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Crystal Bowl Qigong Fusion

12/30/2018

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In 2015 I, began attending weekly Spring Forest Qigong (SFQ) classes. At the time I was recovering from an accident. I had a broken wrist, a concussion and could hardly walk 2 blocks. I had to sit most of the time during the class. I was dizzy, in pain, uncoordinated and couldn't remember the sequence. But I put smile on my face (as instructed) and did my best. I always felt better afterwards.

100 DAYS OF SFQ PRACTICE WITH 100 CRYSTAL BOWLS
Recently, I realized that, of all the treatments I used during my 4-year recovery, SFQ was one of the most potent—combined with crystal singing bowls, chanting and low-carb eating.

So now I've decided to up my game! I am practicing SFQ every day here in the crystal bowl sanctuary, where there are 100 Alchemy™ crystal bowls vibrating with me. I'm committed to practicing for at least 100 days in a row, using Master Lin's video which takes me through the basic moves of 5-Element medical Qigong. SFQ practice also includes powerful visualizations and affirmations.


CRYSTAL BOWLS ABSORB QIGONG ENERGY
While I practice, the crystal bowls absorb, focus, amplify and store the Qigong energies being generated. (See properties of crystals) The bowls are being infused with serenity, compassion, peace, joy, happiness, gratitude, contentment, prosperity and love. They drink in those sweet energies, magnify them, and then send them back to me ten-fold. When I send these bowls off to their new owners, they are ready to promote complete well-being. I am so happy about this!

MY RESULTS
After three weeks of daily practice, the results are already dramatic! My pain is nearly non-existent. I have more energy. I'm more relaxed. My balance is better and my memory has improved.

A GIFT FOR YOUR SOUL 
If you would like some "bowl mates" to come live with you, request a crystal bowl consultation. I will help you connect with bowls that capture your heart, match your needs and transform your life. I promise they will become life-long spiritual companions. Crystal Tones Alchemy™ bowls are the highest quality in the world!
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​Warm regards, Kaasay
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What's in stock at The Sound Sanctuary?

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Our Sacred Eagle Sound Ceremony (And how we became and instant tourist hit!)

7/22/2018

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Listen to our drum circle at the beach.
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We always have a “Sacred Eagle Sound Ceremony” outdoors, as part of the sound therapy training program. This time was no exception. In preparation, I searched out a couple of spots that would be quiet and secluded. I didn’t want to attract a crowd of intrusive onlookers. 
 
When the day came, it was a warm, sunny summer evening. Perfect! We headed out with all our instruments, crystal bowls and drums to Cattle Point, by the ocean. Upon arrival, I realized we’d left the mallets for playing the bowls at home! Since it was only 5 minutes away, I returned to get them, leaving the others to set up and get started. “Trust things to all work out,” I said over and over like a little mantra.
 
When I arrived back at cattle point, traffic had slowed, as 3 buses of tourists slid into the parking lot. (Oh no! “Trust it to all work out” . . . ) As I walked towards our little spot, I heard the most wonderful drumming and chanting. Walking towards my students, I started my camera rolling. And then I noticed I was not the only one doing that. Hundreds of tourists had been attracted, and they all had their iPhones rolling too! We were an instant tourist hit! I really got a good laugh at myself. There was my idea (quiet, secluded spot) and then there was God’s plan. “Trust it to all work out”, I kept happily reminding myself. 
 
Our joyful sounds continued for quite some time. We were delighted that people enjoyed the fruits of our love and learning. Babies in strollers, people from around the world, elders, young’uns, all enjoying an uplifting moment of unity and love. They asked, “When is your next gig?” At that, more happy laughter spilled out of us. All were blessed by the joy and love. “Trust it to all work out”. Eventually, the tourists drifted back to the busses, and we had our private moments of sacred song and story as the sun descended. 

 
First Nations peoples summon the Eagle when we are about to embark on a challenge, a life change, or a creative endeavour. Eagles encourage us to be courageous, reach higher and to grow beyond what we think we can do. 
 
Eagles symbolize:  
 
1) Connection with the Creator and the Spirit World 
2) Courage to fly high 
3) Ability to gain perspective
4) Association with East winds, symbolizing the coming of spring, dawn, rebirth and new beginnings 
5) Keen sight and visionary insight 
6) acute hearing—both physical and spiritual
 
Since 2007, I have been an honorary member of the Tlingit Wooshkeetaan Eagle clan of SE Alaska. My spirit name, Kaasay, was given to me by elder Mary Brown. It means “Higher Voice”. I feel honored to be part of her multi-ethnic, Tlingit, Baha’i family that now spans the globe, demonstrating the Oneness of the human family. 
 
As the sun set, a man with a lovely professional camera sauntered by. We snagged him to take our photo. The sunlight was at just at the right angle–of course. “Trust it to all work out”.  I think there may be a song about that. . . Anyone?
 
Here is our meditation on trust, courage and transformation. We’re posting this on our fridges, as a daily reminder. Maybe you want to do that too? Trust me, it works! 

Trust

Trust is having faith, hope and a positive outlook. Trust is believing in someone or something. We have confidence that the right thing will happen without trying to control it or make it happen. Even when difficult things happen, trust helps us know that there is some gift or learning in everything that happens. 

Affirmations
I rely on my Creator. I release fear and worry. I trust that I will be guided and my needs will be met. Trust gives me the courage to fly high and explore new endeavours. I know that there is some good to be found in everything that happens, even hard things. I am thankful for the gift of Trust in my life. It renews my strength. 
Adapted from the Virtues Reflection Cards by Linda Kavelin-Popov.
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Sound-Induced Altered States of Consciousness

4/4/2018

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Since 2010 I’ve been using Alchemy™ Crystal Singing bowls for meditation, toning, relaxation, group sound baths, and individual therapy sessions. During the course of giving over 100 community presentations, I learned about the effects of the bowls by asking participants about their experiences. The settings were diverse, including a pain center, a cancer care center, adults with disabilities program, children’s programs, churches, meditation groups and yoga classes.

People consistently described their experiences in similar terms—they said they felt mesmerized, like they were floating, in a timeless state, transported to other realms. Some had visions of coloUrs and light. Most said they became deeply relaxed, almost asleep, but still conscious. They said their experiences of profound peace and joy couldn’t really be described in words. This piqued my curiosity. Was there any research about sound-induced altered states of consciousness? As it turns out, yes!

Lyz Cooper MA, MSc, FICNM, Founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy, conducted experiments and reported her results in Sound Affects: Sound Therapy, Altered States of Consciousness and Improved Health and Wellbeing. Her subjects' experiences mirrored the effects that my participants described. Especially strong and statistically significant effects included transcendence of time and space, feelings of joy, muscle relaxation, slow steady breathing, a feeling of floating, visual imagery, and heightened insights. She compared the effects of live acoustic sound with recordings of the same. The live music seemed to be more emotionally moving, while the recorded music evoked deeper introspection. The sample size was very small, so further investigation is needed.

WHAT IS MEANT BY "ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS"?

Consciousness is the awareness people have of themselves and the environment around them. Different states of consciousness include alert wakefulness, relaxed, sleeping, dreams, meditation, trance, hypnosis and unconsciousness. Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) are temporary changes associated with different brainwave frequencies. Everyone cycles through various brainwave frequencies continuously, so various states of consciousness happen naturally. ASCs may also be induced by illness, drugs, meditation, sound, and hypnosis.

Sound therapists make use of various sound frequencies to entrain clients to specific brainwave states. These brainwave states create specific effects (see chart). They help clients relax, reduce anxiety, get better sleep, increase mental clarity, and increase energy. There are biofeedback tools that show what brainwaves are being emitted. And there are simple tools that measure coherence between brainwaves and heart rate. This coherence greatly enhances health. More on that next time!

Interested in seeing how crystal bowls work for you? Book an appointment for a consultation or sound therapy session.
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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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Learn sound therapy from an expert

1/26/2018

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Want to dive deeper into sound therapy? I'm thrilled to announce that I've got more Sound Therapy Training opportunities in the works for you! Whether you are a beginning or advanced sound practitioner, this is your opportunity to dive much deeper. The next session is coming up April 13–15, 2018. There will also be trainings in July and November. Registration has just opened for all three!

This 3-day training is an extraordinary encounter where you will learn to use your voice, crystal singing bowls and other sound therapy tools for profound wellness — for yourself and others. You’ll be immersed in crystalline sound baths daily and experience first-hand the soul-nourishing and life-changing properties of healing sounds.

This intensive workshop provides hands-on training with over 50 Alchemy™ Crystal singing bowls, as well as transformative experiences, scientific knowledge and skill training. You'll learn proven, safe, professional sound therapy techniques that are evidence-based. My sound therapy method combines sound with voice, self-reflection, mindfulness and self-awareness. 

"The best workshop I have ever taken. It was life-changing!" (Johanne Pelletier, Ontario)

Peruse the full course description including the daily schedule, location, tuition costs, and registration details. I'd love to have you join us!

Got questions? Contact me!

In harmony,
Kaasay (Nancy Watters, MA, RCC)
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Do You Have Chronic Pain?

11/30/2017

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How Sound Therapy Eases Pain

November 5–11 is National Pain Awareness Week. According to the Canadian Pain Coalition (CPC), one out of five Canadians lives with chronic pain! Sound healing with crystal singing bowls can help ease chronic pain.

The situation
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."

How does sound therapy help?
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 the vibrations of 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.

Knee pain spontaneously vanishes
I have been doing sound healing sessions with crystal singing bowls for seven years, and I see 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 acupressure 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 Kaasay, thus facilitating the release of pain and blocked chi from my knee."

"Thank you so much for such a beautiful concert in honour of National Pain Awareness Week. Thirty 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." – Linda Cundiff, Occupational Therapy, RJH Pain Program​​

​I offer individual sound therapy sessions and sound therapy training.
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Gems and minerals for pain management
(From The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall, 2003)

Alchemy Crystal singing bowls are infused with gems and minerals that each have unique frequencies. This greatly increases their healing power. I sell bowls made with the following gems that are known for helping ease physical and emotional pain. These gems all have many other healing properties, which you can read about in The Crystal Bible.

Blue Calcite is a gentle stone for recuperation and relaxation. It lowers blood pressure and dissolves pain on all levels. Gently soothing the nerves and lifting anxieties, it releases negative emotions. Used on the throat chakra, it aids clear communication, especially where there is dissent. Blue Calcite can absorb energy, filter it, and return it to benefit the sender. (p. 90)

Celestite is an excellent healing stone, dissolving pain and bringing in love. It treats disorder of the eyes and ears, eliminates toxins, and brings cellular order. Its soothing influence relaxes muscle tension and calms mental torment. As with all blue crystals, Celestite is an effective opener and healer of the throat chakra and its associated physical conditions. (p. 97)

Dioptase regulates cell disorders, activates T-cells and the thymus, relieves Meniere’s disease, eases high pressure and alleviates pain and migraines. It prevents heart attacks and heals heart conditions. Dioptase lessens fatigue and overcomes shock. Use as an elixir for headaches and pain. (p. 125)

Sugilite is an exceptionally good pain reliever; the manganese in Sugilite clears headaches and discomfort at all levels. It treats epilepsy and motor disturbances and brings the nerves and brain into alignment. (p. 280)

Tourmaline protects against cell phones, electromagnetic smog, radiation, and negative energies of all kinds. It grounds energy, clears negative thoughts . . . strengthens the immune system, treats dyslexia and arthritis, provides pain relief, and realigns the spinal column. (p. 299)

Turquoise is a most efficient healer, providing solace for the spirit and well being for the body. . . . Turquoise strengthens the meridians of the body and the subtle energy fields. It enhances the physical and psychic immune systems and regenerates tissue, support the assimilation of nutrients, alleviates pollution and viral infections, and heals the whole body, especially the eyes, including cataracts. It reduces excess acidity and benefits gout, rheumatism, and the stomach. This stone is anti-inflammatory and detoxifying and alleviates cramps and pain. (p. 306)
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Sounds that harm, sounds that heal: 4 ways to protect yourself from noise pollution

10/27/2017

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Sound is an energy that can increase joy, create harmony, and lift us up to mystical states. Alternatively, it can drive us to despair or promote anxiety and depression. Musician Carlos Santana once remarked, “We are working in a field of mystical resonance, sound and vibration . . . that's what makes people cry, laugh and feel their hair stand up.”

The world was created by sound, according to stories from Hopi, Egyptian, Christian, Aboriginal, Hindu and Mayan cultures. And ancient civilizations, including Mesopotamia, India, China, Greece and Aboriginal cultures understood that individuals and society are shaped by the kind of music people listen to. In China, for example, when the Emperor wanted to assess the well being of a village, he listened to their music. Music that was unhealthy was banned, because it was known to undermine social cohesion.

A growing body of Western medical research confirms that the right sounds promote healthy functioning of the immune, endocrine, and autonomic systems. Dr. Oliver Sacks, a neurologist and author ofAwakenings writes, “The power of music to integrate and cure is quite fundamental. It is the profoundest non-chemical medication.” One physician says that half an hour of the right music produces the same effects as 10 mg. of Valium! Some of the other benefits of the right sounds include:
  • Reduced stress and pain
  • Release of grief, depression, anxiety
  • Strengthened immune system
  • Creation of more harmonious relationships
  • Increased joy, confidence, and sense of purpose

But what about harmful sounds, like noise pollution? Dr. Larry Dossey states that noise pollution is probably the most common modern health hazard. Even if you tune out loud sounds, they still penetrate your body. Dr. Dossey explains, “High levels of unpleasant sounds cause blood vessels to constrict; increase the blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rates; release extra fats into the bloodstream; and cause the blood’s magnesium level to fall.” Hearing is never turned off, even under anaesthesia. Aversive sounds are increasing our stress levels exponentially. So how can we counteract that?

Tip #1: Listen to Music that Makes Your Heart Sing
The Persian poet, Hafiz, referring to our emotional response to music said, “Stay close to any sounds that make you glad you are alive.” Whether a sound is calming or stimulating depends not only on the nature of the sound itself, but also on the relationship you have with that sound. You may have certain memories—good or bad—associated with it. And you won’t react the same way every time you hear it. Your responses will vary from day to day. Respect how sometimes you crave something peaceful; other times something lively or mournful.

Tip #2: Be Mindful of the Lyrics
Choose songs with positive lyrics. Positive thoughts, combined with music, have an almost unequalled ability to instil a sense of life-affirming optimism and harmony. Avoid music with hate lyrics and beats that disrupt natural body rhythms. It’s shocking to know that some musicians deliberately use music to incite violence. For example, “John Phillips of the group The Mamas and the Papas stated, ‘by carefully controlling the sequence of rhythms, any rock group can create audience hysteria consciously and deliberately. ‘We know how to do it,’ he said. ‘Anybody knows how to do it.’ “The band then proceeded to prove it at a concert in Phoenix, Arizona. Using a certain combination of rhythms, they incited a riot.” [Tame, David. (1984) The Secret Power of Music, 154]

In another instance, Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones performed a song with hate lyrics and specific rhythms that caused audience members to inflict severe injury and death. He commented, “Something like that happens every time we perform that song.” This type of music is an extreme health hazard.

Tip #3: Listen to Mother Nature
Some of the healthiest sounds are made by water—ocean waves or bubbling brooks which calm your nervous system, slow down your heartbeat, lower your blood pressure, slow down your breathing, and put your brainwaves into the calm alpha state. High-pitched bird songs energize the brain, and help you stay mentally relaxed and focused. So get outside or listen to high quality nature recordings.

Tip #4: Steer Clear of Noise Pollution
Protect your hearing. Continued exposure to sounds over 100 decibels can cause gradual deafness. Once your hearing has been damaged, it cannot be regenerated. In many countries, 85 decibels is the maximum noise volume allowed in work environments. Therefore, avoid loud environments or use ear plugs. When listening to music through ear buds, keep the volume low enough so that you can still hear other sounds around you. Here are the noise volumes of some typical situations. If you want to measure the loudness of others, use a decibel meter app. It’s eye-opening!
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Here's to your good hearing and health!
Kaasay
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What is the Most Powerful Sound Therapy Instrument?

10/18/2017

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The Most Powerful Sound Therapy Instrument Is . . . 
Well you've probably guessed by now. It's your voice! But I didn't always believe that. What made me change my mind? I took a 6-month course from Jonathan Goldman, founder of the International Sound Healer’s Association. Jonathan firmly believes that vocal toning is the most effective healing method. I secretly harboured the thought that crystal singing bowls were the most effective, but decided to give toning a go. You can do both, so why not? 

So, for six months I followed the daily assignments, toning various vowel sounds such as Ah, Eee, Oh, Mmm, per the instructions. And as required, I kept a log of my experiences, answering questions such as, “Where do I feel the sound in my body? How did the sound affect my emotions and my energy? What happens when I sing louder or softer? What happens when I focus my thoughts on a particular chakra? Which tones and sounds feel particularly delicious to me? Does that vary from day to day?” It was a fabulous exploration! I became aware of all the subtle nuances of vocal tones and my unique reactions. I learned to overtone and I created my personal chakra toning sequence. This simple practice shifted all aspects of my being—physical, emotional, mental, and energetic. 

So, after that course, I conceded that voice is the number one sound therapy instrument. Why? 
  1. It’s the oldest, most natural form of sound therapy. Everyone who breathes can make these vowel sounds. 
  2. It’s the only instrument that has human consciousness and intention embedded in it. That’s what gives it such healing power. 
  3. Our voice vibrates every organ in our body from the inside out, bringing it into harmony and vibrational alignment. 
  4. It’s a natural way to release pain (Think, “OW!”). 
  5. It’s free and completely portable!
If you want to try toning, here are a couple of tips. Louder is not necessarily better. When you tone softer, you will often hear the subtle overtones more clearly. Sing at a pitch that is comfortable and natural for you. Don’t strain. Just breathe in and let a sound float out on the out-breath. Enjoy! Mmmmm. Delicious.  

"The effect produced by singing depends upon the depth of feeling of the singer . . . The singer’s heart, so to speak, accompanies the song.” The Mysticism of Sound, Inayat Khan, p. 65 

"Let us not try to understand music with our mind. Let us not even try to feel it with our heart. Let us simply and spontaneously allow the music-bird to fly in our heart-sky. The Source of Music, Sri Chinmoy, p. 90  


You don't need to be a "singer" or performer to do any of this. Trust me! If you can breathe, you can do it! —Kaasay

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Sound Therapy or Sound Healing? What's the Difference?

10/14/2017

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In 2010, I was gifted with an Alchemy™ Aqua Aura Gold bowl, which launched me on a life-changing voyage with sound. From the beginning I wondered, “What is the difference between sound healers and sound therapists? And which am I?” You may be wondering too. So, here’s my current thinking.This is just my opinion, of course. I’d love to hear yours. 
 
Keep in mind that these terms are somewhat arbitrary, because there is much fluidity in this newly emerging field. It’s rapidly expanding, informed by rediscovery of ancient knowledge and also by new knowledge gleaned from wide-ranging sciences including quantum physics, neuroscience, energy psychology, and brain biology.
 
The term sound therapist has come into use relatively recently. Therapistgenerally implies some sort of medical intervention, which is why governments often regulate the term.Sound therapists that I am aware of have typically studied a related field in depth. They may be professionals in music therapy, nursing, acoustics, chiropractic, quantum physics, neuroscience, energy psychology, brain biology, massage therapy, or yoga therapy, for example. The British Academy of Sound Therapy teaches a broad range of specific techniques in a systematic, in-depth way. Founder Lyz Cooper has done some ground-breaking research that demonstrates a correlation between sound therapy and improved health.

Sound healers seem to emphasize a more organic, intuitive, holistic approach. I’ve observed that those who use the term healer, such as The International Sound Healer’s Association, draw more heavily from mystical and spiritual knowledge, coming from Indigenous cultures, as well as yogic traditions, Kabbalah, and mystics of every spiritual tradition. When applied by skilled practitioners, it is highly effective as well.
 
In an additional category are people whom I would call sound artists, skilled musicians whose music is utterly transformative.

So, which am I? I am trained in Reiki (energy healing), music, and clinical psychology. I bring intuitive, artistic, and scientific mind-sets to my sound therapy work. I'm actually all three — a sound therapist, a sound healer, and a sound artist.

But after thinking it over, I’ve decided to call myself a sound therapist. Here’s why: 

As a psychotherapist, with an MA in counselling psychology, the scope of my practice is much broader than Reiki and music. Because of my psychology training and experience, I can safely go deeper with sound therapy clients when indicated. Sound sometimes unlocks strong emotions or trauma. I know many other techniques that can help with whatever arises. 
 
I also have training in professional ethics. Ethical guidelines protect clients. They include confidentiality, boundaries, informed consent, and staying within the scope of my training. I belong to a professional association, carry liability insurance, and follow standards about privacy and record keeping. Because of this, some insurance companies cover my services, including sound therapy. 
 
Whether you consider yourself a sound therapist, sound healer, or sound artist, you are on the leading edge in an emerging field that is contributing greatly to people’s wellbeing. I hope these reflections help as you explore your own role in this exciting field.
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    Nancy A. Watters, MA, is an expert sound therapist, professional singer, psychotherapist and Reiki master. 

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