MUSIC THERAPY FOR CANCER

Dancing to music is a wonderful method of keeping the body flexible and the spirit uplifted. Dancing to rhythms of the Middle East and Africa invites the body to move in ways that naturally strengthen and relax the pelvis and thighs. Dancing lowers the body’s armour of self-consciousness and inhibitions.

Learning to play a musical instrument is another method of incorporating music into your life. Tribal drums such as congas and bongos produce a very healing tone and tend to reconnect the player and listener with mother earth and nature. Percussion instruments produce music by impact, symbolizing rhythmic vitality and enhancing worship and meditation. They are easy to use and can be taken anywhere.

Go to the top of a mountain or a waterfall and drum to the natural rhythms and sounds of nature! In fact, you can use any instrument as an aid to meditation and healing. Bells and gongs are simple to use and tend to purify the surrounding atmosphere of negative energies and emotional debris. Finding out which instrument brings about this harmonious state in you can only be revealed by experiencing different sounds.

Chants are short and simple lines with little or no harmony and few words. Chants are repeated many times. Chanting is easy to do and very powerful. It is a regular part of many cultures, religions and teachings. One of the most effective chants is ‘Om’ (Aum). Om is believed to be the original sound of the universe; it is the beginning, the creative sound.

Chant ‘Om’ in a single, sustained note. Begin with the lips shaping an ‘ah’ sound. Slowly change to an ‘o’ sound and end with closed vibrating lips on a ‘mm’ humming sound. After a relaxed inhalation, repeat the ‘Om’ chant again. The ‘Om’ sound is made over and over as many times as you desire. ‘Om’ centres the being, creates energy and takes one’s soul closer to God. Other words used in chanting include love, care, peace, healing, one, God, joy and even your own name. Positive affirmations can also be repeated over and over, as a chant.

Music is inside everyone. It is totally free, with no rules and no harmful side effects. Music and sound are one of the greatest vehicles for transformation, healing and growth! The magic of music healing is that its methods and healing actions are available to everyone. Music does not discriminate between education, age, predetermined talent, sex or culture.

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