When people find out that I'm a music therapist, the comments I hear most
often are "I wish I could sing!" or "Oh, I love to sing, but
I'm not good enough to do it in front of anyone." Some of these people
tell me that, as children, a parent, teacher or someone else told them that
they should just mouth the words because they didn't have a good enough voice.
Singing is our birthright! Singing is a natural and pure expression of how
glad we feel to be alive, and the way we show our love of music. Here are my
top five reasons to sing:
To connect with your body: We sing with our whole bodies.
Because singing is so connected to closely with breath, singing helps us "be
in our bodies" and
let go of the thinking (or worrying) we do much of the day. Singing can
be a joyful activity and can release endorphins (those feel — good
chemicals that
the body creates).
To connect with yourself: Meditative toning, singing along to a favourite
song or simply humming to yourself are all ways to tap into your inner
landscape and see what's going on in there.
To connect with others: Singing with other people — in
meditation, prayer, at a sing — along, at a concert, gathered round
the piano or at the bedside
— helps us experience in a very deep way that we are all truly connected.
To express your feelings: Many times a singer, songwriter or composer
has expressed our feelings in a way we could never have — if there's a song
that
expresses what you want or need to say, try singing along (keep in mind
that this is just for you and it's not about "sounding good").
To boost your good feelings: Whatever you focus on, you'll invite more
of into your life. You can choose uplifting, joyful and celebratory songs
to sing.
So sing out! Be proud of your own unique voice. Experiment with what works
for you — keep a journal of what you notice in your mind and body when you
sing specific songs. Then you can choose the right song for the right moment
and make use of the power of singing in your own life. •
About the Author Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, is the author of The
Everyday Self-Care
Workbook. To receive one of her free monthly newsletters, subscribe
at www.genuinecoaching.com.
Current Living promotes relevant information, articles, book excerpts, and useful resources
on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual topics to help you
make the most of living mindfully, healthily, creatively, and fully in the
Now.
About the Author
Current Living promotes relevant information, articles, book excerpts, and useful resources
on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual topics to help you
make the most of living mindfully, healthily, creatively, and fully in the
Now.