Yoga has morphed into so many forms — hot yoga, paddle yoga, power yoga, aerial yoga, cliffside yoga and even a variation that sees you stretch it out with your pets. And now, this one focuses on the good ol’ healing power of sound. On World Yoga Day recently, a bunch of Mumbaikars did just this. They brought together gentle yoga poses with meditative sounds, in a bid to make restore vibratory frequencies of the body, mind, leaving one relaxed. A growing trend across the world, this sound yoga may just be what the doctor ordered for 24X7, stressed out Mumbaikars...
STRESSED OUT MUMBAIKARS GO IN FOR A SOUND BATH
In a sound yoga class, practitioners use instruments such as singing bowls, tingsha bells and even a gong, to bathe people in sound. The regimen is divided into three basic parts — mindfulness, movement and music. At a class that took place in Mumbai that used Tibetan bowls recently, participants first rolled out the yoga mat, took in deep breaths and started breathing exercises. This was the first step towards mindfulness. Says yoga teacher Jenil Dholakia, “Next up is to move the body into different postures — stretches, body twists, sideward bends and balancing on either leg. This is a combination of warm up and to get the energy flowing in different parts of the body.”
The gentle moves take place as slow chants play in the background. And it’s a serene experience, alright! “At the sound of the chants playing, you move the body in a freeflowing manner. It allows you to find your own rhythm,” she explains.
The last part is relaxation where the bowls come in. At this this point, the ‘bathers’ lie down in shavasana and let the entire body absorb the sounds of the singing bowls where different sounds reach to the tiniest parts of the body — the cells — to relax and rejuvenate the body and mind.
So, can sound really reach into the body? “Yes,” she adds, “Water is the best conductor of sound. Our bodies are made up of 70 per cent of water and sound connects to us in a very immersive manner. Right from the sound of your breath (internal) to the singing bowl (external), everything works towards well-being. Yoga is all about union, and sound yoga is a perfect mix in that regard.”
‘IT’S LIKE A MASSAGE FOR THE MIND’
For Mumbaikars, the healing sounds cut through fatigue and stress, and left them feeling even more mindful. Firsttimer Kushal Doshi, a school student, is glad he attended
the class. “I got to know about sound yoga though a friend and I am glad I tried it as it totally helped me relax. We keep being told about the need to pay more attention in class but no one tells us exactly how to do so. The bowls were one way to achieve it. They are very soothing and I think every student should try it.”
Community manager from Worli, Nihareeka Rode, who tried this, says, “I think the way in which the sound yoga class was conducted, was calming. It made us move from a busy world into a calming zone. As you lie down in the place of stillness, you become more aware of each sound. As you relax this way, the mind is able to shift the perspective and think more clearly. Every corporate in Mumbai should have this regularly on the premises.”
Marketing executive Rajiv Sharma is all for the mental peace it brings. “Hearing the soft sound kind of induces you to let go of your worries. It’s like a massage for the mind; I’d recommend it to everyone,” he says.
Tingsha bells are also used in sound meditation
Trying the bowl therapy
Gong showers are popular, too
Benefits of sound bathing
The vibrations emanated from sound instruments alter brain wave patterns and help relax them.
They are said to bring off-balance, out-of-sync frequencies into balance.
The sounds vibrations also spur the relaxation reflex, inhibiting stress and anxiety, and alleviating pain.
The bowls act like a ‘brake’ and help reduce the stress cacophony of the day.
As per healing practitioners, a dysfunction or impairment in the body occurs when the chakras are blocked. The singing bowls are said to adjust and regain the chakra balance.
They help increase mental clarity and build focus.
A journal has found a reduction in blood pressure after a singing bowl session.
How a sound bowl works
The teacher holds a singing bowl in the palm and strikes it gently with the other, using a wooden mallet. The mallet is taken gently and slowly going around the edge of the bowl in a clockwise direction, making the bowl ‘sing’
5 Other ways to get healing sounds into your day
- Healing wind chimes on the doorway
- Desktop waterfalls or rain sounds on the computer and laptop
- Soothing sounds from phone apps
- Do ‘bhramri pranayam’ or humming bee breath
- Keep tingsha bells in your drawer.
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