What exactly is sound healing?
Have you ever found yourself entranced by a piece of music, feeling the stress melt away with each note? How is it that harnessing the power of sound can heal and rejuvenate your body and mind? Here we dive into what exactly is sound healing, and why we are seeing it’s growing emergence in the wellness community as it rises to popularity.
Sound healing is an ancient practice that uses tonal frequencies to bring the body into a state of harmony and health. It is an ancient healing technique that has roots based in various cultures; including Tibetan, Indian, and Native American traditions. In more recent years, it’s been making waves as a powerful tool for stress reduction and overall well-being.
So, why the sudden surge in interest? In today’s fast-paced world, stress is a very common adversary. People are looking towards natural, non-invasive methods to alleviate stress and they are looking for more somatic healing experiences as they seek to improve their health. Sound healing does exactly that. It offers a unique and immersive experience that can transport individuals to a state of deep relaxation and for during a session, can bring them towards experiencing inner peace.
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Why try a sound healing meditation session?
If you’re someone who is new to meditating, attending a sound bath ceremony can help you to build your practice. Instead of learning to slow your thoughts and attune to your awareness through silence, you can experience the same relaxing sensation through the mental calm provided through the chiming of healing instruments. Each of these healing instruments is specifically crafted and attuned to the natural frequencies of the human body and during the ceremony work towards releasing any debris or energetic junk that could be attached to your energetic field. The healing instruments provide additional support for you, as you work your way through your meditation to raise your vibration.
The shift into stillness helps lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress, promoting relaxation and calmness. Not only that, but sound healing has been found to improve sleep quality, boost immune function, and even alleviate chronic pain. This is because the vibrations from quality sound healing instruments, like Tibetan singing bowls or crystal bowls, resonate with your body’s cells, encouraging deep healing at a cellular level.
How do sound bowls work?
Sound bowls are at the heart of many sound healing sessions. But what exactly do they do, and how can a simple bowl produce such profound effects?
When a sound bowl is played, it emits a rich, resonant tone that can be felt as well as heard. These tones create vibrations that can travel through your body, promoting relaxation and healing. Different bowls produce different frequencies, each with unique benefits. For instance, lower frequencies are often associated with grounding and relaxation, while higher frequencies can energize and uplift. The idea is that through aligning with the frequencies of the energy body, the sounds released will bring the body back into its natural state of alignment–resulting with a renewed sense of rejuvenation. This is why most sound healing ceremonies involve the playing of sound bowls which have been especially attuned to the solfeggio frequencies.
The use of sound bowls for self-healing is based on the principle that everything in the universe (including our bodies) is in a constant state of vibration. When our bodies experience disharmony, it is most often a sign of chronic stress or illness. Through the audible sounds and harnessing the law of vibration, sound bowls get to work.
How do sound healing instruments work to heal the body?
The concept of using sound for healing might seem abstract, but there’s science behind it.
The human body is made up of approximately 70% water, making it an excellent conductor of sound. When a sound bowl is played, its vibrations travel through the water in your body, promoting the onset of relaxation. It’s important to note here, you should understand that there is a slight difference between resonance and entrainment. Resonance is used when describing the phenomenon of two objects that come into contact have a tendency to eventually become in sync, “resonating at the same vibration”. While entrainment describes an object that has a stronger vibration influencing another its in field and leading it to a new vibration. With sound healing, it encourages brain entrainment to promote the body to get into a state of resonance with the corresponding sound bowl–this is also similar to the effect that happens when listening to binaural beats.
As mentioned earlier, sound healing has the power to release tension and blockages that can be held in the body’s energy centres, also known as chakras. This then promotes for the free flow of energy and has a dramatic effect to improve and enhance overall well-being.
scientific studies on sound healing improving wellness
Sound healing is not just a practice rooted in ancient traditions; it’s also supported by scientific research. Below are a few peer-reviewed studies that highlight the benefits:
Sound Healing for Chronic Stress: A study published in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine explored how different frequencies produced by Tibetan singing bowls could influence stress reduction and overall well-being. The researchers found that exposure to these frequencies led to significant decreases in cortisol levels (a marker for stress) and improved self-reported measures of relaxation and emotional balance. The participants in the study reported a noticeable enhancement in their overall sense of well-being following each sessions with the singing bowls. Thus concluding the potential of sound healing to support long-term stress management.
Sound Healing for Mental Health: A systematic review published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine included various studies that explored how different sound therapies, including sound healing with Tibetan singing bowls, impacted mental health. It revealed that sound therapy was one modality that significantly improved mental health by reducing high levels of depression and anxiety. In the reviewed studies, participants experienced major improvements in mood, reductions in anxiety, and improved emotional well-being after each session. The paper concluded that sound therapy is a promising complementary approach to traditional treatments for mental health conditions. However, the authors also noted the need for more high-quality, large-scale studies to further confirm these findings and better understand the mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of sound therapy.
Sound Healing for Improved Sleep: A study published in Research Gate explored the effects of sound healing on sleep. The study aimed to compare the effects of live and recorded sound baths using singing bowls on relaxation and sleep quality. Participants were randomly selected into three different groups, each receiving a different sound healing condition: a live sound bath, a recorded sound bath, and a passive relaxation session. They were exposed to 20-minute sessions of either a live sound bath with singing bowls, a recorded sound bath, or a passive relaxation session without any sound intervention. Relaxation and sleep quality were assessed using standardized questionnaires and physiological measures. Both live and recorded sound baths significantly improved relaxation compared to the passive relaxation session. Participants reported improved sleep quality following the live sound bath session compared to the recorded sound bath and passive relaxation sessions.
What happens during a sound healing session?
Curious about what happens during a sound healing session? Here’s a glimpse into what you can expect.
A typical session involves lying down in a comfortable position while the practitioner plays various sound healing instruments. These can include Tibetan singing bowls, crystal bowls, gongs, and tuning forks. The practitioner may place the bowls on or around your body to enhance the vibrational effects.
Each session is designed to create a relaxing and immersive experience. You can expect to feel a deep sense of calm and tranquility. Some people report experiencing visualizations or emotional releases (crying) during the session. Each person’s experience is unique, but the overarching goal is to deep healing.
How often should you I receive sound healing?
The frequency of sessions depends on your individual needs and goals. Some people benefit from weekly sessions, while others may find monthly sessions sufficient. It’s essential to listen to your body and consult with a sound healing practitioner to determine the best frequency for you. Typically a benchmark for any non-invasive healing treatment is to wait 90 days to fully integrate it’s impact.
It's not a wellness trend, it's an ancient practice
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Marissa
aka The Chrysalis Coach