Cutting through the chatter of modern day life starts with sound.
The Thames Community Centre’s new health and wellbeing programme, facilitated by its creative therapist Dianne McLean, aims to carve out space in the mind and shut down noise by using sound bowl meditation.
It’s an ancient practice based on the idea that sound vibrations and frequencies can have a healing effect on the mind and body, Dianne said, and restore a sense of balance and wellbeing.
“I first found out about it as most people do by going to a sound journey and experiencing it first hand. At that stage I didn’t know about the science or the theory behind it, but the wonderful feeling of calm and peace at the end really left an impression on me,” she told The Profile.
“Much later, I began my studies to qualify as a creative therapist and we studied sound healing as part of that. That was when I really began to understand the ‘why’ of how it works on the mind and body, and can produce such profound effects for people.”
Kicking off this Friday, February 14, at the centre at 609 Mackay St, Thames, Dianne said people attending the sound bath meditations could expect to experience a combination of meditation practices supported by sound bowls.
“This is really helpful because the bowls have a beautiful way of carving out space in the mind and shutting down the chatter of the monkey mind, so if you struggle to get a bit of respite from racing or intrusive thoughts, or struggle with how to meditate, then a sound bath meditation could be just the way into a deeper practice,” she said.
“We live in a world where chronic stress is a big problem – not just for our mental and emotional wellbeing but also for our physical. It can be so difficult to fully unwind and really give our minds and bodies a chance to rest and be at peace, and I’ve found the sound bowls can absolutely facilitate that.
“We sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that somehow physical health and mental-emotional health are separate, and one has no effect on the other or that we can just treat the body or the mind without the other, but in fact, the mind and body are intrinsically linked,” she said.
“So, in the same way that physical exercise can lift our mood and make us feel more optimistic, meditation and sound healing will have positive effects on our bodies too.”
Dianne said for those at the beginning of their meditation journey, combining relaxation with sound bath techniques could be a valuable jumping-off point.
She believed that sound healing had become a “trend” in recent times; with more people recognising it as a healing modality.
“I think if anyone is curious or wonder if this is something to help support them on their wellness journey then this course is a great introduction for them.”
DETAILS: Sound Bowl Meditation programme, commencing at the Thames Community Centre, 609 Mackay St, Thames, this Friday, February 14. For info or to register, email tcrc@xtra.co.nz
BY KELLEY TANTAU
