WHAT IS RELAXATION MUSIC ?

Humans have always used music in their lives - during meditation, in healing rituals, celebration, religious events, in preparation for battle - music has been a source of not only inspiration but also a means of balancing the body and mind.

There are many current schools of thought regarding the use of music and sound in physical and emotional therapy. While the positive effects of certain styles of music as an aid for relaxation have long been utilised, it is only in the recent century that dedicated studies have been observed and documented. Of note is the enormous work by European physicians and more recently professional therapists in Australia and the US.

Despite the evidence - and there is now an enormous amount of documented data - the use of music by traditional medicos has only just begun. Thankfully, every day more and more physicians, teachers and councilors are utilising music therapy as a part of their work.

EFFECTS OF SOUND IN OUR SURROUNDINGS

In this age when it surrounds us constantly, it is easy to see the way music is employed to stir our senses. Advertising companies understand the effectiveness of a catchy hook-line, the kind that you just can't get out of your head once you've heard it. They are also very familiar with music's ability to capture your attention - to arrest the senses. And to be certain they have your complete attention, and blast through a maze of competitors' slogans and jingles, advertisers enlist the skills of often times extremely talented writers to create an "ear-grabbing" tempo and melody.

And we are effected - nearly everyday on the radio, television and more recently through electronic media in our workplaces. Listen to the advertisements - just about every one utilizes music to it's fullest.

In much the same way we are bombarded with sound. Especially living in a city. Day in, day out, our auditory senses are filled with sounds that in a normal situation we would find intrusive and unacceptable. Most of us have at some time, if not on a regular basis, sat in our cars waiting in traffic, drowning in a sea of noise. So you turn on the car radio for some relief . . . . and get to hear advertisements every few minutes!

Now, we know we cannot avoid the noise pollution that is rampant in our society today. As much as we would all like to escape to the solitude of a forest setting - and hear nothing but the gentle splash of a waterfall and the call of birds in the wild - it is nearly impossible to avoid this rhythmic interference.

How much of an effect does this have on our lives and on our stress levels? How can we minimize or deter these effects and return a little peace into our daily routines?

Well, short of moving our home and families into a rainforest in the south-west of New Zealand and forever excommunicating ourselves from the rest of society - (hmmm, doesn't sound so bad actually does it?)- we might:

IS THERE SPECIFIC MUSIC TO AID RELAXATION?

What is relaxation music? Well, simply, any music that YOU find soothing. There has been much written and studied about different musical styles and origins, and it is true that specific tempos and rhythm play a definite role, but all this is of no benefit if you do not enjoy the music you are listening to! In fact it can have exactly the opposite effect.

Yes, your body will attempt to synchronise with a steady tempo. But remember, it's your mind and therefore your brain that will ultimately produce and send the "relax" messages to your body - and if your mind is not relaxing because it is not enjoying itself, then that is the pattern you are setting up for your body.

60 BPM (Beats Per Minute) is the ideal heart-rate. Now, we don't normally witness our heart rates beating that low, but when we do it is when we are most relaxed. And when we are relaxed, we are more susceptible to learning, retention, creating and most importantly healing. We also find that we feel more attuned and quite often discover creative energies that normally lay hidden beneath walls of tension.

Gentle, relaxing music is a therapeutic and completely natural medium that can help to ease tension. In times of illness and fatigue, music is a very powerful tool that can greatly aid and promote healing responses by complimenting both natural and conventional medicine and healing techniques. Music is a natural way to greatly enhance aromatherapy, massage, acupuncture and any of the diverse natural therapies.

So, since we already know that our bodies will attempt to synchronise to sounds and rhythm, it makes perfect sense to me that we should, whenever possible and appropriate, feed our auditory senses with a more beneficial, relaxing influence.

Tempos anywhere between 60 - 90 BPM are ideal. Advanced learning techniques employ music played at exactly 60BPM, to aid in breathing exercises etc. However, for the purpose of general, daily relaxation, most modern popular ballads will often meet the criteria.

For music to be effective for relaxation, there are particular ingredients that, if observed by the composer, will indeed offer more than simply ambience. The music must enfold the listener. To assist both the mind and body in slowing down, the composer needs to employ gentle instrumentation, inspiring melodies and tempos that induce a relaxed response. The composer must also pay attention to the timbre and quality of the instruments used, a point most often neglected by "ambient" or "new age" producers.

I have worked with psychologists on each of these points and I have personally seen the proven results on stress levels, blood pressure and general well-being.

The recordings I have produced in my collection of "Relaxation" albums are meant specifically for this purpose. Firstly to help create a peaceful atmosphere. Secondly to introduce relaxing tempos that our bodies will sync into. And thirdly, to feature melodies that lift the spirit, relax the senses and establish a feeling of well-being, contentment and inspiration.

I call it Music for Relaxation, but many people use it for studying, while working, to play while painting, sculpturing and inspiring artistic expression, to help relieve insomnia, as a relaxation tool during illness, to help lower dependency on pain-relievers. . . . it is music that I hope will bring some benefit for anyone suffering from anxiety. I sincerely hope you enjoy listening to my music as much as I enjoy creating it. The only message is : "this is for you . . . . take a little time just for yourself."