Category: Humming For Health

What's Your Musical Mode (Mood)?

6/18/2018

On May 29th I headed to Whidbey Island for a 10-day personal retreat. My time there included 3 days of advanced training with Chloe Goodchild, founder of The Naked Voice. Each time I practice with her, I dive into an ocean of soul- light and bring up more pearls.

This time, when we sang her 7 Sounds of Love in various keys (or modes), I found myself attracted to the Dorian Mode. It's a scale where joy and sorrow embrace. It starts in a rather dark mood and then rises to a sweet resolution. Much to my surprise, it helped me release old grief that I wasn't even aware was still trapped in me. Singing the tones of that scale shifted me back and forth between despair and joy and moved physical energy as well. Finally I released deep sobs. This healing process continued for several days, as I surfed the waves of emotion. Eventually I felt much lighter. My body was energized and less inflamed. My spirit was calm and serene. What a relief!

This healing process reminds me of Khalil Gibran's wisdom: Joy and sorrow are inseparable...together they come, and when one sits alone with you...remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

What are Musical Modes?

Different musical scales or modes have different expressive characteristics, allowing us to experience and convey a variety of emotions. We can also utilize different musical modes to change our mood. We can identify the mode of our speaking voices as well, and gain insight into the feelings behind the words.

The 7 musical modes that I practice and teach are recorded on Chloe's CD--Sound Awareness. Try singing along as a daily meditation and see what happens for you. Which modes are you attracted to? Does your favourite shift from day to day? What soul journeys do the various modes take you on?

The musical modes are named for geographic and ethnic regions of ancient Greece. Some of the Greek modes are:

IONIAN—C major scale

DORIAN—D, mixed light and dark. Feeling confused, indecisive. Helps you engage creatively with the unknown. [Greensleeves, Scarborough Fair]

PHRYGIAN—E, dark Kali, our shadow side

LYDIAN—F, has open, bright “Ma”. [Sound of Music]

MIXOLYDIAN—G, Blues 7th “NI”. Used by Hildegard of Bingham [Norwegian Wood, Beatles]

AEOLIAN—A, Longing, lamenting feeling. [Summer Time]

The writings of Plato and Aristotle include large sections that describe the effect of different musical modes on mood and on character formation. For example, from Aristotle's "Politics",

“The musical modes differ essentially from one another, and those who hear them are differently affected by each. Some of them make men sad and grave, like the so called Mixolydian; others enfeeble the mind, like the relaxed modes; another, again, produces a moderate or settled temper, which appears to be the peculiar effect of the Dorian; and the Phrygian inspires enthusiasm.” The effect of modes on character and mood was called the 'ethos of music.' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_mode) Plato believed that a change in the musical modes of the state would cause a wide-scale social revolution. The Chinese believed this too, and they therefore limited the types of music that were allowed. What do you think? Do musical trends affect society and behaviour?

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The Story of Your Voice

5/23/2018

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In a couple of days, I’m off to Whidbey Island for a 3-day intensive with Chloe Goodchild, founder of The Naked Voice. And I’m going to share what I learn with you, dear readers!

Chloe is a genius at helping people come home to their Soul using various holistic energy movement and vocal activities. This is my third workshop with Chloe. I can’t wait to see where this one leads. The last time I was with her, it was utterly transformational. I got clarity about the Tlingit name I was given—Kaasay—and began to use it publicly. I also began to consciously embody its significance. I even created a song about it. Soon I’ll tell you more about that.

So, here’s one of the assignments she gave us to get ready for the retreat (homework already?). Chloe says, “Your relationship with your own inner-outer voice is one of the most intimate you will ever have. … I invite you to begin unravelling the story of your very own voice more deeply…”

I’m very curious what will show up when I write the story of my voice. How about you? Here we go...just 3 EASY STEPS.

THE STORY OF YOUR VOICE (p. 75-78 in The Naked Voice: Transform Your Life through the Power of Sound).

Step One: Reflection
This reflective writing practice will require at least an hour of your time to really benefit from it. Its aim is to deepen your adventurous intention to explore and bond with the original sound that is your true voice. When you look back to your childhood years, how did you most easily communicate, both with yourself and with others? Were you more at home alone, in communion with your inner voice of silence, or was it through your speaking voice that your true authority emerged? What part did singing play throughout your life in revealing your essence to others?
            Imagine writing a vocal self-portrait that describes your relationship, from the inside out, with your voice as you experienced it in all its forms, e.g. hidden, reserved, vulnerable, dull, frightened alienated, empowering, true, passionate, charismatic, overwhelming, transformative. As you journeyed from childhood into adolescence and adulthood, what enabled you to communicate yourself most authentically, in your raw naked truth, without censorship or self-consciousness? Which situations made your blood run cold, causing you to retreat into yourself?
            This reflection encourages you to turn over every stone of your life: significant others, parents, siblings, elders, friends, strangers, animals, ceremonial events, accidental disasters, initiations, achievements, obstacles, and challenges. Were there passive voices of contempt and disempowerment, imagined voices, neglected voices left behind, unfulfilled dreams, voices of self-protection and denial as well as wise voices, courageous and fulfilling, that instilled hope and possibility?
            You are now invited to write your vocal self-portrait, the story of your voice—silent, spoken, and sung–in no more than 4 pages. The aim of this vocal exercise is to build a clear, courageous and openhearted relationship with your life and the voice that has brought you to this moment. The practice will enable you to let go and forgive old stories and to build the courage and honesty to restore honor where required to your family and your community. The practice invites you to remember the true voice of your soul, your naked voice, the authentic voice of your life.

Step Two: Preparation
To creatively arouse the story of your voice and remember as many details as you can,
brainstorm, make notes, speak into a recorder, move your body, draw, tone or sing.

Step Three: Completion
Set aside a relaxing space and time to sit down and write your unique vocal self-portrait. (Up to 4 pages).”

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Hum your way to health — CORRECTION

3/12/2018

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Dr. Valerie Solheim sent me the following clarification about bee sounds that heal (see Hum your way to health — Part 3). Their sounds are definitely very healing for PEOPLE. But as far as healing bee hives with Colony Collapse Disorder she says:

"My work with Healing Bee CDs and Energy Transfer Tools has been cited in Jonathan and Andi Goldman's new book The Humming Effect: Sound Healing for Health and Happiness for which I am honored and grateful. However, there is a misunderstanding in their writing that I "claimed" to restore a hive suffering from Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). CCD is a phenomenon that occurs when the majority of worker bees in a colony disappear and leave behind a queen, plenty of food and a few nurse bees to care for the remaining immature bees and the queen. The day before CCD, the hive is thriving and the next day, the majority of the bees are gone. Thus, to restore CCD would be impossible because the bees to be restored are gone. I have restored hives with mites that I brought up from agricultural areas BUT not CCD.

Possibly the misunderstanding is regarding never losing a hive to CCD. And I suggest that this is because of the quality of the energy field within which the hives are located. I write with the desire to correct this misunderstanding and at the same time to thank the Goldmans for the honor of being included in their esteemed and valued gift, The Humming Effect: Sound Healing for Health and Happiness." Learn more

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Hum your way to health — Part 3

3/8/2018

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Have you been experimenting with humming and noticing some benefits? It’s a type of subtle energy work that will definitely shift your state of being. Each time you do it, you will experience different things, and you will gradually become more aware of what is happening. So, keep going, even if you don’t feel changes right away.

A Remarkable Story About Bees
In Part 2 we learned about Bhramari Pranayama, which is Sanskrit for “humming bee breath.” And I promised to tell you a remarkable story about humming bees. You may have heard that, for unknown reasons, humming bees have been dying off in increasingly large numbers. The bees die and just tumble from the sky. The colony is left with only the queen and a few nurses, so eventually it just collapses. There are various theories about why this is happening, but no answers.

But there is an interesting story of how one collapsed bee colony was returned to normalcy. A beekeeper, Dr. Valerie Solheim, is also a Jungian psychologist. She has recorded the sounds of bees in their hives. She uses these sounds in her healing sessions with clients. And she also uses the sounds to heal collapsed bee colonies. Entrainment with the healthy humming of bees shifts energy fields to healthy vibrations. Here’s what she says about these remarkable recordings:

"The HealingBees sing the song of Creation. That song is innate to all living organisms. It is the vibratory level of unity. The healthy beehive colony is a super organism; the living unified field. Ancient cultures acknowledged it. All modern religions speak of it. When we listen in meditation, we remember. Listening to any of the HealingBees CDs provides us with a gift on all levels from physical wellbeing to heightened spiritual awareness."

This reminds me of a time I took my crystal singing bowls to visit a friend. As I began to play, a nearby hive of bees began to buzz very loudly. It was not an angry sound. It was as if they were enjoying the bowls and singing along. All of nature appreciates these healing sounds. It was thrilling.

An Advanced Humming Technique
I’ve upped my “humming game” this week, because I’ve been fighting off a flu. I hum as much as I can, and it is working really well, particularly in conjunction with this advanced technique that I’m going to share with you now.

As we discussed in Part 2, intention is an important aspect of humming for health. So how do we encode our intentions into the humming? There are many possibilities, including visualization, positive affirmations, and breath work. What’s important is to try various ways and see what works best for you. Be flexible and creative.

One of the most powerful, widely-known, techniques is humming with an attitude of appreciation and gratitude.
The method is to feel and visualize your intention as if it has already happened, and then give thanks.

The HeartMath Institute has done extensive research on the effect of gratitude. They found that appreciative thoughts amplify the electromagnetic field of our heart, making its field 50 times stronger than our brain’s field. Furthermore, appreciation increases coherence between our heart rate and brain waves. When that happens, there is an amazing array of health benefits. Check out their site for specific instructions.

Other gratitude techniques are discussed by Jonathan and Andi Goldman (The Humming Effect, p. 67–69), who mention the work of Gregg Braden, author of The Isaiah Effect, and Dr. Joe Dispenza, author of You Are the Placebo.

Not sure what to think about while you are humming? Try some of Louise Hay’s best affirmations. Here’s one of my favourites: “I enjoy the foods that are best for my body.” And so it is!

If you missed Parts 1 and 2, you can find them below.

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Hum your way to health — Part 2

2/20/2018

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What is Your Personal Fundamental Frequency?

Humming creates a vibration that resonates throughout the body. After a few minutes of humming, every cell entrains (aligns) with that frequency. Each of us has a certain basic frequency that is a combination of the frequencies of all the organs of our body. It’s your personal Fundamental Frequency. When you hum in tune with your Fundamental Frequency it feels comfortable and natural. It gently creates greater ease and joy. Some say it’s the sound of your soul.

To find your Fundamental Frequency, hum when you first wake up in the morning, while you are relaxed, before you start walking and talking. Measure the pitch of that hum (there are apps for that, such as iStrobosoft). Do this for 5 few days in a row. The pitch that comes up most often is your Fundamental Frequency. That’s a good pitch to use for your humming practice. Don’t worry if the pitch varies from time to time. It will change based on your health, time of day, and other factors. So, don’t be too rigid about what note you are using. Just be aware of what is comfortable for you, where you are feeling the tones in your body, and how things shift from day to day. This self-awareness is very valuable. You may want to keep a journal and note your observations.

Frequency + Intent = Healing
To create healing, we need the right frequencies, and the right intent. What is intent? It’s positive thoughts, beliefs, feelings, visualizations and purposes. These are a vital element of successfully using humming (or any sounds) for healing. Intention greatly amplifies the healing effects that were discussed in Part 1 of this article. Words and thoughts each carry vibrations, and sound amplifies them. Be mindful to consciously choose healing thoughts when humming.

Once a woman called me and said someone had given her an energy medicine treatment. Afterwards she had a terrible headache that lasted a week. “What happened?” she asked me. It seems the “healer” had spent the whole time in an agitated state, talking about world crises. He had transferred his despair and “dis-ease” to her. I helped her reverse this condition, with some uplifting, guided meditations.

What's the Scientific Evidence?
You may be familiar with the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto, a Japanese scientist who photographed water with a dark-field microscope.

He wanted to find out what happened to water when it was exposed it to various influences — thoughts, music, prayer, chemical pollution, microwaves, etc. After “treatment” he would freeze the water and observe the effect on the crystals that were formed. Remarkably, water that had negative words spoken to it (“I hate you”) formed very ugly crystals. Water exposed to loving thoughts (“Thank you”) formed beautiful crystals. It didn’t matter what language the words were spoken in. The effect of intention was enough.

Our bodies are 70% water, so imagine the effect we are having when we hum with positive thoughts. We are literally restructuring every cell. View Dr. Emoto’s photos.

Another leading-edge scientist in the field of intention is Dr. Bruce Lipton, who wrote Biology of Belief. He studies the biological effects of belief on the body—what some call the placebo effect. A startling example of how powerful belief can be, is a study in which a group of people who believed they’d had knee surgery, recovered as well as at those who had the actual operation!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that crystal singing bowls, paired with your voice, boost the humming effect tenfold. They support and amplify your every intention. Marcel Vogel, a high-level IBM scientist who studied the properties of crystals, said, “Crystal emits a vibration which extends and amplifies the power of the user’s mind.”

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Hum your way to health — Part 1

2/9/2018

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Now that the cold and flu season has settled in, I thought I’d share a simple tool that everyone can use to boost their immune system and clear nasal congestion. Believe it or not, the simple act of humming can do that and much more. I love that it's free and totally portable!

Humming is a type of toning, which is the practice of making elongated sounds, like OM or AH. Humming is most often done with a “mmmm” sound, or a buzzing sound in the nasal passages (like bees).

The healing effects of humming have been known for centuries. Bhramari Pranayama—Humming Bee Breath—is an example of an ancient yogic technique based on humming. Read instructions and benefits here.

Western science is now confirming the healing effects of humming in peer-reviewed, scientifically validated publications. Some of these are cited in The Humming Effect (2017) by Jonathan and Andi Goldman. Documented benefits include:

Increased oxygen in cells
Lowered blood pressure and heart rate
Increased lymphatic circulation
Increased levels of melatonin
Reduced levels of stress-related hormones
Release of endorphins
Release of oxytocin
Increased levels of nitric oxide

Increasing nitric oxide is of interest during flu season because numerous experiments show that it opens nasal passages and enhances our immune, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

It dilates our blood vessels, increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure, greatly reducing stress. Nitric oxide is such an important molecule that it was named “Molecule of the Year” by Science journal in 1992! So, if you are suffering from nasal congestion, consider trying the lowly hum for relief. It costs nothing to try, right?

Humming Basics
If you can speak, you can hum!

Here’s how:

Hum at a pitch that is comfortable and natural for you. Don’t strain. Stay on a tone that is close to your normal speaking voice.
Sitting up is the best position, with eyes closed. But any comfortable position is okay.
The most basic hum begins with the “mmmmmm” sound, with lips closed. Pretend you are eating the most delicious food and just make a sound that shows your delight.
Be gentle with yourself and don’t overdo. Hold the hum for 5–10 seconds, whatever is comfortable. Then take another breath and continue. Do this for about 5 minutes.
Louder is not necessarily better. When you tone quietly, you will hear the subtle overtones more distinctly.
After humming, sit quietly for 5 minutes and notice the effects. Where did you feel vibrations?

To get the full effect of humming, you need to use intention and self-awareness while you do it. We’ll explore those aspects in Part 2. Part 3 will explore advanced techniques, and include a remarkable story about bees who heal by humming.

Until next time, here’s a step-by-step humming tutorial.

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Yes You Can Hum Your Way to Happiness! Here's how . . .

10/20/2017

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Humming creates an immediate healing effect on your whole body. It's one of the fastest, most effective de-stressors you can use. And it’s free and portable! Humming slows down your breathing rate, which automatically slows your heart rate and calms your brain waves. The moment you begin to hum, you are giving yourself a sonic massage, inside and out, and your brain starts releasing those happy endorphins. When you hum while playing crystal bowls, the effect is magnified ten times over.

How does humming work? Sound moves through the fluid parts of your body 4.5 times faster than through the air, and 12 times faster through your bones (which is why ultrasound imaging works.) Humming vibrates every cell, right down to your DNA. It stimulates production of nitric oxide, which helps maintain cellular health. It strengthens your immune system, improves circulation and digestion, clears your mind, and reduces stress. There is no downside!

In one study, exposure to 50–150 Hz provided relief for 80% of those suffering chronic and acute pain. Other studies show that humming improves hearing and reduces nasal congestion. Humming at 25–150 Hz has been known to speed healing of bone, tendons, ligaments and muscles. 25–50 Hz increases bone density. 100 Hz helps decrease dyspnea and shortness of breath.

So I was curious to see if I can hum in those frequencies. I fired up my frequency measurement app (iStroboSoft) and checked out my humming. At my lowest growl, I hit 130 HZ. Hmmmm. Maybe you guys can do this? The fridge fan was at about 40 HZ though, so maybe there is some benefit to  those annoying sounds in our homes?

Humming for happiness--It's as easy as 1-2-3
1.Smile, then breathe in and out through your nose, with your lips closed. As you release your breath, keep your lips closed and gently allow a soft hum to float out. Use a tone that is natural for you, one where you easily feel the vibration in your heart center. Hum softly. Louder is not better.

2.  Continue for a few minutes, without straining, until you feel the relaxation response—slower breathing, slower heart rate, calmer thoughts.

3. For maximum happiness and health, hum for at least 20 minutes a day.

Do you feel “humming challenged”? Here’s another option. Cuddle with a cat that loves to purr. Research shows that cats purr at healing sound frequencies of 25–150 Hz. They purr when giving birth, when frightened, and when severely injured. Their bones heal more rapidly after fractures than dogs (who don’t purr, of course). So if you don’t want to hum, you can try some “purr therapy”.

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Instant Stress Buster #1--Hum!

10/15/2013

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Humming creates an immediate healing effect on your whole body. Its one of the fastest, most effect de-stressors you can use. And it’s free and portable! Humming slows down your breathing rate, which automatically slows your heart rate and calms your brain waves. Within 2-5 minutes, you will feel totally at ease. (See instructions below)

How does it work? Sound moves through the fluid parts of your body 4.5 times faster than through the air. And 12 times faster through your bones (which is why ultrasound imaging works.) So the moment you begin to hum, you are giving yourself a sonic massage, inside and out. Humming vibrates every cell, right down to your DNA. It causes your brain to release relaxing endorphins. It also stimulates production of nitric oxide, which helps maintain cellular health, strengthens your immune system, improves circulation and digestion, clears your mind and reduces stress.

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine showed that humming increased blood flow in the sinuses, and boosted production of Nitric oxide 15 times higher. Other studies show that humming improves hearing and reduces nasal congestion. Humming at 25-150 Hz has been known to speed healing of bone, tendons, ligaments and muscles. 25-50 Hz increases bone density. 100 Hz helps decrease dyspnea and shortness of breath. In another study, exposure to 50-150 Hz provided relief for 80% of those suffering chronic and acute pain.

HUMMING FOR HEALTH—HERE’S HOW: Close your eyes. Now breathe in and out through your nose, with your lips closed. As you release your breath, gently allow a soft humm to float out. Use a note that feels good to you, one where you easily feel the vibration in your body. Be gentle. Louder is not better. Continue for a few minutes, without straining until you feel the relaxation response. For maximum health, gradually work up to 10-20 minutes a day.

Do you feel “humming challenged”? Here’s another option. Get a cat that loves to purr and hug tight. Research shows that cats purr at healing sound frequencies of 25-150 Hz. They purr when giving birth, when frightened and when severely injured. Their bones heal more rapidly after fractures than dogs (who don’t purr, of course). So if you don’t want to hum, you can try some “purr therapy”.

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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.

What's Your Musical Mode (Mood)?

The Story of Your Voice

Hum your way to health — CORRECTION

Hum your way to health — Part 3

Hum your way to health — Part 2

Hum your way to health — Part 1

Yes You Can Hum Your Way to Happiness! Here's how . . .

Instant Stress Buster #1--Hum!

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