Some eclectic jazz musicians accompany their musical stylings with a Tibetan singing bowl, creating an otherworldly experience for the audience who listen to such jazz improvisations.
In Pasadena, Ling O’Connor, Ph. D., a professor of environmental science in the Geology Department at Pasadena Community College, and her team of volunteer healers use a Tibetan singing bowl to create a similar out-of-body experience with their improv sound bath and yoga healing events, which are offered free of charge to those affected by the Eaton Fire.
“I had been anticipating climate change-related catastrophic events,” says O’Connor. “The fire was devastating, so I have been working to provide whatever services I can to the community.”
“Since the fire,” O’Connor continues, “we have held five sound bath sessions. Each is comprised of a distinct set of facilitators, depending on availability. Linda Lau-Cole, a retired businesswoman, Linda Hodgkins, a travel agent, and Graham Hodgkins, a retired CEO, volunteered at the first sound bath. Former attendees continue to join as volunteers.”
Today, sound healing and sound baths are popular ways to experience the numerous benefits of specific tones and instruments. Also known as yoga sound therapy, a sound bath is a deeply relaxing experience in which you lie down on a mat or blanket with as many cushions or props as needed to feel comfortable and integrate sound vibrations. The session is designed to promote relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being by harmonizing the body, mind, and spirit.
O’Connor’s yoga sound sessions are led by movement master Jennifer Shen, who encourages participants to relax and feel the rhythms of their own bodies. Yoga, in its traditional form, focuses on physical postures (asanas) and breathwork (pranayama). Yoga sound therapy combines these elements, using sound to deepen and enhance the benefits of yoga practice.
Various sound instruments are used to create specific frequencies and vibrations that resonate with the body. These include Tibetan and Chinese gongs, steel doumbek, Chinese wooden fish and tribal drums, alchemy quartz and Tibetan singing bowls, rain sticks, swinging and Koshi chimes, Peruvian rattles and tuning forks. O’Connor accompanies herself on a harmonium while she sings and chants stylized phrases of the gospel classic “Amazing Grace,” “Love is a song that never ends” from the movie “Bambi,” and a mantra from the Hindu guru Paramahansa Yogananda, “Oh joy is sweet and sorrow a dream.”
“These phrases have been very helpful to me when I am feeling down,” says O’Connor. “I have studied many different spiritual traditions and take lessons from all of them. Love, joy and forgiveness run through all traditions I have studied, including Siberian Shamanism.”
How it works
Sound waves create vibrations that practitioners say can resonate with the body’s tissues and organs, promoting relaxation and healing. Certain frequencies can influence brainwave activity, shifting the brain from a state of alertness to a more relaxed and meditative state. Sound therapy can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the “rest and digest” system, which helps to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Participants report benefits including:
- Stress reduction: Sound therapy can help calm the nervous system and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Improved relaxation and sleep: The vibrations and frequencies can induce a deep state of relaxation, promoting both physical and mental well-being.
- Pain relief: Some studies suggest that sound therapy can help alleviate pain and discomfort.
- Enhanced meditation: Sound can create a conducive environment for meditation and mindfulness practices.
- Holistic healing: Sound yoga addresses the body, mind, and spirit, promoting a sense of wholeness and well-being.
Research indicates that sound therapy can significantly alter brain waves, shifting them from agitated patterns to calm, relaxed waveforms. Different frequencies can stimulate the release of other neurotransmitters and hormones, leading to various physiological and psychological effects.
While sound therapy can be beneficial, it’s important to note that it’s not a cure-all for all conditions, especially severe pain or stress. Everyone’s experience with sound therapy will be different, and it’s important to find what works best for you. Practitioners say participants should pay attention to how they feel during and after a sound therapy session and adjust their approach accordingly.
If you have any underlying health conditions or concerns, consult with a healthcare professional before trying sound therapy. Certain contraindications to sound therapy exist, including whether you have a pacemaker, artificial heart valve, or cardiac arrhythmia, so it’s essential to be aware of these conditions before starting.
“The healing journey is long,” says O’Connor, “and it would take years to heal from such a catastrophic event as the Eaton Fire. I hope that our healing community continues to grow and serve for years to come. It has been a challenge reaching those in need. We’re just ordinary folks trying to do our best to serve others.”
DEETS
The next free sound yoga bath event is:
- April 10, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
- Lineage Performing Arts Center
- 920 East Mountain Street, Pasadena, 91104
- Bring a yoga mat and blanket
- RSVP: [email protected]
