Experts on benefits of sound therapy and how to get started

At a time when our homes have become our world connecting to nature and achieving a sense of calm have become all the more essential What helps to ease this process as a new study states is sound The report by Rachel Buxton a research scientist at Carleton University and researchers from the Michigan State University Colorado State University and the National Park Service found that people who listened to natural sounds experienced decreased pain and stress and improved mood and cognitive performance The history of sound therapy dates back to prehistoric times and it can be used to help with a range of conditions Experts share how you can get started and practices that work for specific ailmentsDecluttering your mindPriyanka Patel using the tuning fork on a client in a session last yearldquoSound brings your attention back to the present momentrdquo asserts sound healing therapist Priyanka Patel The founder of Thanebased Sound Healing India practises a range of therapies that make use of gongs singing bowls tuning forks and verbal tones The kind of instrument doesnrsquot matter in helping with a specific ailment it depends what the client connects with ldquoIf you use your voice and are able to connect with it in that moment it will help you So when a client walks in I donrsquot play one single instrumentrdquo she says Sound does not heal instantly Menon insists that the process takes time ldquoIf you come to me saying lsquoI have a migraine Please heal itrsquo It wonrsquot happen But eventually once you experience emotional release the migraine will be alleviatedrdquo she explainsRelieving stress and anxiety and improving cognitive skillsKamakshi and Vishala Khuranarsquos Indian classical musicled venture The Sound Space conducts sound bath sessions A sound bath is essentially an immersive experience where they create sounds using different instruments as well as their voice at a certain frequency for relaxation Although it is best carried out by a professional Kamakshi shares that you can even try it out at home by following a video tutorial or buying a kit online mdash a quiet and comfortable ambience is keyldquoEven one session of a sound bath has a lasting effect But if you have a specific goal like say if yoursquore working with children who are hearingimpaired it can take at least six months to see results Whereas if yoursquore doing it for general wellbeing one session every week for at least six weeks should sufficerdquo Kamakshi explains Vishala adds that raagas and their note combinations can also help with relaxation ldquoRaag Darbari was created by Tansen especially for Akbar who had stressful days in court It is generally sung in the late evening or at nighttime and all the note combinations that belong in it are soothing and relaxing Also different instruments have a different impact percussion instruments make use of the left and right part of the brain and help in concentration while string instruments may bring your anxiety levels downrdquoAs a music therapist and cofounder of the company MuzArt Samay Ajmera says that the key to healing is to listen to the right music ldquoSimple repetitive and instrumental is what usually works When there are lyrics people tend to make their own meaning out of it and it can cause more trauma You can go to a streaming site and make a playlist of sounds you like But you need to make a habit of listening to it or even combine it with meditationrdquo he informsPsychosomatic and musculoskeletal conditionsDr Rashmi Menon uses Tibetan singing bowls in her practiceHolistic medicine practitioner Dr Rashmi Menon says the benefits of sound therapy materialise immediately on ailments that are psychosomatic in nature Take for example a person with joint pain that gets aggravated due to stress Sound therapy specifically through the use of Tibetan singing bowls and their vibrations also helps when muscles are tense ldquoOne of my patients a singer had problems with her vocal chords which speech therapy did not help relieve We made use of the bowls every day for two weeks and her voice became smootherrdquo she informs The technique she explains is conducted after a brief history of the patient is taken They are then put in a relaxed position through guided meditation The appropriate bowl is chosen and then the problem area is targeted by keeping the bowl either on the body or around it depending on the sensitivity of the areaSome mustknowsThere is no governing body for the domain of alternative practices like sound therapy So Menon states that wordofmouth is the best way to proceed If you donrsquot have anyone to help you out she suggests checking out the International Academy of Sound Healing which certifies practitioners through intensive training for leadsLog on to iashin