February 21, 2023
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The science of Ayurveda teaches us how to live in harmony by using five basic elements of the Universe like Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Space . Today in this blog we will explore the element space and air , because sound can travel only via air . If there is no air there is no sound . In Ayurveda there is a correlation between five basic elements and senses for eg.  Earth- Smell (Gandh) ,Water- Taste (Ras) , Fire – Vision (Roopa), Air- touch (sparsh)  , Space – Sound (Shabd).

When you are taking a walk in nature you can easily hear the sound of birds chirping, the sound of leaves moving with wind , sound of waterfall or flowing water in the river , all these natural sounds provide temporary solace. Apart from external sounds we can hear the internal sounds as well .

In our ancient texts sound is used as a healing tool , specially in Rigveda Mantras .Sound therapy includes music , chanting and Tibetan singing bowl.

How does sound heal ?

As you know everything around us like plants, rocks , stars , tables  etc. vibrates at a particular frequency even the human body vibrates at a particular frequency. Whenever our body’s natural vibration gets imbalanced or disturbed it leads to some sort of illness in our body and mind . Sound therapy realigns the frequency of the body at its normal pattern.

Let’s talk about different healing sounds 

1. Music 

We always use music to alter our mood . Depending on the kind of music you are listening to, it can alter your mood . In many health centres music therapy is used to heal many patients . 

  • Vata Prakriti –  Vata balanced with slow , light and soft music with low tones , like folk music due to its rhythmic nature .
  • Pitta Prakriti – Pitta balanced with soothing and medium tone music, like flute, violin etc.
  • Kapha Prakriti –  Kapha balanced with energizing and higher tones , like tabla, piano and water drum .

2. Tibetan Singing Bowls

Tibetan singing bowls are handmade bowls made up of various kinds of metals . Mostly it’s a combination of metals like bronze, copper, nickle,  tin etc. When someone strikes these bowls with a wooden mallet various sounds are produced . Nowadays there are many singing bowl therapists who provide therapy with singing bowls on the chakra points . Sound waves produced by the bowls spread through blood, flesh, bones and relax them . These sound waves release the energy blockages in the body .https://youtu.be/ipVCovq8Rds

3. Kirtan 

Kitan means practice of chanting and repetitive singing  of the divine . One does not need any singing voice to be a part of the Kirtan. This is one of the paths of Bhakti where devotees sing from the heart. .

In various studies sound therapy showed results in pain , anxiety and tenderness.

4. Mantras 

Mantra originated from the word “Man” which means to think or to meditate . Mantra is basically a tool or instrument to meditate . Each mantra has its own energy and sound and it impacts the physical body, mind and spiritual body as well. Ancient texts like Rig veda are composed of Mantras only . Examples of Mantra – Om . Gayatri Mantra and Mahamrityunjaya Mantra etc. Om is the Universal sound.

Some people also chant mantras using a Mala with beads .After repeated practice mantra becomes a part of your subconscious mind. One can chant mantras loudly or internally as well .

In Mantra chikitsa there are various mantras for various disorders (fever, cough, headache). In Ayurveda it has been suggested to chant Mantra prior to cooking , eating food and even prescribing herbs to the patients .

So this is the right time to add sound healing in your life , you can use above techniques to keep yourself mentally and physically fit .

Start Now ! 

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