Emily Louisa Sound & Yoga

As a yoga practitioner and teacher, I find that for me and many of my students savasana is often the best part of a yoga class. Where else in life do we give ourselves full permission to rest, restore, reflect, or simply breathe? Savasana is also the most important (and most difficult) yoga pose of them all. It is the time where we are completely held by the ground, allowing muscular release and space for integration of the yoga practise.

Sound mediation is an hour long savasana set to the rich sounds of the Tibetan Singing bowls. This practise aids deep relaxation and meditation. What could be better than that?!  Sound good? Read on to find out more. The use of sound as therapy has been practised for thousands of years. An example in Indian medicine is the universal sound of Om (Aum). Sound Healing with Tibetan Singing Bowls has been shown to improve many aspects of mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. When played, the vibrations of the Tibetan Singing Bowls travel deep within the body, touching each  cell with unique frequencies.

What happens during a Group Sound Session?

When you join, the yoga mats are arranged in a semi-circle with everyone’s heads facing inwards. We begin with a short explanation about Sound Meditation, where there is opportunity to ask questions. You will then be invited to lie down in savasana or any other comfortable position. During the session you will be guided through a short voice meditation to induce the familiar savasana-like state. Then the multi-phonic sounds of the Tibetan Singing Bowls will begin to induce a meditative deep-sleep state. other instruments such as the crystal bowls and gong will add to the soundscape. You will be slowly brought out of the meditation by differently pitched instruments including the magical Koshi chimes. Finally, if you’d like to, there will be time to discuss your experience with the group. There is, however, no expectation on you to do so.

How does Sound Meditation work?

The form of Sound Meditation I have trained in uses metal Tibetan Singing bowls. These bowls are comprised of seven different metals, each of which has a unique resonance. Within the instrument, when struck, the vibration of the different metals “dance” together producing a range of tones and frequencies. The bowls come in an array of sizes, each producing a distinctive musical note, pitch, and tonal range. The musical note of the bowl is aligned with one of the seven main chakras, or energetic centres within the body. Chakra balancing is an important aspect of an integrated yoga practise, with each chakra being associated with a different part of the physical and energetic anatomy.

Our bodies are made up of about 70% water, this water responds to the vibrations of the singing bowls as they travel deep within the body, providing healing at a cellular level. The specific notes of the Tibetan Singing bowls also balance the chakras. Beyond inducing deep relaxation, Sound Meditation (or a Sound Bath) has a variety of physical, emotion and energetic healing properties. Dr Mitchell L. Gaynor was a renowned Oncologist who pioneered Sound Meditation as a modern healing modality. He describes how sound meditation works best:

“If we accept that sound is vibration and we know that vibration touches every part of our physical being, then we understand that sound is heard not only through our ears but through every cell in our bodies.

One reason sound heals on a physical level is because it so deeply touches and transforms us on the emotional and spiritual planes. Sound can redress imbalances on every level of physiologic functioning and can play a positive role in the treatment of virtually any medical disorder.”

Benefits of Sound Meditation

The use of sound as a meditative/healing tool has been practised for 1000s of years. The healing properties of meditation are well documented, with the NHS prescribing “mindfulness” to address anxiety and depression in patients and its staff.

Benefits of Sound meditation can include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Reduced heart rate and lowered blood pressure

• Improved memory

• Recovery from aches and pains (joints/muscular)

• More energy

• Better sleep

• Enhanced emotional well-being

• Endorphin release

• Increased concentration

• Healing of emotional trauma

• Relief from many other physical disorders

There is an increasing amount of scientific literature that supports the healing and meditative benefits of Sound Meditation. If I was writing for my day job as a scientist, I would be writing a full literature review to persuade you of the benefits. Instead, I’ll let other people’s experiences speak for themselves: