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What's Your Musical Mode (Mood)?

6/18/2018

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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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Harness Your Heart's Energy—Part Two

5/3/2018

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Two weeks ago I introduced the idea of "coherence" and how I was using it in sound therapy with Alchemy™ crystal bowls. Physiological coherence happens when there is synchronization between heartbeat ECG and alpha rhythms in the EEG, as well as harmonious activity of the body’s subsystems. I promised to teach you the HeartMath Institute's Quick Coherence Technique. Here it is:

QUICK COHERENCE TECHNIQUE—3 SIMPLE STEPS


This method is completely portable! You can do it anywhere, any time. Here's a YouTube video that shows how to do it.

Step One—Heart Focus: Focus your attention on your heart area, and breathe a little deeper than normal—in and out for five seconds each.

Step Two—Heart Breathing: Imagine breathing through your heart. Picture yourself slowly breathing in and out through your heart area.

Step Three—Heart Feeling: Activate a positive feeling as you maintain your heart focus and breathing. Recall a time you felt good inside, and try to re-experience the feeling. Remember a special place or the love you feel for a close friend, relative or treasured pet. The key is to focus on something you really appreciate.

How do you feel? Do you notice a greater sense of ease, well-being or relaxation? Want to go even deeper? Try incorporating greater appreciation into your life in these simple ways:

1. Appreciation Breaks: Take two or three appreciation breaks each day – ideally in early morning, during work, school, returning home or before bed. Just follow the above simple steps. It takes as little as two minutes to achieve mental, emotional and physical balance.

2. Appreciation List: Make a list of things you appreciate – people, places, activities, pets – and choose one or two each morning to hold in your heart during the day. Choose an item again at night to hold in your heart while you rest.

3. Appreciation in the Moment: Keep your Appreciation List close all day, in a pocket or purse, by your computer or elsewhere. In stressful moments, choose an item that can quickly evoke appreciation. It can turn a stressful day into one that flows – in 30 seconds or less.

From the HeartMath Institute

Want to try the coherence technique while experiencing sound therapy with Alchemy crystal bowls? Read more and book a session.
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Harness Your Heart's Energy—Part One

4/19/2018

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Did you know that crystal singing bowls can be used to produce "physiological coherence"? The bowls emit pure sine waves that wash through the body and entrain heart rate, breathing rate and brain waves to healthy, calming frequencies.


I’ve been studying the extensive scientific research of the HeartMath Institute and am excited to see the intersection between their work and mine. I find their simple tools an excellent way to boost the power of the sound therapy that I do. For example, I guide people in the Quick Coherence Technique while they are listening to Alchemy™ Crystal Bowl frequencies.

Your heart generates a series of electromagnetic pulses that creates the largest electromagnetic field in the body. It’s about 60 times greater in amplitude (ECG) than brain waves (EEG). The magnetic component is around 5,000 times stronger than that produced by the brain. It is not impeded by tissues and can be measured several feet away from the body.

This energy is transmitted to your brain and to every cell in your body. Your heart’s energy field interacts with other people’s, producing cardio electric communication. You can use simple, quick techniques to teach the heart to synchronize and calm all your bioenergetic systems. And your state of calm will affect those around you.

WHAT IS "COHERENCE"? AND HOW DOES IT HELP YOU?

Physiological coherence is when there is synchronization between heartbeat ECG and alpha rhythms in the EEG, as well as harmonious activity of the body’s subsystems including the endocrine systems and the two branches of the autonomic nervous system. The time interval between each heartbeat varies in a complex manner.

These variations in electromagnetic energy, sound pressure, and blood pressure waves are “felt” by every cell in the body. Invoking positive emotions increases coherence. Coherence is made visible when the heart shows sine wave patterns in its rhythms.

Coherence increases efficiency in fluid exchange, filtration, and absorption between the capillaries and tissues, as well as increased ability of the cardiovascular system to adapt to circulatory demands, resulting in increases system-side energy efficiency and conservation of metabolic energy. Increased coherence is also associated with improved cognitive performance, mental clarity, emotional stability, stress reduction, positive attitudes, blood pressure reductions, reduced depression. Coherence can happen spontaneously during sleep and deep relaxation. It can also be taught.

Next time I’ll teach you how to create coherence in your own heart and mind.

In harmony,
Kaasay (Nancy Watters, MA, RCC)

From “The Energetic Heart: Bioelectromagnetic Interactions Within and Between People”, Rolin McCraty, PhD, 2003, HeartMath Institute
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Instant Stress Buster #3--Ujai Breath

7/14/2014

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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

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Instant Stress Buster #2--Ahhhh...

12/14/2013

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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 …
  • Yourself
  • Someone you love
  • Someone with whom you’ve had some difficulty
  • Mother Earth and all her people
  • Our Creator

With gratitude to Jonathan Goldman, International Sound Healer's Association. 
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Ear Candy--A "Sound Bath"

4/17/2013

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The other day the sunshine and warmth coaxed me outside for a walk.  It was one of those early spring days when it seemed that all of nature was bursting with new life.  Flowers blooming, birds singing at the top of their lungs, ducks swimming on the pond.  It was a soul-soothing feast for eyes and ears. Just five minutes of that sort of "ear candy" gives you a sonic tune-up, and nourishes your body, mind and spirit.

Why is "ear candy" so important?  Well, consider that your hearing is on 24/7 from the time you are in the womb until you die.  There is no "off" button. The toxic noises in our world, sounds that jar our nerves and keep our bodies on "red alert", are always affecting us, whether we are paying attention to them or not.  To reduce the stress caused by noisy environments, give your ears some restful sounds. A daily "sound bath" is as important for your health as is exercise and healthy food. 

What makes nature sounds so nourishing?  One reason is that your brain is a pattern-seeking device. It's constantly scanning the external environment for patterns that indicate potential threats.  When no patterns are found, your brain relaxes.  Bird sounds, running water and ducks quacking are random sounds that naturally put your busy brain on pause.  And then your breathing automatically slows down, and your heart rate decreases too. A great combo! 

So sit back and give yourself a "sound bath" with the sights and sounds of this video taken at King's Pond.  Or better yet, head out to the woods, beaches and lakes yourself. 

For best listening, use headphones. Adjust the volume to 75 decibels or less so you don't damage your hearing.  iPhone earbuds, for example, have a maximum volume of 100 decibels, which can damage your hearing instantly.  So use them at 3/4 volume at most. 
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    Author

    Nancy A. Watters, MA, is an expert sound therapist, professional singer, psychotherapist and Reiki master. 

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