The Voice

What instrument is the most accessible, portable, least expensive and also extremely effective in terms of sound healing? The voice, of course! Sound healers recognise that the voice is probably our most magnificent musical instrument, and indeed a very powerful one, allowing for a deep resonance on a cellular level, and is an instrument which can be used by anyone, any time, and in any place. We specialise in vocal toning at Sacred Sound Inspirations, but also incorporate sacred chant and mantra in many of our events and offerings.

Chakra Toning

Chakra toning is a way of toning which brings balance and harmony into our own or another person’s energy field. There are various ways of working with sounds and the chakras, but we are going to explore the use of using specific chakra tones. In toning the chakra sounds, we are not chanting or singing words to a specific rhythm. We are creating sound by breathing in and then creating an extended sound for as long as we are able, allowing the vibration to affect both our physical body and also our subtle energy bodies.

Chakras are spirals of concentrated life force located in the subtle energy body starting from the base of the spine and perineum and extending to the top of the head. In Sanskrit, the word chakra means “wheel” through which universal energy flows in and out of a person. These energy centres carry with them profound emotional and psychological associations, and on a spiritual level, each chakra is the site of a specific consciousness with its own particular set of values. They represent a ladder of personal, psychological and spiritual growth. There are seven major chakras and many secondary and tertiary ones. If a chakra becomes blocked, congested or partially closed, this will have a profound impact on not only the physical body but also the entire subtle energy body. Initially, this will manifest perhaps as mental or emotional disturbance, but if prolonged, physical disease will occur. By using the sounds for toning the chakras with intention, the flow of energy within the chakra is balanced and restored and our energy system resonates at a much healthier vibration. Just a few minutes of chakra toning can make a huge difference, and it is interesting to compare how one feels before and after a twenty-minute chakra toning practise, to see how profoundly it impacts us on a psychological and physical level.

When toning sit comfortably with your spine as straight as possible so that the energy may flow as freely as possible. Toning on its own is powerful in its own right, but for those who practise Reiki, you can enhance the toning session by placing your hands on each chakra as you make the relevant vowel sound, channelling Reiki as you tone with the intention that Reiki and the vocal sounds you are making clear and balance that energy centre. It can be useful to focus on the element or colour associated with the chakra as you tone. As an example, when making the sound for the root chakra, you could focus on the element of earth, intending that the root chakra is cleared and aligned and you are grounded and secure in your place on the Earth. Alternatively, as you tone, visualise the colour red, the colour associated with the root chakra, and feel the vibration of this colour fill your energy field with vitality. For those of you who practise Yantra meditation, a visualisation and concentration technique which incorporates the use of symbols within the chakras, then you can tone and focus on the relevant symbol, in the case of the root chakra, a yellow square. It is also possible to incorporate movement as you tone, making specific movements which are symbolic of the chakra you are working on – walking around as you tone the vowel sound for the root chakra or circling the hips for the sacral chakra. For those of you who work shamanically with Power Animals, as you tone each chakra ask an animal to present itself to you for each different chakra and see what unfolds.

The simplicity of this practice is one of its advantages. As you sit with your spine straight, relax your body, letting go of any tension, take a few deep breaths, then on the next out-breath allow the sound to be toned for as long as you are able without straining. Take another breath and repeat. Toning should be done gently, and there is no need to worry about what pitch or note you are making, see what comes, allowing your voice to dictate the sound. Often when an energy centre needs a little more work than others, the sounds seem quite discordant to start with until the energy becomes clearer. There is no wrong or right as is more often the case when we do work of this nature. You do not have to be musical or have an excellent singing voice to do this practice or benefit from its effects. When toning on your own explore the depth of the sound, start gently but raise the volume if it feels appropriate, without straining. However, when toning in a group, it’s always best to allow your voice to merge with those of the others toning with you. If your voice stands outs above everyone else in terms of volume, then the harmony and oneness of the group experience are affected.

You can choose to work through each energy centre in sequence starting from the root and finishing at the crown or vice versa, or you may spend your toning practice working intuitively with your own energy field, making the sounds which are most important for you at the time. As you tone become aware of the effects of the sound on your physical body, your emotions, and your thinking. Listen to the sounds you are making and be mindful of the vibrations in different areas of your body. As the toning progresses, focus on how the energy is changing in that area. I have found that 20 minutes is a reasonable period for daily personal practise, but you can do less or more. When toning the chakras in sequence, it is good to have a small silence at the end of each chakra toning segment to appreciate the work you have done. Tone for about 2-3 minutes per centre. If you are working intuitively, then go with the flow of what feels right. You may wish to start slowly and build up the time you spend toning. In larger toning groups we have been part of, we have taken part in toning periods of up to twelve hours, so don’t worry too much about overdoing it! At the end of your toning period, give yourself a little time to ground yourself.

You can choose to work through each energy centre in sequence starting from the root and finishing at the crown or vice versa, or you may spend your toning practice working intuitively with your own energy field, making the sounds which are most important for you at the time. As you tone become aware of the effects of the sound on your physical body, your emotions, and your thinking. Listen to the sounds you are making and be mindful of the vibrations in different areas of your body. As the toning progresses, focus on how the energy is changing in that area. I have found that 20 minutes is a reasonable period for daily personal practise, but you can do less or more. When toning the chakras in sequence, it is good to have a small silence at the end of each chakra toning segment to appreciate the work you have done. Tone for about 2-3 minutes per centre. If you are working intuitively, then go with the flow of what feels right. You may wish to start slowly and build up the time you spend toning. In larger toning groups we have been part of, we have taken part in toning periods of up to twelve hours, so don’t worry too much about overdoing it! At the end of your toning period, give yourself a little time to ground yourself.

Many different traditions work with chakra toning in this way, and some of them differ in the sounds they attribute to each chakra. In the following table we have listed the sounds and correspondences we use, but should you wish to try other sounds and correspondences according to other traditions, then please do.