To
summarize the last two weeks blog posts... we introduced my concept of "Lyrical Imagery." Typically relaxation music consists
of instrumental music or music with nature sounds. And typical
relaxation exercises such as imagery or progressive muscle relaxation
consist of, again, instrumental music with (or without) nature sounds
with spoken imagery or directives. Lyrical Imagery uses sung
imagery (lyrics) that utilize right and left hemispheres of the
brain. Some universal imagery topics such as ocean, mountains and snow are used. See (printable)
research and rationale about Lyrical Imagery in the Resource Center -
MT Lyrical Imagery 1, 2 & 3.
Last week we discussed the important issue of how music affects us. Part 3, lets continue...Download "Lyrical Imagery" for FREE! - Click Here Lyrical Imagery is a collection of relaxation and stress management pieces. I particularly like this modality to establish sleep rituals for children (and adults). I will address this specifically in future blog posts.
Continued below is associated research and rationale for this project which can be accessed in full under the name "Lyrical Imagery 1, 2 & 3" in the Resource Center... (see bottom left of home pg)
What
is entrainment music?
The entrainment mechanism that is utilized in "Lyrical Imagery"
is a technique in which stimuli, particularly periodic or rhythmic
events, time lock thus affecting similar actions or behaviors (Rider,
1985). It is quite common to use sedative music that approximates the
tempo of an individual's relaxed heart rate (60 to 66 beat per
minute) or respiration rate (12 to 16 breaths per minute) to slow
down an individual's vital rates. A chain of events can occur where a less
rapid respiration rate leads to decreased heart rate, which leads to
less brain wave activity and decreased anxiety and stress levels,
overall eliciting a relaxation response. Bonny (1986) also points out
that tempo is not the only concern, mood states that influence body
imbalance can be effected by the "mood" of the music. In
research by Rider (1985) and Karim (1988) using entrainment music
with spinal pain patients results indicated that pain and EMG levels
were reduced. Lenard (1978) "characterized entrainment music as
an underlying mechanism describing the pull one dynamic system has on
another, and it is explained in physics as nature's way of preferring
the most efficient energy state" (as cited in Rider,
1887).***NOTE: the above vital rates are for healthy adults
What
are overtones and bow do they affect us?
Webster's
dictionary
defines overtone as: "an accompanying tone produced over the
basic tone by a musical instrument". Guitar and piano are two
particular instruments that produce many overtones. In 1975 Carmon,
Lavy, Gordon and Portnoy found that patients who listened to
classical guitar music as opposed to speech experienced an increase
in blood flow to their brain's right hemisphere (as cited in Rider,
Mickey, Weldin & Hawkinson 1991). And Sidtis (1980) found that
"the more harmonic overtones embedded in the sound, the greater
the right hemisphere advantage" (Rider et al., 1991). This is
significant as it relates to "Lyrical Imagery" because it
is well documented that the
right cortical hemisphere functions in a nonverbal,holistic,
imagistic, visual-spatial, metaphoric, intuitive manner
(Hodges, 1980). Therefore it is most beneficial, with regard to
inducing imagery and relaxation, to stimulate our brain's right
hem1sphere. The "Lyrical Imagery" pieces utilize the
acoustic guitar as to maximize the effects of overtones.
Overview... the purpose of past three weeks post information regarding "Lyrical Imagery" was to highlight the uniqueness of this concept, i.e., using sung lyrics (imagery directives) that affect us positively at a higher level than spoken imagery directives. Unique benefits to sung imagery directives include
music being processed differently and
at a deeper subconscious level than speech, music having the capability to induce a relaxation response, etc. Also, as opposed to imagery experiences or exercises that do not include music Lyrical Imagery employs the advantages of entrainment and overtones. So, as to not reiterate all of the information from the past three weeks, review the last two blog posts, including this one, to comprehend a complete summary of Lyrical Imagery's distinctive benefits.
My prescription this week??? Again, grab the free download of "Lyrical Imagery" and use it to relax with. But listen to it with NO DISTRACTIONS!!! Enjoy...
AND!!!! Please share with others, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter ... Thanks, David P.
