Healing Through Sound and Rhythm
By Priscilla A. Bright, MA

The energy of sound and rhythm has a strong healing effect. Physically it rejuvenates us by enlivening and moving the life force within our bodies. Emotionally it touches us, and allows emotional energy that is stagnant to become fluid and open. Spiritually it renews us, opening us to an expanded experience of gratitude and grace.

One of the most powerful ways you can connect with the healing power of sound and rhythm is to come together and make music with others, and, you don't need to be a trained musician to do this. In fact, when you work with sound as healing energy, the playing of instruments follows intuition, not conventional musical rules. This type of playing relies on connecting deeply with oneself, and then connecting with the group in a heart-based way and trusting what comes.

In my Music and Healing workshops with women, we weave a tapestry of sound using simple beautiful instruments such as drums, chimes, wind whirlers, and ocean drums. The sounds from these types of instruments can be combined together by a group of non-musicians to create beautiful and powerful energy music. As the group connects in with the larger creative wave of the moment, the deep joy of playing music together fills us all.

At the core of the healing experience with sound and rhythm is the powerful force of drums. Playing drums enhances one's life force and allows a strong wave of cleaning and clearing energy to rush through our system. In my healing work with women over the years, drumming has played a key role. For years I have kept a drum in my healing room and its presence always causes a definite reaction from clients. Sometimes it is one of desire, "I've always wanted to drum," and sometimes the reaction is fear or embarrassment, "You're not going to make me play that are you?" Yet without fail, every hand reaches out to touch the drum. And when I hand them the drum sticks, there always occurs a moment of delight as the power of the instrument reconnects them with a primal joy within themselves.

For women it is especially freeing to dive into the strong loud rhythm of drumming. So often women growing up have been told not to be too loud, or not to appear too big or powerful in a physical way. Drumming immediately frees us from those restraints, and allows the freedom to fill ourselves with our life force. Drums are generous instruments, and even with no training, anyone can immediately receive pleasure from playing.

One of my greatest passions is creating a safe environment for women to connect with their love of drumming. In my workshops there are no complex rhythms or hand positions to master, no separating out the group or instruments based on skill, and no one gets "put on the spot." Everyone gets to play all of the instruments, including the big base drums. In this healing environment, joy and accomplishment come from the deep energetic connection we experience, and the shared pure fun of playing music together.

As a counselor and energy healer, I have learned that for self-healing it is important not only to be focused quietly on our inner issues, but to also take some time to break out of our daily energy patterns and be big and move our energy. In this way we can change in a moment the way we are experiencing our lives. Healing music offers us that gift.

Priscilla Bright, MA is a counselor and energy healer in Kingston NY, specializing in women's stress and inner healing. A percussionist for many years, she creates and directs large music-healing events at the international Barbara Brennan School of Healing where she is faculty member, and also holds workshops locally for women on Music and Healing. For more information about Fall 2002 Music and Healing workshops call Priscilla Bright at (845) 688-7175.