Sound As a Nutrient

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July 19, 2011

Tami Simon speaks with Joshua Leeds, a sound researcher, music producer, educator, and one of the leading authorities in the emerging fields of psychoacoustics and bioacoustics. Joshua is the author of The Power of Sound and Sound Alchemy. With Sounds True, he released three music programs in collaboration with Dr. Andrew Weil: Deep Calm, Increase Vitality, and Relax and De-Stress. He has also created Through a Dog’s Ear: Music to Calm Your Canine Companion. In this episode, Joshua discusses the psychoacoustic principles of how tone, tempo, and pattern affect our mind and body; why sound is a “nutrient” to the nervous system, and how sound and music affect the lives of our “best friends”—our canine companions. (66 minutes)

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Joshua Leeds is a sound researcher, music producer, and educator. He is one of few published authorities in the emerging field of psychoacoustics-the study of the effect of music and sound on the human nervous system, and bioacoustics-how human sound affects other living beings. He is the author of The Power of Sound, Sonic Alchemy, and Through A Dog's Ear (Sounds True, 2008). His application-specific soundtracks are used in homes, clinics, and classrooms around the world. He presents seminars internationally and is a faculty member of the California Institute of Integral Studies, located in San Francisco.

Author photo © Barbara Stenson Descom Studios


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Founded Sounds True in 1985 as a multimedia publishing house with a mission to disseminate spiritual wisdom. She hosts a popular weekly podcast called Insights at the Edge, where she has interviewed many of today's leading teachers. Tami lives with her wife, Julie M. Kramer, and their two spoodles, Rasberry and Bula, in Boulder, Colorado.

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Sound As a Nutrient

Tami Simon speaks with Joshua Leeds, a sound researcher, music producer, educator, and one of the leading authorities in the emerging fields of psychoacoustics and bioacoustics. Joshua is the author of The Power of Sound and Sound Alchemy. With Sounds True, he released three music programs in collaboration with Dr. Andrew Weil: Deep Calm, Increase Vitality, and Relax and De-Stress. He has also created Through a Dog’s Ear: Music to Calm Your Canine Companion. In this episode, Joshua discusses the psychoacoustic principles of how tone, tempo, and pattern affect our mind and body; why sound is a “nutrient” to the nervous system, and how sound and music affect the lives of our “best friends”—our canine companions. (66 minutes)

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Chanting, mantra, and vocal toning have long been practiced in tandem with silent sitting meditation by both ancient and modern yogis and buddhists.  You may have experienced this yourself in a yoga class meditation that starts with three AUM’s.  There are different reasons why various types of voice are incorporated into the practice, but when it comes to preparing for silence, knowing this one concept can make all the difference.  

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The foundational practice here is to use your own voice to create a stable consistent vibration within your body.  By repeatedly toning a vowel sound such as Eh, Ah, Oh, Uh, or AUM, on the same note, your body and mind will automatically begin to relax and become more calm and focused.  The vagus nerve, which runs through your neck, is right next to your vocal chords, and the effect of the voice on nervous system regulation is well studied.  

Vocal toning and humming increases nitric oxide, which can reduce blood pressure, slow the heart rate, and slow brain wave speeds from high functioning beta to slower meditative states of alpha, theta, delta.  You can even literally sing yourself to sleep (I know because I’ve done this myself by accident while toning!)

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How to Practice Vocal Toning Before Meditation

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  1. Using your voice, find a note that feels comfortable in the moment.  This will likely be a lower note in your normal speaking range, or maybe even slightly lower than your normal speaking voice.  It should be a note that doesn’t create any strain or tension in your voice, and can allow you to relax while maintaining the pitch.  
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Nicholas Penn

Nicholas Penn, 1:11 Sound Healing

Nicholas Penn is a life-long musician, producer, and sound therapist with a certification in Sound Healing through Globe Sound Healing Institute.  Nicholas is passionate about educating and empowering individuals to access the gift of their own voice to restore peace and improve wellness for themselves and loved ones.  He is also a producer for Sounds True and leads strategy and content creation for the Sounds True YouTube channel and Eckhart Tolle Spotify Channel.  Learn more at 111soundhealing.com   

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