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Music Therapy
Music therapy:
Music Therapy is the prescribed use of music and musical interventions for the purpose of restoring, maintaining and improving emotional, physical, physiological, spiritual health and well-being. Music therapy services can be made available in hospitals, health clinics, day care facilities, schools, mental health centers, substance abuse facilities, nursing homes, hospices, rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, and private homes. Music Therapy treatment addresses non-musical goals. Therefore, no musical ability is needed in order for the client to benefit from Music Therapy treatment.
History of music therapy:
The 20th century discipline began after World War I and World War II when community musicians of all types, both amateur and professional, went to Veterans hospitals around the country to play for the thousands of veterans suffering both physical and emotional trauma from the wars.
Indian origin:
Music is an age-old part of Ayurveda, the holistic science that promotes a happy and healthy lifestyle. From time immemorial, music has been a part of Indian culture. In the Vedas too, music has an important place. The ‘Samveda’ is full of music. Music Therapy can control the doshas like Vata, Pitta and Kapha effectively. Great composers of Indian classical music have attempted music therapy down the years. Legend has it that classical music maestro Thyagaraja brought a dead person back to life with his composition!!!! The immense potential of the power of Shabda (cosmic flow of sound) hidden in music was well recognized by the ancient Indian sages and they had devised several musical patterns emanating from the "Omkara" for chanting of the Vedic hymns and for distinct spiritual effects. The Shastric schools of music discovered musical octave (sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni, sa) indwelling in the subtle sounds of Nature and invented the basic classical ragas for activating specific streams of natural powers and effects; a wide variety of musical compositions were generated consequently.
The basic swaras:
The seven basic swaras (musical notes) of the musical octave have a one-to-one correspondence with these chakras (nuclei of subtle energy). The lower most (in the kava equina region along the erect endocrine column), viz., the Muladhara Chakra is associated with the swara "sa"; that means, the practice of chanting this particular musical note will have impact on awakening or activation of this particular chakra. Similarly, the chakras successively upwards in this direction namely, the Swadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha, Agya and the top-most Sahastrara Chakra… have correspondence respectively with the swaras "re", "ga" "ma", "pa", "dha" and "ni". Significantly, the order of the compositions of these swaras in the "aroha" (ascending) and "avaroha" (descending) patterns of the Shastric musical tunes also match with the top-down (from Sahastrara to Muladhara) and bottom-up (from Muladhara to Sahastrara) directions of the flow of energy.
Uses of music therapy:
Research has shown that music has a profound effect on body and mind.
Ø Brain waves: Music with a strong beat can stimulate brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat, with faster beats bringing sharper concentration and more alert thinking, and a slower tempo promoting a calm and meditative state.
Ø Breathing and heart rate: The changes in the brain waves brings about changes in other bodily functions as well. Breathing and heart rate can be altered by music. That may be one of the reasons why listening to music promotes relaxation and prevents the effects of chronic stress.
Ø State of mind: Music is very much useful in warding off depression and anxiety. Thus, music promotes emotional well being and in maintaining positive mental health.
Raga:
Raga in Sanskrit means “ passion”. It is also linked to Sanskrit word Ranj, which means, “ color”. It refers to melodic modes used in Indian Classic music. Raga specifies the rules of melody. A very special thing about raga based songs is that it can be used to cure various diseases!!!!!
Effect of ragas:
Raga Bageshri: - Gives stability to life & brings calmness. This raga is also used in treatment of diabetes and hypertension.
Ragas BhupatiTodi, Ahir-Bhairav & Kalyan : - Provides relief to patients of high blood pressure.
Ragas Malkans & Asawari: -Provides relief to patients of low blood pressure.
Raga Chandrakauns: - Useful in treatment of heart ailments and diabetes.
Ragas DarbariKanara, TilakKamod, Hansdhwani, Kalawati & Durga: - This raga eases tension and provides relaxation.
Raga Puriya Dhanashri: -This raga keeps the mind stable and prevents acidity.
Raga Bhairavi: -Provides relief from Sinus, cold, phlegm, toothache.
Ragas Bihag, Bahar, Kafi & Khamaj: - Useful in the treatment of sleep disorders.
Raga Malhar: - Useful in the treatment of asthma and sunstroke.
Raga Todi, Poorvi & Jayjaywanti: - Provides relief from cold and headache.
Ragas Hindol & Marava: - This raga is useful in blood purification.
Raga Mohana: - Useful for the treatment of migraine headache.
Raga Shivaranjani: -Useful for memory problems.
Amazing facts:
1. Music therapy yields fast remedial effects for psychosomatic disorders like hypertension, migraine headache, anxiety and insomnia.
2. According to Dr.W.H.J.Wales Indian classical music can cure jaundice!!!!!
3. The rhythmic sounds of temple bells and shankha (conch) can destroy bacteria and germs in their surroundings!!!!!!!!!
4. High beat music can be detrimental to health in general.
5. Music therapy provides relief to nausea and vomiting.
6. Music therapy can be used as an aid in Psycho-oncology!!!
7. Autistic and retarded children respond to certain kinds of music.
8. Everyone has different tastes in music. If you listen the type of music with which you are not comfortable, it can alleviate stress instead of reducing it!!!!!
9. Playing music in the background while we are working, seemingly unaware of the music itself, has been found to reduce the stress and increase pour performance.
10. Listening to sounds of nature like the waves of ocean or the calm of deep forest can provide instant relief to stress.
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~Berthold Auerbach.
The above saying explains the benefits of music therapy in one line!!!
Music Therapy is the prescribed use of music and musical interventions for the purpose of restoring, maintaining and improving emotional, physical, physiological, spiritual health and well-being. Music therapy services can be made available in hospitals, health clinics, day care facilities, schools, mental health centers, substance abuse facilities, nursing homes, hospices, rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, and private homes. Music Therapy treatment addresses non-musical goals. Therefore, no musical ability is needed in order for the client to benefit from Music Therapy treatment.
History of music therapy:
The 20th century discipline began after World War I and World War II when community musicians of all types, both amateur and professional, went to Veterans hospitals around the country to play for the thousands of veterans suffering both physical and emotional trauma from the wars.
Indian origin:
Music is an age-old part of Ayurveda, the holistic science that promotes a happy and healthy lifestyle. From time immemorial, music has been a part of Indian culture. In the Vedas too, music has an important place. The ‘Samveda’ is full of music. Music Therapy can control the doshas like Vata, Pitta and Kapha effectively. Great composers of Indian classical music have attempted music therapy down the years. Legend has it that classical music maestro Thyagaraja brought a dead person back to life with his composition!!!! The immense potential of the power of Shabda (cosmic flow of sound) hidden in music was well recognized by the ancient Indian sages and they had devised several musical patterns emanating from the "Omkara" for chanting of the Vedic hymns and for distinct spiritual effects. The Shastric schools of music discovered musical octave (sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni, sa) indwelling in the subtle sounds of Nature and invented the basic classical ragas for activating specific streams of natural powers and effects; a wide variety of musical compositions were generated consequently.
The basic swaras:
The seven basic swaras (musical notes) of the musical octave have a one-to-one correspondence with these chakras (nuclei of subtle energy). The lower most (in the kava equina region along the erect endocrine column), viz., the Muladhara Chakra is associated with the swara "sa"; that means, the practice of chanting this particular musical note will have impact on awakening or activation of this particular chakra. Similarly, the chakras successively upwards in this direction namely, the Swadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha, Agya and the top-most Sahastrara Chakra… have correspondence respectively with the swaras "re", "ga" "ma", "pa", "dha" and "ni". Significantly, the order of the compositions of these swaras in the "aroha" (ascending) and "avaroha" (descending) patterns of the Shastric musical tunes also match with the top-down (from Sahastrara to Muladhara) and bottom-up (from Muladhara to Sahastrara) directions of the flow of energy.
Uses of music therapy:
Research has shown that music has a profound effect on body and mind.
Ø Brain waves: Music with a strong beat can stimulate brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat, with faster beats bringing sharper concentration and more alert thinking, and a slower tempo promoting a calm and meditative state.
Ø Breathing and heart rate: The changes in the brain waves brings about changes in other bodily functions as well. Breathing and heart rate can be altered by music. That may be one of the reasons why listening to music promotes relaxation and prevents the effects of chronic stress.
Ø State of mind: Music is very much useful in warding off depression and anxiety. Thus, music promotes emotional well being and in maintaining positive mental health.
Raga:
Raga in Sanskrit means “ passion”. It is also linked to Sanskrit word Ranj, which means, “ color”. It refers to melodic modes used in Indian Classic music. Raga specifies the rules of melody. A very special thing about raga based songs is that it can be used to cure various diseases!!!!!
Effect of ragas:
Raga Bageshri: - Gives stability to life & brings calmness. This raga is also used in treatment of diabetes and hypertension.
Ragas BhupatiTodi, Ahir-Bhairav & Kalyan : - Provides relief to patients of high blood pressure.
Ragas Malkans & Asawari: -Provides relief to patients of low blood pressure.
Raga Chandrakauns: - Useful in treatment of heart ailments and diabetes.
Ragas DarbariKanara, TilakKamod, Hansdhwani, Kalawati & Durga: - This raga eases tension and provides relaxation.
Raga Puriya Dhanashri: -This raga keeps the mind stable and prevents acidity.
Raga Bhairavi: -Provides relief from Sinus, cold, phlegm, toothache.
Ragas Bihag, Bahar, Kafi & Khamaj: - Useful in the treatment of sleep disorders.
Raga Malhar: - Useful in the treatment of asthma and sunstroke.
Raga Todi, Poorvi & Jayjaywanti: - Provides relief from cold and headache.
Ragas Hindol & Marava: - This raga is useful in blood purification.
Raga Mohana: - Useful for the treatment of migraine headache.
Raga Shivaranjani: -Useful for memory problems.
Amazing facts:
1. Music therapy yields fast remedial effects for psychosomatic disorders like hypertension, migraine headache, anxiety and insomnia.
2. According to Dr.W.H.J.Wales Indian classical music can cure jaundice!!!!!
3. The rhythmic sounds of temple bells and shankha (conch) can destroy bacteria and germs in their surroundings!!!!!!!!!
4. High beat music can be detrimental to health in general.
5. Music therapy provides relief to nausea and vomiting.
6. Music therapy can be used as an aid in Psycho-oncology!!!
7. Autistic and retarded children respond to certain kinds of music.
8. Everyone has different tastes in music. If you listen the type of music with which you are not comfortable, it can alleviate stress instead of reducing it!!!!!
9. Playing music in the background while we are working, seemingly unaware of the music itself, has been found to reduce the stress and increase pour performance.
10. Listening to sounds of nature like the waves of ocean or the calm of deep forest can provide instant relief to stress.
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~Berthold Auerbach.
The above saying explains the benefits of music therapy in one line!!!
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