Yoga of Sound Introduction

Sound & Its Effects

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• Ancient Hindu texts describe the universe as being “vibratory in nature with sound being the very basis of all creation.” Modern science demonstrates that the entire universe is made up of vibrations of energy. (Learning Mind)
• Sound refers to vibrations that we can hear. The vibrations, or sound waves, are formed by an oscillation of energy as it travels through a medium such as air, water or a solid object. (dkfindout.com)
• “Sound healing” and “vibrational therapy” are terms for using sound vibration in a conscious way.
• Producing sound causes the vocal cords to vibrate, creating a desirable healing and calming effect in the body and mind.
• Vocalizing slows the breath rate and deepens the exhalation.
• It focuses attention and tends to balance the emotions.

HOW SOUND WORKS

Sound is made up of vibrations, or sound waves, that we can hear. These sound waves are formed by objects vibrating (shaking back and forth). Sound waves travel through air, water, and solid objects as vibrations. When they reach our ears, these waves make the delicate skin of the eardrums vibrate. The brain recognizes these vibrations as sounds made my different things. The size and shape of sound waves determines the kind of sound heard. – dkfindout.com 

PROMOTE HEALING, INSIGHT, CREATIVITY & SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Mantras, or simple chants, are short phrases packed with energy and intention — specifically designed to generate powerful sound waves that promote healing, insight, creativity, and spiritual growth.  Sound is just a vibration in a medium such as air and water. In fact, modern physicists state that all matter in the entire universe may be observed as vibrations of energy. This theory is in congruence with the ancient Hindu assertion that the universe is vibratory in nature with sound being the very basis of all creation.  Hence, it can be inferred that one form of vibration (sound) can affect another form (matter). These powerful vibrations can help to influence the mind and aid the process of self-realization. – Medicine Buddha Light.com 

HOW DOES THE YOGA OF SOUND WORK?

Using vocal sound techniques in combination with postures effectively intensifies practice, focuses attention, deepens exhalation, increases circulation to the organs, and balances the emotions… Vocal sound techniques include humming, chanting simple syllables, chanting simple phrases that have certain meanings, and chanting more complete songs or prayers… The main factors that determine the effects of the sounds that are used are their particular vowels and consonants, their pitch, and their volume. – Gary Kraftsow 

Sanskrit & Terminology

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• Nada refers to the internal sacred sound, said to arise from the heart.
• Nada Yoga may be called the Yoga of Sound, Yoga of the Inner Sound or Yoga of Sacred Sound, and refers to listening to the inner sound.
• Mantra Yoga is the repetition of sacred sounds. Repeating a mantra is known as chanting. The practice of chanting mantras may be considered its own branch of yoga (along with Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, etc) or as a practice within other branches.
• Kirtan is call-and-response devotional chanting.
• The English term “Yoga of Sound” encompasses all forms of “sonic mysticism” including nada and mantra.
• Expert Gary Kraftsow uses the accessible term, “vocal sound techniques” to include humming and chanting (both simple syllables and mantras).

Sacred Sound

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Nada: The Inner Sound

• Nada, or the internal sound, refers to a sacred inner sound that can only be heard if the mind is quiet enough that a focus on internal listening results in the awareness of an inner presence.
• In Nada Yoga, the practitioner focuses on the inner sound during meditation practice.
• Alanna Kaivalya notes that in order to develop the ability to connect with our internal, sacred sound, “we start by refining and tuning up our outer listening… The yogi enhances this dynamic interaction with sound through mantra.”