Sunshine (Light) and Sound are closely connected.  Light is Sound made visible!  They are vibration, and both can affect our emotional “mood” in a big way!

Above is a picture of my daughter, Ahn, playing her harp!  You can find out more about Ahn’s inspirational music and dance at: www.ahnvanmentz.com

Richard Hobday has written the book, “The Healing Sun: Sunlight and Health in the 21st Century” and Shirley from Shirleys-Wellness-Cafe.com gives the following overview of it:

“Richard Hobday, MSc, PhD is a member of the British Register of Complementary Practitioners and has studied traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese exercise systems in China. Dr. Hobday has many years experience of solar design in buildings and is a leading authority on the history of sunlight therapy.

The human race evolved under the sun, and for thousands of years lived in harmony with its heat and light. Yet over the last fifty years we have lost this close contact with the sun and its healing powers. We have become afraid of it.

However the sun is central to our well being and health. Did you know that: designing and building sunlit houses can help prevent disease, make us feel happier and save energy; sunlight can help prevent and heal many common and often fatal diseases like breast cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis; before antibiotics, sunlight was used successfully to speed up the healing of wounds; tanning moderately throughout the year is better than avoiding the sun altogether; sudden bursts of strong solar radiation are unnatural and dangerous, protection needs to be built up slowly; early morning sunlight in cool temperatures is particularly beneficial to the body.

The light and heat from the sun are indispensable to all nature. Humanity is also part of nature and needs sunlight for health and well being, for vitality and happiness. This book explains how and why we should welcome sunlight back into our lives — safely! It shows how sunlight was used to prevent and cure diseases in the past, and how it can heal us and help us in the future.”

In an article called “Feasting on Sunshine” by Dr. Mercola, he states: “Sun gazing --also known as solar healing, solargazing, sun staring, Sun Yoga, Surya Yoga and Solar Yoga. All terms refer to the practice of staring directly at the sun in order to receive nourishment, healing and spiritual enlightenment.  The gazing is done only during the first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset, when the sun’s rays are most gentle to your eye.  Sun gazing was also practiced by ancient Egyptians, Aztecs, Greeks, Mayans, in Tibetan Yoga and some traditions of Qigong, Tai Chi, and by some Native American tribes.”  

The suns light rays contain healing properities and so do the resonate vibrations of sound!

The sounds of a treasured song can bring back so many memories in an instant.  Music can set a mood, convey feelings without the need for words and even be used as therapy to soothe our mind and body.  Research has shown that music can stimulate brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat.  Faster beats bring sharper concentration and alertness while a slower tempo can promote a calm, meditative state.  With these proven effects just think of what music can do for your state of mind!

Music in the medical world

The benefits of music have even been adopted by the medical and psychology fields; this development has created what is known as Music Therapy.  Music therapy can be designed to promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, enhance memory, improve communication and promote physical rehabilitation.

Mitchel Gaynor, MD is the clinical professor at Weill-Cornell Medical College and founder of Gaynor Integrative Oncology in New York City. He has seen success treating victims of life threatening disease and especially cancer patients through sound therapy including Tibetan bowls, crystal bowls and chanting.

Dr. Gaynor states "If we accept that sound is vibration and we know that vibration touches every part of our physical being, then we understand that sound is heard not only through our ears but through every cell in our bodies. One reason sound heals on a physical level is because it so deeply touches and transforms us on the emotional and spiritual planes. Sound can redress imbalances on every level of physiologic functioning and can play a positive role in the treatment of virtually any medical disorder."

Healing music from the Far East

Tibetan bowl sound therapy is also gaining popularity these days and has many potential benefits for the mind and soul.

‘Singing bowls (Tibetan Bowls) were traditionally used throughout Asia as part of Bön and Tantric Buddhist sadhana. Today they are employed worldwide both within and without these spiritual traditions, for meditation, trance-induction, relaxation, healthcare, personal well-being and religious practice.’  www.wikipedia.org

Music is a viable means to tune in to your inner being and to help you create wellness from within.