John Stuart Reid, a British acoustician, has demonstrated that sound is actually shaped like a bubble—not like a wave, as we’ve all been taught. Picture a bubble pulsing in and out. The distance between the inward pulse and outward pulse, is what we have been measuring as a wave. This idea of a pulsing bubble makes sense to me, because, when I sing and play the crystal singing bowls with a group of people, I actually feel a large dome of sound develop above and around us. It’s palpable. We’re in a bubble, literally! Take a look at these gorgeous videos that show the effect that music has on us.
0 Comments
Crystal bowls help us heal two ways.The first way is through the physical vibrations (sounds) that the singing bowls emit. Crystal bowls create pure, soothing sound waves that travel through the body and entrain every cell in our body. This causes the cells to return to a healthy vibration––a state of “sound health”.
Alchemy™ crystal singing bowls each have an additional energy signature because they are fused with gemstones, minerals, and precious metals that add their own specific vibrations to the crystal. Amethyst for example, “is an extremely powerful and protective stone,” according to Judy Hall. “It’s a natural tranquilizer and blocks geopathic stress and negative environmental energies.” It promotes emotional centering and alleviates sadness and grief. It is one of the most spiritual stones, encouraging selflessness and spiritual wisdom. (The Crystal Bible, p. 54) The second way crystal bowls help us heal is by amplifying our loving intentions. All healing ultimately happens through love. Crystals boost that love by gathering, focusing, and strengthening our positive affirmations for ourselves and others. Learn to use crystal bowls for healing at the November training institute. Marcel Joseph Vogel (1917 – 1991) was one of the most prolific scientists in IBM history, with over 100 patents in his name. His areas of expertise were phosphor technology, liquid crystal systems, luminescence, and magnetics. In the 1970s Vogel did pioneering experiments, showing how quartz crystals can amplify, store, focus, transfer, and transmute energy. These properties make crystals useful in many applications, including radio and TV equipment, timepieces, laser tools, computers, microphones, and healing work.
Crystals are very sensitive and precise. When used in timepieces, for example, they never deviate from the frequency they are set to, making the timepiece perpetually accurate. Vogel also discovered that crystals act as amplifiers of the bio-energetic fields surrounding the body. In healing work, crystals accumulate a charge from the individual who uses them, amplify that charge, and transmit it through the crystal to a designated destination via intention and breath. Vogel's colleague, Dr. Bernard McGinty, said it was his “great spiritual strength, and his wonderful capacity to love” that he most remembers about him.“I was one of a group of 16 physicians privileged to work with him over a number of years with body energies, especially the capacity to focus healing energies with crystals in the treatment of illness." "Under Marcel’s guidance, some of us began to learn the process of transmitting thought, especially loving thoughts, unconditionally, to our patients. . . . [We learned] the incredible presence of unconditional love and its capacity to trigger transformative shifts in a patient’s psyche.” Vogel's discoveries are truly vast and exciting! They are a place where science and spirituality intersect. The large website about his work explains much more, including how to clear and program crystals. Read more “I had the most restful sleep that night. My mind was not doing its usual spinning. In the morning, I felt totally refreshed. When my friend phoned me, she thought she had the wrong number as my voice was so ‘light’.” (VH)
Many studies have shown that listening to soothing music improves sleep. One study, for example, found that 45 minutes of music at bedtime for three weeks cumulatively helped participants fall asleep more easily, sleep longer and better, and function better during the day. In another study, tests showed that people who listened to soothing music had longer REM sleep, the restorative stage of sleep linked to psychological and emotional well-being. Researchers at Tufts University are studying the effects of crystal singing bowls on brain waves. They find that the bowls create a “sound bubble”. As long as the bowls are playing, people stay in alpha and theta brainwave states, regardless of other noise in the environment. The result? It’s a lot easier to drift off to sleep. People are surprised at how much sensation they feel from crystal singing bowls, and how quickly the bowls induce deep relaxation. Mesmer, the inventor of hypnosis, used “mesmerizing” sounds like these as part of his technique. How does sound work? Healthy sounds bring the body into to a state of resonance—vibrational balance—through the physics of entrainment. Sound penetrates every cell of your body (like ultrasound imaging does), traveling through the fluid parts of your body 4.5 times faster than through the air. Heart rate and breathing are tethered to brain waves, so those slow down too. In this way, the sound of crystal singing bowls quickly induces a drowsy state that makes it easy to nod off. 3 Tips
What works for you? Share with us... November 6-12, 2016 is National Pain Awareness Week, sponsored by the National Pain Coalition of Canada (CPC). Royal Jubilee Pain Clinic is sponsoring a therapeutic crystal bowl concert by Kaasay on November 4th, 1:30-3:00 pm. All are welcome to experience this beautiful new and effective healing modality. It’s open to the public by donation.
The CPC says, "Approximately 20% of Canadians suffer from chronic pain, creating a substantial burden on the individual and their family, health care system, and economy. Chronic pain conditions vary considerably in their etiology but it is generally agreed they all involve a complex combination of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors. Due to this complexity, pain clinics that offer a wide array of interventions targeting multiple dimensions of pain are considered to be "the gold standard" for treating chronic pain." Options at the Victoria Pain Clinic include mindfulness meditation, Tai Chi, yoga, pool therapy, body tuning, art, Qi Gong, headache support groups, a pain education series, and three webinars by Neil Pearson. How does sound therapy ease pain? Briefly, sound is a physical vibration that penetrates the body. It's used in ultrasound imaging, for example. Sound travels through the fluid parts of your body 4.5 times faster than it moves through the air and 12 times faster through your bones. People are surprised at how much sensation they feel from crystal singing bowls. When pure, calming sounds penetrate the body, the nervous system synchronizes to those soothing vibrations and generates less pain. Brain waves, heart rate and breathing also entrain to the calming frequencies. In this way, sound quickly induces a hypnotic, meditative state. One young woman reported that it was the first time since she was traumatized as a little girl that she had been able to feel fully relaxed and safe. Linda Cundiff, OT, Pain Clinic Coordinator said, "30 people gathered and were delighted at the strength of the bowls to vibrate their bodies and induce profound sense of relaxation and healing. Many people said it was the first time that they truly calmed in a relaxation exercise. Your presence was warm and inviting and our audience appreciated your stories of healing and various directions and journeys the bowls had provided for you." Kaasay (Nancy Watters) has been doing sound healing sessions with crystal singing bowls for 6 years. She sees consistent results. For example, BH whose knee pain had been bothering her for years was rid of it in one session. As we began her session, she didn't even tell me was an issue, because she had assumed it would never go away. She is a masseuse and acupuncture therapist, and had tried everything. BH reported, "I 'saw' energy and 'felt' pain being drawn out of my left knee (the knee had recently been 'stiff' and giving me difficulty when going down stairs). The release of pain was simultaneous with a crescendo of bowls and Nancy suddenly bursting into song... At that moment all the etheric energy around me (that had been moving longitudinally along my left side) was suddenly 'pulled' into an arrow shape toward and above Nancy, thus facilitating the release of pain and blocked chi from my knee." Why are some people irritated by the sound of crystal singing bowls?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions I get. There could be numerous reasons for adverse reactions. It’s like asking, "Why do I have a headache?" One must assess the total situation. For example, one woman told me of an experience she had while shopping. The sales person came to her with a large classic frosted bowl, put it next to her head and started to play it loudly. It instantly gave her a headache. This sales person was obviously not trained in the subtleties of using sound for healing. Placing a large bowl that close to the head without warning is definitely not a good technique! Another situation is when people report that the bowls make their hearing aids squeal. They may be using lower-priced hearing aids, or not have them set properly. I use two high quality hearing aids, and I never have problems with the bowl sounds. To avoid irritating people with crystal singing bowls consider: 1) What type of bowls are you using? Classic Frosted (white) ones have one fundamental note, and not many overtones, so the sound can be harsher. Alchemy™ bowls have pure tones with many harmonic overtones that create a richly soothing effect. 2) How loudly are you playing the bowls? Try playing them softly, so that there is no buzzing. In my courses I teach a variety of subtle playing techniques. 3) How sensitive is the person's nervous system? Some people have very sensitive nervous systems from birth. They may also be extra sensitive at times due to noise pollution in their environment, illness, or stress. When I do individual sessions, I do a thorough assessment of the client's sensitivity levels. I communicate throughout the session, and gauge the "dose". My students learn how to do this. 4) What emotional associations are coming up? Sometimes people burst into tears, releasing grief. Sometimes they suddenly feel connected with their True Self, and cry tears of joy. Some people don't easily talk about their feelings. Instead they just report being uncomfortable or irritated. It’s important to allow time to explore feelings, if the client is receptive to that. 5) What’s happening when discomfort arises in the body during a session? Sound penetrates the whole body and goes through the nervous system, acting like an acupuncture treatment. Stuck energy may cause discomfort. Usually the sound energy will release it and the discomfort will go away. In short, there are many reasons crystal bowl sounds could be irritating. A trained sound therapist will take a holistic approach to finding solutions for each client. Internationally acclaimed choir director Dr. Brady Allred, brings people to their feet once again as he combines the crystalline sound of Alchemy™ Crystal Singing Bowls from Crystal Tones with the pristine crystal clear voices of his award winning choir, the Salt Lake Vocal Artists. Their award winning rendition of "Stars", features a stunning array of Alchemy™ Crystal Singing Bowls and crystal goblets that will escort you... See More How does crystal sonic therapy work, and is it the solution for you? Watch as Dr. Oz interviews oncologist, Dr. Mitch Gaynor, who reveals how this ancient form of healing can help you curb cravings, improve your memory, sleep better and tame migraines. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/sonic-therapy-future-medicine-pt-1 Mitchell L. Gaynor, M.D. is Founder and President of Gaynor Integrative Oncology and Clinical Assistant, Professor of Medicine at Weill Medical College, affiliated with Cornell University and New York Hospital. He has held the position of Director of Medical Oncology at The Strang Cancer Prevention Center where he still serves as a consultant. Dr. Gaynor is constantly sought after as an expert practitioner of sound therapy. He has lectured widely, both to medical institutions and lay conferences, seminars and spiritual institutions. Recent appearances include the United Nations, New York"s 92nd Street Y, Marble Collegiate Church and Unity Village, Unity Church, Missouri. He conducts on-going healing sessions using meditation and chanting with Tibetan and crystal singing bowls for patients and families. For additional information about Dr. Gaynor, his book and recordings, visit www.gaynoroncology.com Did you know that your heart rate, brainwaves and breathing rate are all tethered together? So when one of those speeds up or slows down, so do the others. Most of us can’t control our heart rate or brain waves (unless we’ve done a lot of training), but all of us can easily learn to slow down our breathing. Within 5 minutes or less, calm breathing will slow down a racing heart and mind. It can stop a panic attack in its tracks.
There are many effective techniques you can use. Yogis practice Ujai breath, also known as “Ocean Sounding” breath. Here’s how: 1. Lie comfortably on your back, with legs elevated and knees supported, so that the small of your back sinks into the floor. 2. Close your eyes, close your mouth, and simply become aware of your breath, moving in and out through your nose without any effort. Allow your attention to follow your breath. If you notice thoughts occurring, that’s fine. Just bring your attention back to your breath. 3. Now tip your chin slightly down towards your chest. Find the muscles at the back of your throat; the one’s you use to gently clear your throat. By tightening them slightly, you will find that your breath now makes a calming sound, like ocean waves. Focus on this sound. No effort is needed. Just notice how it is, as you draw air in and out of your nose. 4. Gradually, begin to slow your breath. If you find your mind wandering, just bring it back to the sound of your breath. 5. Start with 5 minutes of practice daily, and work up to 20 minutes for maximum health benefits. “The mystics and the Sufis say that the Divine is the very breath we breathe. The Hebrew word ruah means both spirit and breath…our essence is infused with and through the creativity of the Divine breath. So the simple act of breathing that we do about 28,000 time a day is a way of breathing in the Divine, a way of praying, a way to ground ourselves in this moment.” Thomas Merton Ahhhhhh… Just seeing this sound on the page invokes relaxation. Saying it is even better. Take a deep breath in through your nose, and then release a slow, calming Ahhhhhh through your mouth. Repeat 9 times. How’s that? Did you notice your heart rate and breathing slow down?
It may seem simplistic, but this comforting sound definitely reduces stress instantly. It’s the sound of the heart chakra, which invokes love, trust, hope, openness, compassion, balance and forgiveness. It counteracts depression, loneliness and lack of self-esteem. This soothing tone is found in the sacred words of many faith traditions, including Amen, Alleluia, Aum and Allah’u’Abhá. Here’s a heart opening practice that you can use to go deeper into the Ahhhh sound. 1. Begin by listening to the sound of your breath. Tip your chin down a little to make it slightly audible, like an ocean wave. Let it flow in and out without effort. 2. Now visualize your breath coming in through your heart, and out through your solar plexus. Imagine you are breathing in love and exhaling all toxic feelings and thoughts. 3. Now think of something that you feel appreciation for. It could be a joyful event in your life. A beautiful scene in nature. A loved one or a child. The important thing is that you create a feeling of gratitude in your heart. Feel this sense of gratefulness and imagine yourself surrounded by pink or green light. Keep breathing without straining. 4. On the next out-breath, let the sound ‘Ahhh” gently float out, as you release all tension. Continue breathing and toning ‘Ahhh’ at your own pace. Continue to feel loving gratitude as you think of one thing you appreciate about yourself and one thing you appreciate about someone else. 5. Visualize a beam of light, full of compassion coming from your heart and send it to …
With gratitude to Jonathan Goldman, International Sound Healer's Association. |
AuthorNancy A. Watters, MA, is an expert sound therapist, professional singer, psychotherapist and Reiki master. Categories
All
Archives
December 2018
|
Site copyright 2012--2025 Nancy A. Watters. We never share your personal information with others. The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended for the mitigation, cure, or treatment of medical conditions. Luminous Tones and Nancy Watters do not provide medical advice or treatment. The information here is for general information purposes only and does not address individual circumstances or medical conditions. Always consult your physician or medical team for medical advice.