  Because so many people ask about it, I have decided to write a bit about the Chakras and how they relate to (my) sound healing.
First, let me say that it is important to know that I have not studied this system. And while many people ascribe certain musical notes (and colors) to the individual Chakras, this is not something that is a part of my belief system. However, if you as the client bring an understanding of Chakras to to your session, and a desire to unblock any of them to facilitate better energy flow, I am here to assist you. So with that said lets talk a little about the chakras. What are Chakras? Chakras are an ancient energy system that emerged in the writings of the Vedas, ancient Hindu philosophical texts that were written between 1500 and 500 B.C.E. The Vedas are a collection of poems, hymns, and spiritual writings that impart knowledge of the religion of Hinduism. You may have heard people talk about "unblocking" their chakras, which refers to the idea that when any chakra is "blocked" the attributes of that chakra cannot function properly. When all of our chakras are open, energy can run through them freely, and harmony exists between the physical body, mind, and spirit. There is a certain simple elegance to this idea, and sometimes it is expresses as "being in balance" or "mind/body balance". I myself use these terms often. In India and other parts of the East, beliefs about chakras were included in many systems of healing and spirituality, including Ayurveda, yoga, Hinduism, Buddhism, and others. These systems developed around the idea of a life energy that flows through our bodies and the universe. The use of the chakras is thought to help connect with this life energy in different ways. For example, yoga uses breath and movement to bring energy into the body, and move it through the chakras. Ayurveda uses herbal medicine, meditation, and other practices to open the chakras and balance energy. Chakras became popular in the West beginning in the 1960s-1970s as part of “alternative” spiritual movements. Western traditions that sometimes use chakras include psychology and complementary medicine, as well as spiritual practices. In Hawaiian culture, this somewhat can be seen in the term "ha meaning breath (which is part of the makeup of the word "alo'ha' or breath of life. Oceanic cultures have concepts like "ha" and 'mana' (life force) which resemble in ways the chakras in that there was a common ancient understanding that some mysterious energy runs through us. There is something for sure. We are not just an assemblage of plumbing and scaffolding. Anyway back to the chakras..... What are the 7 main chakras? The chakra system refers to the energy centers it is believed by some that we have in our bodies. There are seven major chakras, each in a specific location along your spine. Let’s look at each one more closely. Root chakra The root chakra, or Muladhara, is located at the base of your spine. It provides you with a base or foundation for life, and it helps you feel grounded and able to withstand challenges. Your root chakra is responsible for your sense of security and stability. Sacral chakra The sacral chakra, or Svadhisthana, is located just below your belly button. This chakra is responsible for your sexual and creative energy. It’s also linked to how you relate to your emotions as well as the emotions of others. Solar plexus chakra The solar plexus chakra, or Manipura, is located in your stomach area. It’s responsible for confidence and self-esteem, as well as helping you feel in control of your life. Heart chakra The heart chakra, or Anahata, is located near your heart, in the center of your chest. It comes as no surprise that the heart chakra is all about our ability to love and show compassion. Throat chakra The throat chakra, or Vishuddha, is located in your throat. This chakra has to do with our ability to communicate verbally. Third eye chakra The third eye chakra, or Ajna, is located between your eyes. You can thank this chakra for a strong gut instinct. That’s because the third eye is responsible for intuition. It’s also linked to imagination. Crown chakra The crown chakra, or Sahasrara, is located at the top of your head. Your Sahasrara represents your spiritual connection to yourself, others, and the universe. It also plays a role in your life’s purpose. Chakra healing in Western science Western science hasn’t studied chakra healing very much and doesn’t have a clear understanding of if or how it works. Most Western research about chakras has looked for links between the chakras and the parts of your endocrine and nervous systems that are near them on your body. For example, scientists might study the pineal gland, a part of your endocrine system, which is in the same part of your body as your third eye chakra (ajna). Some research has tried to measure changes in electrical energy where your chakras are located on your body. Other studies have asked people how they feel after they do treatments to balance or open their chakras. While the scientific connection might not be there fully, most people say that doing practices to balance their chakras helps them deal with stress and anxiety and improves their mental and emotional health. Chakras and Sound Healing There is a belief that each of the chakras has a color and a musical tone associated with it. Because the musical notes come from the west, and are much more modern, this belief likely also developed in the alternative movement of the 60's and 70's thus I cannot promulgate the idea that any specfic note is associated with any specific chakra. However through the processes of entrainment, and the proximity of the bowls and/or forks to the chakra locations, many people report a generalized feeling of well being and unblocking and that's great! If it happens for you that would make me very happy. Sound healing involves going in with no expectation, an open heart and an open mind and let your body and mind do what it is going to do. I invite you to try a sound healing session, bring your struggles and your blockages and lets see what we can accomplish for you. At the conclusion I hope that the experience leaves you feeling relaxed and with a renewed sense of energy and calm. Mahalo
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 There is so much I want to write about the mystery and beauty of singing bowls, but I will start here. I don't recall when I first became acquainted with singing bowls. As a young musician and martial arts practitioner with a curiosity about eastern philosophies and Zen teachings, I always sort of knew of them, but nothing about them. My interest was re-awakened on may last trip abroad to further my studies in Lomi Lomi massage. A fellow student at the end of one days works,asked me if we could experiment with one of the 2 singing bowls in the studio and try to experiment with the effect of the vibrations on the body. First, I don't think this particular bowl was very good quality, and second I had no real idea what I was doing, but it ignited a spark in my head, to learn more. That led to me to Rain Gray, a musicologist and I think one of the foremost experts of Tibetan or Himalayan singing bowls. What I learned is that each one is unique, a delicate musical instrument that cannot be tuned. I also learned that no two bowls are alike. This was fascinating. You cant just buy any bowl. Rain estimates that for every bowl he approves, he samples or listens to maybe 100. It turns out that the origins of singing bowls is a bit fuzzy and may have been lost to time. There has been much speculation as to what they were used for. It is said that all bowls today originated from 3 original singing bowls - still said to be in existence and secretly guarded. From their lofty and magical homeland Tibetan singing bowls have traveled across the Himalayas, through valleys, and along ancient trade routes. Brought back to the west by jet-age travelers, these mysterious objects have aroused interest and curiosity about their origin and traditional usage. Their story, however, has laid hidden like the mysterious Himalayas, obscured by clouds. Due to the communist Chinese military occupation of Tibet in the 1950's, and the subsequent, almost total, destruction of its monasteries (and 1.2 million Tibetan people, many of them monks and nuns, that perished during and after that time), the esoteric knowledge of the Tibetan singing bowls has all but disappeared. And although it has been more than thirty years since Tibetan singing bowls and their incredible sounds were first introduced to the western world, little has been written about them. I am not an expert in Buddhism, Mediation, Chakras. There are plenty of people who ascribe mystical properties to the bowls. But what I offer you and describe to you is their effect on me, as a layperson. First every singing bowl is different, and the quality varies dramatically. My modest collection of singing bowls are of the 17th & 18th century and so I can speak particularly about those. Each bowl is precisely tuned to a note at the rim and within the body of the bowl. These notes correspond to Chakras. The bowl I will present below has a rim tone of D which corresponds to the Sacral Chakra. The Sacral Chakra is your passion and pleasure centre and it is located in the pelvic area. While the Root Chakra is satisfied with survival, the 2nd chakra seeks pleasure and enjoyment. The sound is haunting, mesmerizing, calming. When a singing bowl is played, you cannot help but stop and listen. Even my dog, who is very hyper - upon hearing the bowl stops and stares in a trance like state. I use the bowls often. Sometimes at length, but often briefly - to bring me instantly to a place of calm and peace. My heart rate lowers, by breathing slows and slowly the fainest of smiles washes over my body and makes it way to my lips in the form of the slightest nearly imperceptible up curl. If you would like to experience this magic, ask me about singing bowls when you book your appointment. ~ Aloha  |
A Really Good Massage BlogAbout MeI write about things that I myself need to be mindful of. ways in which I would like to improve. It is not from the perspective of preaching - but rather writing helps me work out what I myself need to do - we are all in this together.
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