What is sound healing?

What is sound healing?

Sound healing is an alternative health practice that uses sound for wellbeing. There is a lot of false information about sound healing on the internet. This article is meant to be a realistic view to correct some of the common misunderstanding.

There is no ancient tradition of sound healing. The ancient tradition is chanting. Chanting, singing and vocalizing is the most effective use of sound healing. Through your own breathing, muscular action and vocalization, using your voice can have amazing health value.

Instruments like singing bowls, tuning forks, gongs and crystal bowls are less effective than the voice. Acoustic instruments do have a pleasing effect but they are not powerfully healing the way people today suggest. Instruments can help one discover the power of the voice and the power of vibration, however the efficacy of sound healing falls far short of the promises some people make.

In the late 1990's, there was a new interest in sound healing after Mitchell Gaynor's seminal book, Sounds of Healing, which was retitled The Healing Power of Sound. This is still a great guide to the real benefits of sound. In it, Dr. Gaynor describes how using sound helps his oncology patients in their recovery. The singing bowl sounds do not heal them but rather help them feel more calm, centered and well. In that way, sound is a powerful aid in recovery.

There are some interesting uses of recorded and electronic sound which are still in their infancy. If there is a breakthrough in sound healing, I believe it will be in one of these more clinical approaches.

The approach of most people today is to use crystal bowls, tuning forks and other acoustic instruments. The benefits of such practices are very limited and the poor turnout to those sound healing practices shows that clients do not get enough benefit from the practice. What is missing or misunderstood that limits their success? 

There is also a movement tied to the New Age schools of thought, using subliminal messages or certain "healing frequencies," much with the same language and ideas of other New Age approaches. In fact, the New Age movement seems to have co-opted a large portion of the sound healing industry. I believe this has marginalized the field to the point that it is not taken seriously by most people. 

The unfortunate spread of "chakra tones," "planet tones," "pythagorean" and other theories about sound and vibration have missed the mark for most people. We know that sound provides great benefit. However, many of these practices become too theoretical or "out there" for practical application. 

A simpler approach is taken by musicians, meditation teachers and others who use sound to great benefit without the New Age theories. The effect in these cases can range from pleasant and relaxing to truly breakthrough spiritual experiences.

In fact, sound has been used the longest and with greatest effect in shamanistic practices and meditation training. The spiritual value of sound is part of every tradition. We use sound to call out to the divine, to connect with spirit, to build community, to break through mental, emotional and spiritual barriers. Sound in spiritual practices is well developed and provides the sort of health benefits people seek. 

Therefore, my approach to sound healing is different than almost everything on the web. No chakra tones, no yoga breathing, no new age theories. Since I have been doing this longer than these internet fads, I have a completely different point of view.

My training is in the most effective alternative health disciplines, namely Anat Baniel Method, Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique, Middendorf Breathwork. I combined this understanding of human function with advanced training in voice, breathing, yoga, tai chi and Tibetan Buddhism. 

To me, sound healing is more than using sound for healing. Sound is an entry point and a result. It is a result because through the disciplines of movement and breathing, you can produce a full sound that is full of health and vitality. In other words, sound healing is producing a healthy sound.

Your own voice can be like a health generator, giving you more energy and vitality. To get there, we use awareness, movement, breathing in order to reduce pain, improve your posture, free your breathing and help you move forward. 

In short, sound healing as practiced with tuning forks provides marginal results. A truly holistic approach that uses sound in conjunction with breathing, movement and meditation is much more effective. 

Please comment and let me know what you think. 


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