PIANOBATH RESOURCES
Some handpicked wellbeing and sound healing resources that I really love. I hope you enjoy them…
SOUND HEALING
HUMMING
I read this amazing book recently, The Humming Effect. It’s a great and short introduction to the benefits of humming, which i always include in the live PIANOBATH events and have started adding to the Library, with more to come. Anyone can hum. It reduces heart rate, fires up the “rest and digest” system, boosts immunity and tones (activates) the vagal nerve, the mot du jour, but actually an incredibly important function of the body. I’ll put a blog up soon about it. But it’s powerfully balancing for body and mind. Here’s an article in Psychology Today that sings its praises
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-compassionate-brain/202410/the-power-of-humming
SOLFEGGIO TUNING FORKS
Solfeggio tuning forks are a really powerful way of sound healing, and just centreing the whole body and mind. I like this one, it’s simple, good quality recording and a nice length of time. Sometimes i do it twice in a row, and feel amazing afterwards. Try it out to see if works for you…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNu86dY8msQ
SOUND HEALING - TED TALK BY DR LEE BARTEL
Find out about Music Medicine, and the power of music to heal in this fascinating TED talk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDZgzsQh0Dw
THE CHAKRAS
.Chakras may or may not be your thing. But if you keep an open mind, and try the Toning on 7 Chakras in the PIANOBATH Library (or the short 6 min individual sessions) and you feel some benefit, then that’s what really matters. If you want to find out more about toning, there’s actually not a lot of information out there even though it’s been used in ceremonies over 3,000 years ago to create hypnotic and mesmerising states in those taking part. Here’s a little something to start with.
https://www.soundintentions.com/sound-healing/exercises/chakra-toning/
If you’ve tried the amazing “Toning for 7 Chakras” you might notice things in your 7 different energy centres and want to find out more. This is an interesting delve into the chakras, particularly in relation to Toning. Plus in Blogs i have a post all about Chakras.
https://www.the-energy-healing-site.com/chakra-tones.html
BINAURAL BEATS
Something i came across recently, it’s an interesting idea, playing subtle undertones in music that are said to help specific conditions or improve cognitive functions and wellbeing. This one i used to focus and concentration and really think it works. Have a go!
MEDITATION & FOCUSING
FOCUSING
A practice aimed at releasing emotional blockages. My Meditation for Body Listening is based on this practice, that i was introduced to 15 years ago on retreats by a monk called Milky, for which i’m very grateful. This really is a case of less is more. Listening in to the body can reveal subtle yet very transformative changes. But the key is to give it space. Try this video below. To be honest there’s not a lot of good stuff out there about Focusing. But the book by Eugene Gendlin is excellent, called “Focusing” and you might be able to pick up a secondhand copy on Ebay. I’ve based my Meditation - Body Listening on this which you can find in the Library, so try this for a lovely take on Focusing with PIANOBATH in the background.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dswp0_WpMuA
ROSHI JOAN HALIFAX
I love Roshi Joan Halifax. i first heard her talk just a few months ago on a Ram Dass audible and had to search to find out her name. She’s in her 80s, and the Abbot of the famous Upaya Zen Centre - A really beautiful thinker and woman of great wisdom, like a kindly grandmother figure soothing and calming your woes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHaaIw5y8jU
RAM DASS - MEDITATIONS
Ram Dass. Say no more. Eloquent, relaxing, wise… love to listen to his old lectures over and over. There’s a lovely documentary on Netflix Going Home you might like. I also use his meditations a lot at night, they help me have a really deep sleep. i particularly like “rest in love”.
https://www.ramdass.org/guided-meditation-library/
MEDITATION OASIS
A really nice resource for meditations, the music can be a bit annoying, but they have ones without music if you prefer. The lady has a really soothing, non-irritating voice, which always helps!
https://www.meditationoasis.com/listen
ECKHART TOLLE
We all love a bit of Eckhart… try this meditation out.
GREAT THINKERS
RAM DASS - LECTURES
Ram Dass is like a kindly, wise grandfather-figure who talks to me when i’m in the bath… Below is one of his 1975 lectures called “the pull to God”. I interpret “god” in my own way, to mean love or universal truth…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD_cijEkJXM
MARIANNE WILLIAMSON
Just an incredible woman. A sharp mind and beautifully spiritual. She talks a lot about the book A Course in Miracles. It’s a heavygoing secular bible, if you like, that was channelled by a Harvard Psychiatrist in the 60s i think. Full of gems. Don’t be put off by religious references. Marianne will refer to Buddhism, christianity, and atheist ideas all in one lecture. Her ideas are really timeless. She does some amazing lectures on Audible, and precises the Course in Miracles if you don’t want to wade through the text. Hurrah!.
https://youtu.be/Eu963o_ic54?si=CTQOH-tm73ca-e_Y
ROSHI JOAN HALIFAX - TALKS
One of my favourite thinkers. A wonderful Buddhist leader, very good for advice on coping with crises, death, illness, hard times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AtOQ3A55DM&list=RDLVpbsXx6p0p4c&index=11
DEEPAK CHOPRA
This guy knows his stuff, a good combo of spiritual and scientific. This talk is about the power of intention.
YOGA & QI GONG
QI GONG
My fave…. A really lovely lady leads you through a gentle Qi Gong practice with just birdsong in the background and a lovely setting. A few pointers come on screen for breathing instructions, which is helpful. Plus you don’t have to hear someone yabbering throughout. Eight Pieces of Silk Brocade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmmNWj9YtAw
Love this gentle Qi gong routine in the morning. so good if you’re feeling tired, or just want something easy and kind on the body. The breathing is key to feeling extra energised. Have a go!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmmNWj9YtAw
This monk is cool! another nice, easy 15-minute routine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2RAEnWreoE
YOGA
Can’t beat yoga for all-round body and mind care. It’s life-changing. The slower, more mindful styles tend to be more transformative. The faster, more hectic ones are a great workout. It also depends on your teacher. If they have a nice presence and mention things like breathing, and going within, that’s a good sign. In Lockdown I got into yoga online with Yoga International. I like it as it’s got a huge library of different classes, different meditations, different timings too. i often do a 20-minute session if i don’t have much time. It’s surprising how that can be enough sometimes.