When sound causes waves of tranquility

An individual has five brain frequencies — Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta and Gamma — and each frequency has its own set of characteristics representing a specific level of brain activity and state of consciousness. Beta waves help us function effectively in our daily routine, creating a heightened state of alertness, logic and critical reasoning. To unwind from this and literally ‘reset’ for the next day, Theta or Delta waves experienced during light or deep, dreamless sleep is essential. But how many of us really get the sleep we need, the right amount at the right time?

This is where Manan Sharma, an electrical engineer-turned-sound therapist comes in. He reveals that shockingly, most people in the present day experience a ‘chronic alertness state’ — a person is required to be alert for longer in a day due to increased working hours, high pressure jobs and elevated levels of information absorption — thus resulting in psychosomatic problems. “Beta waves cause alertness but when a person is alert for 14-18 hours a day, it causes erratic lifestyles and sleep patterns leading to depression, body pains, cramps and more,” says Manan. “In order to repair ourselves, deep sleep is required. Only when you sleep does brain defragment what you’ve absorbed in a day and restore your body and memory to normal. When you don’t go to the Theta or Delta level of sleeping, disease sets in,” he adds.

These findings led him to pursue a course in sound therapy nearly 20 years ago, which he began teaching in India in 2008. Known as Sound Yoga, such therapy using musical instruments and meditation techniques helps brain waves consciously change from stressed to relaxed. “It helps generate deep sleep so in a one-hour session, a person can get about five hours’ worth of sleep,” says Manan. The type of therapy done and instruments used defer from person to person and depends on each individual’s level of hyperactivity and receptivity to it. To determine what a person requires, Manan studies him/her and tries to address any specific problem or complaint they have during pre and post-briefing sessions.

As for the instruments, Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, chimes, handpans and percussion instruments are used, some of which are manufactured by a company his father runs. Elucidating further, Manan says, “Vibrations and sounds generated from these instruments create harmonious frequencies, which are very well received by the body — right from the nervous cells down to the bones. This harmony brings balance within the system, thus making sound therapy beneficial for the mind, emotions and body.”

Sound Yoga also uses the help of artisans from West Bengal to handcraft some of the singing bowls. “We’ve identified some cottage industries in the State, where generations of coppersmiths specialising in making utensils using an ally of copper and bronze called kansa (bell metal) reside. Tying up with them to supply singing bowls has helped preserve their traditional livelihood and improve their standard of living,” he says.