance and disease. Sound can be used to correct the low frequency and assist in bringing one back into balance.
“As humans, we have the capacity for self-healing, if we can master the mind and learn how to relax deeply,” Tet explains. “The state of our mental health determines the state of our physical health. We can experience the benefits of self-healing, if we are able to make rest and deep relaxation an essential part of our daily routine. This way, meditation and sound healing are some of the ancient tools that can help us relax deeply and allow the body and mind to heal itself.”
Sound-based practices for stress or anxiety relief
Adding sound healing to your daily routine doesn’t demand complex setups or extensive expertise. Here, Tet shares a few simple yet effective practices to help ease stress and anxiety that so many people face today.
• Go outdoors and immerse yourself in the sounds of nature. Many studies have shown that listening to sounds such as birds chirping or water flowing can substantially lessen stress and anxiety.
• Use your voice. Studies have revealed that vocal activities can help reduce stress and anxiety, for example:
• Chanting repetitive sounds or mantras can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, lower blood pressure and heart rate.
• Singing alone or in a group can help release neurochemicals that can uplift the mood as well as reduce our stress hormone (cortisol) levels;
• Humming can help stimulate the vagus nerve, which can lower the heart rate, and increase a sense of calmness.
Final takeaway
Tet’s insights highlight the transformative power of sound healing. By integrating these practices into your daily routine, you can deepen your connection with yourself and experience the profound rewards of this ancient healing tradition.
Ultimately, sound healing stands as a potent and attainable approach to enriching your holistic well-being.
