Friday, March 16, 2007

Chanting For Stress Relief

There is so much ancient wisdom that can be applied to today's stress-related disorders. In the earliest cultures, chanting was used as a healing tool by individuals, Shamans, and in a group setting.
There's something very powerful about chanting in unison; the vibrations are incredible and wonderfully healing.

Dr. Ranjie Singe, author of the book Powerful Self-Healing Techniques, found that chanting causes the release of the hormone melatonin. In many studies, low melatonin levels have been shown to lead to depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Years ago, Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School observed that chanting helps to cause reduction of heart beat, brain waves and respiration - also known as the “relaxation response.”

On an energetic level, Dr. David Shananoff-Khalsa has found that reciting some specific sacred mantras enables the tongue to stimulate the acupuncture meridians inside the mouth balancing the flow of chi through the body - especially the pineal gland - thus helping the body to relieve stress.