Sound Healing involves using Tibetan singing bowls, drums, rattles, chimes, and other sound instruments to bring a deep sense of relaxation.
When you are stressed, it can be really hard to quiet your mind and meditate. Sound Healing bypasses your rational thoughts to induce a deep meditative state. Over time, your mind and body learn this feeling, which makes it easier to access a deep sense of calm and relaxation on your own.
“If we accept that sound is vibration, and we know that vibration touches every part of our physical being, the way we understand sound is heard not only through our ears but through every cell in our bodies. Sound enters the healing equation from several directions: It may alter cellular functions through energetic effects; it may entrain biological systems to function more homeostatically; it may calm the mind and therefore the body; or it may have emotional effects, which influence neurotransmitters (a chemical substance that is released at the end of the nerve fibre by the arrival of a nerve impulse and, by diffusing across the synapse or junction, causes the transfer of the impulse to another nerve/fibre, a muscle fibre, or some other structure) and neuropeptides (any of a group of compounds that act as neurotransmitters), which in turn help to regulate the immune system-the-healer within.”
‘Dr. Mitchell Gaynor, a New York oncologist and Clinical Professor of medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornel University, and author of The Healing Power of Sound ‘
Vibrational medicine is based on the idea that all illness or disease is characterised by a blockage in the channels on some level, whether it be the arteries, veins, nerves, nadis, and so on. Sound and light resonance can break-up, dissolve, and release these blockages.
Moving through our, usually busy, day-to-day lives, we are caught in a loop of constant beta brainwaves. This is the frequency our brain operates on for basic logical/critical thinking, reasoning and is the frequency associated with aiding the governance of our regular daily tasks and problems. Through the use of Tibetan singing bowls and other forms of sound therapy, we can influence our brains into other more relaxed frequencies like Alpha and, more importantly, Theta waves.
Beta Waves (12-35Hz) – This is the frequency we find ourselves in most of the time as we move through our daily routines. It allows for the implementation of useful survival-based necessities like logical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving.
Alpha Waves (8-12Hz) – This frequency is associated with relaxation and fatigue. The Alpha waves appear to serve as a bridge between the conscious and subconscious. You can increase the amount of time spent in this state by closing your eyes and breathing deeply while clearing the mind of ongoing thoughts and calculations.
Theta Waves (4-8Hz) – This frequency is associated with ‘slow’ activity. Usually occurring when humans recall old memories, daydream, or dwell on specific emotions or sensations. Theta waves are strongest during meditation or prayer and reflect a state between wakefulness and sleep. This frequency is also associated with creativity and intuition.
A sound session relaxes the body and brain, often lulls it into the Alpha or Theta state of being. In this deep state of relaxation, research has shown that there is a positive effect on blood pressure. In fact the use of Tibetan singing bowls lowers it far better than just sitting in meditative silence. Now we all know that blood pressure is tied to stress so it isn't a big leap to conclude that it helps with stress as well. Especially based on the observational research that has come out showing how singing bowls and sound therapy lower tension, anger, fatigue, and depressed moods.
One study focused on examining the effects of sound meditation, specifically, compared its effects on 62 women and men (with an average age of 49.7 years). Feelings of spiritual well-being along with massive reductions in over tension, anger, fatigue, and depression were observed, especially for those who had never used or heard of singing bowls or sound therapy prior to the study. Left unchecked, things like heart disease, diabetes, addiction alongside innumerable other mental health issues have all been conclusively linked to stress and tension.
Meditation and sound therapy, in general, clearly and greatly induce the relaxation response and alleviate anxiety, improving overall well-being. However, due to the nature of regular meditation and its emphasis on an abundance of time, patience, and discipline create nearly insurmountable barriers to entry for most. Thus, a more accessible form of mediation like one that includes a simple instrument like singing bowls is a promising step towards our collective wellness and health.
We offer Sound Healing as part of out comprehensive Burnout Rescue and Burnout Recovery programs. You can book additional Sound Healing sessions through our Wellbeing Concierge.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“This year for Christmas we tried a Sound Healing session as a new family ritual! It was an experiment. None of us have ever tried it before and some were really sceptical. Within 10 minutes, some of us were deep asleep, others were in a trance-like meditative state, and the rest in the kind of deep relaxation that we haven’t experienced in a while.” ~ Maria, BSC founder
“Although I know about the benefits of meditation, it is almost impossible for me to quiet my mind. A Sound Healing was an unusual experience - it was like a really nice guided meditation that actually worked. My mind was fully absorbed by the sound vibrations. At the end of the hour I felt like I’ve been on vacation.” ~ Konstantin, bank executive
“I have not slept well for two months, because of my baby, so I was exhausted. During my first Sound Healing session I still could not completely let go and sleep. Still, this time for myself was deeply relaxing. When I got up, I felt calm and levelled.” ~Daria, new mom
“I tried Sound Healing at a luxury detox clinic before, so I was curious to see how it would be in Herrliberg. The lake view from the Center’s wellness space set the calming mood before the session even started. I was surprised by all sorts of different instruments that were used by the therapist - from large drums, to brass bowls, to some kind of sticks or rattles. I felt kind of floating and could physically feel the vibrations throughout my body.” ~ Tatiana, mathematician and family matriarch