Sound used to treat illnesses

A therapy centre in Jayanagar uses yoga and musical vibrations to treat conditions such as depression.

Prameya Health, preventive health care and cancer support centre in Jayanagar, has introduced a new technique of relaxation called ‘Nada Yoga’. ‘Nada’ means sound; the yoga technique incorporates music vibrations to treat disorders like depression and chronic illness.

Prameya’s Nada Yoga instructor Rajashekhar Veerabrahmachar talks about the advantages of practising the technique in a conversation with Metrolife.

Tell us a bit about Nada Yoga. How do you practice it?

Nada Yoga is practised in a closed room. We use a special instrument: a set of tuning forks of slightly differing proportions suspended at a specific height over an earthen pot filled with copper foils, to generate the sound. The humming sounds and proper resonance of this instrument is the main element in use here.

What is Nada Yoga mainly used in?

The uses of Nada Yoga is still being studied. Although we have received a lot of positive feedback from patients suffering from depression and chronic pains, there is no scientific documentation to support it.

Is it similar to music therapy?

No. Nada Yoga is not similar to Laya Yoga (music therapy). The former has specific patterns of vibrations that hit the right chakras (various focal points in the human body) and facilitate healing.

What is a session typically like? What is the duration of each session?

It is practised in groups, and a session lasts for about an hour. Patients usually lie down and relax their entire body while their subconscious minds respond.

Can this be employed in hospitals too? Who all can practice it?

The human body is capable of healing itself. Just being happy cures half of our diseases. Thus, Nada Yoga aims at making one happy. Anyone can practice this form of yoga.

Which is the instrument used? Where do you find the raw materials?

I make this instrument myself. It comprises an earthen pot and a set of tuning forks, which are made using cupric ferrous alloy. This instrument is not available anywhere, as of now.

Can people with no music knowledge also practice this?

Yes, they can. We have around fifteen patients at Prameya practising this at present. I intend to make more people aware of these healing techniques by conducting more
workshops.

Workshop addresses needs of women with cancer

Apart from administering Nada Yoga, Prameya also conducts workshops twice a month (on second and fourth Saturdays). These workshops address the unmet needs of supportive care for women diagnosed with cancer. Those women who have been diagnosed with cancer, are on treatment and have completed treatment can attend this session. There is one happening today, from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, at Prameya Health Centre, Jayanagar. The session is open to the public.

*Interested people can call Prameya clinic on 080 41219145 or 73494 72210. It is located in Jayanagar 3rd Block.