The Sound of Music

Most of you know I’m a musician. I grew up in a very musical home, with a piano and organ in the living room. All 6 of us kids were ‘strongly’ encouraged to play some type of band instrument. I personally played the French Horn for a few years before switching over to the more ‘vocal’ side by joining the choir. And so music has always been an important part of my life. Right now I’m looking at a keyboard, fiddle, and Bodhran (Celtic drum) sitting in the corner of this room.

We were lucky. My mother was a classically trained pianist so we often heard Chopin, Mozart or show tunes (like the Sound of Music) playing as we tried to sleep. My father also had a fine tenor voice, but leaned more towards Big Band and pop music. We all watched Ed Sullivan each week, hearing some of the latest bands, including the Beatles and the Rolling Stones (yes, I’m that old).

So what does this have to do with massage and energy work? Everything. The more I learn about music specifically and sound in general the more I realize the importance it has on the healing process.

Some researchers now say that sound is the first of our senses to be developed as a child. Babies recognize their mother’s voice long before they can focus their eyes and see shapes and colors. Do you remember seeing the movie “Three Men and a Baby?” There was a great scene where Tom Selleck read the sports page to his baby, say ‘It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.’ Tone and volume play an important part of what we hear, and what’s the emotion behind the words.

Sound is vibration. Try this. Put your hand on your throat, then hum a little tune. Do you ‘feel’ the humming with your hand?

To me, any and all parts of a living system, including human and non human forms, is simply vibration made visible. And vibration travels easily through all body tissue, removing blocks and restriction with little or no effort. I can work much more deeply using Matrix Energetics, Tuning Fork Therapy, or Ultra Violet Frequencies than I can with just using my hands.

As a musician I was raised on playing scales on the piano. But I didn’t know then that each part of a human body ‘vibrates’ to the same frequency as a note on the scale. Take ‘G,’ the fifth note. This vibration connects directly to the 5th Chakra located in the throat, and can influence your thyroid, breathing, creativity, and ‘speaking your mind.’

Some of you may have seen me pull out tuning forks and place them on specific parts of your body to help realign structure or release tension. But did you also know I specifically pick background music to go with my client’s needs? I might put on a crystal bowl CD which helps align Chakras and energy systems in the body for someone feeling depressed. Often I’ll play Dean Evenson’s flute music when my clients just want to relax. One of my clients specifically asks for Afro Celt Sound System, a very upbeat CD with lots of drums and soaring vocals.

I also play around with a high frequency ultra violet wand. I’m seen some amazing result from placing this tool on a restricted area and letting the tool help release whatever restriction there is.

When I attend Matrix Energetics seminars or workshops there’s often the Beatles playing in the background – Dr Richard Bartlett, founder of ME, says it helps bring the energy into the room and focuses people on the process. It also creates a ‘sound memory.’ When you walk into a seminar and hear ‘It’s Getting Better All the Time’ by the Beatles, it triggers a reminder about another seminar or other positive experience.

Several musicians currently have ‘enhanced’ CDs out, some that have embedded Alpha waves which help produce sleep states, others with specific tones and sounds that mimic the vibrational tones of body parts and systems.

Tibetan monks chant to very low tones, repeating sounds over and over again to help deepen their meditation.

Do you have a particular type of music which creates a sense of wellbeing or empowerment? I encourage my clients to bring their own CDs with them, ones they personally enjoy. Bring whatever music ‘sings’ to you to play during your session.

But the opposite is also true. Think of types of music or sound which grates on your nerves – I personally turn off atonal screeching because, well, it makes me angry! Likewise, I can’t stand ‘elevator’ music because it’s too bland, a pale imitation of a more complex sound.
What I’ve also noticed recently is that I’m jamming more to the music that’s playing, incorporating themes and phrases from the music directly into my massage strokes and techniques.

As a regular client I’m offering you a chance to experience sound vibration more deeply. During the March, ask me to demonstrate either my Tuning Forks or Ultra Violet wand at no additional charge. Remember, vibration goes deeply into the body, and often has a profound effect with no effort.

Music enhances bodywork.