SOUND

The bible says that in the beginning there was the word. I sometimes wonder if this is a mistranslation and if it shouldn’t read “In the beginning there was sound.” I’m sure that there was one mighty big ‘bang’.

Like colour, sound has to do with waves and frequencies. These waves are constantly bombarding the human body – not just the ear – and therefore have a huge effect on us as human beings. Sound is vibration, which moves through the air (or water) and in turn moves the eardrum and other parts of the ear so that we register it as sound. It is well known that deaf people can feel certain frequencies of sound, even though they cannot hear it. Just stand next a jumbo jet as it warms up and feel the sound as it vibrates through your thorax. These vibrations can have an intense effect on the human being. Sound can either calm us or agitate us – and the effect of sound pollution is hugely underestimated.

The rate of the vibration of the wave determines the pitch of the sound. The higher the speed of the vibration the higher the pitch of the sound. The human ear can register sound between 20 and 19 000 cycles per second. Speech is generally registered at 1 600 cycles per second. However, there are sounds beyond these frequencies that the human brain cannot perceive.

Colour and sound are intimately bound in yoga, as each colour vibrates at a frequency that is the same as a musical note and relates to a chakra:

The persistence of sound holds the attention in a state of tension. Loud noises create shocks to the human system, damaging the subtle balance of harmony needed for well being and health. Soft, droning, humming machines make it difficult for the human organism to reach its own equilibrium. The power of sound is tremendous. In addition to image and form, it can generate ideas, emotions and experiences.

CHANTING

chant music

Many people are put off yoga by the chanting as it makes them feel self-conscious. Have a look at the word ‘self-conscious’. It can easily be replaced with the word ‘self-awareness’, which is one of the basic aims of yoga. If a person understands what chanting does and how it works on the human body maybe this aversion can be overcome. Not everybody who practises yoga does chanting.

The practise of chanting sets up a vibration throughout the entire upper body. It stimulates the alveoli inducing a greater exchange of gasses in the lungs. The vibration also has an effect on the endocrine system and massages the internal organs. It reaches into the deep lying tissues and the nerve cells and increases blood circulation. By its nature the sound rises up through the body from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, stimulating the pineal and pituitary glands. These are the glands that produce that chemicals that make us feel good.

If you wish to try a little chanting, sit in a comfortable position with your hands resting lightly in your lap. Start with a simple chant – repeat the word OM. Yogis consider this to be the sound of creation. The bible says “In the beginning was the word…” Maybe this was the word. Who knows? Close your eyes and inhale through the nose. Open your mouth wide and chant Om. Split the word into three distinct sounds – aaaahhhh, then oooooohhhhh, and close the mouth for the mmmm. As the sound progresses you should be able to feel it rising. You may not be able to feel it immediately, but with a little practise it will come. To enhance this effect the stomach muscles can be gently drawn towards the spine on the ah and the ooh. This forces the sound higher up into the lungs. As the muscles are drawn further in, so the sound will rise until it reaches the skull for the mm. The mm sound can be moved around the cranium by moving the jaw slowly, either up and down, or in a circle. If you place your hand on the crown of your head you will be able to feel the vibration in your skull. After you breathe in relax your entire body before opening your mouth to chant. Notice how the tension builds up in the spine and shoulders and be sure to release it. Yoga is about releasing tension, not building it up.
If you feel somewhat inhibited about chanting try it when nobody is in the vicinity. The effects are profound, inducing a wonderful feeling of well being.

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