Sound Therapy

Out of nothing came the primordial sound of OM.

Full of light, full of shape, full of creation. According to ancient eastern cultures, the universe was created out of this primordial, cosmic sound of AUM (Om). Science tells us the universe began with the Big Bang theory; an expansion of energy from a single point of intense heat rather than an idea of explosion. The heat vibrated outwards, cooling, as it expanded, stretching the oscillations of vibration to create a lower frequency sound, a humming sound.

This suggests that science may also accept that the sound OM reverberated in the spaces after the Big Bang. Christianity tells the story that God created the universe out of darkness over seven days. By God’s word, God commanded there be light, earth, sea, night and day, animals and humans. In my view, the creation story alludes to the vibration of sound through prayer and intention and the spoken word.

All vibrations contain frequency. No matter what theory resonates for you, we can agree that sound and vibration have a profound effect in shaping our lives through experiences. The senses play an important role in sound through hearing or through a felt sense. Messages are sent to the brain via the nervous system. 

“Sound is light and light is shape” ~ Elijah Ray, Band of Light

Different sounds have varying effects on the nervous system, sounds of nature, like a bird singing, to more persistent and loud sounds emanating from the unnatural world, such as engines and machinery. Every sound holds a frequency (the rate at which sound waves vibrate) measured in hertz (Hz).

The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength. Lower the frequency, longer. Frequency can affect brainwaves. Delta is the lowest frequency state of deep sleep and relaxation, Theta, the meditative, creative state, Alpha, for focus, Beta for alertness and the Gamma frequency for enhanced cognitive performance. 

Sound as a form of healing

Healing through sound isn’t new. It dates back thousands of years, the earliest of civilisations using sound in healing, ritual and celebrations. Shamans of ancient cultures used drumming and singing as healing tools. Aborigines used the didgeridoo. 

Yogic traditions used the power of voice through chanting mantras, like OM. Sanskrit is a vibrational Language, each syllable holding a vibrational frequency. When repeated through mantra, these frequencies can have an uplifting effect on the nervous system. Circling back to the mantra AUM. When we chant this mantra, it is like saying a big universal YES to life. Likewise, in Aotearoa Te Ao Maori is considered a “moving language”. Waiata and Haka have always been used as a way of communicating and creating relationships.

The human body is a natural resonator of sound. Because of the high-water content, sound travels more efficiently within the body than outside of the body. When in a room of sound or having sound close to the body, it can shift our state of consciousness. Elevating our mood (light) and our experiences (shape) perception. We can use simple tools like humming to calm the nervous system. Have you ever noticed a small child humming or singing to self-soothe? Try humming gently to yourself for 30 seconds and then sit quietly with the effects in the body. What do you notice? We can also sound vowels such as Aaa, Eee, U, Eye, Ow, by toning. These sound syllables vibrate in the body and may help to deepen body awareness. Turning our awareness inwards, away from outside distractions to a more meditative-alert state of being.

Lived Experience

I draw from many years of using sound in a daily practice as a form of embodiment and meditative awareness. My curiosity got piqued by exploration into my own injuries and the frequencies that were contained within those injuries.

Let me expand on this… About six years ago, I was kept awake at night by chronic pain in my left hip. I was practising ucchara (ascension of sound) and doing a lot of mantra chanting as well as meditation.

As I became aware of the ‘sensation’ of pain (vibration) in my hip and breathed into that sensation, I also became very aware of its frequency. A low, slow and long frequency was associated with this sensation. A frequency of a more chronic condition in the body. I stayed with the physical sensation until it felt as though I was right in the centre of it, like being in the eye of the storm.

As that happened, the pain stopped. There was a felt sense of stillness, peace and unity.

I recall a Tui was singing in a tree outside. In that moment, there was no separation between the Tui and I. We were One. The pain had dissolved. Consciousness had shifted and had re-shaped my experience. It was transformational. I was now fascinated with frequency.

My next exploration happened when I walked too close to the edge of the kitchen bench. The corner of the bench sent a sharp pain into my hip. I sat on the floor, determined not to push the pain away. It was immediately processed. This pain was an acute, radiating pain that pulsated, with a high, short and fast frequency. Like with the sensation of the chronic pain, I went through the layers of sensation until the pain had fully dissipated, leaving no trace of injury.

I’m sharing this because I wanted to demonstrate the power of sound as a healing modality. Whether it’s through sound healing instruments or through the use of your own voice, sound is light, light is shape. Sound can turn the inner touch on, shapeshift and change form.

I work with physical Swedish massage with attuned intuition to locate (shine light) on areas of discomfort and pain with a combination of sound instruments on or over the body. I find working with the two modalities helpful. Physical touch can be very nurturing. When using ischemic pressure, I can assist my client to use breath awareness to release areas of muscle tension and discomfort.

Sound instruments then work in the energetic field to shift stagnant frequencies to shape a new experience. If you are new to this modality, you will experience deep relaxation and may feel very embodied.  If you are sensitive to sound, your experience may be far-reaching and very insightful.

Bibliography:

sciencehowstuffworks.com 

severnclinics.co.nz 

The Mozart Effect, Don Campbell, 1997

Cindy works out of the Holistic Hub on Tuesday with Massage/Sound medicine, movement and breath through Yoga.  Offering one-hour sessions through to three-hour mini retreats. She facilitates Kirtan (call and response mantra singing) and sound journeys with qualifications in:

• Swedish Massage with Aromatherapy

• Sound Therapy & Sound Healing

• Diploma of Classical Yoga

• Restorative Yoga

• Prenatal Yoga

To Book in to see Cindy or to ask any questions, Click Here to view her Facebook Page