Are you "tuned in" to your own needs and feelings?  Does

your body "hum", or do you feel it needs a "tune-up"?  Do

you feel "in sync" with the world around you?

Depending on your response to the above questions, you

might do well to consider the following admonition by

Steven Halpern (author of Sound Health).  "Being in harmony

with oneself and the universe is more than a poetic image."

Or as Deepak Chopra (well-known author of Ageless Body,

Timeless Mind) observes, "Health is not merely the absence

of disease, but a state of harmony and well-being that

permeates every cell of the body and mind."

Throughout the centuries, civilizations have recognized the

power of music and sound to influence health and healing.

Although we often do not know the exact role of music in

earliest societies, one thing is fairly certain.  Music was

extremely important and pleasurable to each member of the

society, having a significant function in nearly every

phase of life.  Its use with the ill was felt to strengthen

their resolve and encourage them to become active

participants in the healing process.

The Greeks were particularly known for their attention to

music, putting great stock in the achievement of proper

harmony between body and soul.  Pythagoras-for whom order,

proportion and harmony were a necessary part of

life-developed many of the fundamental components of our

musical tonal system today.  Like Pythagoras, Plato and

Aristotle believed music to be extremely important in the

maintenance of a pure and peaceful harmony with life.  For

them, a healthy body and educated mind were synonymous

because they shared three qualities:  a harmonious nature,

melodious charm and rhythmic order.

Centuries later, the philosopher, Frances Bacon, would

comment on the mythological relationship between Apollo

(the god of music) and his son Aesculapius (the patron of

medicine):  "The poets did well to conjoin music and

medicine in Apollo, because the office of medicine is but

to tune this curious harp of man's body, and to reduce it

to harmony."

Some might think that music simply "goes in one ear and out

the other"!  In reality, the entire body-not just the

ear-is sensitive to and responds to sound.  Every cell in

the human body vibrates.  In fact, different body parts

resonate at different frequencies and respond accordingly.

As a result, music evokes a range of both physiological and

psychological effects.

Physiologically, it promotes changes in the sensory,

musculoskeletal and neurological systems, making it a

useful tool for relieving pain, and promoting relaxation.

Psychologically, music can reflect a momentary feeling or

change it.  Alternately, it can enhance or dispel a present

mood.

Music provides a valuable stress management tool through

its ability to decrease anxiety, alter moods, lift

depression, facilitate self-expression and increase

self-esteem.  Long term benefits of music-especially when

part of a regular relaxation routine-can include increased

energy, a more robust immune system, enhanced

concentration, clarity and creativity, more ease in falling

asleep, a positive attitude and enhanced recuperation

following illness or surgery.