All creation is dynamic energy in motion. At the most fundamental level we human beings are vibration; a constant wave of micro-matter that chimes incessantly through space.  As members of the web of life we contribute to an infinite ringing and rhythm of a pulsating universe. On the waves of this vibration we, like many other creatures, express ourselves through sound and in turn are affected by it.  The echo of a loved one’s voice can send a quiver down our spine, as the sound of nails against a blackboard can make us cringe, while the sweet experience of singing brings catharsis. Through the cracklings made during movement, to cries or shrieks of ecstasy during emotional release, to song, and through speech, we create and are influenced by sound.

The spiritual traditions of the world have made good use of sound. For thousands of years these traditions have appreciated the role of sound in ritual and practise.  In many traditions the ringing of bells are used to call people to prayer and meditation.  Sound is also recognized for its capacity to encourage peacefulness, and inspire an atmosphere of reflection.   Almost all spiritual traditions use song and particularly chanting, a kind of structured song using specific tones and frequencies (as pertains to the specific tradition), to accomplish just this.  When we chant we use ourselves as the instrument to call out to the divine and resound internally in the same moment. A spiritual master of the West once said that to chant is to “pray twice.”   As we connect to something greater in ourselves by chanting we also immerse the body in pleasant vibration.

Spiritual traditions see chanting as a way to connect to a greater essence and to calm the agitated mind.  We now know through our unfolding knowledge of the nervous system that chanting does indeed ease the system. An obvious characteristic of chanting is that it involves taking deep breaths in, in a methodical and rhythmic way and slow long titrated breaths out in the form of song.  When we inhale we nourish our bodies by taking in fresh oxygen.  Unfortunately, many of us do not breathe in a way that allows for the deep intake of oxygen, our inhale breath is shallow and does not reach the blood rich base of the lungs.  However, when we draw in breath to chant we breathe deeply naturally. 

During the act of making sound the exhale breath becomes elongated and well exceeds the length of the inhale.  Long exhales are linked with relaxation in the body and the mind.  On the other hand, although highly beneficial the process of inhaling is an active one for the body.  Inhaling requires energy and stimulates countless nerve endings in the brain as well as requiring the activation of various internal muscles such as the lungs and the intercostals.  In scientific terms inhaling is a sympathetic autonomic process for the nervous system.  Alternatively, the exhale breath is a parasympathetic autonomic process of the nervous system, basically it induces physiological relaxation.  During the exhale we just let go of breath hardly any of our precious energy is required. To exhale longer than we inhale means that the relaxation response is given more attention.  Further, the long exhale tones the part of our system that helps to stimulate relaxation so that we find it easier to mellow out when future stressors arise in our life or even in our body.  When we chant we naturally cultivate peace and our system and the mind is more at ease. 

Often in a yoga class the teacher will ask the students to elongate the exhale in order to stimulate relaxation.  Most people find this calming; however, some find working with the breath uncomfortable.  If this is the case, chanting is a great way to gain the benefits of the long exhale without the initial fear that could arises for those accustomed to working with breath.  I use yoga to work with people who have undergone trauma and find that chanting is sometimes a better way to initially soften the nervous system and resource individuals than breath.  From a therapeutic perspective chanting also gives voice to those who have not been able to articulate feelings for various reasons it empowers people who have been silenced and offers expression for those who cannot find words. 

The experience of expansiveness that occurs through chanting can be felt by all as joyous and liberating.   Chanting influences our physiology by relaxing the nervous system, toning the throat and activating the parasympathetic response.  A recent study conducted by Shannoff found that chanting increases blood flow in the brain indicating that chanting helps to also improve brain function.  Moreover, the lovely tones that we create whilst chanting can sooth our system in specific ways.  At the Institute of HeartMath research was carried out on how different types of music impacted people.  The majority of participants found a greater sense of calm in the body and mind when listening to classical and spiritual music, while a sense of agitation in followed from grunge and rock.  Thus, we can assume the sounds created during chanting have a more soothing effect than many other types of sounds.  Additionally, we also know that specific sounds can influence our chemical make-up.  Masaru Emoto, a Japanese scientist studied the effects different tones of voice and word meanings have water.   As we are 70 percent water the influence that sound has on water relates directly to us as well. Emoto found that pleasant sounds and meaning of words such as uttering “thank you” caused a completely different lattice configuration of groups of water molecules than did expressions such as “I hate you and want to kill you”.   This important scientific discovery provides insight into the power of sound and the breadth of how specific sounds influence us at the cellular level.  Emoto’s study has important implication for our pre-existing knowledge on the impact of vibration on cell function and formation.

One of the most unique expositions on how specific sounds impact the body comes from the yoga tradition.  For millennia yogis have used specific sounds to activate, invigorate and release different parts of the body.  Within the yogic tradition there are seven major energy centers or chakras and each one has its own sound.  By chanting the sound of an energy centre it is believed one can unleash physical and emotional blockages related to the area.  The corresponding sound is meant vibrate the chakra free of impurities.  You can try chanting the chakras yourself to see if you can feel a vibration in the various points of the body.  The seven chakras and their respective sounds are as follows: Yam at the perineum, Vam at the pelvis region, Ram at the solar plexus, Yam at the heart centre, Ham at the throat, Om right above the eyebrow centre and Ng at the top of the head.  Although science is not yet able to verify whether these correlating sounds actual resonance the parts of the body designated by the yogic tradition, we can make our own assessment through direct experience.  We can deduce the benefits of the yogic practise through our own bodies and do not really require scientific data to back it up.  However, science is already validating claims made by yoga.  For example a study was conducted by Molly Kenny in 2005, which asked participants with mild to severe depression to engage in an 8 week- long yogic chanting program.  The results were increased breath control and expiratory output in all but one participant and increased experience of wellness as measured on the Becks Depression Inventory.

 The researchers attributed the increase in an experience of well-being to both physiological and psychological factors.  Chanting helps to regulate the nervous system and also sooths our hearts through the gentle and harmonious sound.  Moreover, chanting improves present moment awareness, concentration and focus. Most chants are composed of only a few words that are repeated over and over again.  The repetition of words and sounds prevent the critical mind from engaging in its habitual vortex of thinking about the past and future.  For this reason chanting helps the mind to relax and offers respite from negative obsessive thought.  If practised regularly chanting will help to nurture mental stability.       

To science, the full power of sound is an unfolding realization, while the spiritual traditions of the world have long sung the praises of sound and made use of its frequencies and tones for healing and prayer.  Underneath this dialogue the constant reverberation of our journey continues to ride on the vibrations of life and is echoed through chanting.