WHAT IS RELAXATION MUSIC ?
Humans have always used music in their lives - during meditation, in
healing rituals, celebration, religious events, in preperation for battle
- music has been a source of not only inspiration but also a means of
balancing the body and mind.
There are many current schools of thought regarding the use of music
and sound in physical and emotional therapy. While the positive effects of
certain styles of music as an aid for relaxation have long been utilised,
it is only in the recent century that dedicated studies have been observed
and documented. Of note is the enormous work by European physicians and
more recently professional therapists in Australia and the US.
Despite the evidence - and there is now an enormous amount of
documented data - the use of music by traditional medicos has only just
begun. Thankfully, every day more and more physicians, teachers and
councillors are utilising music therapy as a part of their work.
EFFECTS OF SOUND IN OUR SURROUNDINGS
In this age when it surrounds us constantly, it is easy to see the way
music is employed to stir our senses. Advertising companies understand the
effectiveness of a catchy hook-line, the kind that you just can't get out
of your head once you've heard it. They are also very familiar with
music's ability to capture your attention - to arrest the senses. And to
be certain they have your complete attention, and blast through a maze of
competitors' slogans and jingles, advertisers enlist the skills of often
times extremely talented writers to create an "ear-grabbing"
tempo and melody.
And we are effected - nearly everyday on the radio, television and more
recently through electronic media in our workplaces. Listen to the
advertisements - just about every one utilizes music to it's fullest.
In much the same way we are bombarded with sound. Especially living in
a city. Day in, day out, our auditory senses are filled with sounds that
in a normal situation we would find intrusive and unacceptable. Most of us
have at some time, if not on a regular basis, sat in our cars waiting in
traffic, drowning in a sea of noise. So you turn on the car radio for some
relief . . . . and get to hear advertisements every few minutes!
Now, we know we cannot avoid the noise pollution that is rampant in our
society today. As much as we would all like to escape to the solitude of a
forest setting - and hear nothing but the gentle splash of a waterfall and
the call of birds in the wild - it is nearly impossible to avoid this
rthymnic interference.
How much of an effect does this have on our lives and on our stress
levels? How can we minimize or deter these effects and return a little
peace into our daily routines?
Well, short of moving our home and families into a rainforest in the
south-west of New Zealand and forever excommunicating ourselves from the
rest of society - (hmmm, doesn't sound so bad actually does it?)- we might:
avoid outside noise as much as possible and introduce a little sound/music
into our normal routines that is designed to relax, not stimulate.
IS THERE SPECIFIC MUSIC TO AID RELAXATION?
What is relaxation music? Well, simply, any music that YOU find
soothing. There has been much written and studied about different musical
styles and origins, and it is true that specific tempos and rthyms play a
definite role, but all this is of no benefit if you do not enjoy the music
you are listening to! In fact it can have exactly the opposite effect.
Yes, your body will attempt to synchronise with a steady tempo. But
remember, it's your mind and therefore your brain that will ultimately
produce and send the "relax" messages to your body - and if your
mind is not relaxing because it is not enjoying itself, then that is the
pattern you are setting up for your body.
60 BPM (Beats Per Minute) is the ideal heart-rate. Now, we don't
normally witness our heart rates beating that low, but when we do it is
when we are most relaxed. And when we are relaxed, we are more succeptable
to learning, retention, creating and most importantly healing. We also
find that we feel more attuned and quite often discover creative energies
that normally lay hidden beneath walls of tension.
Gentle, relaxing music is a therapeutic and completetly natural medium
that can help to ease tension. In times of illness and fatigue, music is a
very powerful tool that can greatly aid and promote healing responses by
complimenting both natural and conventional medicine and healing
techniques. Music is a natural way to greatly enhance aromatherapy,
massage, accupuncture and any of the diverse natural therapies.
So, since we already know that our bodies will attempt to synchronise
to sounds and rthymns, it makes perfect sense to me that we should,
whenever possible and appropriate, feed our auditory senses with a more
beneficial, relaxing influence.
Tempos anywhere between 60 - 90 BPM are ideal. Advanced learning
techniques employ music played at exactly 60BPM, to aid in breathing
exercises etc. However, for the purpose of general, daily relaxation, most
modern popular ballads will often meet the criteria.
For music to be effective for relaxation, there are particular
ingredients that, if observed by the composer, will indeed offer more than
sambience. The music must enfold the listener. To assist both the mind and
body in slowing down, the composer needs to employ gentle instrumentation,
inspiring melodies and tempos that induce a relaxed response.
The recordings I have produced in this special collection of "Relaxation"
albums are meant specifically for this purpose. Firstly to help create a
peaceful atmosphere. Secondly to introduce relaxing tempos that our bodies
will sync into. And thirdly, to feature melodies that lift the spirit,
relax the senses and establish a feeling of well-being, contentment and
inspiration.
I call it Music for Relaxation, but many people use it for studying,
while working, to play while painting, sculpturing and inspiring artistic
expression, to help relieve insomonia, as a relaxation tool during illness,
to help lower dependancy on pain-relievers. . . . it is music that I hope
will bring some benefit for anyone suffering from anxiety. I sincerely
hope you enjoy listening to my music as much as I enjoy creating it. The
only message is : "this is for you . . . . take a little time just
for yourself."
Warmest Wishes Tony O'Connor |
