Good Vibrations

surlunesanctuary
Sep 8
4 min read

Sound is more than just something we hear; it’s something we feel. But beyond the emotional response we might feel to the music, the sounds we experience also have a physical effect on us. Have you ever attended a concert or heard a DJ where you felt the music throughout your body? When we listen to music, tone or experience sound through instruments like singing bowls, gongs or drums, those sound waves have several effects on our health and wellbeing.

Research is beginning to show how sound and vibration supports relaxation, reduces stress and even improves physical health. In medical settings, sound is not just used in imaging, producing ultrasound images, but high-Intensity Focused Ultrasound is being used in hospitals to treat conditions such as cancer, fibroids and certain brain diseases. Our perception of the potential of sound to provide significant positive physical effects has shifted dramatically in recent years; yet the prevalence of music and sound in traditional healing practices and even the acoustic effects demonstrated at ancient monuments across the world, such as the Kukulkan Pyramid, Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Chavín de Huántar, Stonehenge, and Newgrange, suggests that we are not pioneers in this field; we are only rediscovering what was once common knowledge.

What Are Sound Vibrations?

All sounds are made up of waves (sound vibrations). These vibrations travel from the source of the sound, for example, an instrument or our voice, and vibrate everything in their path, like ripples in a pond. Our bodies conduct those vibrations. We don’t just hear sound with our ears; we feel it throughout our entire being. Sound has an effect on our whole body. This is especially true with low, resonant tones like gongs, drumming, toning, or singing bowls, which create deep vibrations that we can feel in our chest, abdomen and even in our bones.

The Benefits of Sound Vibrations

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

When we experience low, rhythmic sounds, such as humming, toning, or listening to gongs or bowls, our parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” response) is activated. This lowers our heart rate and reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. A 2020 study published in Global Advances in Health and Medicine found that participants who listened to sound meditation using singing bowls experienced significantly less tension, anxiety, and fatigue after just one session (Goldsby et al., 2020).

Improves Heart and Breathing Rhythms

Sound and breath often go hand in hand. Practices that combine slow breathing with vocal vibration, like toning or chanting, can improve heart rate variability (HRV), a key measure of the body’s ability to handle stress. A 2022 meta-analysis found that slow, controlled breathing with sound helps regulate the autonomic nervous system and may support heart health (Laborde et al., 2022).

Enhances Physical Healing

Vibrational therapy has been shown to have an effect on physical healing as well. Some studies suggest that sound frequencies can help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and even support the healing of tissues by improving circulation (Bartel et al., 2013). While more clinical trials are forthcoming, early research into low-frequency vibration therapy shows promise in conditions like arthritis and muscle tension.

Supports Emotional Release

Vocal sound, especially humming or toning, can help release built-up emotion. This is partly due to the vibrational effects on the chest and throat, and partly due to the calming, meditative focus these practices encourage. Neuroscientists have found that vocal vibration stimulates the vagus nerve, which connects the brain to major organs and plays a role in regulating mood and emotional wellbeing (Porges, 2011).

How to Use Sound Vibration for Your Health

You don’t need fancy equipment to benefit from sound. Here are some simple ways to bring sound vibration into your routine:

Hum or tone for 5–10 minutes while breathing slowly.
Listen to a singing bowl or gentle music while meditating.
Try sound baths or guided sound meditations. Surlune offers group sound baths as well as individual sessions.
Use your voice - even just humming can calm your nervous system and support emotional balance. Guided toning and voice activation sessions are available at Surlune.

Final Thoughts

Sound is a powerful, natural tool that we can use to support both body and mind. Whether you’re looking to relax, reduce stress, or reconnect with yourself, gentle vibrations from sound can offer a calming and healing experience.

It’s not just about what we hear; it’s about what we feel.

References

Goldsby, T. L., Goldsby, M. E., McWalters, M., & Mills, P. J. (2020). Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 9, 2164956120901938. https://doi.org/10.1177/2164956120901938

Laborde, S., Mosley, E., & Thayer, J. F. (2022). Effects of voluntary slow breathing on heart rate and heart rate variability: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 138, 104711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104711

Bartel, L. R., Chen, R. C., Alain, C., Ross, B., & Muszynski, C. (2013). Vibroacoustic stimulation as a non-pharmacological intervention for chronic pain: A pilot study. Music and Medicine, 5(3), 153–161.

Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. W.W. Norton & Company.