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 | Healthy Alternatives
by
Susie Cooper, ND
Board Certified Doctor of Naturopathy
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Let’s take a break from the usual health-related topics, and explore an area which I feel is vitally important to healing, balancing and a sense of wellness . . . the use of music and tone in healing.
I have been a musician for most of my life, playing the flute for the last 37 years. For me, music has been a major part of who I am. I was raised by two wonderful parents who nurtured and supported music in my life, and encouraged me to choose an instrument to play at a young age. The flute was my instrument of choice, and through the years I have explored other flutes such as recorders, shakuhachis, native american flutes, irish flutes, fifes, etc. I remember beginning to play the flute in band class in elementary school, and being a nervous wreck during band concerts, competitions and solos. But, I also learned to play for my own “peace of mind”, to make me feel better during those uncomfortable teenage years. It was in college that I really developed more of an appreciation for the flute, and expanded my playing technique not just to reading classical music, but also by beginning to play by ear, or in the moment, along with songs on the radio or stereo. What I realized was a way to leave behind the written notes on the page, and enter a world where I could play in a different way.
I have played with bands, played other people’s music, played Irish music, played classical music and worked on original music with other musicians. Over the last 12 years, as I have studied healthy alternatives for healthy wellbeing, I have also found more and more importance in using music for healing. The essence of “tone” and the flow of cadence (rhythm) guide and direct us in gravitating towards a particular song, and can deeply influence how we feel. How does one song written in a classical style make you feel? How does a song written in a more modern, rock and roll style make you feel? How about more primitive sounding music, such as the resonance of native american flute music, drumming, chanting, etc? Different songs create different “feelings” or moods in us, they can touch us in a very deep emotional sense, even bringing us to tears at times.
My exploration currently is leading me into the setting of improvisational music using the harp, and creating in the moment, for the person requiring healing work. As I work with clients or visit those in hospitals, etc., I find myself ready to integrate the touch of sound in with my work . . .
The harp has long been an instrument of peace, calming the nerves and soothing the spirit. Harp music has a long history of use as a “healing instrument” and the vibration of the way the strings sound with the resonance of the wood, brings possibilities for sweetness and grace. As a beginner on the harp, I am now exploring how far this can lead me in a healing and nurturing sense in my work with individuals. (There are instructional programs for Music Therapy now. See below for more info about these training programs.)
Music and tone in the healing setting can offer us anything from a releasing, a rebalancing, a comforting, an integration of joy, a relaxation and calming, and ultimately a “healing” in a very personal sense. In your own life, explore music in different ways, and see what types of music make you feel well and balanced. Explore the sounds of different instruments, and how they make you feel. In the world of stress around us, try to create a space each day with your favorite type of music. It can clear away the cobwebs of life, the veil of stress, and bring into your life a personal sense of balance and centeredness.
All is vibration, all is resonance, all is connected. The levels of existence breathe through one another. Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual . . . The vibratory frequencies of matter, scent, sound, colors, light and beyond to the higher Spiritual vibrations are the elements of Life, and of the Universe around us. The harmonies which “sing” through life are unfolding for us each moment of each day, it is up to us to listen well and “hear” the symphony.
Reading List:
The Art of the Native American Flute, R. Carlos Nakai
The Healing Musician, (A guide to playing healing music at the bedside), Stella Benson
Healing Music for Harp or Piano, Christina Tourin
Music Therapy program:
The International Harp Therapy Program, (for certification)
PO Box 333
Mt. Laguna, CA 91948
619-473-0008
http://harprealm.com
©Copyright
2003 by AlternativeApproaches.com
Susie Cooper ND, earned her Doctor of Naturopathy diploma in 2001, and is board certified. Susie has taught workshops in homeopathy, herbal medicine and nutrition in North Carolina for many years. She now teaches all her workshops in her shop, Blue Mountain Herbs & Supplements, 141 W. Main St., in beautiful Pilot Mountain, NC, where she may be contacted at (336) 368-5955.
The
information contained in this column is not meant to diagnose or
prescribe for specific ailments, but is intended for educational
support only. Please seek the advise of a licensed health
practitioner for specific illnesses and emergency situations.
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