The Energy of SINGING
Whether it is a soft lullaby or a flamboyant, trumpeting, popular song, the energy of singing sets off immeasurable benefits for yourself and those near you.
One of the greatest energies in all the universe is music: it is the universal language revealed in the notes, melodies and harmonies of song and singing.
Music can stimulate, like a flamboyant, trumpeting pop-tune. Just the same, it can soothe, like a soft lullaby. Music is the electric energy language of the universe. As Beethoven wrote centuries ago:
“Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.
Music is the electrical soil
in which the spirit lives, thinks, and invents.”
The intriguing thing about music is that when it is played by the instrument of your VOICE, it is the perfect connection of the physical and spiritual – joining the mind-body and the soul. You. Sing. And amazing things can happen.
Singing for Your Energy, Health and Well-Being
Singing can release the same kind of energy that I wrote about in my Blog about SMILING: it is so good for you.
Intoning a long note (like an “Om”), or chanting notes that reverberate with one another (like Gregorian Chants and Hymns) is a type of singing that can reduce stress and strain, as well as relieve tension, worry and anxiety.
This works in favor of your immune system, too. The rhythms of a cheery, upbeat little warble may be just the tone your phenomenal body wants and needs to heal – or resist harmful micro-organisms in the first place.
More than anything, singing improves your breathing and your lungs’ capacity to function as an oxygenator to your blood system and your brain.
In turn, this naturally improves your disposition for a lighter humor and mood; and that enhances your mental health.
Singing for Your Brain Development
Many a parent has heard of and wondered about a phenomenon known as the “Mozart Effect”. This is a theory that claims that “listening to Mozart makes you smarter” or that early childhood exposure to classical music has a beneficial effect on mental development. Singing falls into the same category.
There is an engaging video of a scientist who tests random volunteers to discover if, after a listening exercise (hearing Mozart, Rock Music or Silence), they can improve their
- Cognitive Spatial abilities (using Tangram puzzles),
- their memory (How many objects can you recall?), and
- their Reaction Time (drop / catch a yardstick).
It’s fun to watch!
Singing Energy for Others
I love to sing and find myself singing often to our Baby Grands. Even now, when they are not babies anymore, they still ask for one of the lullabies I wrote for each of them. And they still remember all the words.
Baby and Song
As it turns out, a baby’s memory for music is truly amazing. Even tiny infants perceive and respond to and remember rhythm and tone, especially when it is repetitive. It is similar to what poets call ‘prosody’: the patterns of rhythm and sound. Babies can often hum and sing (in a la-la-la fashion) long before they can speak.
Mood Changer
When a child is in a gretzy feisty-dreg, music can really help divert their attention. You start singing a song – even the Alphabet Song – and you shift their mood, almost instantly. This works on infants, babies, toddlers and teens. Start playing and singing along to a happy tune and it is an irresistible invitation.
Rewards
The repetition is an important part of this because there is a sense of recognition and anticipation of the next line. Singing teaches rhythm and new words, as well as developing listening skills and developing the cognitive and emotional brain.
There is a contentment and enjoyment for the other person, no matter the age. Ultimately, the children and/or grown-ups can even encourage and calm themselves. Sometimes, our grands have pivoted to a better mood or hummed themselves to sleep.
Communal Reassurance
By and large, little ones love the focused attention they receive when you sing to them. Human beings of every age feel the community of spirit that singing together can offer.
Bonus
Singing can get you moving. It’s hard to stay in that old stuffed chair when a song gets you singing along. Music and singing can be playful and fun. When you want to dial down the energy level, you can change the music to a calm, tender tune that makes the moment serene… with your…
LIGHT ON!
