About Myself
I have a collection of musical instruments that I would buy when on holidays. I never knew why I was drawn to buying them as I can’t play any of them professionally I just knew I had to buy them.
While training in Reiki I made friends with a lady who was studying Sound Therapy. I was totally engrossed in what she was explaining to me and after a little research I signed up on the course. It all made perfect sense to me why I have all these instruments. It was as if I was waiting for this to come along. I went through a difficult time when my Father died and found a lot of sounds irritated me. Studying Sound Therapy has given me a greater insight on how sound affects our bodies, mental, physical, emotional and spiritual through its vibrations which, would explain why I had such a reaction while I was grieving.
I love the practice of Sound Therapy and find I get as much out of each session as the client.
Instruments I use:
- Bell
- Tibetan Singing Bowls
- Chrystal Singing Bowl
- Tunning Forks
- Drum
- Gong
- Rattles
- Shakers
What is Sound Therapy?
Sound has been used for centuries to heal the body, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It’s vibrations has a profound effect on the body whether it is used purely for pleasure or healing. Every sound has a frequency that will resonate on some level in the body. If one area of the body is not functioning to its highest level it is out of balance which means its frequency is low. Playing an instrument to vibrate in that area will raise the frequency bringing about balance and harmony to this area.
Sound Therapy has become more accepted in today’s society since science has proven that sound/vibration has a strong impact on substance. The study of Cymatics by Swiss medical doctor, Hans Jenny (1904-1972), has shown how sound creates geometric patterns in matter. Theses patterns are found throughout nature, art and sculpture. Dr Masaru Emoto from Japan discovered that molecular structure of water will change through sound. When the sound is negative the water will not respond favourably becoming murky and dull while positive sound produces beautiful clear crystal water. The body is more than 70% water and will response in a similar manner depending on the type of sound the body is exposed to.
When the healing benefits of sound were rediscovered it was introduced into more areas as an alternative/complementary medicine. For example, drumming with people with dementia for a better quality of life, music and sound CD’s for alleviation of pain and assist relaxing, listening to Mozart to aid concentration.
Ultra-sound is the most common sound used in Medical practice today.
How does Sound Therapy work?
Sound assists us to become relaxed transferring us into a more meditative state of consciousness. This allows the body to become more perceptive and aids balance in areas that have become negative which leads to stress and illness. Sound will transmit a strong vibration which will aid a weak vibration to raise its energy level and bring about positive energy in the body bringing it back into balance. These positive energies in the body will balance emotions and increase peace and harmony to the mind and spirit. Therapeutic sound can also shift stuck emotions which maybe the cause of many illnesses opening up the mind to a higher level allowing us to be more attuned to a spiritual world.
How long is a Sound Therapy treatment?
A Sound Therapy session is usually 40-60 mins depending on the needs of the client. Allow an extra 15mins for full session as the practitioner will need to make notes before and after session.
What are the benefits of Sound Therapy?
There are many benefits to Sound Therapy as it can help in areas of:
- Relaxation
- Sleep disorders
- Depression
- Stress management
- PTSD
- Pain management
- Reduces Anxiety
- Increase general Health
- Promotes healing after Surgery
- Comfort during Berevement
- Assists during periods of Upheavel
- Overcome Phobias
- Supports the Immune System
- Preventative Health Care
What can I expect during a Sound Therapy Treatment?
The client remains dressed at all times, blankets are provided as the client may become cold when they begin to relax. Sounds are played around the body but also on the body. The practitioner will have explained if they will place bowls on the body before they begin the session. The experience is different for everyone. For some a deep feeling of relaxation may be felt at the beginning of the session while others may take longer to relax. The sounds send vibrations through the body and these may be experienced stronger in some areas than others. When the energy/blockage is being released a sensation may be felt in an area for a few seconds and then the body relaxes again. The sensation again may vary from one person to another i.e. Twinge, sharp pain, numbness. It is possible that nothing is felt during the session but the client may become extremely tired a few hours later indicating a release of energy.
What can I expect after a Sound Therapy Treatment?
It is difficult to say what any individual will experience as it is different for everyone. Most clients feel very relaxed and serene after the session. However, when energies or toxins in the body have shifted a feeling of fatigue will present itself. It may be half an hour to several days before these symptoms may arise. They will only last for a short period to a few day after which a feeling of well-being is presented. Drinking plenty of water and resting the body will assist in shifting these energies and toxins.
History of Sound Therapy
Sound has been used in various cultures for centuries as a healing tool. It has been used in daily practice for meditation, religious ceremonies and celebrations of all descriptions. The use of voice (Mantras, prayer, song), musical instruments such as bells, bowls, drums, rain-sticks, shakers and rattles have been used for healing. The Native Americans and Africans used animal skins to make drums and rattles, Australian Aboriginal people used hollowed out eucalyptus trees to make didgeridoo and rain-sticks. The Greeks used the lyre and flute, and in the bible David played his harp to lift King Saul’s depression.
Sound has also been researched by scientists to see the effects it has on the environment as well as the body.
The study of Cymatics by Swiss medical doctor, Hans Jenny (1904-1972), has shown how sound creates geometric patterns in matter. Theses patterns are found throughout nature, art and sculpture. Japanese scientist, Dr Masaru Emoto, discovered that molecular structure of water will change through sound. When the sound is negative the water will not respond favourably becoming murky and dull while positive sound produces beautiful clear crystal water. The body is more than 70% water and will response in a similar manner depending on the type of sound. Fabien Maman, professional jazz musician, along with scientist, Helene Grimal, researched the effect music has on the cells of the body. They discovered that by producing sound around or close to a person could change each cell structure of the body. There research led them to finding musical notes that could distort or explode cancer cells. This is similar to a singer hitting a note at a higher pitch than a glass. When this happens the glass will shatter.
When the healing benefits of sound were rediscovered sound was accepted in many areas of healthcare as an alternative/complementary medicine to assist modern medicine. For example, drumming with people with dementia for a better quality of life, music and sound CD’s for alleviation of pain and assist relaxing, listening to Mozart to aid concentration.
(It is important to note that research is still being carried out on all areas of Sound for healing. Sound Therapy can assist in healing it does not claim to cure illness. Medical advice should be sought for all serious illness).