Therapeutic Support for Graceful Transformation
© 2011 Josie Wood -
Music is one of the swiftest and most effective ways to raise your mood, enliven
your energy, and open your heart. It can facilitate healing, shift your state and
get you flowing if are feeling emotionally blocked or stuck.
It is a whole field
of therapy in itself…it is all around us and freely available.
Even if you don’t have some means of playing music, you can always sing, or hum…or
just think a tune. That might sound odd – but try it – it can still bring a smile
to your face -
Here is a list of tracks from my personal archive that I turn to for an uplifting
fix (some of them go way back…!).
I hope they may lift you too and inspire you to
consider what music you have in your own archive or on your playlist that can raise
your energy and make your heart sing…! I have chosen to present these through YouTube.
The sound quality is sometimes less than brilliant – but it is still such a great
way of sharing music.
This is a classic…you will have heard it many times…but it is worth an extra listen here, as you also get to watch the joy exuding from his face as he sings.
Louis Armstrong – ‘What a Wonderful World’
I listened to this one a lot when I was going through a lot of impactful changes in my life. It fills me with energy and confidence every time I listen to it.
Michael Bublé – ‘Feeling Good’
I first heard this when I was going through an episode of feeling overwhelmed, I
listened to it over and over for a several days. I found I was singing along with
the song -
Sarah Brightman – ‘Deliver Me’
This one is a gentle anthem of encouragement.
As the lyrics of the song say...’pack up your troubles, get your old grin back’.
Here is a track of pure heart opening music. You can hear the soul in his voice.
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole – ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’
I have always found this music makes my whole being expand. When I listen to it – any issues that are bothering me seem to disappear and dissolve.
Richard Burmer – ‘Across the View’
Treat your whole being to a visit to Fabien Maman’s Sound Garden. Also (if you haven’t
already) check out the link in the green box at the top of this page showing his
research into the effect of sound on human cells. It is fascinating -
Depending on your mood this music can be like being wrapped in a cocoon of healing balm.
This is another beautifully healing song.
Mike Scott and the Waterboys – ‘Everlasting Arms’
This video was made by my partner…putting together another one of our favourite songs by Mike Scott, along with some images taken during a visit to the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland.
The Waterboys – ‘The Christ in You’
Mike Scott has created so much wonderful music that really touches the soul, so you
might want to explore that further on YouTube. I’ve include one more of his here.
Listening to this song is a particular joy -
The Waterboys – ‘This Light is for the World’
Look in the mirror…look right into your own eyes and sing this to yourself…!
Here is another one to sing to yourself.
Annie Lennox – ‘Shining Light’
Lay back into this mellow feel-
Various artists – ‘Perfect Day’
A sweetly uplifting song.
Ooo…I would have loved to be in the audience for this one…with a flower in my hair and a big smile on my face.
The Beatles – ‘All you need is Love’
Try this one for an injection of energy…!
Irene Cara –‘Flashdance -
If you have some deep and passionate feelings that you want to dance through your body and release, this is a great one.
Afro Celt Sound System and Sinead O'Connor – ‘Release’
And if your body wants to move with even more foot stomping passion here is another one…
Afro Celt Sound System – ‘Lovers Of Light’
This one makes me want to dance anytime any place – for no other reason than it feels good and it makes me laugh. Whatever my mood it lifts me higher…if I am bit down…I feel better, and if I am already feeling good…this has me FLYING…!
More music to fly to…
In the lyrics of this song he asks – ‘Are we Human or are we Dancer’. Well actually …I think I am Dancer…!
I ran a charity marathon many years ago. When I made it to the finish line this
music was playing – it was
so exhilarating…!
Tears For Fears – ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’
This one is full of spine tingling passion.
You’re probably familiar with this classical recording. Even so prepare to be roused and ingnited right here and now if you click on this one…!
Handel -
…and a few more classical tracks.
Giving your full attention to music is one of the most powerful ways of being fully in the moment. This exquisitely beautiful music is played by musicians and a conductor who express that sense of total immersion. Watch out for the abrupt ending on the video…it made me realise how much I had merged with the music when it suddenly stopped…!
Thomas Tallis – ‘Fantasia on a Theme’
Ohhhh can you feel the joy, the elation and awe in this one. The expression of powerful emotion on the face of the conductor Eiji Oue touches me deeply. He is truly one with the music and I join him there.
Holst – ‘Jupiter – The Bringer of Jollity’
Here is one to listen to if you have some sadness or grief to release. Let this compassionate music dissolve it and carry it away. Then feel the deep healing that is available in this composition which can speak directly to your soul.
Samuel Barber – ‘Adagio for Strings, op.11’
This is a mesmerising song with a gift in its message, and is great to listen to when you feel your life is in chaos and you wish to find your way through that. I am grateful to someone called Icemoura who posted on YouTube what the Japanese sounding words at the end mean. I have copied his post here, as it really adds another dimension to the song when you know their meaning.
Chitsujo, seijaku, shinjitsu (Order, silence, truth)
Konran kara chitsujo ga umare (Out of chaos, order arise)
Soon kara seijaku ga umareru (Out of the noise, silence is born)
Shinjitsu wa ai o umu (Truth gives birth to love)
This is a powerful and haunting track which seems to take me to a deeply still place inside myself.
Lisa Gerrard – ‘Come Tenderness’
This is a sweet tune with gentle uplifting words…one to hum to yourself to ease into feeling mellow.
Yusuf Islam – ‘Maybe There's a World’
A lovely musical boost for getting into the flow of letting go.
This is a song to make you smile while you are dancing.
Mark Owen – ‘Believe in the Boogie’
Here’s one that could be a theme song for the true you shining through when things get tough.
Let this track sing inside you and open you like a flower.
Charlotte Church and Sian Edwards – ‘The Flower Duet’ -
This music flows through the body like a wave. I like the feeling of it washing through
me -
The music of Helen Jane Long has some similarities with the music of Einaudi (in the link above). I love all their tracks. It is nearly impossible to pick a favourite. The music of both composers has the beautiful combination of being both deeply peaceful, and sensually satisfying. Treat yourself to exploring music from both of them.
This song has soaring passion and what seems like heartfelt longing to feel free and fully alive.
This track takes soaring passion to an exquisitely beautiful place. It feels like the perfect one to finish my list with…!
Andrea Bocelli-
If you would like to know the English translation of Con te Partiro click here.
So there is a small selection from some of the music
that lights up my life. I hope you have had some
happy…and touching moments listening to it.
And, as I said before…
what tracks touch you deeply, and open your heart…?
“Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Other Resources - Music
If you are interested to know more about how
individual notes can influence the cells of the body
you might like to look at the following couple of YouTube videos.
These videos are examples of the study of Cymatics developed by
Hans Jenny. They show how tones create shapes and patterns in matter.
Then have a look at the website of Fabien Maman. He is a Musician and healer, who has researched into the effect of sound on human cells.
Music has great power. Even single notes can change the way the cells in our bodies function. Combine notes in a beautiful tune or composition, and it becomes even more powerful. Then in some cases…put the music to words that touch your heart, and you add yet another dimension to its power.