During the past several months, a new kind of sound therapy, often called sound healing, has begun to attract a following. Nicole Fonovich, M.Ed., R.T.I., founder/owner of Nicole Anne Yoga, a mobile yoga and holistic wellness company in Arizona, discusses the power of this up-and-coming meditation.
Also known as vibrational medicine, sound therapy employs the vibrations of the human voice as well as objects that resonate–tuning forks, gongs, Tibetan singing bowls, chimes, flute and harmonium–to go beyond simple relaxation and actually stimulate physical and emotional healing.
Sound healing is a process of using the vibrations from meditative instruments to help facilitate the release of energy stored in the body that no longer serves us. These “blocked” or “stuck” emotions in the body can cause many ailments. Sound healing is effective in not only achieving a state of relaxation, but it also has a way of moving through blockages in the body.
Sound healing has been known to help treat such conditions as stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, depression and sleep disorders.
What is vibrational meditation?
Vibrational meditation uses vibrations to create a very calm and peaceful meditative experience. Very similar to a yoga class, it will have a start, middle and end. The goal is to facilitate a space for deep healing and restoration, allowing the participant to gradually drop into a very restful space–a place where answers to questions that have been pondered during the waking state, are easily addressed. Experienced for a brief 30 minutes or so, vibrational meditation creates a space for “letting go” and relaxing into your own busy thoughts.
How to enjoy sound therapy at home:
Find a sound healer you enjoy listening to. Favorite sound therapy apps include Natura Sound Therapy, Country Relax and Sleep Sounds, Sleep Sounds and SPA Music, myNoise and Returned Pro. Select a comfortable spot to lie down, either on a bed, couch, recliner or even on the floor with some padding. If you’re lying down, use a pillow for your head, a scarf or eye mask to cover your eyes, and a blanket to cover up. Silence your cell phone and, as best as possible, try to limit all distractions.
I can tell you that sound healing and vibrational meditation changed my entire life. I live in chronic pain due to a lifelong back disability and, whenever I am unable to move, this becomes the only form of yoga I am able to do. It allows me the space to completely quiet my mind and temporarily forget about my pain, even if it’s only for 30 minutes or so. I urge you to give it a try, feel the vibrations and let this new type of healing begin.
Nicole Anne Yoga offers vibrational healing every Friday afternoon from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. with a donation-based sound healing via Facebook, Instagram and YouTube LIVE. All Facebook LIVE classes are complimentary to veterans, active military members and, currently, health care providers/first responders; however, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
To join Nicole Anne Yoga, visit www.facebook.com/nicoleanneyoga.