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Part 2 Sound Therapy - Practical Information

If you’re thinking 2025 is the year to explore your mind and body connection with Dounia at Sequences, she shares more to help you decide if sound therapy is a practice you’d be open to experiencing.  

 

Written by Ellen Masters Postel

Photography by Marie-Josée Bédard


What inspired you to engage in the practice and then to get certified/trained? 

My own journey of exploring what could be of help to bring calmness, serenity, to activate creativity and openness, to establish connection with the Self and all. As I appreciate non-invasive solutions and methods to achieve well beingness, I endeavored to study different schools and practices. 


What exactly is sound therapy?

Sound therapy is a practice rooted in ancient traditions and supported by modern scientific studies that explore the physiological and psychological effects of sound on the human body, heart and mind. 

The practice involves receiving through listening to, or physically by being exposed to the frequencies transmitted the vibrations of a large variety of instruments. It aims to bring back balance of body, mind and heart; which in holistic therapy is called homeostasis.


Sound Therapy works well with other modalities, practices like reflexology, breathwork, mindful body movements like Yoga, meditation and visualization. 


What type of training/certification did you receive? 

I received hands-on training with teachers from South Africa, Australia and Latin America. I also obtained certifications from the UK. 


What services do you offer?

I facilitate group and one on one sessions, weekly and on demand. However, that is one modality that I deploy in my practice. Being a Multi-Disciplinary and Inter-Disciplinary Therapist allows me to customize and integrate several modalities to meet my clients’ needs on their journey.   


I noticed your offerings take place at Sequences.  Can you share more about the location of your offerings?

I found a matching mindset and focus on alternative approaches in Sequences to help people achieve and maintain a healthy state of wellness. I personally see how the different practices at Sequences complement each other creating attractive packages to encourage whoever is willing to restore their energy, connection with themselves and grow their comfort zone. For instance, we combine Aerial Yoga, Breathwork, mindful body movement like Yin Yoga and Aqua Therapy with Sound Therapy, creating unique experiences! 


How long do typical group sessions last? 

A group session goes for 45 to 60 minutes.




What should people know or consider before going into a session for the first time? 

I encourage people who try for the first time to educate themselves about the practice, making sure they use trustworthy sources of knowledge. For a first timer, it is helpful to free yourself from expectations or what could be relayed by others, as each experience is exceptionally unique. 


Wearing comfortable outfits, preferably of natural fibers, removing any tight accessories. 

For optimal experience, it helps to not eat 90 to 120 minutes before the session and to hydrate the body, so it absorbs better the resonance of the frequencies.



Are there instances when one should avoid attending a sound bath healing session? 

In case of pregnancy, or being diagnosed with Anxiety, Autism, Epilepsy, bone fractures, have undergone any surgeries, or having body implants or hearing aids; it is always recommended to consult with your physician and the Sound Therapist before the session.


Do you have any upcoming events you’d like to invite people to attend if interested? 

I invite people to follow Sequences’ Instagram or create their own account using the App to remain updated with our agenda of events and activities. There will be plenty of workshops and events scheduled in 2025 and I am looking forward to welcoming everyone there!


Where can people go to learn more about you and your practice? 

For now, my account on Instagram as well as Sequences’ are the direct channels through which we receive messages and address queries.


Here are some evidence-based principles behind sound therapy:


1. Brainwave Entrainment and Neuroplasticity

  • Mechanism: Sound therapy utilizes specific frequencies to influence brainwave activity. Binaural beats, for instance, present two slightly different frequencies to each ear, prompting the brain to "entrain" or synchronize its waves to a desired state (e.g., alpha for relaxation or theta for meditation).

  • Evidence

    • Studies: Research has shown that binaural beats can influence states of relaxation, improve focus, and enhance meditation practices.

    • Neuroplasticity: Repeated sound therapy may encourage neuroplastic changes, potentially improving emotional regulation and cognitive function.


2. Stress Reduction and the Relaxation Response

  • Mechanism: Certain sounds and frequencies activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which counteracts the fight-or-flight stress response, promoting relaxation and lowering cortisol levels.

  • Evidence

    • Heart Rate Variability (HRV): Studies demonstrate that sound frequencies can regulate HRV, a marker of stress resilience.

    • Cortisol Studies: Sound therapy has been linked to decreased levels of cortisol and other stress hormones.


3. Resonance and Cellular Health

  • Mechanism: Sound waves create vibrations that can resonate with body tissues, potentially aiding cellular health. This concept, known as cymatics, explores how sound frequencies influence matter.

  • Evidence

    • Research on acoustic stimulation shows that specific frequencies can stimulate cellular repair and regeneration.

    • Vibroacoustic Therapy: Using low-frequency sound vibrations, has shown promising results in reducing pain, improving mobility, and enhancing physical recovery.


4. Emotional Healing and Mental Health Benefits

  • Mechanism: Sound therapy activates areas of the brain associated with emotion and memory, such as the amygdala and hippocampus. The use of harmonic tones and rhythms can induce feelings of peace, joy, or release.

  • Evidence

    • Studies on sound baths and gong therapy report reductions in anxiety and improvements in mood and emotional resilience.

    • Sound therapy has shown potential in managing symptoms of PTSD, depression, and other mood disorders.


5. Sound Therapy in Chronic Pain Management

  • Mechanism: Sound vibrations may reduce the perception of pain by activating the brain’s endogenous opioid system or by diverting attention away from discomfort.

  • Evidence

    • Vibroacoustic therapy and music-based interventions have been shown to reduce pain perception and improve quality of life in chronic pain patients.

    • A 2020 meta-analysis found significant improvements in pain management with therapeutic sound.


6. Improved Sleep Quality

  • Mechanism: By entraining brainwaves to slower frequencies (delta waves), sound therapy promotes deeper states of sleep and relaxation.

  • Evidence

    • Studies have linked sound healing techniques to better sleep patterns, improved REM sleep, and reduced insomnia symptoms.

Key Research and References

  • Physiology of Sound: Studies on the auditory-vagal connection by Stephen Porges (Polyvagal Theory) demonstrate how sound influences the autonomic nervous system.

  • Neuroscience of Music: Research by Daniel J. Levitin highlights how sound affects emotions, cognition, and brain health.

  • Clinical Trials: Many small-scale studies and meta-analyses on sound therapy validate its effects on stress reduction, mental health, and physical recovery.



Sequences


Burj Marina Tower, 6th Floor Lusail City,

Doha, State of Qatar


Contact

Call/WhatsApp +974 5111 7700

Call +974 4142 1881



Dounia Marei's instagram





Ellen Masters Postel

​Ellen is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach supporting individuals reach and even exceed their personal goals.

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© 2022 Marie-Josée Bédard

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