The vibration of the human voice is considered one of the most powerful healing forces. Singing songs and chants is one of the earliest uses of the voice for healing. It has been practiced in all major religions and spiritual traditions as a way to uplift our spirits and express feelings of love and unity, and of connection with the universe.
It is difficult to stay in a low energy state (depressed), when we begin to sing or chant. Singing, chanting and toning allow our breath to deepen, our emotions to open and the sound vibrations to move and resonate through us rather than being held back. As we deepen our breath, we increase the life force within us.
What is toning? Toning is creating an extended vocal sound with the breath, most often vowel sounds. Unlike singing, it has no melody, words, or rhythm to distract from the experience of the sound vibrations and its many effects on the mind, body and soul. Toning emphasizes the sustained vocalization of individual pitches which are resonated into specific body areas, or chakras. Toning is a simple yet powerful technique, accessible to everyone regardless of vocal ability or training.
By literally massaging body and mind from the inside out, meditative toning can help you focus and relax; restore balance, release negative emotions and blocks; reduce stress; improve energy flow and concentration, as well as synchronize the brainwaves. On a deeper level, toning allows you to express your spirit and your creativity. It links breath, voice, and intention for greater self-awareness. Using your voice in this way connects you with your emotions, opens your heart, and unifies all levels of your being.
Toning is a powerful approach to healing ourselves through the use of the voice. It is an active vocal healing meditation that can help us to free our natural voice, and connect with the deeper rhythms and vibrations of our being. In this process, one is required to bring one’s awareness inward and develop deep concentration.
As we focus inward and develop concentration, our mind chatter begins to disappear, and our emotions become calmer. We become totally involved with the process and our inner awareness heightens. It brings one fully, completely conscious and present in the moment and back inside their body. Breath is the basis of your voice – and of life itself. The inhale carries energy throughout your body, and you release what is no longer needed on the exhale. Through toning, you can become more aware of how you breathe and gain greater control over it. Studies have shown that sound enters our physical body directly before being processed by the brain, unlike vision, which must be filtered through the centers of the brain first, before we react to it physically. This is the reason why the use of sound can be such a powerful therapeutic tool. Sound can give us immediate access to our emotions and a deep body knowing, bypassing the mind. Through toning you can immediately experience the effects of sound vibrations on your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We are made up of predominantly water and bones. When we begin to sing or tone, the water within us picks up resonance and vibrates our bones. The vowel sounds are much more important in toning than the "pitch" (high or low). Most people experience each vowel as unique in energy, emotion, and effect. There are various systems of vowel sounds for toning.
The following is the most common:
sound |
Chakra/area |
note |
color |
Uh |
1 – The Root Chakra located at the base of the spine, this chakra forms our foundation. It is therefore related to earth and our survival instincts, and to our sense of grounding and connection to our bodies and the physical plane. Ideally this chakra brings us health, prosperity, security, and dynamic presence. It grounds us in the physical world. |
C |
Red |
Oo |
2 – Sacral - right to feel: to express and understand one’s emotions. The second chakra, located in the abdomen just beneath the navel, lower back, and sexual organs, is related to the element water, and to emotions and sexuality. It connects us to others through feeling, desire, sensation, and movement. Ideally this chakra brings us fluidity and grace, depth of feeling, sexual fulfillment, and the ability to accept change. |
(Db)/D |
|
Oh |
3 – Solar Plexus conscious self-image, identity issues, |
(Eb) /E |
Yellow |
Ah |
4 – Heart - centering, expanding, pleasant heartfelt emotions. This chakra is called the heart chakra and is the middle chakra in a system of seven and associated with the element Air. It is related to love and is the integrator of opposites in the psyche: mind and body, male and female, persona and shadow, ego and unity. A healthy fourth chakra allows us to love deeply, feel compassion, and have a deep sense of peace and centeredness. |
F/(F#) |
Green |
Eye |
5 – Throat - self-expression, communication, listening, throat and neck. This is the chakra located in the throat & related to communication & creativity. Here we experience the world symbolically through vibration, such as the vibration of sound representing language. Feels pressure when you are not communicating your emotions properly. |
G/(G#) |
Green/Blue |
Aye |
6 – This chakra is known as the brow chakra or third eye center. It is related to the act of seeing, both physically and intuitively. It is associated with Light. As such it opens our psychic faculties and our understanding of archetypal levels. When healthy it allows us to see clearly, in effect, letting us "see the big picture." |
A/(A#) |
Indigo |
Eee |
7 – This is the crown chakra that relates to consciousness as pure awareness. It is our connection to the greater world beyond, to a timeless, spaceless place of all-knowing. When developed, this chakra brings us knowledge, wisdom, understanding, spiritual connection, and bliss. Connects you with messages from higher realms. |
B |
Violet/Red |
While toning, pay attention to everything the vibrations may be awakening in you.
What is the effect of the tone in your body? Is it soothing? Agitating? Energizing? Relaxing? Focus on the present moment and open your awareness. Don't analyze the feelings or judge yourself for having them. Continue with an open heart and mind, and you will begin to see results, sometimes subtle and perhaps much more dramatic.
How ever you decide to tone, it's important to do it on a regular basis. Toning for 10 to 20 minutes every day can bring many benefits for your health on all levels. It is better to tone regularly for shorter amounts of time, than to tone for a long time very sporadically.
Toning can be practiced alone or in a circle with others. Remember, there's no right or wrong way to tone, only your way. Your natural inner wisdom and intuition will guide you; if you become aware and listen to it.
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