Breath in Healing
Music Therapy Today
Format:
Journal Article
Publication Date:
Nov 30, 2002
Sources ID:
85261
Collection:
Contemplative Practices and Breath Research
Visibility:
Public (group default)
Abstract:
(Show)
Many healing traditions have used breath as vehicle for healing. Two specific healing initiatives are used as illustrations of how breath is both a subtle organizing property and a material manifestation. Singing, in the context of music therapy, organizes intentionally the physiological abilities of another person as they recover from coma. The second healing initiative is that of Qigong Yangsheng for the treatment of asthma. Here breathing is also used as an intentional activity, this time by the patient to improve his or her own breathing abilities and to heal what is essentially a breathing problem, the material manifestation of air-flow.Breathing is a central principle in communication and healing and forms the basis of many therapeutic disciplines. Perhaps we can encourage our clinician colleagues toward be aware of their breathing and be less aware of their machines.