Vocal Toning – a massage for our insides
We use our voice for many things we speak, shout, scream, sing. Did you know we can use it to help boost our health and relax us both mentally and physically?
How Can Vocal Toning help?
Vocal toning is said to have many benefits to the human body, mind and soul some of these include:
· Helps relieve tension and reduce stress
· Supports emotional release and balance
· May improve mental focus, stamina, and clarity
· Can promote a sense of vitality and energy
· Encourages the release of “feel-good” chemicals like endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine
What is Vocal Toning?
Vocal Toning is based on the concept that everything and everyone is in a state of vibration- stress and daily life can cause our bodies to vibrate out of sync, which is then believed to create blockages within our body which can cause health issues both mentally and physically.
Vocal Toning is a self- healing technique that uses our breath and voice to make vibrations within our body to restore balance and get it back to its proper state of vibration.
By practising Vocal Toning we can release and clear stress and emotions that have built up in our bodies this in turn helps to boost our health, focus the mind and relax us.
It is closely related to chanting but instead of rhythmic repetitions of words or a series of words- vocal toning uses one sustained note which is normally a vowel ‘seed’ sound. It uses the breath to push the elongated vowel sound out similar to sighing, moaning, yawning and humming. Thus, causing vibrations within your body. Particular sounds are linked to different parts of your body- or the 7 Chakra system.
It’s a massage for your insides!
Much like a full body massage – Vocal toning can bring relaxation to our muscular and nervous system by reliving tension and is often described as an internal body massage!
Humming, yawning, groaning, sighs of relief are all forms of vocal toning that we use day to day. Beyond these day to day sounds we make we can use particular sounds to target specific areas in our bodies- creating harmony in your body from the inside.
Do I have to be able to sing?
Vocal toning does not require any particular training, no vocal ability to sing or hold a melody is needed – all that’s required is your voice, breath and intent. It’s a simple, yet powerful therapeutic tool.
Forms of vocal toning have been used all over the world for many years- in Weston society scientists are starting to study the effects sound and vocal toning have on a person’s body and mind.
The effects of Singing in a group have been studied for a while now and suggest it can reduce blood pressure and release our ‘happy’ hormones. Some research has shown that singers heartbeats sync whilst singing together in a choir!
‘Seed sounds’ such as vowels or Bija Mantras are used to target certain areas of the body or particular Chakra.
If you put your intention to heal or balance a particular Chakra or area of the body and use the seed sound for that area the effects can be felt quickly.
OM is considered in Eastern traditions to be the ‘seed’ of all sounds or ‘the universal’ sound. It is pronounced AUM and when spoken the sound starts at the back of our mouths ‘AH’ moves to the middle ‘UH’ and ends at the front with our lips closed and vibrating ‘MM’
The power of toning lies in the vowels or ‘seed’ sounds A- Ah E- EE I- AYE O- OH U- UWE. Tone doesn’t matter, the one syllable ‘seed’ sound when spoken quickly takes a form of its own and resonates with particular parts of the body or emotions.
The best way to understand is to try it- there are many videos and articles out there with Voice Toning activities – have a go!
You could start with the Bija Mantras- Take a look at my article on them for an activity.
