We are all surrounded by our wheel of energy, and it is this invisible force that dictates our overall well-being. Unfortunately, our everyday busy lives have tamed us to overlook this key to our holistic development – an art that we have mastered to perfection! Humankind’s lust for the infinite more, the aimless direction of millions of lives, the spurts of untreatable diseases, and the pandemic has made us pause and wonder about the purpose and meaning of a healthy life.
Our holistic development is deeply correlated with our surrounding environment. To allow ourselves to experience life, we must choose to reboot our systems with avenues of healing and repair. Many of these streams of therapies, such as sound, homeopathy, etc., can be traced back thousands of years. During the course of this static pandemic, people have been looking for life management courses to regain the power to manage their own wheel of energy.
Discovering Sound Therapy
Listening to music during a workout session or simply plugging in the earphones to listen to music have often inflated our energy levels. The rise of sound therapy, in particular sound baths, isn’t just about feel-good mental benefits. A 2016 study found that singing bowl meditation helped lower blood pressure, improve breathing and circulation, alleviate aches and pains, and strengthen the immune system. It’s safe to say that sound has an ancient kinship with meditation and healing. The most common form in India is the use of Mantras.
This week, Kidskintha had the opportunity to interact with the very famous Aparna Sundar. She grew up in a family that was steeped in cultural arts, started singing at the age of five, and could identify ragas by the age of ten. Her in-depth knowledge of sound and Reiki has proved life-changing for thousands of souls. Her calm healing energy mirrors her calling in life – to make sound healing affordable and accessible to all.
In conversation with Aparna Sundar.
Hi Aparna! Thank you so much for talking to us. What is sound therapy? How does it work?
Sound healing is a holistic healing modality that aims to treat a person by using different instruments that emit pure tones and healing frequencies. It works by bringing the body and the mind to its natural, balanced state so the body can heal itself. In addition, the sound healing frequencies help calm the mind, reduce stress, and allow the body to relax.
What is the origin of sound healing? Please take us through its evolution.
Sound healing is an ancient practice traced back to thousands of years in India, China, Egypt, and other ancient civilizations. For example, the natives of South America used shamanic drumming and flute music to heal ailments and bring peace. Buddhist monks have been known to use the singing bowl to aid their meditation practice. Our Hindu temple bells are also rung to purify ourselves before entering the temple. Indian classical music has its roots in Nada Yoga, and ragas were known to have certain benefits. Even though we knew the benefits of sound since ancient times, it is only now, through modern science and the study of vibration and frequencies, that this type of healing has gained popularity.
Also Read: Unsure About Homeopathy? Seasoned Homeopath Dr. Preeti Kohli Explains How & Why it works
When is sound healing recommended? Is sound healing effective?
Anytime is a good time for sound healing. You need not have expensive instruments to reap the benefits. We experience sound healing in its natural form throughout our lives without even knowing or acknowledging its presence.
Have you ever felt peace and calm after listening to the ocean waves or the sound of water falling? Or have you experienced vibration in your head and your chest and felt happy as you hum or sing a tune? All this constitutes sound healing.
Is there scientific backing to vibrational balance and healing?
Yes, many studies have been conducted by doctors and physicists that prove sound has the ability to penetrate to the cellular level and even repattern DNA.
What does sound healing do for the body? Can sound healing and reiki techniques be personalized based on what the problem areas are for an individual?
Yes, however, in holistic healing, rather than addressing the symptoms, the problem is looked at as a whole. So, for example, if a person is experiencing a headache, the headache could result from many different things.
Instead of focusing on treating just the headache superficially, the treatment is given to the whole body allowing it to go to the root cause of the headache, which could be stress, digestive problems, hormonal problems, etc.
Over 80% of all ailments are caused due to stress. Therefore, when stress is reduced, you eliminate most of the problems!
What is the role of different sound healing instruments?
Many instruments mimic the sounds occurring in nature, such as rainfall, ocean waves, birds, etc. Some instruments are made with materials such as crystals and stones like clear quartz, amethyst, etc., that emit their beautiful energies when played. The common goal of all instruments is to promote peace, so any instrument that can produce calming sounds can be used.
On average, does the healing happen in one session? How long does it take to see results?
No, healing cannot happen in one session. It has probably taken many years for an imbalance or a problem to build up. You cannot expect that buildup to be erased in just one session. Sound healing or any other type of healing is not a miracle. It can take several sessions, sometimes even years!
How and why did you choose this mode of healing?
I have been into sound and music since I was very young. I understood how certain sounds or chords affected me. During my formative years, I have used sound and music to cope with my issues.
What is Reiki? When is it recommended to choose Reiki as a preferred choice of healing treatment?
Reiki is a Japanese technique that helps you channel the life force energy around us through touch-based therapy. The practitioner places his palms on different parts of the client’s body or energy centers. The client feels this energy as a warm and tingling feeling that immediately transports him into deep relaxation. Some people who may not resonate with sound healing can opt for Reiki and vice versa. Each person connects better to different modalities. Be open to trying both and see what you connect with more.
What are the different sessions of healing therapy that you offer? How are these sessions different?
For now, I offer Reiki and Sound healing. Both are gentle enough to be administered safely to most people. However, sound healing is not advised for those with sound-induced epilepsy, highly sensitive to certain sounds, or in the first trimester of pregnancy.
What would you want people to know about Sound healing and Reiki?
Sound healing and Reiki should not be used as the only form of treatment for serious ailments. Instead, they work better when complemented with healthy food and lifestyle habits.
What are the sound healing side effects?
There are no side effects of sound healing. Sometimes when the body is detoxing, people may experience pain or fatigue.
Is there any particular phase, such as pregnancy, where you recommend sound healing and/or Reiki?
They are good for all phases of pregnancy. However, it is generally not recommended in the first trimester because this can be a sensitive time for some, and if a sound therapist doesn’t take care to play gentle sounds, it could lead to complications. For example, instruments should NOT be kept on the body. The vibrations may be too much. If a therapist takes utmost care to play only gentle sounds, of the body, it should be fine. The pregnant client should always discuss with her therapist first.
How does sound healing help in meditation?
The sounds enable you to focus on the present moment better.
What diseases can be treated with sound therapy and Reiki?
It is better to treat diseases with proper medical care. Sound therapy and Reiki are better for holistic remedies and preventive care. However, many cancer patients have been known to have benefitted from sound therapy and Reiki, as it helps relieve their trauma-induced stress or pain.
Are sound therapy and Reiki interconnected?
All alternative remedies, such as reiki, acupuncture, homeopathy, etc., are interconnected. They aim to treat a person holistically and not just their symptoms.
Do you feel your clients are skeptical of sound healing?
Yes, they are because everyone wants immediate results, which isn’t possible. However, it is also hard to keep track of any progress, so I recommend my clients keep a journal to write down their thoughts and feelings after each session.
You also offer courses on sound healing and reiki. How long does it take to learn this form of healing treatment?
I don’t teach reiki at the moment. I offer a fundamentals course in sound healing to teach the theory of sound. This is a flexible format so it can take anywhere from seven days to seven months. After that, it all depends on practice.
How can we include both of these techniques in our daily lives? Over time, what kind of transformation can we hope to see within us.
You can practice sound healing yourself by using your voice, such as humming or chanting “OM” and other mantras. You will notice changes in the way you experience life. This will lead to more compassion, empathy towards others; crave healthier food; feel better about yourself and the world at large. It will result in a more balanced and focused life.
What are your tips for a calmer positive state of being, especially in the pandemic?
We should acknowledge that some things are beyond our control, and we are never alone in our struggles. Gratitude, in general, can be a great way to stay positive.
Also Read: Childhood Stress: How to Facilitate A Stress-free Environment for kids
Sound Healing for Children
From what age is sound healing appropriate for children?
From the time they are in the womb!
Is sound healing important for children?
Yes.
What are the benefits of sound therapy?
It can help boost their confidence, creativity, improve cognition and memory, help them focus and clear their minds, and help with their emotional and spiritual development well into adulthood.
Connect with Aparna and get your queries answered on www.aparnasound.com.Enjoy your Sound bath and Reiki sessions with Aparna. Please share your experience with us.
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels
Informative Sound therepy can be started from womb is quite an amazing fact I do believe in reiki as my brother in law managed to reach the hospital in severe heart attack which was miles away in hills while reiki was being given to him on time