When my mom was in early dementia, my friend Conrad, who taught yoga, suggested breathing practices - but I didn't live near enough to help her implement something new ...
Sound healer Jonathan Goldman suggests humming for ~ 5 minutes each day, while Jim Donovan bespeaks studies showing meditation or chanting a mantra (Sa Ta Na Ma) with accompanying mudra (hand positions) benefits the brain and slows the onsert of degeneration. I now do Wim Hof's breathing exercises several times a week, and have several singing practices.
In the 90s, I took 'How Music Heals' as part of Laurie Riley's Music for Healing and Transition certification program. We learned how music can reduce pain, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, stabilize the heart rate, promote well being and enhance the memory. Music benefits both the performers and listeners!
Mental Health
I was intrigued by studies showing familiar music, esp. That from our younger years, helps place folks in time and aids memory. In contrast, less familiar and arrhythmic music is best when playing for someone in their last days (Thanatology), and that with a steady rhythm can stabilize the heart.
My dad played piano and sang old favorites most evenings, and we often played and sang together throughout my youth and childhood. We noticed a decline in my mom's memory after his passing, and more clarity after music events at her Spayed Living! She enjoyed music, but didn't sing or play herself, so lost the benefit of those daily tunes. I love being invited to play harp at care facilities and events!
Physical Benefits
At a folk harp retreat in the mid 90s, harper Ron Price, who had a debilitating neurological disorder, told us that his symptoms abated when he played an hour each day, but began to return when he skipped several days - the harp sits against the chest and stimulates the thymus gland. Ron had begin taking small therapy harps into care facilities, so patients could play themselves, and receive more benefits.
If you sing, play an instrument, or have a mindfulness practice, you're already ahead of the game! If your practice is more sporadic, consider adding 15-30 minutes a day for a week, and see how you feel!
Do you incorporate music and or breathwork in your weekly activities?
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4 comments:
I love how you’ve connected the dots between music, rhythm, and brain health—it’s fascinating to think about how something as joyful as listening to or playing music can have such a profound impact on our well-being. The idea that music can help us feel grounded and improve cognitive function is both encouraging and inspiring.
When I was younger, I played both piano and trumpet - your post really makes me want to pick up an instrument again!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge in such an engaging and fun way. Looking forward to more rhythm-filled insights from you! 😊
I'm glad you found it inspiring, Paul, and hope you do reconnect with your own rhythm.
I grew up singing with my dad, and also had those years of music lessons. I find the harp resonates in a way piano never did, and am grateful for the revival and availability of folk harps!
I aim to attend our weekly drum circles, and to play a bit of harp.
What a fascinating connection between music, rhythm, and brain health! I remember my typing teacher playing music during practice sessions; it really improved our speed and consistency. It’s especially poignant that we lost Tony Bennett to Alzheimer's disease in July 2023. His last concert in 2021 was a tribute to the enduring power of music. Variety has a nice article about his last show: https://variety.com/2021/music/news/tony-bennett-danny-concerts-canceled-radio-city-music-hall-1235040769/ Thank you for sharing your experience about your mom in your post; it adds a meaningful touch.
Thank you, Jodi
Music is such a simple, yet powered tool! My creative writing teacher played music for us at times - I wish Mrs Bell had thought of that for typing!! My dyslexia made that class a terror!
And i enjoy thinking how much my dad's music helped my mom. After that music for Healing and Transition workshop, Mama and I talked on the phone, and she shared that their had a singing group at her assisted loving that day. I observed she was extra lucid, and she agreed!
It is poignant about Bennett - thank you for sharing the article!
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