Sing to Your Health and Dance the Blues Away:
Music Therapy for Healing & Wellness
By Teresa Carr
|
|
Sing to Your Health and Dance the Blues Away: Music Therapy for Healing & Wellness By
Teresa Carr There is something about music that captures the soul and heals the body emotionally and spiritually. The therapeutic property of music playing goes back to the Bible of ancient times. It has been historically mentioned in the Rabbinical records a 22-string harp. This same harp was used by David to ease King Saul (I Samuel 16:32). The 10-string harp is the sign of the coming Messiah and it will be a time that all people will dwell together in peace. Music is a harmonic connection that brings all people
together. From church choirs to the street bands, music has touched the lives
of all ages young and old. August
Rush is a movie that tells the story of a boy who believes in his
dream of music and ventures out into the world to seek his dream. Music moves
everything from the soul to the mind. Music has healing properties that
soothes the body and relieves stress. The way to enjoy music is to find music
that interests you and listen to it. By listening repeatedly to music, you
become familiar with the way composers and performers use music to
communicate with you. The best enjoyment to music is through understanding of
its message. It is easy to accept music as a quiet background sound that
helps provide a pleasant atmosphere. Music comes in many styles and forms. Music can also be
heard in nature. These sounds give a calming effect. Soft lullabies quietly
still babies to sleep. The gentle flowing of the flute vibrating against the
air. No matter what moves you whether it be gospel or jazz, swing or
folk-most people can’t deny that music affects both body and soul. Music
therapy has become a specialty, and its power is employed in hospitals and
other therapeutic sites to help people with cognitive injuries, autistic and
Alzheimer’s patients, among others. A popular magazine did a survey on what people did to
relax and unwind. The number one response they got was, “listen to music.” Soothing music promotes alpha waves
to reach the state of meditation, in which daydreams occur to respond. Brain
chemistry also changes when e listen to music, especially when it is linked to
imagery. This affects everything in the all systems from adrenalin levels to
natural endorphins. These are the brain’s feel-good chemicals. Scientists
have used new technology to map how music affects the brain. They link sound
with how it responds to the body. European researchers have found that
various sots of music include classic concertos by Vivaldi and
spiritual/ambient/rock/R&B sounds by Sandi Patty, Brian Eno, Brian
McKnight, Olivia Newton-John and Big Daddy Weave can affect blood pressure,
heart rhythms, and respiration rates. Trained therapists have used music’s healing power “in a
systematic way over time to address specific problems.” In relieving general
stress they suggest a tune with a slower tempo, quiet dynamics and
regularity. You don’t want strange rhythms or unusual melodies for example
Native American flute songs or Indian ragas. There are a number of compact
discs available made specially for relaxing the mind. They also provide aid
to meditation and similar tranquil activities. Whether listening to or
dancing to music for your health issues interests you, don’t overlook scent
and therapeutic message in connecting your body’s healing powers to put you
on the road to health and well-being. Try these: Drive-Bobby McFerrin Gospel Land- B.J. Thomas Standing on Higher Ground-Brothers
Keeper Chopin Mozart Johann Sebastian Bach, see his remarkable story on
video, Glory to God Alone Adios-Audio Adrenalin Amazing Grace Soundtrack The Dance-Dave Koz Pure-Superchicks Worship-Third Day On and on-Jack Johnson Words in Time-Russ
Lee Music Therapy Association. 8455 Colesville Rd., Suite 1000. Silver Spring, MD 20910. Heart
online 05. ©2007. Teresa Carr. Mega Grafx Studio. |
|
|
|
Back
to Publications
to Mega Grafx homepage |
|
Back to Publications or Mega Grafx homepage