The Soothing Science of Sound Meditation
Have you ever noticed how a good tune can lift your spirits? It turns out there’s science behind that good vibe – it’s your brain getting a hit of dopamine. And this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the power of sound.
Sound meditation isn’t just a modern fad; it’s backed by solid research that shows that it can be a big help for both our minds and bodies.
And this brings me to the Monroe Institute, an establishment that stands at the forefront of consciousness research and education. At the core of the Institute’s methodologies is the pioneering Monroe Sound Science—a technology that employs sound patterns to facilitate different states of consciousness. Their goal? To help people lead fuller, happier lives through the art of exploring our inner worlds.
I came across the Monroe Institute’s sound tech when I was trying to find ways in which to take my meditation routine up a notch. The institute combines science and sound in a way that’s all about lifting us out of our everyday thoughts into something much bigger. I’ve tried their exercises enhancing relaxation, triggering out-of-body experiences, improving sleep, and expanding consciousness, and what blew me away was the profound impact of sound meditation in sculpting my inner experiences.
The star of their show is something called binaural beats. Imagine this: you pop on your headphones, hit play, and different frequencies of sound stream into each ear. It’s this mix that nudges your grey matter into “the zone”.
Monroe’s audio adventures are ground-breaking, and it’s not just about what you hear. It’s the ambiance they create that precisely adjusts your mood with each sound wave. All one needs to give this a go, is a set of headphones, something to play the tracks on, and the Monroe Institute’s ‘Expand’ app (available on Android and iOS) – the app is your personal sound science lab, using the latest in audio research to help you reach new levels of calm.
After tapping into their digital courses and coming out the other side super impressed, I’m also keen to see what their face-to-face courses offer. I had the opportunity to chat with Luigi Sciambarella from the Monroe Institute on ‘The Power of Affirmations, Visualisation, and Manifestations’ – and trust me, this is a conversation you’ve got to listen to.
Do take the time today to give Monroe Institute’s meditations a whirl. You’ll find everything you need on their website. Go on, your mind and soul will thank you for it.
Have you ever noticed how a good tune can lift your spirits? It turns out there’s science behind that good vibe – it’s your brain getting a hit of dopamine. And this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the power of sound.
Sound meditation isn’t just a modern fad; it’s backed by solid research that shows that it can be a big help for both our minds and bodies.
And this brings me to the Monroe Institute, an establishment that stands at the forefront of consciousness research and education. At the core of the Institute’s methodologies is the pioneering Monroe Sound Science—a technology that employs sound patterns to facilitate different states of consciousness. Their goal? To help people lead fuller, happier lives through the art of exploring our inner worlds.
I came across the Monroe Institute’s sound tech when I was trying to find ways in which to take my meditation routine up a notch. The institute combines science and sound in a way that’s all about lifting us out of our everyday thoughts into something much bigger. I’ve tried their exercises enhancing relaxation, triggering out-of-body experiences, improving sleep, and expanding consciousness, and what blew me away was the profound impact of sound meditation in sculpting my inner experiences.
The star of their show is something called binaural beats. Imagine this: you pop on your headphones, hit play, and different frequencies of sound stream into each ear. It’s this mix that nudges your grey matter into “the zone”.
Monroe’s audio adventures are ground-breaking, and it’s not just about what you hear. It’s the ambiance they create that precisely adjusts your mood with each sound wave. All one needs to give this a go, is a set of headphones, something to play the tracks on, and the Monroe Institute’s ‘Expand’ app (available on Android and iOS) – the app is your personal sound science lab, using the latest in audio research to help you reach new levels of calm.
After tapping into their digital courses and coming out the other side super impressed, I’m also keen to see what their face-to-face courses offer. I had the opportunity to chat with Luigi Sciambarella from the Monroe Institute on ‘The Power of Affirmations, Visualisation, and Manifestations’ – and trust me, this is a conversation you’ve got to listen to.
Do take the time today to give Monroe Institute’s meditations a whirl. You’ll find everything you need on their website. Go on, your mind and soul will thank you for it.
What I discovered
Gua Sha, the traditional East Asian healing technique where a smooth-edged tool is used to apply pressure and scrape the skin to relieve pain and tension, also enhances beauty and skin health by promoting lymphatic drainage and increasing blood circulation.
The ancient art of Gua Sha, steeped in the heritage of the Ming Dynasty, has been resurrected in modern beauty circles not only for its ability to ease muscle pain and flu symptoms but for its remarkable benefits in enhancing skin health. This practice, which involves using a smooth-edged tool to carefully stroke the skin, has been found to be profoundly effective in promoting lymphatic drainage and stimulating blood circulation.
The result? A more contoured, sculpted appearance, reduced puffiness and inflammation, and brighter, tighter skin. What’s not to love! Here, I’d just like to take a moment to say that while Gua Sha is generally considered safe when performed by a trained practitioner, it is not suitable for everyone. For instance, individuals with certain medical conditions, such as those prone to bleeding, those with blood clotting disorders, or those with open wounds, should avoid this practice. Also, it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before undergoing Gua Sha or any other complementary therapy.
Before practising Gua Sha, one must properly prepare the skin, which involves cleansing the face to eliminate any impurities and applying a layer of facial oil or serum to ensure the Gua Sha tool glides smoothly across the skin’s surface without causing any friction. When beginning the application, the tool is used to make gentle, sweeping strokes over the face, moving outwards and upwards to defy gravity and to promote the flow of lymph. Unlike the more vigorous method used on the body, facial Gua Sha requires a lighter touch to prevent bruising, as the facial skin is more sensitive and the intention is to nurture rather than to provoke the ‘Sha’, or therapeutic petechiae. Particular attention is given to areas prone to tension or puffiness, such as the jawline, cheekbones, area beneath the eyes, eyebrows, and the forehead, as well as the neck, a crucial but often overlooked component of lymphatic drainage. The duration of this soothing, restorative practice varies, lasting only a few minutes in a daily routine to longer in the hands of a professional.
Gua Sha tools for facial use are usually made from jade, rose quartz, or other semi-precious stones. I am absolutely fascinated by the variety of facial tools available that can be used with the Gua Sha methodology. These materials are chosen for their smoothness and cooling properties. Here are some:
The Ice Roller: Those in the know have long praised the virtues of ice on the skin. The ice roller simplifies this cold therapy, inviting calm to inflammation and swelling with a soothing, rolling massage that also kicks the lymphatic system into gear.
The Rose Quartz Roller: This tool promotes lymphatic drainage and blood flow, easing puffiness and dark circles (finally a solution to this pesky pigmentation) while helping your skin to better absorb skincare products.
The Kansa Wand: Made from a high-quality bronze (traditionally called ‘Kansa’ in India), which is an alloy of copper and tin, this tool is renowned for its healing properties within the Ayurvedic tradition. The Kansa metal is believed to be beneficial due to its purported alkalizing properties and potential to balance the body’s pH levels.
The 24k Gold Sculpting Bar: Valued for its anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic benefits, 24k gold is well-suited for sensitive skin and evokes the grandeur of ancient beauty practices. Delivering 6,000 to 10,000 vibrations per minute, the gold sculpting bar not only improves facial contours and stimulates circulation but also maximises the penetration of skincare products for an enriched beauty routine.
Gua Sha merges timeless tradition with the nuances of modern wellness. I love that this beautiful blend of historical wisdom continues to enrich our beauty and health endeavours.
If you’ve already given these a go and would like to share a review with my readers, I’d love to hear from you. Please drop me a line: Anshu@WellnessCurated.Life
