Sound Yoga - again a new Yoga style?

In the meantime, the numerous offers and styles in the yoga jungle are hard to grasp. Now again something new with sound?

No, not new. In sound yoga, a regenerative yoga simply accompanied by relaxing sounds. This happens for example through Instruments like singing bowls. If you think that's too esoteric, we'll get to that in a moment.

The Tibetan singing bowls consist of a complex metal alloy (copper, tin, iron, zinc, silver, gold, etc.) and are hammered in elaborate work. Through this method of production, a very long-lasting sound with different tones is achieved when struck.

The sounds are struck in transitional phases and longer held positions, so that an even deeper relaxation can occur. Sound Yoga looks back on an ancient tradition. Also called "Nada Yoga - was already practiced in India about 5000 years ago. The ancient Indian language root Naad has several names: Vibration, Energy or Sound. So why all this? Is it still modern nowadays?

Sounds and alpha waves

The sounds have a very calming effect on our nervous system. Many people relax better and deeper with sounds. However, sound yoga is less to be understood as music per se, but as a sounding without melody.

The calming effect of the sounds can even be proven. Through an EEG (electroencephalogram) can be made visible that the brain waves can move through sounds in a lower frequency (alpha waves). These alpha waves signal a "relaxed attention". So we are neither wide awake nor asleep.

In this state, the body can regenerate optimally. Heart rate, pulse rate and breathing rate calm down and there is an increase in the immune defence, the ability to learn/perform and the ability to relax.

Sounds and fascia

If we look at it from a physical perspective, the meaning of "vibration" is interesting. The sounds and vibrations that the bowls emit when struck set the entire fascial network of the body in vibration.

If we imagine, for example, a calm pond or lake and throw a stone into it, we will notice how concentric circles spread out around the point of throwing. Since our body consists of about 75% water (cellular fluid, lymphatic fluid, blood circulation), the vibration of the singing bowls also has this effect in the body.

The human being acts like a resonating body for the sounds and vibrationsWater conducts sound better than air, which is why the songs of whales can be heard up to 40 km away. In this way, it can be possible that back pain - for example, triggered by stuck fasciae - is alleviated. The blood circulation and wound healing is stimulated.

Sounds and concentration

The sounds also have a positive effect on concentration when the mind wanders during yoga practice. Because we usually spend a lot of time thinking about the past ("I wish I could have...") or the future ("Can I do this or that..."). The sound then acts as an anchor point - back to the "here and now". and into the mindful Experiencing the present.

Neuroscience also proves that sounds positively influence hemispheric stimulation. That means, both hemispheres of the brain are better connected againwhich makes us healthier, more efficient and more satisfied.

Why "Ooommm"?

Besides other instruments, such as kalimba, koshis, hang drum, harmonium, tanpura, the voice is also sometimes used in the (sound-) Yoga for use. We all know the classic "Ooommm" at the beginning and end of a yoga class. Even if we've never taken a yoga class before, this syllable is usually the first thing we know about yoga. If we hum it very slowly and clearly, we may notice that the body vibrates a little inside.

As children, we often hummed to ourselves and thus also contributed a little to our self-regulation. Parents also automatically hum to their children to calm them down. The older we get, the more we lose that singing and humming to ourselves. The sound acts like a vibrating Massage from the inside and makes us feel more at peace.

In an everyday life full of stress and hectic we can relax with sound yoga. simply disconnect once and relax sustainably.

This article is a guest contribution from Verena Grundner

I am a relaxation, yoga and mindfulness teacher in Munich. The name of my practice is KOPF AUS DEM SAND, because many of us buckle under great challenges and stress.

Yet there are an incredible number of stress management techniques that we can use to learn how to better deal with life's stressors, big and small!

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