The Healing Power of Sound

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Created on Monday, 20 February 2012 13:45

Written by Maria Tadd

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In virtually every culture, we have used toning, chanting and singing to praise our Creator and to heal our bodies and spirits. “AH” is the universal sound of the Creator (God, Buddha, Jehovah, Krishna, Rah), according to Wayne Dyer. 

When we tone, chant or sing, we have to breathe more deeply. Increasing the flow of oxygen, in and of itself, has many health benefits. Also since toning and chanting create sound waves which vibrate at various frequencies, doing it causes the body/mind to vibrate in alignment with the frequencies of the sound. 

What is Toning? 

Toning is the production, by the human voice, of a sustained, vibratory, single tone. The tone is usually a vowel sound or a collection of various vowel sounds such as Om Mani Padne Hum. It is often done in a meditative state – the sound or sounds are repeated for a specific amount of time. 

Today in our Western culture, we have developed various toning exercises. We can tone a particular sound, the “AH”, or OM (pronounced OOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM or AAAAAAUUUUUUUMMMMMMM), or a sound of our choosing or we can repeat a mantra. We can also tone a specific sound or mantra ascribed to each chakra. All depends on our intention and what our healing needs are at the time. 

What are the Health Benefits of Toning/Chanting? 

Science has found that the “AH” sound has all sorts of beneficial effects for the creator of the sound. Toning or chanting can: 

• Oxygenate the blood
• Lower blood pressure and heart rate
• Increase lymphatic circulation
• Increase levels of melatonin
• Reduce the production of stress-related hormones like cortisol
• Release endorphins, producing a feeling of well being
• Increase levels of melatonin, a hormone that helps you get a good night's sleep
• Increase levels of nitric oxide, (NO), associated with healing and vascular dilation
• Release oxytocin, the “trust” hormone 

Mitchell L. Gaynor, MD, a leading oncologist and director of integrative medicine at the Strang-Cornell Cancer Prevention Center Dr. Gaynor states in his book, The Healing Power of Sound, that "the very tools high-tech scientists have used to understand molecular biology are revealing that mind-body communication occurs on the deepest levels of cellular function. Based on my reviews of this burgeoning research, I have come to believe that mind and body are not merely connected, they are unified. I also believe that understanding mind-body unity is essential to recognizing how sound—which has vibratory effects on cells, organs, emotional effect on the brain, and which taps a spiritual dimension as yet undefined—is the next frontier in holistic healing."

Toning in your own voice is a very powerful tool for self-healing, relaxation, personal growth, opening your creativity, and helping to balance you and your life experiences. 

The human voice is one of our finest tools for healing the body and spirit. It is always available and toning or chanting can be practiced anywhere and everywhere. The only limitation is one’s own inhibition.

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