Music Therapy for Wellness | ANURADHA MAHESH http://anuradhamahesh.wordpress.com/music-therapy/ ANURADHA MAHESH ’Music is a Discipline and a Mistress of Good Manners, she makes the people milder and gentler, more Moral and more Reasonable’’ – Martin Luther King. Music Therapy for Wellness #7-The Concept of Remedial Music (http://anuradhamahesh.wordpress.com/music-therapy /the-concept-of-remedial-music/) #6-Music and Stress Relief It is with great dedication and devotion I have composed this music for stress relief . This was done by me when a famous Ayurvedic group approached me and asked for a soothing music that could bring down the stress level. This particular music is played during their Panchakarma Chikitsa session which is done during the morning hours. When the Sun fades and all extroversion, entertainment, and distraction is denied to Man, the mind retreats into a state of meditative introversion we call sleep. Thoughts that are unfinished in the mind, during the day, continue throughout the night in the forms of dreams, striving towards their resolution, as part of the brain’s intrinsic mechanism to find order. In a sense then, sleep is Nature’s way of reuniting Man with him or herself, enabling that which lies dormant in the hidden recesses of the mind, to reveal and express itself in secure isolation from the world. 1 of 35 28-Jan-14 15:20 Music Therapy for Wellness | ANURADHA MAHESH http://anuradhamahesh.wordpress.com/music-therapy/ The dawn of a morning then, has tremendous significance. It is the first witness of the conscious mind to the revelations of the night. To many, the waking hours may express the calm satisfaction of a release, the relief of a burden, and a feeling of pious quietude. To others, however, the meditation of sleep may have brought to the surface of the mind, the most secret burdens of one’s life, and leave one in emotional turmoil. Therefore, if one were to provide a general description of the mood of a morning, perhaps it would be one of serenity and depth, holy, while simultaneously tinged with emotions ranging from great disturbance to supreme calmness. A musical note has its own distinct psychological effect or emotion, and is also related specifically to a colour, mood, chakra, and time of day. Raga Bowli is chosen to promote relaxation and prevents the effects of chronic stress , promoting emotional well being and maintaining positive mental health to begin the day. The slower tempo of Raga Bowli in the composition promotes a calm and meditative state. Breathing and heart rate is altered by listening to the music – here it is Bhagavad Gita the Supreme Manthra and Chapter 9 Raja Vidya deeply penetrates in to the human system through the Ajna Chakra. (Ajna Chakra – the third eye point- this is the intellectual center where your intuition and imagination blossom. It encourages self-reflection and is related to mental clarity. ) Close your eyes and concentrate on the Ajna Chakra and imagine the Sarvaathmaswaroopa Lord Sri Krishna while listening to the music. Wishing you All a Stress Free Life with Spiritual Enlightment. Download Bhagavad Gita-Chapter 9 Here (http://www.mediafire.com/?20ohymkynym) —————————————————————————————————————- #5-Raga Chikitsa -Its Effects and Timings One of the unique characteristics of Indian music is the assignment of definite times of the day and night for performing or listening Raga melodies. It is believed that only in this period the Raga appears to be at the height of its melodic beauty and majestic splendor. There are some Ragas which are very aractive in the early hours of the mornings; others which appeal in the evenings, yet others which spread their fragrance only near the midnight hour. This connection of time of the day or night, with the Raga or Raginis is based on daily cycle of changes that occur in our own body and mind which are constantly undergoing subtle changes. Different moments of the day arouse and stimulate different moods and emotions. Each Raga or Ragini is associated with a definite mood or sentiment that nature arouses in human beings. The ancient musicologists were particularly interested in the effects of musical notes, how it 2 of 35 28-Jan-14 15:20 Music Therapy for Wellness | ANURADHA MAHESH http://anuradhamahesh.wordpress.com/music-therapy/ effected and enhanced human behavior. Music had the power to cure, to make you feel happy, excited,keep you calm, balance your mind and so on. Extensive research was carried out to find out these effects. This formed the basis of time theory as we know it today. Emotions, feelings and thoughts have been reported to be greatly influenced by music listening or participation. Emotional experience derived from music has a powerful effect on the formation of one’s moral and intellectual outlook. Music activities enhance imagination & creative thinking. Here is a humble aempt from my part to list the ragas with their therapeutical effects and the appropriate time at which these ragas should be listened. This list will be updated as and when I come across any new raga with their effects and timings. Most of the raga timings given here are taken from variuos sources. The sources include Sangeetha Sampradaya Pradarshini wrien by Sri Subbarama Deekshithar,References from the The Raga Guide -A Survey of 74 Hindustani Ragas, times given as per the seminar papers presented by various experts in the field of Music Therapy. It is in the form an excel worksheet. Readers can download or view it online. The 24 hour period is divided into 8 beats each three hours long, as follows: The 24 hour period is divided into 8 beats each three hours long, as follows: 1. 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. first beat of the day. Daybreak; Early Morning; Morning; 2. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2nd beat of the day. Late Morning; Noon; Early Aernoon; 3. 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. 3rd beat of the day. Aernoon; Late Aernoon; 4. 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. 4th beat of the day. Evening Twilight; Dusk (sunset);Early Evening; 5. 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. first beat of the night. Evening; Late Evening; 6. 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. 2nd beat of the night. Night; Midnight; 7. 1 a.m. – 4 a.m. 3rd beat of the night. Late Night 8. 4 a.m. – 7 a.m. 4th beat of the night. Early Dawn; Dawn (before sunrise); Morning Twilight Raga and Timings (http://www.anuradhamahesh.com /files/Raga%20and%20Timings.xlsx) —————————————————————————————————————————— #4-Raga Chikitsa Simply defined, Raga Chikitsa means “healing through the use of raga.” Raga Chikitsa is defined as “the knowledge of how to use raga for the purposes of healing. Fundamental features of Raga Chikitsa is the classification of the ragas based on their elemental composition (ether, air, fire, water, earth) and the proper use of the elements to balance the nature of the imbalance. 3 of 35 28-Jan-14 15:20 Music Therapy for Wellness | ANURADHA MAHESH http://anuradhamahesh.wordpress.com/music-therapy/ Ragas are closely related to different parts of the day acording to changes in nature and development of a particular emotion, mood or sentiment in the human mind. Music is considered the best tranqulliser in modern days of anxiety, tension and high blood pressure. It is believed that the human body is dominated by the three Doshas – Kaph, Pia and Vata. These elements work in a cyclic order of rise and fall during the 24 hour period. Also, the reaction of these three elements differ with the seasons. Hence it is said that performing or listening to a raga at the proper alloed time can affect the health of human beings. Raga and its Effects Kafi Raga – Evokes a humid, cool, soothing and deep mood Raga Pooriya Dhansari (Hamsanandi-Kamavardini ) – evokes sweet, deep, heavy, cloudy and stable state of mind and prevents acidity.. Raga Mishra Mand – has a very pleasing refreshing light and sweet touch Raga Bageshri – arouses a feeling of darkness, stability, depths and calmness. This raga is also used in treatment of diabetes and hypertension Raga Darbari (Darbari Kanada) – is considered very effective in easing tension. It is a late night raga composed by Tansen for Akbar to relieve his tension aer hectic schedule of the daily court life. Raga Bhupali and Todi – give treamendous relief to patients of high blood pressure. Raga Ahir-Bhairav (Chakravakam) – is supposed to sustain chords which automatically brings down blood pressure. Raga Malkauns and Raga Asawari (natabhairavi) – helps to cure low blood pressure. Raga Tilak-Kamod (Nalinakanti), Hansdhwani, Kalavati, Durga(Suddha Saveri) -evoke a very pleasing effect on the nerves. Raga Bihag, Bahar (Kanada), Kafi & Khamaj - For patients suffering from insomnia and need a peaceful sonorous sleep. Useful in the treatment of sleep disorders. Raga Bhairavi - Provides relief T.B, Cancer, Severe Cold, Phlegm, Sinus, toothache . Raga Malhar – Useful in the treatment of asthma and sunstroke. Raga Todi, Poorvi & Jayjaywanti – Provides relief from cold and headache. Raga Hindol & Marava - These ragas are useful in blood purification. Raga Shivaranjani – Useful for memory problems. Raga Kharahara Priya - strengthens the mind and relieves tension. Curative for heart disease and nervous irritablility, neurosis, worry and distress. Raga Hindolam and Vasantha - gives relief from Vatha Roga, B.P, Gastritis and purifies blood. Raga Saranga – cures Pitha Roga. Raga Natabhairavi – cures headache and psychological disorders. 4 of 35 28-Jan-14 15:20 Music Therapy for Wellness | ANURADHA MAHESH http://anuradhamahesh.wordpress.com/music-therapy/ Raga Punnagavarali , Sahana – Controls Anger and brings down violence Raga Dwijavanthi – Quells paralysis and sicorders of the mind Raga Ganamurte – Helpful in diabetes Raga Kapi – Sick patients get ove their depression, anxiety.