More than just a sound

By Laura Gordon

In my last blog I wrote about the use of color and light. I appreciated your responses and hope you find this one on sound to be helpful to you.

Did you know that music is so powerful that the combination of a few particular notes can generate feelings of joy, sadness, anxiety, serenity as well as many, many other feelings? Sure you did, just a couple of notes of your favorite song gives youa feeling of pleasure!

In reading up on the subject of music I came upon a most interesting look into the dynamics of sound that I will quote from Jonathan Goldman’s book Healing Sounds; The Power of Harmonics: “The mosques, cathedrals and temples of olden times, designed and built with sacred geometry, function as resonant sound chambers. The same mathematical proportion that gave birth to the various sounds were also incorporated into the measurements of the religious structures. Sound and structure were simply different manifestations of the same universal mathematical constants. Therefore, when people made music within the sacred shrines, the vibratory field manifested by their sounds and the sacred geometry of the structure resonates. Out of this resonance comes an awakening and quickening of spiritual consciousness.”
Of course, we cannot expect the builder to have used sacred geometry in the construction of our massage rooms, but that information does give a keen insight into the importance of music on mind, body, and spirit.
When you go into any massage room the sound of soft, relaxing music can be heard. Along with the colors in the room and the use of lighting, music completes the message, even if it is a subliminal one, we want the client to receive that he or she is in a safe, comfortable and soothing environment. So let’s explore sound for just a moment.
So, what music should we select for our massage room that will enhance our work as well as add additional relaxation and healing for the client?
Because the market is flooded with lots of “new age” music, it can be a little over whelming to know what to pick. Let me give you some suggestions for a starting point.
To begin, let’s look at classical music for massage. Classical music has a particular kind of calming effect. The blend of the orchestral instruments has a tone and vibratory frequency that is deep and full with harmonic intricacies and balance. Composers such as Mozart, Brahms, Handel, Vivaldi, Chopin, Beethoven, Debussy, Pachelbel, Chopin have all written music that soothes, uplifts and nurtures.

If you are not familiar with these artists here are some listening suggestions:
Piano Concerto in C Major (Mozart)
Nocturne in E Flat (Chopin)
Suite Number 3 in D – Air (Bach)
Arioso (Bach)
Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven)
Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
Reverie (Debussy)

Next we will look at music that is focused on particular cultures. The world is rich with sacred music from around the planet. Chanting with repetitive words and resonating cords have a transcendent quality in the long held tones which quiets the busy mind and brings an inner peace that transports us beyond our daily cares and into realms of connectedness with a power beyond ourselves. Gregorian Chants, Tibetan Chants, Native American music, Japanese music, East Indian music, Sufi music are to name but a few.
Sample listening suggestions are:
Buddhist Chant (Imee Oci)
The Beauty of Nature (Spiritual Flutes)
Sacred Sufi Music (M Nejad & S. Sharif)
Benedictos – Gregorian Chant
Meditation Music, Japanese Garden (O Shanti)
Shiva Manas (C Pruess)
Lastly, we’ll turn our gaze toward modalities and music that address’ the body systems. Reiki music and yoga music comes to mind first, but we need to also include music set to the tones of our bodies such as charka music. Each of these offers restorative music that balances brings harmony to the body systems.
Again more sample suggestions:
Reiki Gold (Llewellyns)
Chakra Suite (S. Halpern)
Eyes of your Heart (Frederc Delarue)
The Crossing (S Doucet)
Embrace the Moment (Music for Yoga)
The Chakras (K Stone)
Prayer (Crystal Bowls, Yatri)

The value of taking time to select complimentary music for your massage work that will calm, relax, inspire and uplift will be well worth your time and energy for it will not only benefit the client but you as well!
Now take some time and do a little more research and send me your “wish list” of CD’s with the name of the artist, album and label.  Send me 4 and let us know why you chose it.  We will all have a great play list!  Then begin to observe what you attract.