Body, Mind and Music

Although we are all individuals, we also share certain universal vibrational and structural factors. These are not contingent on your personal taste or favorite style of music:

Resonance

1. Every atom, molecule, (and cell and gland in the body) is in a constant state of vibration. Sound is vibration in the frequency range that we "hear" with our physical senses. Infra-sound and ultra-sound refer to frequencies outside of our physical ability to perceive them. Nevertheless, they can have significant effects on us - but that's another book.

Resonance is a fundamental principle of sound healing. Any external sound vibration will cause the vibrations of our organs, muscles, bones and entire electro-magnetic energy field to be stimulated. If the external vibrations are in harmony with the natural vibrations of the body, the sounds support health. If the sounds vibrate at an inharmonious frequency, as do many machines, like refrigerators and vacuum cleaners (and some music), such sounds cause stress and undermine our health.

Rhythm Entrainment

2. The most obvious effect of music is our physical response to "the beat." The phenomenon known as rhythm entrainment describes how an external rhythmic stimulus, such as a ticking clock, drum - or the pulse in a musical composition - involuntarily causes your heartbeat to match its speed. For example, a fast rhythm inexorably produces a fast heartbeat and pulse-which is the complete anti-thesis of relaxation.

For most people, trying to relax while listening to fast music is like driving a car with one foot on the brake and the other on the gas pedal. You will waste a lot of energy and you will not get satisfactory results.