The Human Voice And The Healing Power Of Toning
Root Tones: The Human Voice And The Healing Power Of Toning
In the three previous installments of Root Tones™ we explored the ancient roots of the piano and the drum. In this issue we begin an exploration into the "root" (as well as the branches and fruit) of tone itself with a focus on the original musical instrument, the human voice. In his 1983 publication African Holistic Health, Dr. Imhotep Llaila Afrika speaks to us about the effects of music in phonics on the human body. "The vibration of the ear, chest, sinus cavity and organs can have healing properties. Speaking specific letters clearly while sustaining the sound transmits electrical and chemical waves and allows the body to be a receiver of healing waves. The letters have an aura and color power," states Dr. Afrika. Although he doesn't go into any great detail to explain the basis of his reference to color, we know that the vibratory frequencies that colors possess correspond to sound frequencies of the same vibration. His reference to aura undoubtedly relates to the unseen wave forms that can only be seen with an oscilloscope of sound spectrum analyzer (or the experiments of sound patterns on sand). Hazrat Inayat Khan, in his 1991 book, "The Mysticism of Sound and Music" says of the human voice, "The voice is not only indicative of man's character, but it is the expression of his spirit. The voice is not only audible, but also visible to those who can see it. The voice makes impressions on the ethereal sphere...Those scientists who have made experiments with sound and who have taken impressions of the sound on certain plates-which impressions appear like forms-will find one day that the impression of the voice is more living, more deep, and has a greater effect.”
The truth of Dr. Afrika and Khan's assertions is corroborated in recent scientific studies in which cancer cells were observed under a high-powered microscope while various instruments were played. No great change in the cell's structure occurred until one of the researchers, Fabien Maman, began to sing The researchers report, "The structure quickly disorganized. The human voice carries something in its vibration that makes it more powerful than any musical instrument: consciousness... It appeared that the cancer cells were not able to support a progressive accumulation of vibratory frequencies." This research was then extended to include two breast cancer patients who agreed to "tone" (sing long tones) for three and a half hours per day for a period of one month. It is not certain whether or not the toning was done for three and a half consecutive hours or if it was divided into smaller increments. It is also not known what the criterion was for recommending this specific length of time. Nevertheless, researcher's stated results confirm, "In one case, the tumor vanished completely. The second woman underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Her surgeon reported that the tumor had reduced in size considerably, and had literally dried up."
My own nonscientific real-life experience in the realm of sound healing began in 1979 when I co-composed a song entitled "I Am" The words were affirmation, "I am wonderful, and it's good to be...I am a miracle and I am truly free" (© 1979 R Hall/R. Irving III. After a live performance of this song. a woman approached the band and stated, with gratitude, that she had been healed by the song. Unfortunately, there was not an inquiry made into the nature of her illness and no follow-up with regards to the vibrational properties of the performance, which, may have contributed to the restoration of "soundness' to this woman's being Perhaps it was simply her desire and need for wellness and the impression of the lyric on her. Did she sing the song herself? In any case, this event remained as a point of reference for me with regards to the potential of the benefits of "sound". My next first- hand experience would not occur until about 15 years later, as I worked with a "singing for a healing" workshop facilitator, Masato Ushijima in Japan. Ushijima is a former record company executive, guitarist, composer and now singer, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He had been exposed to the audience toning, which was being done by singer Susan Osborn's at one of her concerts in Tokyo. Ushijima did some independent research to learn that Japanese doctors had been using voice tone analysis to diagnose illnesses; pinpointing the specific location of existing and even potential disease(s). By taking a deep diaphragmatic breath, a releasing it with a long glissando tone (from a high head tone to a low tone that resonates in the lower regions), Mr. Ushijima observed the integrity of the tone quality in his own voice. By working to bridge the breaks in the continuity of the tone, he instinctively reversed the pathology whereby the voice itself would produce more purer tones needed to clear up any abnormalities in the body. Mr. Ushijima's work caused his cancer to go into complete remission and he has remained healthy for over ten years.
This toning was combined with strong intention and a cathartic mental and emotional process. I made several concert tours with him. During the concerts there was a fifteen minute segment during which the audience would be directed to "tone" accompanied by the musicians. The toning of this large group produced a massive ocean of sound that vibrated and resonated throughout the entire concert hall. It felt like we had experienced a vibrational shower when the toning ended. The workshops ensued for two days after the concerts. It was not mandatory that I attend, but I was quite interested in learning more about this process. As he spoke in Japanese a translator loosely explained the nature of the technique. In his workshops, Masato Ushijima teaches that one must accept responsibility for the creation of the "unsound" state of health by mentally engaging in a process of saying "I'm sorry to the body for fostering the creation of the illness while, conversely, saying "thank you" to the illness itself for presenting itself as an opportunity for the healing process to begin." While this process was going on, Ushijima instructed participants to lie face down on the floor with their hands forming a triangle over the solar-plexus (two thumbs and index fingers touching) as they sang the connected high to low tones. The end of the release of air was made to be forceful so as to symbolically expel any anomalies. Many of the students became very emotionally charged as they experienced the "thank you, I'm sorry" process. I spoke to one of his students who spoke English. Her metastasized carcinoma had also completely gone into remission as a result of this toning practice.
My most recent experience with sound therapy came after reading about documentation in Don Campbell's book, The Mozart Effect as he notes that the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester and others are using harp music in lieu of tranquilizers and painkillers for cancer and other seriously ill patients. It is also noted that "Dr. Paul Robertson, visiting professor at Kingston University in Ontario, Canada, cites studies where patients exposed to fifteen minutes of soothing music require only one half of the recommended doses of anesthetic drugs and sedatives for painful operations. Even President Clinton, in 1997, chose to forego general anesthesia in place of country-western music during his extensive tendon operation." Just after reading this info and reflecting on the experiences with toning, I accidentally jammed my finger after coming down from a high chair. The pain was very excruciating, so I felt I had nothing to lose by singing "OM" directly onto my finger. I was amazed and delighted to have an immediate complete subsiding of the pain. How could this have worked? It is known that pain is a perception that is "recognized" by the brain due to nerve signals that are passed on by synapses or gaps where neurons are connected. Endorphins are neuropeptide transmitters used by the brain to control pain. Studies have shown that music, in general, increases the production of serotonin and pain reducing neuropeptides by blocking the referral of pain.
Again the question arises, was it the actual vibratory frequency of my voice tone, my intention, or a combination of the two that caused a cessation of the pain? Masato Ushijima's work suggests that it was both. The idea that the "intentional" tone of our own voice can, in many cases, be our best medicine, implications for socitaly cases, bell as ber the economic ma he, which profits from the use of medicinal drugs. More and more people are seeking alternative medicines such as herbal remedies, energy work, acupuncture, etc. If Rachel Bagby, founder of Singing Farm in Virginia, had her way, we would evolve into a singing society...one big everyday life Broadway musical. Bagby reminds us that, " …if you can talk you can carry a tune." She encourages people to, "Look for a chorus in your community that's singing music that speaks to you and try being a voice among many." routinely uses singing to defuse tense situations. Her work shows us that not only is singing of benefit to the individual, but to society at large.
In the coming installments we will further explore the root of tonality and the historical and theoretical aspects of tone in an effort to more fully understand the nature of this natural phenomenon. Please stay tuned as we "get to the root". Until then, B natural and C# (see sharp).
